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We’ve been living in our current house for just over 5 years now, and I am just now feeling like we finally have the yard settled and recovered from the previous owners (the weeds were literally taller than me when we moved in 😅). All that to say, I now have the energy to channel toward improving our curb appeal in other ways. Which takes me to painting garage doors! The front of our house has been looking so washed out, and painting the garage door was the perfect, affordable solution that completely transformed our curb appeal.
Let’s dive into the lessons I learned doing this DIY project.
Jump to Where You Want:
- Simple Steps to Painting Garage Doors
- Video of Steps to Paint Garage Doors
- Garage Door Painting Cost
- Paint Colours for Garage Doors
Simple Steps to Painting Garage Doors
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
This step is one you don’t want to skimp on. A clean well prepared surface will make your end result not only look better but last longer.
CLEAN: Start by cleaning the entire surface of the garage door. I squirted some dish soap on the door, then sprayed it lightly with the hose. Using a bristle brush, I brushed the whole door. Then I rinsed the soap completely off with the hose. I just let it air dry for a day, but if you want to knock it out all in one day (which is totally doable, especially if you don’t have a cute little 3-year-old helper at your feet), you could just dry it off with a towel.
SAND: Giani recommends you sand if you have a glossy topcoat or rust spots. Luckily I didn’t have to deal with either of those. But if this is the case with your garage, don’t skip sanding! Your garage paint will end up peeling/chipping off if you don’t sand.
TAPE: Tape along trim on the sides of the garage as well as the seals on the bottom edge of the garage door.
Step 2: Paint Garage Base Coat
For the convenience of painting, you can “unlock” your garage door by pulling on the cord inside. It often has a small red handle. This will allow you to move the garage up and down and prop it to certain heights so you don’t have to crouch down while painting. But don’t put the cord when your door is part way open. Trust me… I learned the hard way on that one.
Working one panel at a time, start by using a brush to cut in around the edges and into any corners/bevels.
After cutting in, use a mini roller to cover all other areas.
If you plan to do the faux wood look, you don’t have to worry about getting a perfectly even coat. The variations in shades will help give it a more authentic wood look. If you don’t plan to do a faux wood look, add at least two layers for a full event coat.
Allow the paint to completely dry (30-60 minutes) before moving on to the next step.
Honestly, at this point, I was a little nervous. It wasn’t looking great. But trust the process! This look takes some layers.
Step 3: Paint Wood Grain Coat (optional)
If you choose to paint a faux wood grain, follow this step. Otherwise, just skip it!
The Giani kit comes with a fuzzy glove to apply the faux stain, but if you don’t have that, I’ve seen this look accomplished with a thicker bristle paintbrush. The thicker bristles give a wood grain look.
Using the Giani glove, work in small sections so the stain doesn’t dry before you can smooth out the grain.
Dip the glove (or brush) in the stain and rub it onto the garage door. Rub it on to cover a section, then immediately glide the glove across the section you’re working on to create a uniform wood grain direction. I worked in sections of about 2 feet at a time.
The kit recommends 2-3 coats. The picture below shows the first coat on the left and the second coat on the right. You can always do fewer coats, but if you do like the lighter/one-coat look, make sure to be very intentional with every stroke because you won’t be able to hide any mistakes behind extra coats.
**Also as a side note – Giani recommends this step is NOT done in direct sunlight and you wait for at least an hour after it is in the shade. If you don’t follow this recommendation, you’re wood grain will look muted and streaky.
Video of Steps to Paint Garage Doors
Garage Door Painting Cost
The garage door painting cost will vary depending on the products you use.
I used the Giani garage paint kit for my garage door. This kit included all the supplies I needed and it cost $79 at the time of doing this project. I LOVED this kit. It was easy to use and turned out great. They thought of everything you would need during the process and included it. If you were to buy all the supplies separately, it would likely cost more than the cost of the kit. So if you’re considering the kit, I highly recommend it!
Below is a picture of the supplies included in the Giani Garage Painting kit. The only thing not included that I used, was a paint tray.
If you decide to go with a solid paint color, you’ll want about a gallon of quality exterior paint depending on your garage size. This will cost around $40-60.
Paint Colours for Garage Doors
There are obviously a lot of options when it comes to picking paint colours for garage doors! But one of the most important things to keep in mind is the existing colors on your house and property.
Do you have small black accents you want to bring out? Do you have existing wood trim or beams you want to match?
You want the color to complement and enhance your property, not look out of place. Here are a few ideas you can consider for paint colors for garage doors:
- Traditional Style Home with Neutral Tones:
- Garage Door Color: Classic White, Cream, Faux Wood
- Why: These colors complement traditional homes with neutral siding colors like beige, gray, or light brown. They create a clean and timeless look.
- Modern Style Home with Bold Accents:
- Garage Door Color: Dark Gray or Charcoal
- Why: Dark gray or charcoal adds a contemporary touch to modern homes with bold accents such as black window frames or dark roofing. It creates a sleek and sophisticated appearance.
- Cottage or Farmhouse Style Home:
- Garage Door Color: Barn Red, Forest Green, Faux Wood
- Why: These rustic colors complement cottage or farmhouse-style homes with natural wood elements and earthy tones. They add charm and warmth to the exterior.
- Coastal or Beach House:
- Garage Door Color: Light Blue, Seafoam Green, Light Faux Wood
- Why: Light blue or seafoam green hues evoke a coastal vibe and complement homes near the beach or with a nautical theme. They create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
- Colonial or Victorian Style Home:
- Garage Door Color: Black, Dark Green, Dark Faux Wood
- Why: Black or dark green garage doors add elegance and contrast to colonial or Victorian-style homes with rich exterior colors like brick red, deep blue, or olive green. They create a dramatic yet classic look.
- Contemporary Urban Home:
- Garage Door Color: Matte Black or Slate Gray
- Why: These bold and modern colors complement contemporary urban homes with clean lines, metal accents, and minimalist designs. They add a touch of urban sophistication.
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