painting metal garage door?

[Cliff_Johns]

We have a metal garage door with a factory baked on white paint of some sort. Came with the house so I don't know the history. It looks pretty good, about 11 years old. The painter who is painting our house wants to paint it. It looks OK as it is, but I'm wondering if it's something that's generally painted, or if you just wash it regularly and expect the finish to last for 30 years.

Cliff

 

[KENSFM]

Cliff, if "it looks OK as it is" to you I would not paint it. Once you paint it you will have a job every few years (maybe this is what your painter is counting on). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I would just wash it and let it go at that. Remember if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

Cliff, I'm inclined to agree with Ken; leave it alone if it looks OK now.

 

[Junkman]

Give it a good cleaning and when dry, give it a coat of car wax and it will look good for the rest of your life..... provided that you clean and wax it every few years. Paint it once and it is ruined for life... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

OK, guys. Thanks. It's what I thought, but it gives me a sense of security to have my belief backed up by the TBN crew.

Cliff

 

[Junkman]

Don't take my word for anything...... a member recently told me that my advice wasn't worth anything. Coming from this person, I felt that it was a compliment. This person doesn't know right from left, up from down, right from wrong, or any thing else in my opinion.

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Come fly with me.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Junkman,

I feel like most advice is worth what mine is and I guarantee the advice I give. Of course, the guarantee is that it's worth what you paid to hear (or in this case, read) it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That having been said, I'd wash the door and wax it and call it a day. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif If you paint it once, you're committed to paint it forever. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

We're adding on to our house and I have the same dilemma. Mine either has to be replaced or painted. I told the contractor I didn't want to have to paint anything every five years. The contractor said that he would save the money and paint them. He's one of the best, well he is the best, in this area. He said if it's done with good paint it will last for 10-15 years. Take that for what it's worth. I'll probably go ahead and paint it as it will save us a couple thousand dollars. If it doesn't work out I can always replace them later.

 

[Junkman]

You might consider taking the doors down and dropping them off at a local body shop. They can spray them with any one of the newer two part automotive paints that hold up very well. This might be the best method, because it will come as close to the factory finish for durability. You even could have a better selection of colors to match the new addition. They can even be clear coated for additional protection. If you were so inclined, you could also paint them yourself. Just follow the instructions that have been provided here in the forums for painting tractors.