Painting garage doors to look like wood is a process that involves planning and preparation, quality materials and time and effort. Cleaning the doors beforehand, staining and sealing the doors and adding protective coatings are all steps that are required to create a convincing food finish.
Garage doors come in various styles and sizes, and they can be constructed from a variety of materials. In general, aluminum garage doors are less expensive compared to wooden doors, but wooden garage doors tend to look nicer. Thankfully, you can paint garage doors to look like wood, and when done right, the end result can be fairly convincing.
Explanation of the process and materials needed
Before you start the process of painting garage doors to look like wood, you need to gather your supplies and make a plan. Painting in general requires you to clean all surfaces to be painted and put down protection to keep nearby areas clean. You will also want to ensure you have ventilation since working with paints, solvents, cleaners, and stains can potentially be hazardous in enclosed areas.
Preparation
To prep your area for painting, lay down protective cloth or plastic on the ground around your work area. Consider taping your protective cloth or plastic to the ground when possible to keep it in place. You can also lay heavy objects like bricks on the corners to keep your protection in place.
Lay out your supplies in a separate area that is easy to access. This will keep you from tripping over items or risking stepping on or brushing against wet painted surfaces.
Cleaning the garage doors with a power washer
The first step in prepping your garage doors for painting is to clean them. Clean surfaces will help paint and other products to adhere easier, and it will also keep your finished product from containing dirt and debris.
You can use a power washer for very dirty surfaces, but a rag or sponge and some car wash or dish soap can work for surfaces that contain only a little dirt.
Removing any existing paint or finish with mineral spirits
Garage doors sometimes have paint or finishes already applied. It’s generally a good idea to remove these so that your new paint is only applied to the bare surface of your garage door.
To remove existing paint or finishes, try using mineral spirits applied to a rag or sponge. Scrub painted surfaces until you see the paint coming off. Continue to do this across the entire surface of the garage door, making sure to get the details, cracks and crevices.
Sanding the surface for better paint adhesion
Once the existing paint is removed, lightly sand the bare surface using a fine sandpaper. This will help new paint, stains and finishes adhere to the surface better.
Repairing any damages or filling gaps
If you notice any areas of damage, such as cracks or dents, you will want to repair these before you apply paint or other products. Fillers can fill in small chips or gaps, and you can use dent removal products to pull out small, shallow dents.
Choosing the Right Materials
It’s generally best to use premium materials designed for outdoor use. The products you choose will depend on the type of material your garage door is made of, and it would be a good idea to consult with the manufacturer of your garage door to get recommendations.
Selecting gel stain in a color that resembles real wood
A gel stain is a type of stain sits on tops of surfaces instead of saturating them, and this is what you will use to simulate wood grain later in the painting process. A gel stain is also a good option for non-porous surfaces, and stains are available that simulate the look and color of wood. Think about how dark you want your stain to be, and also consider how that color and tone will match with the surrounding structure of your garage door.
Acquiring chip brushes for applying gel stain
Chip brushes are usually inexpensive brushes available at hardware stores that are designed for one-time use. Consider picking some of these up for applying your gel stain since you won’t need to wash and reuse them.
Choosing appropriate primers and sealers
If you’re painting a metal garage door, you’ll want to apply a direct-to-metal primer first. If you’re painting a wooden garage door, look for an acrylic latex primer. For sealing, an acrylic sealer often works best to avoid problems related to temperature fluctuations.
Using a drop cloth to protect surrounding areas from drips and spills
Make sure you have a drop cloth or plastic surrounding your work area. You can also tape or pin drop cloths or plastic on walls and other areas of your workspace you want to protect.
Applying the Base Coat
When you’re ready to paint your garage door, the first coat is your base coat. This is an underlying coat of paint that may be seen through a stain or finish on your final product.
Choosing a base color that complements the desired wood finish
According to Corrosionpedia, your base coat may show through a bit in the finished product, choose it wisely. The base coat should complement your top coat or stain to create a tone that resembles whatever wood look you’re going for.
Applying an even coat of base color using a paint brush or roller
When applying paint to your garage door, use a high-quality roller for large areas. You can then use a high-quality brush to paint details and catch small spots that your roller may have missed.
Creating Faux Wood Grain
To create the look of wood grain, apply your gel stain using a brush. Different types of brushes can create different looks. A stiff chip brush will add more pronounced grain, but a soft brush will create finer lines.
Adding Details and Finishing Touches
After applying your gel stain, look for area where you can add details. You may want to look up pictures of real wooden surfaces online to get ideas for creating imperfections that mimic real wood.
Creating knots and wood imperfections for realism
Remember that actual wood contains knots and other details naturally. Try to emulate this using brush swirls and push-pull techniques when applying your gel stain.
Applying a clear protective topcoat
After you have finished painting your garage door, allow the paint and stain to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can then apply a clear top coat to protect the finish. This can be done using aerosol spray products or painted on using a brush.
Maintenance and Care
After you’ve painted your garage doors, you’ll want to practice good maintenance and care to preserve the finish. While every garage door is different, cleaning and staying on top of touch-ups can preserve your paint job for years to come.
Cleaning and preserving the faux wood finish
To clean your garage doors after they have been painted, check the manufacturer’s instructions for any paint products you’ve used. In general, use a dry microfiber cloth to brush off the surface of your garage doors, and then use a light cleaning product and water to periodically clean the surface.
Touch-up techniques for minor damages
Touching up painted surfaces that have experienced minor scratches or scrapes may be necessary as well. To do this, consider using fillers or paints that match the color of your garage doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a garage door be painted to look like wood
Yes. You can paint garage door to look like wood using gel stains.
How to stain your garage door to look like wood
You can stain your garage door to look like wood using gel stains.
What kind of paint do you use on a garage door
You can paint your garage doors using a variety of paints, but the right paint will depend on the material your garage doors are made of. Gel stains are a good option, but according to This Old House, wooden garage doors may benefit more from acrylic latex or oil-based paint.
How do you paint a metal door to look like wood
You can paint a metal garage door to look like wood using gel stains.
Should garage doors be painted flat or gloss
Choosing between flat and gloss finishes for garage doors depends on the look you want. A gloss paint may reflect sunlight and become a distraction from the road.
Will paint stick to garage door
According to This Old House, paint will stick to garage doors when you prepare the surface before painting. Sanding bare surfaces and applying primers and a base coat can help paint to adhere to garage door surfaces.
What is the best stain for garage doors
The best way to stain a garage door is to prepare the surface beforehand by sanding it and then applying a primer.
What is the difference between staining and painting doors
Stains saturate the surfaces they’re applied to, but paint sits on top of surfaces.
Can you cover a garage door with wood
You can cover a garage door with wood, but wood can become an impediment for rolling garage doors.
Is there a paint that looks like wood
Different paints and stains can be used to create a faux-wood look.
Is it okay to paint garage doors
It is okay to paint garage doors, but you need to use the right paint products and take steps to prepare your surfaces for painting first.
Can a garage entry door be wood
A garage entry door can be wood. Hardware stores and general contractors typically sell wooden entry doors for garages.
What not to do when painting a garage door
When painting a garage door, failing to prepare surface first can be a problem. Likewise, you should avoid applying the wrong type of paint if you want your project to look professional in the end.
