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I am finished with the garage makeover and am so very happy! Our house looks refreshed with the new door color and garage pergola.
Our original door was wooden and had a good amount of damage. However, garage doors are expensive so I planned to fix the damage.
But guess what??!! My father had panels to build a door. He combined different heights to get what we needed and cut down the ends of each of the four panels to get the width. How cool is that?!
Thanks dad for being resourceful and for helping with the install!
I had to wait out a few rainy days to start painting. It was a full day of work but totally worth it!
Here’s my how to paint a garage door steps so you can get similar results!
Materials and Equipment
- Sandpaper, including 220 grit
- Orbital Sander if a Wooden Door (We love our 5-inch Dewalt Random Orbit)
- Painter’s Tape & Newspaper
- Water, Vinegar, Dish Soap
- Primer
- Paint
- Trim and Accessories
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
If you have a wooden door, you will need to sand the surface. You will most likely need a combination of hand sanding and an orbital sander.
Scrape any paint off of windows and clean the edges.
Use vinegar, water, and a tiny bit of soap to clean the surface. I use about 2 gallons water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and a dash of soap.
Step 2: Prime
Next, tape off the windows and cover with newspaper. If using spray paint, also cover edges.
I believe spray primer works best with aluminum. I went through 4 cans of Rustoleum Gray Primer so make sure you have enough.
For a wood surface, spray or regular paint primer works. My favorite is Valspar’s Stainblocking Bonding Primer.
Step 3: Lightly Sand
Take 220 grit sandpaper and lightly hand sand the entire surface. Then wipe with a dry cloth.
Step 4: Add Color
Using exterior paint designed for your surface, apply 2 – 3 coats for even coverage.
I used Salty Dog by Sherwin Williams, which is one of my Mid-Century Modern Paint Colors and matches our Front Door Makeover and Patio Chairs.
Step 5: Finish with Trim and Accessories
We added stained trim to match the rest of our house and added weather seal on the inside. You can also purchase garage door jambs with the seal already attached like this one from Lowe’s.
If it matches your style, check out these faux carriage door accessories. And don’t forget a pergola!
Step 6: Admire Your Hard Work
This can take a day or two to finish but can completely improve your curb appeal. Finally, step back and admire your work!
Want a FREE DIY Project Checklist & Budget? Click here.