How to fix Rusty Garage Door
Rust ruins the beauty of your garage door. It also ruins the quality of your garage door because then, it becomes hard to keep moisture and dirt out of your garage. So, it is best to fix your rusty garage door as soon as you discover that rust! Before starting your DIY project to fix a rusty door, it is recommended to inspect your garage door carefully for rust. Even though it can pop up anywhere on the garage door, it is most likely to be on the bottom panel of the door because this part of the door experiences the most wear and tear. Also, this is where moisture accumulates. Basically, the bottom section is the breeder of rust. While some homeowners opt to replace the garage door, it is not necessary as you can fix it within a couple of hours! While there are many ways you can fix a rusty garage door, we have compiled 2 options. Choosing the right option for you mainly depends on the money and time you are willing to devote to this DIY project.
This is the least expensive and quickest method to fix a rusty garage door. In this option, you repair only the rusted areas of the garage door.
So, let’s begin with the ways!
Repairing/Repainting just the Rust Spots on your Garage door
This is the least expensive and quickest method to fix a rusty garage door. In this option, you repair only the rusted areas of the garage door.
Things you will need
Things that you will need for this project are:
- Lukewarm water
- A sponge or cotton fabric cloth
- Dishwashing liquid (preferably the one that removes grease)
- Palm sander
- Steel wool pad.
- Vinegar
- Paintbrush
- Zinc-chromate primer
- Paint (preferably rust-resistant)
What do you have to do?
First of all, rinse your entire garage door using the dishwashing liquid, sponge, and warm water. Rinse and allow it to dry.
After that, soak the sponge or cloth in vinegar and apply on the rusted parts of the door. The rust will react with the vinegar and dissolve.
Clean away the rust using the steel wool pad. Keep repeating this process until all the rust washes away with vinegar.
When the rust is removed, sand the rusted areas of the garage door and the perimeters around the rusted areas. Apply a coat of primer. Once the primer dries, paint the areas using the paintbrush.
Repainting/Repairing the entire garage door
This approach to fixing a rusty garage door is more time-consuming and requires more money. The majority of homeowners go for this option as this ensures that rust won’t be back.
Materials you will need
- Sandpaper (fine-grit, medium-grit and coarse-grit)
- Electric sander
- Auto body filler
- Putty knife
- Paint bucket
- Rust-resistant primer
- Painter’s tape
- Making paper
- Water hose
- Sponge
- Drop cloths
- Warm water
- Trisodium phosphate
- Paint sprayer
What do you have to do?
- Scrape the paint flakes produced by rust. Use the coarse-grit sandpaper and electric sander to sand the entire garage door.Use the medium-grit sandpaper to smooth out the rough surfaces on the garage door. You would see small holes after sanding. Use the auto body filler to fill those holes.
After the door dries, use fine-grit sandpaper to even out the garage door surface.
Mix trisodium phosphate with warm water. Soak the sponge in it and apply it to the entire door. Rinse the door using a water hose and leave it to dry.
Use drop cloths for the ground and masking paper for the garage door’s windows. Secure the making paper using the painter’s tape.
Mix the primer into the paint sprayer and apply a coat of primer on the garage door. Let the primer dry for a bit.
Now, use the same paint sprayer for the paint to paint the entire door. Apply multiple coats of paint if necessary but not until after the first coat has dried.
