A Step-by-Step Guide to Repainting Fiberglass Garage Doors
Fiberglass garage doors have a slick, nonabsorbent surface that makes it difficult for primer and paint to grip. To refinish one successfully, you must prepare the surface thoroughly; otherwise, the new coating may peel or flake. The slick nature of fiberglass also calls for a specific painting method to achieve a smooth finish without drips or brush marks.
By Quinn Cooper6 steps
Paint a fiberglass garage door to complement your home or property.
Fiberglass garage doors possess a smooth, nonporous surface that resists primer and paint adhesion. If you plan to update your fiberglass garage door with paint, thorough surface preparation is essential, or the finish will chip and flake. Also, since fiberglass garage doors are slick, you should follow a specific application technique to achieve an attractive finish without sags or brush marks.
Step 1
Wash the garage door using water and dish soap. Rinse the fiberglass with a garden hose. Let the door dry completely.
Step 2
To promote primer and paint adhesion, roughen the fiberglass door with sandpaper. Insert fine-grit sandpaper into a palm sander, and sand the fiberglass until it feels slightly rough.
Step 3
Lift the garage door high enough to place dropcloths underneath. Once the dropcloths are positioned, close the door. Use painter's tape to mask any areas of the fiberglass garage door you want to leave unpainted.
Step 4
Using a roller, apply latex primer to the sanded door. Use a 4-inch paintbrush designed for latex water-based coatings to smooth the wet primer. Raise the garage door 1 foot. Allow two to three hours for the primer to dry.
Step 5
Rinse your painting tools with water.
Step 6
Apply acrylic latex paint to the primed fiberglass garage door with the roller. Use a new roller cover. Apply the paint in the same manner as the primer. Raise the garage door 1 foot. Let the paint dry for two to three hours.
