Best Way to Paint a Metal Garage Door

acc

I need to repaint my metal garage door, and looking at other postings, people generally recommend Hammerite.

I have found it difficult to get a smooth finish using Hammerite and would be grateful for your recommendations on which type of Hammerite paint to use, and how best to apply it for a decent finish.

Do people have alternative suggestions on the type of paint, or how to apply it, spray, roller, rather than brush, etc.

Thanks.

mikey72

I've used this if you need a good finish.

http://www.rustoleum.co.uk/products/metal-paint

WestonDave

Standard Hammerite is hard to get smooth on a large surface because it dries so quickly - you end up painting over bits that have dried so get double layers in places. Their garage door paint is better in this respect but from personal experience if you want it white don't use their paint as the last can I had was distinctly greenish. I complained and they did various tests but in the end concluded there was nothing wrong with the paint. My suspicion is that I got the first tin after a run of green without the machines being cleaned properly so most of it should be OK, but the warning is there! Obviously with other colours a slight tonal difference won't be noticeable but off white against a white painted timber surround shows!

pimento

We painted ours with ordinary exterior gloss and a small roller. I had the paint mixed to match the front door.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

whem I moved into this house over a year ago, there was ordinary gloss paint left in garage, which matched the garage door, so just to freshen it up, it was in good condition anyway, I gave it a wee rub down, and a lick of paint with a brush, and turned out fine.

Inactive

Most metal garage doors are galvanised, so should not rust, so no benefit in using Hammerite, just use external gloss, apply with brush or roller.

joop

Probably a silly question, but I suppose you need to give it a good rub down/sanding first? Would you need to get all the paint off or just flakey stuff?

acc

Many thanks for your helpful responses.

joop - I had removed the flakey stuff and rubbed down with sandpaper, but did not remove all the old paint.

Mikey72 - Thanks for the rustoleum suggestion. I picked up a leaflet this afternoon in Homebase, and will look into this product further.

Inactive - The door is a garador Mk3c steel door, so can I use normal gloss paint on that?

mersey

Painted my garage door four weeks ago,wire brushed all the flaky bits off first,a light rub down all over with sand paper,and used red oxide paint on the small areas of rust.One undercoat dulux metal wood primer,and two topcoats dulux.Just used brushes.Even wife is pleased hope this helps.

27col

I had a couple of Henderson Garadors for over 20 years and they were only painted with normal household gloss. The paint never flaked, although it did fade a bit. My existing doors are German and the primer/ undercoat is so good that I have never painted them. I know that I will never get as good a finish as they already have on them. No sign whatever, of any deterioration, even after 18 years in the full afternoon sun and prevailing bad weather.