OT Painting Garage Door

GlenIdaho · Mar 28, 2013

I'd like some advice on painting an aluminum sectional garage door. The problem: Someone painted it with latex and it is now cracking. Paint is solid but cracking. The metal has a dimpled finish. Cannot sand.

Possible Solutions: 1. Use a heavy bodied primer to bridge the cracks and top coat with latex.

2. Have door sandblasted, apply epoxy primer and use an automotive paint for a top coat.

Potential Issues: 1. Using the latex primer and top coat I fear the same problem developing because the paint will be so thick it will eventually crack.

2. The thickness of the paint will cover the dimple finish. (I plan on using an airless sprayer)

3. I desire to have a semi-gloss finish with the automotive paint.

Questions: 1. Any other solutions to use on the currect latex?
2. Do you agree it will most likely crack too?
3. Is the automotive paint as durable?
4. Will adding chems to get a semi gloss finish effect durablity and longevity?
Any other choices?
Thanks

Ken-Pa · Mar 28, 2013

Glenn , you mite check with Sherwin Williams about some kind of strong spray on or brush on latex paint stripper . I know it will be one heck of a messy & time consuming job , but its a matter of what kind of finish you desire .When I was doing contracting , I ran into all kinds of messes like a homeowner having used latex paint on storm doors & windows , soffitt & facia .Even the screens were latex painted . Then they expected me to perform a miracle repaint job at my loss of revenue . Believe me , I walked away from a couple because of their stupiddity & their thinking I worked free . Its definitely a slow, time consuming project with no easy way out .Good luck & God bless , Ken

MarkB_MI · Mar 29, 2013

Chemical strip it.
It's unusual for latex to crack, as it's more flexible than oil-based paint. So I think you need to go down to bare metal and re-prime it.

MSD · Mar 29, 2013

Painted mine 21 years ago and still hanging on with no defects. I"m not sure what I used for paint but remember using a deglossing liquid before I painted.

Ted in NE-OH · Mar 29, 2013

They make paint that is specifically made to paint steel and aluminum siding. Check that out.

slim · Mar 29, 2013

Do you have a pressure washer? Sometimes that will take paint off, especially if the paint is starting to fail.

slim

GordoSD · Mar 29, 2013

Rent the most powerful pressure washer you can find. Then treat the door with vinegar. Then use a good quality outdoor oil base paint.

Stephen Newell · Mar 30, 2013

I think if the paint is cracking it's in the first stages of failing. It's hard to say without seeing it. It may be that whoever painted it applied too much and didn't allow enough drying time between coats. The doors probably should be stripped to be sure. If you have them sandblasted be sure you get someone that knows what they are doing. It would be easy to burn a hole through an aluminum panel. I would probably take the door apart and do one section at a time with Kleen Strip paint and varnish remover. Use in temperatures above 70 degrees. Brush it on and keep the dry spots wet with remover for about 15 to 20 minutes and rinse off with a power washer. When painting back, epoxy primer is the wrong product. Use a primer such as Dupont Variprime or if you are looking for something cheaper use zinc cromate primer. You can then topcoat with any automotive paint or oil based enamel. If you wish to go back with latex primer I would put a coat of Preprite primer from Sherwin Williams over the Variprime first.

Another option would be to contact a overhead door company and see if you can just purchase new panels.

OT Painting Garage Door

GlenIdaho

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Ken-Pa

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MarkB_MI

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MSD

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Ted in NE-OH

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slim

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GordoSD

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Stephen Newell

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