Keeping the garage tidy should be simple, right? Well, not so much. While a messy garage is never a pleasant sight, it’s also not the most difficult cleaning task to complete. In fact, compared to other cleaning tasks, keeping your garage tidy is fairly easy. The real challenge comes when you need to clean something in your garage that cannot be removed or relocated. How can you make things easier? By learning how to clean a painted metal garage door the right way. A painted metal garage door is an element of your home that will see plenty of dirt and grime build-up over time. Fortunately, there are several ways you can tackle this cleaning task with ease.
What is a Painted Metal Garage Door?
A painted metal garage door is a type of garage door constructed with metal panels that have been painted. While the panels can be made of different materials such as steel, aluminum, or fiberglass, all paint-grade panels are coated with a smooth finish. These types of garage doors are commonly found in homes built between 1950 and 2000. They are much more affordable than other types of garage doors and are more durable against extreme weather conditions.
Why You Should Clean a Painted Garage Door?
A garage door is a large, often-used surface that can collect dirt, dust, and other contaminants. A painted garage door is a great way to add a pop of color to your home. A garage door that is not cleaned regularly can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. To remove dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can cause the paint to chip and peel. That’s why you should clean a painted garage door.
2 Easy Methods for How to Clean a Painted Metal Garage Door
There are many things to consider before purchasing a new garage door, such as the material it is made out of, the color, and the style. But an often overlooked element is maintenance. Without a little elbow grease, a garage door can become dirty and damaged. This is why every garage door owner should follow these methods for cleaning a painted metal garage door. Of those two methods, the first one is really easy to follow. But the second one really effective to clean a painted garage door.
Method 1 for Cleaning a Painted Metal Garage Door
This is the first method to easy steps to clean a painted metal garage door. It only has 3 steps to do the job.
What You Will Need
- WD-40
- Bleach
- Coarse Sandpaper
Step 1: WD-40
If you’ve ever worked with metal in any capacity, you’re well aware that things like hinges and doorknobs can get a bit rusty over time. Unfortunately, garage doors are no exception to this rule. When it comes time to clean your garage door, a quick scrub with some steel wool and some elbow grease will not cut it. You’re going to have some serious grime build-up in all the nooks and crannies, which can only be removed with the help of a powerful solvent. You’re looking for something that can break down the grime and rust, but not something that is too potent, as it could cause damage to the paint. That’s where a quick burst of WD-40 comes in.
Step 2: Bleach
Garages are notorious for being extremely humid, which can easily cause mildew to develop on your garage door. Using a bleach cleaning solution will help you eliminate mildew from the garage door. Bathroom bleach is not too potent, but it is strong enough to kill the mildew and will not harm your garage door paint. Once you have completed the cleaning, you should use a mild abrasive cleaner to scrub your garage door and remove the bleach residue.
Step 3: Coarse Sandpaper
If your garage door has rust spots, it is time to get out the coarse sandpaper. This rust-removing implement can also help you remove peeling paint from the garage door. You should always clean rust before sanding it off because otherwise, it will just turn into a fine dust that will end up everywhere. Before you use the sandpaper, you should use a steel wool pad and some fine sandpaper to remove the loose paint. You should also cover the floor and other areas close to the door as you will be creating a lot of dust.
You Can Check It Out to Paint Garage Walls
Method 2 for Cleaning a Painted Metal Garage Door
This method is a bit lengthy process but those eight steps really effective to clean a painted metal garage door.
What You Will Need:
- Vacuum
- Mop
- Warm water
- Brush
- Spray bottle
- WD-40
- Bleach
- Coarse sandpaper
Step 1: Vacuum
This is a must-have accessory for any type of garage cleaning. It will help you remove any dust, dirt, or dust that might stick to the surface of the garage door. It is also a great tool for cleaning any cobwebs in the garage.
Step 2: Mop
Using a mop to clean a garage door will provide you with a much better clean than a broom. You can also use microfiber cloths designed for cleaning metal garage doors.
Step 3: Bucket of Warm Water
Using warm water is well-known as the best way to clean a garage door. You can also use a cleaning solution made of warm water and vinegar to create a garage door cleaning solution.
Step 4: Scouring Brush
This tool is great for removing dirt, grime, and mildew from the garage door surface. It is easy to use and can be used by anyone.
Step 5: Spray Bottle
You can use a spray bottle filled with warm water and vinegar to create your own garage door cleaning solution.
Step 6: WD-40
This is a useful lubricant that will help you reduce the amount of scrubbing required to clean the garage door. The WD-40 will help you reduce the amount of friction and will help to keep the door clean for longer.
Step 7: Bleach
This is a great cleaning agent that will help you eliminate mildew from the garage door. Bleach is a great cleaning agent that will help you remove rust and paint from the garage door.
Step 8: Coarse Sandpaper
This is an excellent abrasive cleaner that will help you remove rust and paint from the garage door. The coarse sandpaper will help to remove the rust spots and paint that has been applied in the past. It will also help to remove the peeling paint from the door. You will need to use a little bit of sandpaper to get the job done correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cleaning a Painted Metal Garage Door So Hard?
Cleaning a painted metal garage door is a challenging task due to the fact that it has been painted. Painting a garage door is a common practice that provides the door with a protective coating that repels water, resists rust, and prevents it from peeling. However, even though the paint is a useful coating, it also makes cleaning the garage door a difficult task. Paint is extremely porous, which means it can easily trap dirt and grime inside it. Painted garage doors also tend to be very large, which makes it difficult to clean the door from top to bottom. Trying to clean just one section of the door could leave the rest of it dirty. Another issue you may find with a painted garage door is peeling paint. If your garage door paint is peeling, it will be very difficult to clean it.
The Best Ways to Clean a Painted Metal Garage Door
To clean a painted metal garage door, you will need to use a cleaning solution that can break down the grime and rust that built up on the door over time. Fortunately, there are several cleaning agents that will work great for this task. – Using warm water: This is the most common garage door cleaning solution. Simply spray your garage door with warm water and allow it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also use a cleaning brush to scrub the door as the water is soaking in. – Using a vinegar and water solution: A garage door cleaning solution made with vinegar and warm water works great at removing paint and grime from the door. Simply mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and scrub your garage door with a cleaning brush.
You can also use a pressure washer to clean off the door with this solution. – Using steel wool: This abrasive cleaning agent will help you remove rust, peeling paint, and grime from the garage door. You will need to use a mild steel wool solution to prevent damage to your door.
Conclusion
While keeping the garage tidy does not require a lot of work, cleaning a painted metal garage door can be challenging. Fortunately, there are many different ways you can tackle this cleaning task. If you’ve read this article, you’ve seen that there are many ways you can clean your garage door. You can use warm water, vinegar and water solution, a cleaning brush, steel wool, coarse sandpaper, WD-40, and even bleach. Whichever method you choose, you’ll be able to clean your garage door in no time at all.
