Written and published on https://homeguides.sfgate.com/.
Regardless of your garage door color, you may notice that it has turned a rustic orange color as spring approaches. How did this happen?
The salt you spread on driveways stews during winter, slowly eating away at your garage door. Over time it can compromise the structural integrity of steel, aluminum and wood doors. But these simple maintenance tips can help you restore it.
Cleaning boosts curbside appeal and extends the life of your garage door. The only cleaning supplies needed for any garage door style is a bucket, warm water and a standard grease fighting soap or detergent. But you might also want to consider using white vinegar and water with a medium soft-bristled brush on steel and aluminum doors since the respond well to this technique. Where additional tools are concerned, hard bristles can scratch the door surface, so opt for a softer brush.
How to Fix a Rusting Bottom Panel on a Garage Door
The rust appearing on the bottom of your garage door is more than unattractive; left unattended, the rust can eat through your metal garage door and leave holes. These holes can damage the structural integrity of the door, allow rain and dirt to enter your garage and ruin valuable items you store in the garage. Instead of replacing the garage door once rust appears, remove the rust and repair the door to stop the oxidation process.
1. Close the garage door. Clean the bottom panel of the garage door with warm water and a grease-fighting dish-washing liquid. This detergent helps remove oil and dirt from the door. Rinse the door thoroughly and let it dry.
2. Dip a cloth into white vinegar and wipe the rusty area. Scrub the rust off with a steel wool pad, wiping it often with more white vinegar. Continue until there’s no more sign of rust, only clean metal showing.
3. Sand the rusted spots and an area at least 2 inches around each spot with a palm sander. This creates a texture on the metal that helps primer stick to it.
4. Coat the sanded areas at the bottom of the garage door with a zinc-chromate primer using a paintbrush. The zinc chromate helps prevent further rust from developing. Let the primer dry.
5. Paint the primed areas with a rust-resistant paint. If it’s a spray paint, tape off the areas around the primed spots with painter’s tape and newspaper. If not, use a paintbrush to apply the paint to the primed areas.
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