Preparing the door is the first step that needs to be taken when painting a garage door. Spray the entire surface of the door with a house washing cleaner and thoroughly clean off any dirt with a cloth. Rinse the door with water from a garden hose. When it's dry, use painter's tape to mask any handles, trim, and windows. Put a drop cloth or tarp below the door to protect your driveway and garage floor from any dripping paint or primer.

Before painting a garage door you should remove any existing loose paint with a wire brush and get rid of any rust with a paint scraper. You can use a chemical stripper and a sanding sponge to remove all of the old paint or use a palm or circular sander. This can be tedious work, but it's necessary to prep your garage door if you want your new paint job to look its best and last for years.

Part of the garage door painting process is determining what material your door is made of. The majority of garage doors are now made out of metal, but if you have an older home you could still have a wooden door. Many latex exterior primers work well on any type of surface; just make sure the primer you choose is the right one for your door. Apply the primer using a wide paintbrush, paint roller, or paint sprayer. If applying with a paint sprayer, use a large piece of cardboard as a shield to protect surrounding areas. Allow the primer to dry for at least 12-24 hours.

When painting garage doors you can use a wide paintbrush, roller, or sprayer to apply a latex exterior paint like True Value EasyCare Ultra Premium Exterior Paint. If using a paint sprayer, practice spraying on a large piece of cardboard. Make adjustments to the sprayer if needed. You don't want the paint to run once it's on the garage door. Once you've made adjustments, start spraying the door. You should paint both the inside and outside of the garage door. Let the paint dry and then apply another coat.

Now that your door has been painted, it's time to clean up. Thoroughly rinse your paintbrushes, roller covers, and sprayer equipment in water until the water runs clear. Dry and store brushes in plastic bags or hang them on nails or hooks. Pick up drop cloths and remove painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to avoid removing any fresh paint.