Best Ways to Remove Rust from My Garage Door?
What is the Best Way to Remove Rust from My Garage Door?
Garage doors are an important part of your home’s appearance and security. They provide your home with protection by keeping intruders out of your home and away from your automobiles. Of course, in a perfect world, your new garage door would stay new forever.
But let’s face it: rust happens.
As a result, if you have an older garage door, particularly a steel door, it’s probably starting to show signs of wear and tear. Not only does this look bad–it’s a safety hazard. Rust in the tracks can lead to a door that doesn’t open and close properly. And, unfortunately, if you have an older door, you’re probably looking at a lot of money to install a new one.
Fortunately, there are ways to make your old door look new again. In this article, we’ll discuss how.
Preventing Rust
The first thing you can do is to prevent rust in the first place. The best way to do this is to take regular care of the garage door tracks. Run a lubricant along the tracks every once in a while, which will help prevent the metal from wearing down and rusting. You can also apply a rust inhibitor to the garage door tracks. This will help prevent rust from setting in.
Remember – rust spreads, so even a small spot of rust can quickly expand to cause major damage.
Cleaning Rust
This process takes some elbow grease but it’s much easier and cheaper than replacing the entire door. If your garage door is just starting to rust, all you need to do is to clean off the rust.
Start by rubbing down the area with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. If the rust remains, try using a wire brush or steel wool.
The track can be cleaned with a wire brush and a little water. Then you can spray the door with a rust remover. Be careful when using a steel wire brush, as a wrong move can easily damage the door panels and track. The brush may also loosen bolts, allowing them to fall out and become lost.
After cleaning the rust from the garage door, you can apply a rust-inhibiting compound to prevent it from spreading.
Fill the Rust Holes
If you allowed the rust to spread for too long, you may find the door is completely rusted through. You can fill in the holes with a product such as Bondo, available at auto parts stores. The Bondo can be applied with a putty knife, and you can use a little sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots. Add additional coats of Bondo if needed until it is flush with the rest of the garage door.
Paint the Garage Door
If you have a steel garage door, you can paint the door with rust-resistant paint. Make sure to use a primer and paint specially designed for metal garage doors. This will not only make your door look nice; it will protect it from rusting in the future. You can use a spray can of rust-resistant paint, or you can take the door to a professional garage door company like Madison Local Garage Door Pros to paint it for you.
If you have any questions regarding how to remove rust from your garage door or how to repair damage from rust, please don’t hesitate to ask us!
The Importance of Preventive Garage Door Maintenance
Your garage door is the main entry point for your home and helps protect vehicles, personal belongings, tools, and more. With this in mind, do you know how often you should service your garage door?
Inspecting your garage door at least twice a year can prolong the life of your investment. Looking and listening for garage door warning signs is the key to ensuring your system will serve you year-round.
Before winter and spring, have a garage door professional perform these preventive maintenance services.
(Disclaimer): Madison Local Garage Door Pros does not recommend fixing a garage door without a professional garage door technician. Serious injury can occur.
Garage Door Preventive Maintenance During Spring
Depending on your location, the winter months may have taken a toll on your garage door system. It’s essential to monitor your setup for imperfections that can result in garage door failure or downtime. Take these garage door preventive measures when spring arrives:
1. Test the Balance of Your Garage Door
An off-balance garage door is a danger to you and your family. Technicians can gauge the strength of your current configuration by disconnecting your automatic opener and applying force by hand. A professional will open the garage door about 3 feet off the ground, and see if your assembly stays put.
If the door slowly falls, your springs require replacement. Keep in mind that torsion and extension springs handle incredible amounts of tension, so this service should only be performed by an experienced technician.
2. Assess High-Tension Cables
Cables run across your garage door system for extra support. In the event that a spring breaks, tension cables act as a safety net to prevent potential injury. After winter, make sure the high-tension cables are still in working order. You should not attempt to change out cables yourself, but you can look for frays and signs of deterioration.
3. Clean Surfaces, Tracks, and Rollers
Cleaning your garage door helps keep dirt, grime, and debris out of tracks and rollers. Talk to a professional about the best methods for washing surfaces, as well as removing rust and paint chips.
How to Maintain a Garage Door Before Winter
Winter brings inclement weather, intense winds, and freezing temperatures. At the end of fall, have a technician inspect your garage door and prepare your system for the colder months. Take the following steps to service your garage door before the first snow:
1. Replace Exterior Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping usually consists of rubber or plastic materials. Take a look around the outside of your garage door to evaluate the condition of the weatherstripping. The garage door seals should be free from cracks, splits, and noticeable damage. Consider installing new weatherstripping to block out sleet, hail, and runoff.
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
Garage door systems include torsion springs, extension springs, pulleys, and cables.
Many times, a professional can correct noisy assemblies by applying solutions such as WD-40 3-IN-ONE Professional Garage Door Lubricant, silicone sprays, and white lithium grease to connections. Your garage door relies on lubrication for smooth operation, so this process can add years to your garage door’s lifespan.
3. Tighten Garage Door Hardware
When was the last time you looked at your garage door hardware? Loose connections can cause your setup to malfunction during the colder months. If you notice excessive rattling or vibration, call a local technician to secure rollers and structural parts.
Why Is Preventive Garage Door Maintenance Important?
Some households open and close the garage door hundreds of times throughout the year. That’s why it’s important to schedule service appointments before major changes in the forecast. Waiting for a complete system shutdown can result in costly repairs, so always stay on top of maintenance appointments.
Most preventive steps can be completed in just minutes. For best results, contact a local expert to keep your garage door in pristine condition.
Contact Us for Garage Door Tune-Up Services in Madison, Wi
Looking for preventive garage door maintenance services in Madison, WI, and the surrounding area?
Contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros. Our technicians are happy to assist with residential spring repairs, installations, and more.
Our team has over 10 years of experience and can make sure your garage door stays up and running for years to come. To schedule garage door tune-up services, give us a call at (608) 515-1449, or contact us online to request service today!