How to Paint a Metal Garage Door 

Posted on: December 27th, 2021

Oftentimes, your garage door is one of the first things people see when they pull up to your home. But when it starts showing signs of wear and tear, people wonder just how to paint a metal garage door and if that is even an option. While painting a metal garage door requires some time and effort, it can certainly be done and is a fairly simple way to increase your home’s curb appeal and potentially give it a whole new look. If you live in the Sacramento area and would like help, click here to get your free estimate. 

Do I Have To Prime Before Painting?

Can You Paint a Metal Garage Door? 

Now that we know that you can in fact paint a metal garage door, let’s look at some of the do’s and don’t to ensure your hard work gives you great results. 

Some new garage doors come already primed. This is nice because they already did the first step for you. Now it’s just a matter of applying garage door paint or paint designed for metal, on top of the primer. Keep in mind that if you purchase a new garage door and it’s been galvanized, metal paint won’t adhere to it! You’ll be left with a peeling mess after a few days. We recommend not painting galvanized doors. So today we’ll be focusing on pre-primed metal garage doors or metal doors that have been previously painted. 

Best Paint for Garage Door 

Acrylic latex exterior house paint is generally your best choice for metal garage doors. But don’t make the mistake of purchasing cheap paint. You won’t regret paying a little more for a paint that will look better longer. It may even save you money in the long run because you won’t need to apply several coats. 

In most cases, one coat of metal garage door paint is all it takes. However, use your judgment after the first coat and move forward from there. You may need a second coat if you’re painting a light color over a darker shade. 

The best paint finish for your garage door is gloss or semi-gloss. Because these finishes dry hard, they protect your paint from scratches and scuffs. Glossy paint also holds up very well in humid or wet climates and wipes down easily for very low maintenance. A satin finish is also a good option. Below is a list of the best paints for aluminum or steel garage doors: 

  • Everlast Exterior Paint from Lowe’s 
  • Behr Ultra Exterior 
  • Zinsser Perma-White Rust-Oleum 
  • The Montage Signature Paint 
  • Diamond Brite All-Purpose Enamel 
  • Rust-Oleum 8781502 when painting galvanized metal

Best Primer for Metal Garage Door 

Rust is the biggest enemy of metal. A garage door showing signs of rust can be unsightly. There are a number of primers on the market that are designed to prevent rusting and corrosion. We highly recommend using a high-quality bonding primer for best results. Here are a few primer options that have proven successful: 

  • Kitz Adhesion Bonding Primer 
  • Gempler’s Eco-friendly Rust Converter and Primer 
  • Rust-Oleum Clean Metal Primer 
  • Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter Metal Primer

Choosing a Color 

With the thousands of paint colors out there, narrowing it down to just one can be tricky. You may want to choose a color that is similar to the color your door was previously painted. But, if you’re looking for a change, be sure you pick a color that goes well with your siding, trim, and any brick, stucco, or rock accents you have. Most people lean toward neutrals such as grey, tan, white, or beige. Just be sure you’ve thought it through and love your choice. 

How to Paint a Metal Garage Door 

With a little guidance, you can paint your garage doors in a weekend. Following these simple steps can help your project flow smoothly and ensure the best results.

Step 1 Consider the Weather 

It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast a week in advance. You’ll want to paint on a day that is not too hot and not too cold or wet. Paint may not dry properly in extreme temperatures. The ideal temperature for painting is between 50 and 75 degrees. 

If you choose to prime and paint with a sprayer, make sure there isn’t much wind. Not only is wind frustrating to work in but most of your paint won’t reach its destination. 

Step 2 Clean Metal Doors and Frame 

Thoroughly wipe down metal doors and frames with soapy water. Remove all stains, rust, and grease from your doors and dry with a clean rag. Make sure all dust and residue are completely removed.

Step 3 Preparation 

  • If you’re painting over old paint, light sanding is necessary, making sure all flaking paint is removed. Wipe down so no dust or debris remains from the sanding process. 
  • Use heavy-duty painter’s tape to mask off areas you don’t want to be painted. This includes windows locks, trim, and the edges of your garage. It may be a good idea to lay a tarp down onto your driveway and garage interior to protect from overspray as well. 
  • For easy maneuvering, disengage your garage door mechanism so you can open your door manually. 

Step 4 Priming 

Using a paint sprayer or quality roller, apply your primer of choice. A sprayer is a much quicker option but a roller works just fine. Once finished, open your garage door partially so your panels won’t stick together. If your door has inset panels, prime these first. Allow several hours for your primer to fully dry. 

Step 5 Painting 

Apply quality exterior paint to your door. Bottom to the top, starting with the inner panels and working your way out. Survey your work. If it looks covered and meets your standards, consider yourself done. But, if you can see uneven patches or spots where the old paint is peeking through, opt for a second coat. Allow at least 12 hours of curing time in between coats. Once done, remove the tape and don’t open your door until it’s had time to dry overnight. 

How to Paint a Metal Garage Door Conclusion 

If you have any questions about painting metal garage doors or just don’t have the time to paint your door yourself, give PaintRite Pros a call. People live very busy lives and often prefer experts to take care of tasks they aren’t totally comfortable with. Our team of painting professionals will be happy to take care of all your painting needs for you. We have an excellent reputation across the entire Sacramento area because we love what we do and we want you to love it too. We have Spanish speakers if you prefer to speak in Espanol. 

Get Free Estimate

How Long Does It Take For Exterior Paint To Dry?

Easy Color Coordination from the Experts 

Posted on: December 22nd, 2021

Paint Color Coordination Wheel

Choosing the perfect paint color coordination when you’re building a new home or updating your paint choices for your existing home can be overwhelming. How do you pick paints that are color coordinated and aesthetically pleasing at the same time? You might now know it, but there’s a science to which colors and tones complement each other and which ones don’t. So, let’s talk about some things to be mindful of when choosing a color scheme. We’ll also go over how to use the color wheel to guide you to your desired outcome.

Live in Sacramento and need professional painters? We’ll give you a free estimate. We serve the whole area including Davis, El Dorado Hills, Stockton, and Vineyard.

Trim Color Ideas

Color Coordination With The Color Wheel 

We all studied the color wheel back in middle school art class. But, maybe we didn’t realize at the time what a helpful tool it could be in pairing interior and exterior paint colors together. The color wheel is essentially divided into two parts. A warm side and a cool side. In general, the warm side tones of orange, red, and yellow, generate energy, warmth, and passion. The cool side hews such as green, blue, and purple, tend to create a sense of tranquility and calmness. You can use the different color combinations and patterns of the color wheel to help you choose colors that intrinsically work well together. The basic color combinations are as follows:

  • Complementary Colors 

Complementary colors are pairs of colors directly across from each other on the color wheel. These colors, when mixed or combined together, cancel each other out by creating either white or black. In the case of complementary colors, opposites attract. This color scheme results in a high contrast that is bright and really pops. These combos are bold so you have to be careful not to go crazy or your result will appear too loud. Red and green, orange and blue, yellow and purple are all examples of complementary color combos. It makes sense why sports teams choose these energetic and bold combinations as a winning formula for their representation. 

  • Triadic Colors 

Triadic color schemes are found by drawing an equilateral triangle on the color wheel which means each color is evenly spaced apart. The two most well-known combos are the primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, and the secondary colors which are orange, purple, and green. Typically, one color of the three will be dominant while the other two work as accents. 

  • Analogous Colors 

Analogous color combinations are groups of three that are found on any given side of the color wheel. Tones often found in nature, create a sense of harmony and serenity that is pleasing to the eye. This color scheme lends to a monochromatic look with depth and richness.

Popular Paint Colors and How To Use Them 

With the science of the color wheel on our side, let’s walk through some of the most popular paint colors on the market today and the do’s and don’t with each particular shade. Neutral tones typically make for the most popular colors but paying attention to the undertones will steer you away from unsightly matches. 

  1. Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams SW7029 

Agreeable gray is a luxurious neutral paint color by Sherwin-Williams. Honestly, this color is so versatile that there isn’t a shade it doesn’t compliment. Its base is gray with a hint of beige. It tends to appear warmer in bright lighting and a little grayer in cool lighting or darker spaces. Now that warmer gray hews are on the rise when it comes to popularity, Agreeable Gray is in its prime! Because of its warm undertones, agreeable gray coordinates nicely with Sherwin-Williams’ Extra White, Coral Rose, and Incredible White. 

  1. Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams SW7048 

Despite its dark appearance, Urbane Bronze is actually a very dark gray with bronze undertones, giving it a luxurious and sophisticated feel. In certain lighting, it can look dark brown, murky gray, or even give off a green sheen. A bold neutral, Sherwin-Williams pairs it with Extra White, Ivoire, and Shaji White. 

  1. Repose Grey by Sherwin-Williams SW7015 

Repose Grey bears some resemblance to Agreeable Gray and they both work in virtually any room in your home. It’s a warm gray that pulls cool in certain lighting. The slight blue and very light purple undertones can make it look a little cooler than some other greige colors. But, Repose Gray is overall a warm gray because its brown undertones overshadow the hints of blue. People love repose grey and use it to paint everything from kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and living spaces, to their exterior siding and brick. Sherwin-Williams recommends pairing with Paverstone, Coral Clay, and Elder White. 

  1. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore HC-172 

We’re all aware that there are endless colors of gray paint available on the market. But, not all grays are created equally. There are warm greys, cool greys, grays that look blue, grays that look green, and so on. Revere Pewter is one of the top-selling grays out there mainly because of its versatility and warm undertones. The great thing about this color is that you can pair it with warm and cool colors alike. White Dove by Benjamin Moore is the perfect compliment to Revere Pewter. 

  1. Mindful Gray by Sherwin-Williams SW7016 

Mindful Gray is another neutral favorite and a bit different than the other greige hews. While mindful gray is a warm color, it has hints of green and sometimes taupe undertones. In a dark room, the green is more prominent. The more natural light in your room, the warmer the gray will appear. Wood tones will also add to the strong green undertone of Mindful Gray. The paint colors that are suggested by Sherwin-Williams to compliment Mindful Gray are Pearly White, Homburg Gray, and Elder White. 

  1. Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore HC-154 

There is just enough navy in Hale Navy to give it the perfect amount of depth without any green undertones. Even though navy is considered a cool color, this particular color pairs well with both warm and cool tones. Hale Navy is used time and time again because it simply goes well with everything. Because it can appear almost a charcoal gray in darker lighting and smaller spaces, you can even pair it with black paint and be thrilled with the results. 

When you want to be bold and stand out, try painting the exterior of your home Hale Navy. You might worry about going with a dark color for your exterior since they’ve been known to fade over time. But, paint has come a long way and most paint comes with up to 15 years’ worth of protection without having to pay to have it upgraded. Since navy looks so good against white or cream trim, some suggested color pairings could be Wish, Gray Owl, or Woodmont Cream. 

  1. Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore HC-81

If you’re looking for a warm, neutral beige wall color, your search stops with Manchester Tan. It’s timeless and far from boring. Lighting, color contrast, and furnishings will all play a part in knowing if this color is right for your space. While it’s neutral with a yellow base, it does have a very subtle green undertone. Be careful when pairing with colors harboring pink or red undertones. Consider Woodlawn Blue or Guilford Green as nice pairing colors to Manchester Tan. 

  1. Navajo White by Sherwin-Williams SW6126 

Not a stark white, Navajo White is a warm, cream color with yellow and beige undertones. Some people are afraid to use it in their homes as the current trends lean toward the cooler tones of blues and greys. Reds, browns, and taupes were all the rage in the ’90s and early 2000s. If you want to temper down the warmth of the yellow undertones, try pairing it with a medium-toned gray. The cool gray will tone down the Navajo White while complimenting it at the same time. By bringing together opposites, you bring depth to your space and keep it from becoming monotone. Colors that compliment Navajo White nicely are Row House Tan, Rita’s Rouge, and Creamy. 

Color Coordination Conclusion 

If you’re considering painting the interior or exterior of your Sacramento area home but have questions about colors, give PaintRite Pros a call. Our trained experts will be happy to give you a free color consultation and go over all your options. We understand the value of what it means every time someone chooses a painting contractor. That’s why we try our absolute best to ensure you’re happy with the finished product. We also have people who speak Espanol if you prefer that as well. 

See Areas We Serve

Get Free Estimate

Professional

Painting Services

Have questions about your residential or commercial painting needs? Contact us online or give us a call at 916-667-8050 to request a free estimate appointment.

Call Now