There’s nothing more upsetting than finding rust spots on your garage door that’s only a few years old, and, hey, wasn’t it supposed to be protected with high quality paint?
Before going any farther, it’s important to look at your environment and what could cause rust to appear. Once you understand that, you’ll be in a better position to prevent future problems. In all cases, regularly washing your door is important. Now, let’s get started…
What are your surroundings?
Your environment is an important point to examine. Do you in a coastal area and experience constant contact with salt air? Are you near an industrial area where mountains of powdered raw materials are stored? Is your garage located close to the street and your city uses lots of salt to de-ice roads? Of course, you may say these are extreme cases, but they are real situations that garage door specialists encounter when one of their customers calls them to complain that their relatively new garage door has rust on its surface.
A relatively benign cause could be that coating of pollen we often see in springtime and early summer. Two culprits are white and yellow birch trees. When their pollen lands on a garage door, it can leave orangish streaks that look like rust.
What type of paint is on your garage door?
This is another point that has to be considered. The majority of garage door manufacturers in North America cover their doors with a primer coat then a baked-on coat of paint. In addition, they use steel that has a certain percentage of zinc to protect the steel against rust. In fact, the association of North American garage door manufacturers (DASMA) issued precise guidelines for the thickness of zinc coatings used to galvanize steel and protect it against rust.
You also need to take into account whether the garage door you have was previously repainted by a specialized company (find out what type of paint and how was it applied) or by you or the last homeowner.
Lastly, you need to know that the protective finishing paint and the galvanizing of the steel are useless if the steel surface has been pierced or punctured in any way. You can draw a parallel with any steel components on your car. If one was damaged and the raw metal exposed, it must be repaired accordingly to prevent rust from taking hold deeper in the metal.
Start by giving your door a good washing
If it’s been quite a while since you last washed your garage door, why not do it at the same time as you wash your car? It’s a great way to remove any dust or grime that has built up on the surface and to see if there are any grease or oil stains present. If you see oil spots, it’s most likely that you over lubricated the drive chain of your electric garage door opener, where white grease should be used and only when needed.
To wash your garage door, use the same type of soap that you use for your car. If you don’t have a soap specially made for automobiles, a good second choice that will certainly do the job is liquid dishwashing detergent. Some of these even contain a degreaser which is an advantage. One thing to avoid - the use of a pressure washer. If the paint on your garage door is already a bit fragile, you will only aggravate the situation and take off the top layer of paint. A garden hose, whose nozzle is set at a medium setting like shower, will do the job properly.
And what’s to be done with any rust spot?
If there are any rust spots, they often look like small dots like you had used a grinder to cut steel and the particles produced became stuck on the door surface. This is commonly seen on the two lower sections of the door. If your garage is located near the street, it is most likely the splashing of the mixture "wet snow + abrasive + street salt" that has been deposited there and is causing the problem.
If the rust stains are on the surface, to remove them, go step by step: start with a mild product. Use a plastic spray bottle and dilute vinegar with water in equal proportions. Spray it on then wipe down with a clean cloth. If the results are not to your liking, use a product containing an abrasive. In a small bowl, make a paste of baking soda and water. Spread the paste on the surface and give it time to take effect, 20 to 30 minutes, then remove it with a cloth and rinse well. Another product that can be tried is the same type of cleaner as you use to clean the tiles in your bathroom. Spray it on, wait for the product to take effect, wipe off, and then rinse with water.
Make it a point to wash your garage door at least twice a year
If you live in an area where air pollution is worse than elsewhere, make a note in your calendar to give your garage door a good washing at least twice a year. The best time is in the fall and at the beginning of spring. Make it easy and wash your garage door at the same time as you wash your car. And just like your car, if you want your garage door to maintain its shine, protect it with liquid wax.
Follow the recommendations in Garaga’s maintenance guide. It may take a little more time, but you’ll be proud of the results.
And if changing your garage door is in order…
If you live in or around Sault Ste. Marie and you’ve observed that your current garage door deserves to be retired after the many years of service it gave you, then contact us now at 1-877-794-4223.
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