How to Paint Rustic Metal Garage Doors

Sand any rusted spots lightly with sandpaper to remove the rust at the surface of the garage door.

Pour the powdered detergent onto the sponge and scrub the door again to remove any grease and dirt. Rinse the door with the hose and allow it to dry.

Place a drop cloth on the ground in front of the garage door. Place tape around the door’s handle and over all the weather striping that surrounds the door.

Prime the rustic metal door with a primer for latex paint. Coat the whole door. If you have a roll-up garage door, don't apply the primer into the spaces between the rectangle sections of the door or they will stick. Allow the primer to dry for at least 24 hours.

Dip the paintbrush into the exterior, flat latex paint and tap it on the side of the can so it's not dripping. If you're painting a roll-up garage door use the paintbrush to cut 1 to 2 inch lines around the perimeter of each individual rectangle slab of metal that makes up the door. If the door is not a roll-up door, cut a 1 to 2 inch line of paint around the perimeter of the whole rustic garage door. Hold the brush at an angle and paint in a straight line to cut with it.

Dip the roller into the exterior, flat latex paint and coat it evenly with paint. Roll the paint onto the door. If the you're working with a roll-up door, paint each rectangle section of the door one at a time horizontally to avoid getting paint into the cracks between the sections. If the garage door is not a roll-up metal door, paint it vertically in 3-foot squares until it's coated completely.