How to Repaint Wood & Fiber Garage Doors

Whether your old garage door is made of wood, fiberglass or a combination of both, you can spruce it up with a fresh coat of paint. The repainting process is essentially the same for both materials, so it doesn't matter if the door is wood, fiberglass or both. This means you can use the same cans of primer and paint for your garage door, no matter what it's made of. Because garage doors are essentially outdoors, always use primer and paint formulated for exterior surfaces to keep the door protected.

Paint thinner or mineral spirits
Cloth or paintbrush
Paint scraper
Trisodium phosphate
Scrub brush
Exterior latex primer
Paintbrush or paint roller
Exterior latex paint

Instructions

- 1
  Strip the original paint off of the garage door using a solvent, such as mineral spirits or paint thinner. Spread the solvent on the door with a paintbrush or rag, then scrape the paint away with a paint scraper.
- 2
  Wash the garage door with a solution made of trisodium phosphate and hot water. Use about 1/4 cup of TSP for every gallon of hot water. Scrub the garage door with this solution and a scrub brush.
- 3
  Rinse the door with fresh water and a damp cloth. Allow the garage door to dry completely.
- 4
  Apply exterior latex primer to the garage door with a paintbrush or a paint roller. Spread the primer thinly and evenly. Allow the primer to dry.
- 5
  Paint the garage door with exterior latex paint. Use the same tools and process you used with the primer. If desired, paint the garage door with a second coat of paint once the first coat dries.

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