A garage door is designed to keep your possessions safe from opportunist thieves, as well as safe from the elements. In damp areas or during wet periods of the year, it can be hard to prevent corrosion on metallic materials. In this article, we will explain why old garage doors can get rusty and provide you with recommendations on how to remove rust.
What causes rust on my garage door?
Rain and snow can corrode garage doors, especially old doors that aren’t rust-resistant. People living in coastal areas are even more likely to experience rusting because of the damaging effects of humid salt-enriched air.
If your garage door has clear brown stains, then it is probably starting to rust underneath the paint. As a rule of thumb, the bottom of a door is more prone to rust since rain, snow, mud, or corrosive substances such as road salt and sand accumulate there.
Rust can spread faster than you think, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. If you neglect it, rust will eventually cause holes in your garage door and deteriorate its appearance.
This is why, as part of the manufacturing process of Garolla garage doors we powder coat our twin-walled aluminium slats and then finish them with a specially formulated lacquer to protect them from the elements.
How do I remove rust on my old metal garage door?
Rust is an oxidation process that occurs when a metal surface (e.g. iron or steel) is exposed to water. If rust is removed quickly, the damage can still be resolved. However, once the oxidation process reaches an advanced stage, alloys may become flaky and the damage is irreversible. To destroy garage door rust once and for all, here are four easy steps you can follow.
- 1. Identifying if it is rust, dirt or pollen
A reddish-brown stain isn’t always the result of rust. If your garage is close to the street, the passing cars usually splatter dirt that can settle on your door, making it look similar to rust.
White and yellow birch trees release dark orange pollen that can also look very similar to rust. To confirm whether you have a rust problem, or if it is simply a stain, clean the garage door thoroughly with dish soap and a cloth. This will also remove stubborn grease stains in the process.
- 2. Getting rid of rust
Once you have identified all the rusted areas, rub them with a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar. Rust will dissolve when the vinegar reacts with it.
If vinegar is not powerful enough, make a paste of baking soda and water, then spread it on the door. Let it stand for 30 minutes, wash, rinse and wipe it clean. For persistent rust spots, you can also use a tile cleaner made for bathrooms.
Finally, use a steel-wool pad to scrub the rust off. It’s essential to remove it all because it will prevent rust from spreading any further and stop the corrosion process completely. Don’t use too much pressure to avoid removing any paint. Luckily, Garolla’s roller garage doors are powder coated with anti-corrosive and abrasion-resistant paint and then coated in a specially formulated lacquer so you don’t need to worry about repainting.
- 3. Filling holes caused by garage door rust
If rust has damaged your garage door beyond repair, causing holes it could well be time to replace your door with a new electric roller door.
In the meantime, if you need to put a sticking plaster over holes caused by rust, then you can try and number of things. Use a metal filler to patch in any holes in the door. You can purchase metal-bonding agents online or at your local specialised retail store.
Once the filler has dried, scrub it with fine-grit paper, then sand the entire door. Wipe off any dust with a brush or dry cloth after you’re finished.
Having a rusty door is not only visually unpleasant, but it also provides a weak spot for thieves to exploit when they want to break into a garage, and it’s also likely that draughts and damp will enter the space.
- 4. Washing the door
As mentioned above, a solution of warm water and dish soap works well to remove grime, grease, and dirt that can lead to rust build-up. After you have washed your garage door, rinse it using a hose or a bucket of water, then allow it to dry completely.
It’s crucial to make sure the surface of your garage door is completely clean if you decide to re-paint. Dirt and grease won’t allow the paint to adhere. You don’t want to paint over any chunks of debris either, as this will leave bumps on the surface and ruin the appearance of your door.
Painting your garage door
If there’s a substantial amount of rust that has caused damage, you might want to repaint the entire door. The newly painted spots might be standing out from the rest of the door, resulting in a patchy appearance.
You can apply metal primer and specialised metal paint using a paintbrush for smaller areas. If you have to paint the entire garage door, it is best to use a paint sprayer. The grooves in the door panel will cause drips when you paint with brushes or rollers, so make sure to protect your driveway.
For metal garage doors, you should use primer and paint that are rust-resistant. In most cases, two coats of paint will be necessary. In addition to painting your garage door, we recommend that you also paint the door frame. Having a matching set of colours will contribute to a seamless overall look.
Useful tips
· Remember to always let the primer and paint dry completely between coats.
· Only paint your garage door in warm weather: freezing temperatures make painting impossible.
· Be sure there is no rain for at least a couple of days before you start.
· Always check if the manufacturer of your garage door recommends specific painting products and techniques.
· Go for a manufacturer that provides corrosion-resistant paint on their garage doors.
Let us help you
If you want to avoid rust, or replace your old rusty garage door, you should choose a garage door that is coated in corrosion-resistant paint. Along with choosing the right material, maintenance is also key in preventing rust from appearing on your garage door. With Garolla, you will never need to re-paint your garage door throughout its lifetime.
Professional maintenance can help you identify early signs of issues with your door and correct them.
Our roller garage door specialists are available to assist customers with all kinds of environmental issues, rust included. If you have questions about hinged or roller door rust, or any other enquiries, contact Garolla today. Our electric garage door professionals will be happy to assist you.
In case you need a new garage door and guidance on how it should look, you can use our online garage door design tool. Get a quote and have our products directly delivered to your door.