best paint for a steel garage door

Truck & Tool Rental The Home Depot Logo DIY Projects & Ideas Flooring & Area Rugs Lighting & Ceiling Fans Protect your home and increase curb appeal with the best exterior house paint A new coat of exterior paint improves your home’s appearance while simultaneously protecting it from moisture, fading and temperature changes. This guide will help you understand the different varieties of exterior paint and determine which type is best for your home. Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Paint Water-based paint is typically used for most exterior applications, but oil-based paint may work better on metals and bleeding woods. Consists of pigment and binder with water used as carrier Flexible: Expands and contracts with siding on house Breathable: Won’t trap moisture and crack or peel Dries faster (1-6 hours) with less odor Latex paints with an all-acrylic binder hold up to weather better than those with a vinyl-acrylic binder. Consists of pigment and resin in a solvent thinner.

On surfaces with four or more coats of oil paint, stick with oil, since a water-based paint may cause the oil paint to pull away and crack.
diy wedding decor supplies Bare wood and a few other bare surfaces need to be primed before you paint them.
pre decorated christmas trees realLike paint, primers come in oil- and water-based varieties. Oil-based primers are suitable for use with oil- or water-based paint, so you can prime a chalky surface with oil-based primer for better adhesion and still take advantage of the benefits of latex paint. Like oil-based paint, these primers are preferable for stained wood, bleeding wood (sap or tannin) and metals that rust. Water-based primers are recommended for most applications, but should only be used with water-based paint. Look for specific primers to be used wood, concrete, and metals such as galvanized steel, iron and aluminum.

Choose between flat/matte, glossy and satin finishes. Flat/matte finish: A flat finish hides imperfections better than a glossier finish but doesn’t clean as well. Flat finishes are generally used for siding. Glossy finish: Glossy paint creates a hard, shiny, durable finish that is easy to clean. Glossy paint brings out details, so it is usually preferred for trim and doors. It also accentuates imperfections, so it is not well-suited for siding or walls. Satin finish: A satin finish has a slight gloss, so it is easier to clean than flat paint yet still hides imperfections well. Exterior paint must withstand harsh weather, sunlight, temperatures and more. For this reason, some formulas are designed for use on specific parts of your home. What You Should Know Oil and latex available; 100% acrylic latex lends the best results Provides weather-resistant coverage for garages, porches, decks and concrete surfaces Oil and latex are both available;

oil is better for tin gutters Adheres well to galvanized steel and aluminum A galvanized metal primer must be applied before painting Oil and latex formulations available Will withstand wear and exposure to severe weather conditions Manufacturers offer specific formulations for regional climates Ideal for stucco, concrete, cement and shingles Most require a special pretreatment or bonding primer Pool and Marine Paint Look for a polymerized cement-based product for concrete and gunite pools Look for paints that provide stain- and abrasion-resistance Be sure to check for compatibility with your surface (pool, concrete deck or spa) Look for an acrylic-latex blend Most are mildew- and algae-proof Should not be used for waterproofing or to repair roof leaks Can be tinted to match roof color Surface Preparation and Painting Even the best paint won’t adhere well or produce good results if you don’t prepare the surface correctly.

If the surface has been painted before, check for peeling paint and scrape it off prior to applying a new coat. Clean, scrape and fill holes in the surface prior to paint application. If unpainted wood is gray or weathered, it should be sanded. Sleek surfaces may require light sanding to improve adhesion with primer or paint. Prime all bare wood, including bare spots and nails on previously painted surfaces. Tip: Paint in the right weather: In temperatures colder than 50 degrees, most paint won’t dry, but cold-weather paints are available for cooler climates. In warm temperatures or direct sunlight, paint may dry too fast, causing lap marks. Wind, rain and humidity can also affect the drying time and final appearance. Check your paint label for recommendations on temperature ranges before starting. Exterior Paint, Stain & Waterproofing Masonry, Brick & Stucco Paint Ask A Home Depot ExpertLike all exterior parts of a house, the garage door is constantly exposed to elements such as dust, sun exposure, and rain.

This ongoing exposure can cause chipping, peeling, and fading of the garage door’s paint. To extend the life of your garage door and improve the curb appeal of your home, give your garage door a makeover with simply a new coat of paint. Start your painting project early in the day to allow for enough daylight time to finish each step of the project. Be sure not to paint when the weather is too hot or cold and avoid painting in direct sunlight. The ideal temperature for painting is between sixty and seventy degrees with low humidity. A good quality painting job starts with thorough preparation of the work surface. Begin by cleaning off dirt and dust with an all purpose cleaner and scouring sponge. Then rinse off the garage door using a garden hose. Removal of the old paint is necessary before painting. If new paint is applied on top of an unstable surface, the new paint will not stay adhered to the garage door. Any loose paint can be removed using a wire brush, and rust can be removed using a paint scraper.

Apply a chemical paint stripper to the garage door and use a sanding sponge or electric sander to remove the remainder of the old paint. Safety goggles should be used during this step. Once the garage door has been cleaned and stripped of any old paint, use painter’s tape to mask trim, windows, and any other parts of the garage that you do not want to be painted. Finally, lay down a drop cloth to protect the floor from paint drippings. The next step in your painting project is applying the primer. This should be done within twenty-four hours of preparing the garage door. An exterior grade paint primer should be used. You can choose what type of primer to use based on your garage door type. A latex exterior primer will work for both metal and wood doors. Apply the primer onto the flat sections of the garage door with a paint roller, and then use a paint brush to reach the remaining areas. If you choose to use a paint sprayer, use a piece of cardboard to shield the trim and surrounding areas from being painted, and use long strokes to create a thin, even coating.

Allow twelve to twenty-four hours for the primer to dry before painting. Refer to the recommended drying time by the paint manufacturer. Application of the paint is done in the same method as the primer. Different types of paint can be used based on your preference. Acrylic exterior paint is flexible and won’t chip with the movement of the garage door. Oil-based exterior alkyd paint is top quality and will dry hard and smooth. Latex exterior paint can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water but may develop tackiness in warm weather. Whichever paint you choose, make sure to use an exterior grade. A semi-gloss sheen is recommended for easy maintenance. Apply the paint to both the inside and outside of the garage door. If you choose to paint a second coat, wait twenty-four hours for the first coat to dry. The last step is clean up. Wash all brushes and rollers, and pick up the drop cloth from the floor. The painter’s tape should be removed from trim and windows at a forty-five degree angle to avoid peeling paint.