Painting - Painting Overhead Garage Door

I want to paint my ten year old metal (aluminum?) overhead garage door. (This is a two-car garage door, the roll-up type, with four 18 foot panels on hinges.) There is some chalkiness on the bottom panel and I know I have to wash down the door before I do anything. My question: What type of cleaner should I use? Secondly, what type/kind/brand of paint should I purchase? I would like to do the painting with a roller. Thanks for any response(s).

Par

Use a mix of TSP, or Dirtex, with water. Scrub it down and rinse with water.

Get a good quality latex exterior paint. Usually satin or semi-gloss, whichever matches your existing trim. My preferred brands are Benjamin Moore, or Sherwin Williams. Pratt & Lambert and Pittsburgh also make fine exterior paints.

You might look into adding some Emulsa-Bond to the paint if the door seems to be too chalky, this will add to the adhesion.

If your painting with a roller, you might want to brush/stroke it out as you roll to avoid roller/stipple marks.

Thanks, prowallguy! I really appreciate your advice and suggestions. People like you are what makes this site such a valuable one--at least for a do-it-yourselfer like me.

Par

I did mine about a year ago. I pressure washed it with general cleaner. I had some rust spots which you probably dont....with an aluminum door. I sanded then clean and primed them with auto primer. I used my wideshot power painter and did it in 10 minutes with latex paint. I was amazed. It still looks like new.