Get matched with top garage pros in Genoa, IL

During a garage door tune-up, a pro will check and adjust your door’s components, looking for any damage and loose cables, springs, or rollers. The pro will also lubricate moving parts, like the hinges and rollers, and likely tighten some screws and bolts. They’ll also adjust the door opener’s tension and alignment to make sure it’s level. Finally, they’ll wash the door to ensure it’s clean, and test the auto-reverse mechanism to make sure it’s working as it should.

It’s possible to use a torch to melt ice on your garage door, but we don’t recommend it. It’s very easy to bring the flame too close to the door, which can melt the weather stripping or even the garage door itself. You’ll melt ice quickly with a torch, but the damage you’re likely to cause can end up costing you a few hundred dollars to fix, which isn’t worth it. Instead, we recommend pouring hot water over the frozen area or using a less intense heat source, like a hair dryer or space heater.

The best paint for a garage door depends on the door's material, the desired finish, and durability requirements.

Paint Type

The type of paint you need often depends on the material of your garage door:

• Aluminum Doors: Typically require exterior acrylic paint.

• Vinyl and Wood Doors: Exterior latex paint is usually recommended.

• Steel Doors: Professionals often use latex or oil-based paint.

You can choose between acrylic, oil-based, and latex paints. Acrylic paint offers excellent UV and weather resistance and dries quickly, but may require multiple coats. Oil-based paints are very durable and may only need one coat, but they dry slowly and emit more VOCs. Latex paint is available in a wide range of colors and is forgiving to apply, but it can crack over time and may require a primer for even coverage. For an eco-friendly option, consider acrylic latex paint.

Paint Finish

You have a wide variety of finishes to choose from, including semi-gloss, gloss, satin, eggshell, and matte. The choice is largely based on personal preference, but many people opt for a semi-gloss or gloss finish. These finishes dry to a hard, durable surface that stands up well to humidity and regular wear and tear.

Regardless of the type or finish, it's crucial to use a quality exterior paint that can withstand the elements. Using a primer before painting will ensure better adhesion and a more even, long-lasting result.

While you can technically use WD-40 to lube a garage door, it is not the best option since the oil it leaves behind can attract dirt. Instead, go to the hardware store and locate a lithium- or silicone- based garage grease. You can also search for garage door lubricant online; just make sure you get one that is made with lithium or silicone.