Tired of Looking at Your Metal Garage? Update It With a Coat of Paint

Some things just don’t seem to belong together in a sentence. Curb appeal and metal garages can be an example. This isn’t to say all metal garages look horrible, only some can definitely use a little love. Since replacing a metal garage goes beyond expensive, you may think you’re stuck with it. 

Before you resign yourself to being stuck with an unsightly metal garage, think of your favorite paint color. We’re going over the simple steps for painting a metal garage so you can love how it looks on your property.

Basic Steps for Painting a Metal Garage

You’re pretty sure you’re all set. You’ve picked out the paint color and have plenty of brushes and rollers. A drop cloth is checked off your list, along with a bucket full of soapy water and a sponge. You even picked up some primer and rust remover. So, what’s left to do other than get started? Have you checked your local weather forecast? Along with making sure it’s not supposed to rain for at least 72 hours, what’s the temperature outside?

Yep, the temperature outside makes a difference when you’re getting ready to paint a metal garage. Aim for a day with low humidity and mild temperatures. Even though some paint suppliers say you can break out the paint anytime temperatures are above freezing, think of your comfort. Do you really want to paint your metal garage when it’s 90+ degrees outside?

Get Your Metal Garage Ready

You can paint over rust stains and spots with corrosion. There isn’t a law against painting over rust. For a few days or even weeks, your metal garage may look great but it’s not going to last. The same ugly spots are going to pop back up.

Grab a tool like a putty knife or wire brush and start scrubbing and scrapping away at the rust. If you have a pressure washer, you may want to break it out. The pressure washer works great at removing dirt, grime, and bits of loose rust. Rinse the garage off and let the panels dry before opening the can of paint.

Start Priming the Metal Garage Panels

This isn’t exactly an essential step but it can help boost your metal garage’s appearance. Applying a coat of primer over any dents and scratches can serve two purposes. The primer helps prevent rust and corrosion from becoming an issue. A coat of primer also gives you a smoother surface. This way the paint goes on more evenly without any weird effects caused by the scratches and dents.

The type of primer you use depends on the metal. You’re probably going to use a different type of primer for an aluminum garage compared to one made from galvanized steel. Check with your local home improvement store for recommendations. You want to let the primer dry for about 24 hours.

Choosing the Right Paint for a Metal Garage

Once the primer has dried it’s time to pry open the paint. However, you probably don’t want to go with simple exterior paint. Sure, this works great when it’s time to paint the siding on your house but it’s different with metal garages. Remember, different types of paint work best on specific metals. Here are a few examples:

Paint designed for zinc-coated materials works best for garages made from galvanized metal. Zinc helps prevent issues with rust but it can also cause some types of paint to start peeling.

If your metal garage contains iron, it’s considered ferrous. Yep, rust is a particular problem with ferrous metal. This means you want to use an oil-based paint to add a bit of rust-proof protection. You’re probably going to want to apply two coats of paint but wait for the first one to thoroughly dry. This way you’re not dealing with a sticky mess.

Some metal garages have factory-baked enamel over the panels. If this is your metal structure, guess what, you can probably put the paintbrush down. You only paint over factory-baked enamel when it begins peeling or you’re tired of the color. If you’re looking for a metal garage that doesn’t require a ton of maintenance, this may be the perfect option.

Boosting the Curb Appeal of Your Metal Garage

Metal garages can get a bad rap when it comes to appearance. However, this is usually something easily fixed with a fresh coat of paint. Just make sure you go with the right paint for your type of metal garage and don’t forget to check the weather.