Seeing rust on your steel garage door does not always mean you need to replace it. You can return it to like new condition if you deal with it promptly. Rust spreads quickly, but you can stop its growth and prevent damage to the underlying surface. Many manufacturers provide 10-year warranties against deterioration caused by rusting. However, an older steel door can provide many years of use in beautiful condition with proper care. At Overhead Door Houston, we can help you meet your maintenance needs.
Attacking the Source
A simple application of white vinegar gives you a start on removing rust by softening it. Steel garage doors react to exposure to moisture, and humid areas increase the chance of rust forming on a garage door. Let the reaction of vinegar make the job easier and more effective than sanding alone.
1. Fill a small bucket with white vinegar, dip a cloth into it and saturate the rusted areas.
2. Use steel wool to loosen and remove the rust.
Checking Your Garage Door Spring Carefully
Corrosion can cause a door’s springs to crack or break, causing the door to crash on a car or person. When it appears as a light coating, an application of a solvent such as WD-40 makes it removable with a wire brush. The solvent has no lubricating ability and needs removal before potentially damaging the springs. The tension in garage door springs makes them dangerous, and Overhead Door Houston can provide a safe and effective repair.
Fixing Dents and Dings
As winter approaches, some restorative measures on a garage door can prepare it for use in spring. The longer a corrosion problem remains untreated, the more damage it can do.
1. Use a bonding agent for metal like auto body filler to fill any holes in the surface.
2. Allow the filler to dry.
3. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the rusted area.
4. Continue the process by sanding the entire door.
5. Remove dust with a leaf blower or dry cloth.
Cleaning the Door
Garage door paint cannot adhere to a dirty or greasy surface, making it important to clean the door before starting an improvement project.
1. Following the sanding process that removes paint blobs, debris or dirt, mix a bucket of warm water and dish soap.
2. For a more complete cleaning, wash the garage door with a mix of TSP with warm water according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
3. Hose down the door surface.
4. Allow a day or two for complete drying with no rain in the forecast.
Completing the Preparation Stage
A garage door occupies a significant portion of a home’s exterior, attracting attention for its beauty or status as an eyesore. The diligent work of removing rust and filling dents to the surface completes half the job and prepares the door for a greatly improved appearance. A fresh coat of paint can make a door look almost new again.
Creating a New Look
A couple of different approaches to applying paint provide a choice that depends on your preferences and the extent of the condition you want to repair. The most effective outcome results from using a sprayer to paint your garage door. Paintbrushes and rollers do not work as well as a sprayer. The grooves on a door surface can cause drips and runs that mar the appearance.
1. Start by choosing a rust-resistant primer and paint that meet manufacturers’ recommendations for metal garage doors.
2. Plan to apply two coats on your door.
3. As an alternative, a coat of primer and garage door paint to the repaired area lets you use a brush instead of a sprayer. The technique requires you to then apply a coat to the entire door. Failure to cover the whole surface can make the smaller treated area stand out and detract from the overall appearance.
4. Choose to paint and prime the whole surface to create the most esthetic effect and best protection against the return of rust.
Accepting Some Timely Tips
Make sure to allow time for your primer and paint to dry before applying another coat. In addition, remember that winter weather can hinder the outcome while warm weather contributes to the effect that complements your home. Overhead Door Houston can assist you with the maintenance and repair of your garage door.
