I recently painted a customer’s metal garage door in anthracite grey, and it made a big difference to the look of the whole property. In this guide I’ll show you exactly how I prepared the door, which paint I used and the process I followed to get an even, durable finish. If you’ve been wondering how to paint a garage door yourself, this is the real job, start to finish, including the bits that don’t always make it into the instructions on the tin.
The Job at a Glance
Before I get into the detail, here is a quick summary of what I did:
- Door type: Metal up and over garage door
- Paint: Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin RAL 7016, water-based (bought from Crown Decorating Centre) – 1l tin
- Colour: Anthracite Grey RAL 7016
- Coats: Three
- Painting time: 2 and a half hours for three coats, including touching up all the corners (this doesn’t include cleaning)
- Tools: 2 inch, 3 inch and 1/2 inch brushes
- Weather: Warm and sunny
Can You Paint a Garage Door?
Yes, most metal and wooden garage doors can be repainted, provided the surface is properly prepared and you use a suitable exterior paint. A tired, faded door can look brand new again for the cost of a tin of paint and a few hours of your time.
Metal doors, which is what this guide focuses on, are usually steel or galvanised and often have a factory-applied finish. That finish can be painted over as long as it’s clean, sound and lightly keyed. Wooden garage doors can be repainted too, but they need different paint and more attention to moisture and old flaking layers. I’ll cover the differences briefly below.
What Is the Best Paint for a Garage Door?
If you search for garage door paint, you’ll find a huge range of products, and it’s easy to end up confused about what suits your door. I didn’t want to guess, so I spoke to the experts at Crown Decorating Centre and bought the paint there. The product I chose was Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin, a water-based specialist paint made for exterior surfaces, rather than a standard exterior emulsion or gloss.
Best paint for a metal garage door
For a metal door you need a paint that sticks well, copes with UK weather and resists cracking and flaking. Zinsser AllCoat Exterior ticked those boxes for me:
- It’s self-priming. Zinsser says it can go over previously painted surfaces without sanding, so for most jobs you don’t need to buy a separate primer. The first coat acts as the primer and sealer, and the next coat completes the finish.
- It works on lots of surfaces. It’s made for metal, wood, masonry, plastic, concrete and cladding, so any leftover paint is useful around the property.
- It’s water-based. It’s easier to work with, cleans up with water and doesn’t have the strong smell of a solvent paint.
- It’s built for the weather. It forms a flexible, water-shedding film and has a biocide to protect the dried paint from mould, which matters on a north-facing door in Cornwall.
- It has a 15-year rating. Zinsser quotes a finish of up to 15 years, which is a long time for a surface that takes rain, sun and frost every day.
- It’s quick to recoat. The recoat time is just one hour, and it can be applied by brush, roller or sprayer.
- The colour is ready to go. Anthracite Grey RAL 7016 is one of the ready-tinted colours, so there was no need for a tinted base.
Zinsser specifies two coats, and on a sound, light-coloured surface that may be all you need. On this job, I needed three to get a properly even finish. That’s common with a dark colour like anthracite over a lighter existing finish, so don’t stop at two if the coverage still looks patchy. It brushed on smoothly, and I’d happily use it again.
I’ve used it on this job, so I can speak from experience about how it applies. It brushed on smoothly and covered well, though it did take three coats to get a really good, even finish. That’s not unusual with darker colours such as anthracite, so don’t be tempted to stop at two if the coverage still looks patchy.
Best paint for a wooden garage door
Wooden garage doors need a paint or stain that allows the timber to breathe and flex with the seasons. A flexible exterior wood paint is usually the best choice, and if the wood is bare you’ll normally want a suitable wood primer first. Always check the tin to make sure the product is designed for exterior timber, and don’t use a metal paint on wood or the other way around.
Choosing a Garage Door Colour
Colour is where a lot of people get stuck, and it’s worth taking your time before you buy paint. Black, white, grey and green are all popular UK choices, and black garage door paint in particular is a favourite for a smart, modern look.
Why anthracite grey RAL 7016?
My customer chose anthracite grey, RAL 7016, as it matches her fencing and house cladding. It’s one of the most popular colours for garage doors, front doors and window frames in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a strong, dark grey that looks contemporary, hides dirt well and works with almost any house style. If you already have anthracite windows or a front door, matching the garage door pulls the whole property together.
Choosing a colour to suit your house
Think about the colours you already have around the door. Anthracite works well with red brick, cream render and stone. Lighter greys and whites suit coastal properties and softer colour schemes. If you’re unsure, paint a small test patch on the back of the door or a scrap piece of metal and look at it in different light before committing.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the kit I used, and what I’d recommend if you’re doing the job yourself:
- 1 litre of exterior paint suitable for metal (I used Zinsser All Coat Exterior Satin)
- Mild soapy water and clean water for rinsing
- Cloths or sponges
- Fine sandpaper
- Rust treatment for any small blemishes
- Masking tape
- 2 inch, 3 inch and 1/2 inch brushes
- Exterior sealant and a sealant gun
- Dust sheets or old newspaper for the ground
I used brushes throughout on this job. A 3 inch brush covered the flat panels quickly, the 2 inch brush handled the narrower sections, and the 1/2 inch brush was perfect for the finer detail and tight corners.
How to Prepare a Garage Door for Painting
Preparation is where a good paint job is won or lost. It isn’t the most exciting part, but it’s what makes the finish last, and I never skip it.
Clean the garage door
Before I opened the paint, I washed the whole door with soapy water to remove dirt, grease and grime. Paint won’t stick properly to a dirty surface, and garage doors collect a surprising amount of road film and dust. I then went over it again with plain water to rinse off any soap residue, because leftover soap can affect adhesion.
After that, I left the door to dry for an hour. I was lucky with the weather, as it was warm and sunny, so an hour was plenty. On a cooler or damper day you’ll need to allow longer. Painting onto a damp door is one of the quickest ways to get a poor result.
Deal with rust and bare metal
Once the door was clean, I could see a few small rust blemishes. I lightly sanded these back to remove the loose rust and roughness, then applied a rust treatment. Take care not to overdo the sanding on a healthy painted door. You’re just trying to clean up the problem spots and give the surface a light key, not strip everything back to bare metal.
If your door has larger areas of rust or has paint that’s peeling badly, you’ll need to do more work. Scrape off any loose or flaky paint, sand the edges so they blend smoothly into the surrounding paint, treat any exposed rust and make sure the area is sound before painting. Painting over flaking paint just means the new coat will flake off with it.
Mask handles and keyholes
I used masking tape around the handles and keyholes. It takes a few minutes, but it saves a lot of messy clean-up and gives you crisp, neat edges. It’s much easier to peel off tape than to scrape dried paint from a lock.
Seal the edges
The door was also due new sealant around the edges to keep it watertight. I applied fresh sealant where the door meets the frame so that water couldn’t creep in behind the paint. Sealing before painting means the paint covers the sealant and everything looks neat and finished. If you do this job, make sure the sealant is suitable for exterior use and that it’s fully cured or paintable before you apply the topcoat.
How I Painted the Garage Door, Step by Step
Step 1: Choose the right weather
Weather makes a huge difference. I picked a warm, sunny day, and that helped the paint dry at a good pace and made the job much more pleasant. Try to avoid painting in rain, strong wind or very cold conditions, as the paint may not dry or cure properly. Also avoid working in blazing direct sun for long periods, as paint can dry too quickly and leave brush marks. Check the temperature guidance on the tin and choose a settled day.
Step 2: Open the door to reach the edges
One thing that catches people out is that the door has to be opened to paint the edges and top and bottom sections properly. If you only paint the face of the door, you’ll leave bare or old paint showing every time it opens. I opened the door part-way so I could get a brush on the edges, then worked carefully to make sure nothing was missed.
Step 3: Paint the edges and detailed areas first
I started with the smaller brushes. The 1/2 inch brush went into the corners, around the handles and along the fine detail, and the 2 inch brush covered the edges and narrower areas. Doing the awkward bits first means you can blend into the flat panels afterwards while the paint is still wet, which helps avoid visible joins.
Step 4: Paint the main panels
With the edges done, I switched to the 3 inch brush for the larger flat areas. I worked quickly but carefully, keeping a wet edge and brushing in a consistent direction. I took my time to make sure every corner was properly covered. The paint went on smoothly, and the warm weather helped it level out nicely.
Step 5: Allow each coat to dry, then repeat
Follow the drying and recoat times printed on your tin rather than relying on guesswork. In warm weather, the recoat time was comfortable, and I could move on to the next coat without a long wait. The first coat looked a little patchy, as you can see and would expect with a dark colour over a lighter existing finish. The second coat improved things a lot, and the third coat gave the deep, even finish the customer wanted.
Zinsser lists a recoat time of one hour, and the paint is fully cured after seven days, so I asked the customer not to knock or lean anything against the door for the first week.
Step 6: Remove the masking and check your work
Once the final coat was on, I removed the masking tape from the handles and keyholes while the paint was still slightly soft, so it came away cleanly. Then I stood back and checked the whole door in the light, looking for any missed spots, drips or thin areas. I touched up all the corners and edges as needed.
In total, painting three coats and touching up the corners took me 2 and a half hours. That doesn’t include the cleaning and drying time beforehand.
Brush, Roller or Spray?
I used brushes on this job, and I’d happily do so again. A good brush gives you control, especially around the edges, panel lines and hardware, and it pushes the paint into the surface well. It also means you’re not setting up masking and dust sheets for overspray.
A roller can be quicker on large flat panels and gives a fine, even texture if you use the right type. It’s a good option if you want to speed up the job, but you’ll still need a brush for the edges and details.
Spraying can give a very smooth factory-style finish, but it needs a lot of masking, careful weather conditions and some skill. I haven’t sprayed a garage door myself, so I won’t pretend to be an expert on it. For most DIY jobs, brushes and a small roller are the practical choice.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Garage Door?
The cost of painting a garage door yourself is mostly paint and consumables. For this job, the main costs were the tin of Crown All Coat Exterior Satin, the rust treatment, sealant, masking tape and brushes. I used roughly 0.75 litres of a 1l tin, which cost me £28.
If you’d rather have a professional do it, prices vary depending on your area, the size and condition of the door, and how much preparation is needed. I charged £100 to complete this job, excluding the paint. Expect to pay between £80 – £140 for a professional finished garage door painting. A door in good condition costs less than one with heavy rust or peeling paint that needs extra work.
How Long Does It Take to Paint a Garage Door?
Allow more time than you think. Here’s how my time broke down:
- Cleaning and rinsing: Done first, plus an hour for the door to dry in warm, sunny weather
- Rust treatment and sealant: A short job, but allow time for products to dry
- Painting three coats and touching up: 2 and a half hours
On the day, I was working quickly in warm sun, which meant the coats dried at a good pace. In cooler or damper conditions, you’ll need to plan for a longer job, possibly spread over more than one day.
The Finished Garage Door
The finished result was exactly what the customer was after. The anthracite grey RAL 7016 gives the door a smart, modern look, and the satin finish has a lovely subtle sheen. Three coats gave a solid, even colour with no patchiness, and the new sealant around the edges means it’s properly watertight.
If I were doing it again, the only thing I’d do differently is plan for three coats from the start, so I could allow enough time and paint. It’s a satisfying job, and the difference between the before and after is striking.
Need a Hand With Your Garage Door?
If you’d rather leave the job to someone who’s done it many times, I’m happy to help. I’m a local handyman covering Newquay and the surrounding area, and I take on painting and decorating jobs, exterior repairs and general maintenance. You can find out more about my handyman services or get in touch for a quote.
Garage Door Painting FAQs
Can you paint over existing garage door paint?
Yes, as long as the existing paint is clean, dry and firmly stuck to the door. On this job I washed the door with soapy water, rinsed it and left it to dry before painting. Zinsser AllCoat Exterior is designed to go over previously painted surfaces, but any loose or flaking paint needs to be scraped back first, or the new coat will simply peel off with it.
Do I need to sand a garage door before painting?
It depends on the condition of the door. Zinsser says AllCoat Exterior can be applied to previously painted surfaces without sanding, so I didn’t sand the whole door. I only lightly sanded the small rust blemishes and treated them before painting. If your door has rough patches, peeling paint or heavier rust, sanding those areas smooth is worth the effort so the finish looks even.
Do I need to prime a metal garage door?
Not with this paint. AllCoat Exterior is self-priming, so for most jobs you don’t need a separate primer, and I didn’t use one. The first coat primes and seals the surface, and the following coats build the finish. If your door has large areas of bare metal or heavy rust, treat the rust first and check the manufacturer’s guidance for your paint, as a different primer may be needed.
How many coats of paint does a garage door need?
Zinsser specifies two coats, but I needed three to get a good, even finish. That’s common with a dark colour like anthracite grey, especially over a lighter existing colour. Judge it by how the door looks rather than the number on the tin. If it still looks patchy in daylight after two coats, add a third.
Can you paint a garage door with a roller?
Yes. Zinsser lists brush, roller, pad and airless sprayer as suitable ways to apply AllCoat Exterior. I used brushes on this job, a 3 inch for the flat panels, a 2 inch for narrower areas and a 1/2 inch for the fine detail. A roller can speed up large flat panels, but you’ll still need a brush for the edges and corners.
Can you paint a garage door black?
Yes. Black is a popular choice and works well on modern homes. Zinsser AllCoat Exterior is also sold ready-tinted in black, as well as white and anthracite grey RAL 7016. Like anthracite, black is a dark colour, so allow for the possibility of a third coat to get a rich, even finish.
How long does garage door paint last?
Zinsser quotes a finish of up to 15 years for AllCoat Exterior. In practice, how long it lasts depends on how well the door was prepared, the weather it faces and which way it points. A door in full sun or exposed to coastal weather will age faster than a sheltered one. Good preparation is the best way to get the most from any paint.
Can you paint a roller garage door?
Yes, but the approach is a little different. I haven’t painted a roller door myself, so this is general advice rather than something I did on this job. Clean the slats thoroughly, take care not to let paint build up in the joins between slats, and make sure the paint is completely dry before operating the door. Check the manufacturer’s advice too, as some roller doors have a factory finish that needs specific preparation.
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