6 Quick Ways to Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door

Nowadays, garage doors are deemed as one of the most significant contributors to a home’s overall curb appeal. Apart from the security and protection they provide, garage doors can also be integrated with homeowners’ preferred decor styles and themes for an extra dose of aesthetics.

But the thing is, regardless of how modern or updated your garage door may be, it still won’t cut it if it’s rusty. This doesn’t just take away your garage door’s visual sophistication but can easily compromise its strength and integrity as well.

And what’s even more alarming is that if rust is allowed to increase on your garage door, you’re sure to be in for some pretty costly damages before you know it.

If you’re noticing that your garage door already has a tiny bit of rust here and there, then there’s no need to worry just yet. Instead, make sure you follow along to learn how you can get rid of it with a bit of patience and elbow grease.

Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door Tip #1: Conduct a thorough visual check

Start things off by checking your garage door for the particular areas where rust has already begun to accumulate, as well as the spots that could be potentially prone to oxidation. Be very organized with your inspection, and don’t forget to include the in-between areas.

Remember to list down the spots that need attention. You can also use masking tape as a guide to their specific locations. It’s highly recommended to wear utility gloves if you’d like to have a more in-depth tactile inspection to avoid nicks and cuts as you go along.

Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door Tip #2: Wash your garage door meticulously

After you’ve finished pinpointing the areas you need to work on, give your garage door a thorough wash using soap and water. While you can use any soap for this part of the process, go for mild varieties like car wash soap and dish soap if they’re available.

Wet all of your garage door’s surfaces in an organized manner with a clean cloth. Doing this is crucial to avoid missing any spots. Besides doing away with any dust and grime that may have accumulated on your garage door, this also helps soften the rust particles and prepare them for the next step.

Using an old toothbrush or a small brush, vigorously scrub the rusty areas until you see some of the particles breaking off. Don’t forget to change your soap and water solution at least twice while you’re at it. Moreover, you can also use a mix of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP) for this part as an alternative.

Did you know that vinegar is a natural rust remover? Having the chemical formula of a mild acid, vinegar gets rid of rust by forming a crust on the oxidized areas and eventually eating away the traces of iron oxide that are in it.

Aside from removing the rust, vinegar also helps protect the areas where it’s applied by creating a temporary yet resilient rust-resistant layer afterward. Application is a breeze, too.

Submerge a clean cloth in white vinegar until it is completely soaked through. Next, firmly wipe your garage door with the fabric, focusing on the spots where rust has already set in. Leave it on for a few hours before you rinse it off with plain water.

Since it is a mild acid, vinegar’s rust-removing benefits can take a day or two to manifest. In case you’re running out of vinegar, you can also use lemons as another natural alternative.

Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door Tip #3: Vinegar to the rescue

Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door Tip #4: Inspect the weatherstripping

Your garage door’s weatherstripping plays a vital role in preventing rust and oxidation. This is because it acts as a barrier against the elements, mainly rain and moisture, which could encourage the development of the same if neglected.

Besides having a visual check of your garage door’s weatherstripping, remember to inspect it using your fingers to determine if it’s still up to par or already needs replacement. If the weatherstripping already feels soft and brittle, then it’s time to have it replaced.

Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door Tip #5: Add a touch of paint

Painting your garage door has a two-fold purpose. First, it occupies the spaces where rust can settle, and second, it adds another layer of protection from the elements, especially moisture from rain, snow, and changing humidity levels.

Although there are many options regarding garage door paint, the most common picks are exterior latex paint and oil-based exterior paint. The latter is considered the better choice for metal or steel garage doors.

Interestingly, never apply paint to areas where there is an apparent mold infestation. Mold is quite resilient and will stay alive even when painted over.

Get Rid of Rust from Your Garage Door Tip #6: Ask help from a pro

It’s not uncommon to encounter garage door rust issues that will require the services of a professional. If this happens to you, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable garage door technician to get the job done to avoid making the problem worse.