Color is the simplest change you can make to your home to refresh its look and enhance its curb appeal, even on your garage. A fiberglass door can be painted, but there are some things to consider and some tips to follow for a job well done. Follow the steps below to get the advice you need. If you have decided to paint your fiberglass garage door, you will need to check the material stability first to make sure it is not irreparably damaged to any significant degree. Fiberglass is considerably more fragile than alternative materials like vinyl and it tends to degenerate over long periods of time. Before you begin, decide whether the garage door it too weak or too brittle to paint over so you know if it needs to be removed and replaced. You can choose to paint your garage door while it is still attached or you can remove it now. Remove the fixtures and handle as well, or mask them off, if the stability of your door checks out. Clean the door of any dirt and debris by using a gentle solution of soap and water and a lint-free cloth.
Grime on the door will prevent the paint from adhering properly and will likely cause it to crack or peel shortly after the job is finished. Leave it to dry completely before you begin priming it. You can wipe it dry with a large cloth or, if the weather permits, just let it sun dry. If you have chosen to leave the door attached, mask off areas that do not require primer or paint to protect them from being coated. If the frame around the garage door is not made from the same material you may not want paint marks to accidentally get on it. Some types of fiberglass garage doors are not suited to heavy sanding, so it is suggested that you use a Brillo pad, wire wool, or soft abrasive paper to just lightly rough up the surface to get a texture for the primer to grip. Wear a dust mask when you do this part of the project. You must use a good bonding primer. Fiberglass has a somewhat paint-resistant surface which can affect the longevity of the coat you put on it. That is not to say that you cannot paint fiberglass, but do take the correct precautions and choose a good primer to increase the staying power.
Prime the garage door with the brush. There is no grain to follow like with wood, but do attempt to maintain steady and even brush strokes. The end result you are trying to achieve is to make the door appear new but not as if it has been painted. You can also opt to use spray paint, which will leave no brush strokes at all, if you so choose. Allow plenty of drying time before you apply the top coat of paint. Outside conditions will naturally dry the paint quicker, especially if the weather is reasonably warm and the air dry. Atmospheric conditions will also affect whether you should paint. Lower temperatures are not strongly recommended for painting, nor are extremely high temperatures. Paint the garage door using the same method you used for priming. Be mindful of not leaving obvious brush strokes. It is important that you use a good oil-based exterior paint for a durable finish, but if you are not sure what type to use, ask at your local home improvement store for some advice.
With that, your garage door simply needs to be fitted back into place and the job will be complete.Finishing Fiberglass Doors TIPS CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! The fiberglass door must be perfectly clean to achieve the best results. You can't assume the door is clean. Most oils are clear and you'd have no idea they're on the surface. The stain or paint will not bond well if the surface is dirty. You can do it with a standard soap and water solution such as Top Job, Dawn Dish Soap or any other liquid type soap. Rinse the door with clear water and dry it. The door must be dry before you stain it. If you want to deep clean the door removing all mildew, algae, oils, etc. then use Stain Solver. Stain Solver is made in the USA with USA ingredients. It's a pure powder you mix with warm water. Once dissolved, you can brush it onto the door. Work in the shade keeping the door wet with the solution for about 15 minutes. Follow up cleaning with liquid dish soap solution, rinse well and allow to dry.
Most fiberglass doors allow you to use mineral spirits to clean the door, but never use turpentine! Follow the finishing instructions that come with your door if you have them. If you have a new door, look at the stain kit. Most have some sample pieces of fiberglass. You use one of these to test the stain color. If you don't have a scrap, well, you may be out of luck. If the hinge edge is fiberglass (most are), then you can try to sample the color near the bottom of the door on this edge. Depth Of Color = Time Stain color can be adjusted by the amount of time you allow the stain to sit on the door / sample before brushing and how much pressure you apply when brushing. If you want a lighter color, let the stain sit for a short while and remove lots of it with the brush. Do the opposite for a darker look. The stain is applied to the door with a cloth rubbing it in a circular motion. Work from the center of the door to the outer members. Don't try to do the entire door at once.
Work in small areas and feather out stain in overlap portions. Don't forget to stain the fiberglass sample. You'll need this finished as well as the door. You'll use the sample to test the door for gloss loss due to sun exposure. Stain Must Be Dry Most fiberglass stains need 48 hours to dry. You can test for dryness by applying a piece of acrylic painters masking tape to the door or better yet, to the fiberglass sample. Rub the tape with a piece of wood or knife handle. If the stain is dry the tape will be clean when you pull it off the stained object. If the stain is dry, you are now ready to go to the final steps. Applying the Top Coat Here is where many people goof up. The temptation is to apply thick coats of finish to protect the door. Most fiberglass door manufacturers want you to apply two thin coats. IMPORTANT TIP: Thick coats will not dry properly. Try to coat the door in a dust-free environment if at all possible. The top coats often look like thin milk.
If you apply them sparingly they'll dry crystal clear. Avoid dipping the entire brush in the clear coat. Try to just get the tip of the brush wet. VERY IMPORTANT TIP: Work quickly and don't over brush. Apply some in an area and move on. If you brush back and forth over the same area too much, you can dissolve the stain! Always brush in the direction of the grain! Work from the center of the door out towards the edges. Don't forget to apply a clear coat at this time to the fiberglass sample if you have one. Follow the instructions on the top coat container. Many will indicate a short drying time of less than 4 hours. Don't sand the door after the first coat. Apply the final coat as you did the first coat. The surfaces normally look wet when you apply a thin coat - not milky. A milky appearance may be a clue that you are applying too much finish. Painting a Fiberglass Door Several readers wrote to me asking if they can paint a fiberglass door.