Garage Door Staining
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Does your garage door look old, rusty, or faded? Then consider giving it a touch-up using stain.
Garage door staining is affordable, simple, and comes with varied color and style choices. With a little time and money investment, your old, wooden or metal garage door with peeling paint will have classic walnut or faux wood finish. Can You Stain A Garage Door?Stain, like paint, protects your garage door from elements such as rain, snow, and even sunlight. It is affordable and requires much less than paint; just one coat of stain is enough to make your garage door look new.
Perhaps the most significant advantage of stain over other garage door makeovers is style. Stains are available in finishes that look like real wood. You’ll find dark walnut, faux wood grain, and different colors and styles that mimic wood. The finish options are broad enough that you will find one that complements the existing color of the door or the overall style of your home. 
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Garage Door Makeover with Stain
A makeover for your garage door with stain will require painting skills and a few supplies and tools.
Before you start the project, make sure you have the following supplies:
Before you start the project, make sure you have the following supplies:
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You can get all these items at the local hardware store. That said, staining a garage door can be a difficult task for beginners. So, weigh your painting skills against the cost of hiring a professional. If you do a lousy job, hiring a professional will cost more since they first have to clean up your mess.
Choosing a Stain
Your local hardware or paint store should have stains. You want to choose not only based on color but also durability.
For garage doors, experts recommend gel stains over conventional stains (those used for projects such as deck staining). On metal surfaces, dripping is a significant problem. Gel stains are thick; they don’t drip easily.
Choose matte over the glossy. Though less durable than glossy, matte looks classy, hides the imperfections of the underlying surface, and better conceals the painting imperfections.
Before settling on a color, test it on a small portion of your garage door. Depending on the shade you are targeting and the existing color of the garage door, you might have to apply a base coat (primer).
Before settling on a color, test it on a small portion of your garage door. Depending on the shade you are targeting and the existing color of the garage door, you might have to apply a base coat (primer).
Make Your Garage Door Look New by Staining
After choosing a color and gathering the necessary supplies, you’re almost ready to make your garage door look new by staining.
Before you start applying the stain, first, prepare the surface. Preparation is critical to smooth application and durability of the stain.
Before you start applying the stain, first, prepare the surface. Preparation is critical to smooth application and durability of the stain.
- Remove existing stain, paint, or rust by sanding. Then clean the dirt and debris off using clean water with soap.
- If there’s any grease, use a degreaser or a vinegar solution and finish by rinsing with a pressure washer or garden hose.
- After the garage door is dry, protect trims, windows, handles, and any other decorative features using painter’s tape. Spread the plastic tarp, or rugs at the base to avoid drips and spills on the driveway.
If you choose to forego priming, the next step is staining. That said, a high-quality primer will enhance adhesion and increase the durability of stain. Allow the primer to dry before applying the stain.
Be careful while handling the gel stain. Shaking it might create permanent bubbles which you will transfer to the door and ruin the finish. Gently stir (avoid whipping) the gel stain using a stir stick.
Start staining from the top. Begin with the recessed parts using a brush, and then the flat surfaces. You can use a roller for quick application on flat surfaces. However, you’ll still need to touch up with a brush for a nice even finish. If your garage door is wooden, follow the direction of the wood grain.
Check the weather before you start staining. Rain should not be in the forecast for the next 48 hours.
Since gel stains dry quickly, the best weather for staining is a calm, moderately sunny day (temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit). To avoid staining in direct sunlight, wait until the door is in the shade.
Garage door staining is a simple and affordable project that will significantly improve the curb appeal of your home.
Be careful while handling the gel stain. Shaking it might create permanent bubbles which you will transfer to the door and ruin the finish. Gently stir (avoid whipping) the gel stain using a stir stick.
Start staining from the top. Begin with the recessed parts using a brush, and then the flat surfaces. You can use a roller for quick application on flat surfaces. However, you’ll still need to touch up with a brush for a nice even finish. If your garage door is wooden, follow the direction of the wood grain.
Check the weather before you start staining. Rain should not be in the forecast for the next 48 hours.
Since gel stains dry quickly, the best weather for staining is a calm, moderately sunny day (temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit). To avoid staining in direct sunlight, wait until the door is in the shade.
Garage door staining is a simple and affordable project that will significantly improve the curb appeal of your home.