Painting a garage door

[Mocker]

While the weather is nice I thought I would paint our garage door. But I am clueless as to what to do. Can anyone please help?

I am not the greatest (tidiest) painter in the world. Will it matter?

I presume I need to sand the flaky paint off first. Do I sand all of the door or just the flaky bits? Do I use a block to sand or an electric sander?

Do I need undercoat?

Thanks.

You need to sand it. Use an electric sander if you have one. It will need an undercoat. Everything will stick to the wet paint so if you can build yourself a wee barrier around the bottom. I made a wall out of clothes horses and dust sheets after a single gust of wind ruined mine.

Good tips Chandler, thanks. Thinking about giving it a go tomorrow. Do you think my lack of painting skills will show? Or will it be a good test as it is a large area that doesn't get looked at too closely (hoping for the latter!)

We painted the garage door on our last house and as I still pass it am pleased to report that it has stood the test of time despite it being a quick tidy up! Sand off flaky bits and a quick sand of the rest of the door and use an outdoor gloss paint. You will see brush strokes when you slap it on but the surface does dry out nice and flat and glossy.

Perfect Mulberry. Thanks.

Now, just need to decide on the colour (another thread...)

first question: what is it made of?

second question: what is the existing coating?

PigletJohn - I'm not sure. It's a regular metal garage door made by Henderson, Merlin MK II. It has a label which has been ripped saying "....atite". Ah, I took a photo...

It had a white paint on which is now flaking in places. I can't see any rust (if that helps?)

test it with a magnet. Steel or aluminium?

Steel (I think). The magnet sticks.

Coil. Sorry, that made me laugh!

(We can't fit the car in the garage as it is too full with crap other important stuff!)

if it is steel, it is most likely galvanised against rust. So do not sand much or you will scrape away this protective coating. You can take off any loose or flaking paint, then dull the gloss with fine sandpaper. Any bare metal, clean up with wire wool and apply a metal-preservative primer (pref two coats).

If the colour is patchy or you are changing colour, use an undercoat. For metal, I recommend an oil based (white spirit) paint, not a water paint.

If the door is in panels or segments, do one at a time rather than the whole door, starting at the top. If the door is part open it will be easier to do the lower half.

Treat the bottom edge, the sides and the top with extra care.opopiute

Thanks PigletJohn. It is currently white and I want to do it in Sandtex Exterior Satin. I will use an undercoat as recommended. Sounds like a lot of work!