Should You Paint Your Precision Door?

Painting your Precision Coor is a great way to enhance your home’s curb appeal and boost its value. It also gives you the opportunity to be creative and provide your home with a more personalized appearance. However, a bad paint job can hurt your home’s curb appeal, which is why you should consider all of your options before deciding if painting your door is right for you and your home.

What Material Is Your Garage Door Made From?

Some materials are easier to paint than others. The majority of Precision Doors are made from vinyl, steel, wood, or aluminum, all of which can be painted. However, paint is mostly used with wooden garage doors. Steel and aluminum doors already consist of a powder coating paint job. This paint is durable and can last for the entire duration of the door’s lifespan.

As for vinyl garage doors, they are outfitted with color that’s infused directly into the material. Because of how the paint is placed in vinyl, it’s impossible for the color to peel off or chip. It also resists fading over time. Even though these materials are already painted when you buy them, vinyl and metal doors can still be painted without issue.

When You Should Paint a Vinyl or Metal Garage Door

Likely the primary reason to paint a garage door is because you want to change its color to something more appealing. Even though wood garage doors are painted more often than doors made from other materials, applying a new coat of paint to a vinyl or metal door is also an effective way to add style to your home’s exteriors.

You could also choose to paint your precision garage door if a component has become damaged or is currently failing. For instance, paint can cover up rusted areas or areas where the paint has faded. Consider obtaining garage service in Southern California if the damage to your door is too severe.

The main issue with painting a vinyl or metal garage door is that the surface will no longer be maintenance-free. All exterior paint jobs should obtain another coat after a period of 4-5 years. Otherwise, the paint will start to fade and chip.

When You Should Paint a Wood Precision Door?

Exterior paint on a wood door can last for up to five to seven years if well-maintained. Look out for signs of chalking, cracking, or fading from the previous paint job. If these issues are allowed to subsist for an extended period of time, paint failure might occur, which would likely result in the previous paint being removed before a new coat could be applied. You could also decide to paint your wood door if you’re ready for a completely new color.

Wait for the Right Temperatures

Since you’ll be outside when painting your garage door, it’s highly recommended that you wait for the ideal weather conditions. For instance, the temperature could affect the quality of the paint job. Make sure that you don’t paint your garage door when it’s too hot or too cold.

If it’s too cold, it will take longer for the paint to dry. There’s also a possibility that the paint won’t dry correctly. Not every paint, however, has the same drying properties. When you’re applying oil-based paint to your door, this paint can be used as long as the temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Oxidization is slowed at lower temperatures. Any solvents within this paint will also evaporate slower, which means that the paint should dry for at least 24 hours before another coat is applied.

Latex and acrylic paints should be applied to your door at temperatures of more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Any water-based paints will worsen when applied at freezing temperatures. If you’re getting ready to paint your garage door, find a two-day period during which to apply the paint. Most paint jobs take two days to complete, which is why it’s necessary to check the forecast when planning this job.

You should avoid using oil-based paints at 90 degrees Fahrenheit and water-based paints at 85 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures, the paint will dry in an instant. The heat could also create issues with how the paint binds to the surface, which could lead to bumps and significant blistering. If you mistakenly damage your garage door while painting it, there are many Southern California garage door repair services to select from.

Take Moisture Into Account

While garage doors in Southern California aren’t impacted much by inclement weather, severe thunderstorms and high winds can still damage your door. Always avoid painting during the rainy season. While you may be able to find a couple days in a row when the weather conditions are fair, you can’t be certain that the forecast won’t change.

Even though rain is the most notable hindrance when painting a garage door, it’s not the only moisture that can impact the quality of the paint job. High amounts of humidity can also create problems. When painting in humid conditions, the protective characteristics in paint will deteriorate somewhat. The moisture that’s present in the air can cause chemical compounds in the paint to leach out. When you notice white or brown spots on the paint surface, they are a sign that there’s too much moisture in the air.

If your garage door is made of wood, moisture can be even more damaging. Wood surfaces can absorb this moisture, which means that the wood could be wet when you paint in. Wet wood typically results in bubbling throughout the paint. The paint will be unable to properly adhere to the surface, which can lead to peeling issues.

The process of painting your garage door could be made more challenging in humid conditions. While humidity is high, the moisture in the paint will be unable to evaporate, which makes it much more difficult for the paint to dry. Condensation can also occur if the humidity is high and the temperature low.

The water that’s present in your paint should dry quickly when compared to any solvents. If you don’t notice any drying, the paint might be waterlogged. In this scenario, the paint can take on a gummy texture, which means that it should be removed immediately. Prepare the surface to be repainted at a time when the weather conditions are more favorable. The ideal moisture concentration is between 40-50%. At these levels, the paint should be able to dry easily.

Paint Colors to Consider

Unless your HOA forbids it, a garage door can technically be painted in any color. White is the most common hue since it offers a clean and classic appearance. You could also choose to paint your Precision Door in the same color as your siding. Another nice contrast is to have the door painted a darker shade than the siding.

Consider a neutral color like brown, tan, black, or gray. If you’d like your home exteriors to have a consistent paint job, you could paint your garage door the same color as the trim around your home. If your shutters or front entry door are painted in a brighter color, the same color could be used on your garage door.