I painted my garage door.
Yeah, bombshell information, right?
What may surprise you is that my original DIY faux wood garage door tutorial is 12 years old. That means, my 12-year-old painted garage door is in dire need of a new look.
Not only is it sad looking at this point, but I’m stoked it still looks this good after all that time.
Along with many changes in my life, I have been aching to paint this door for over a year. Oh, and that pergola I built on the corner is to keep my evil neighbor away from my gutters and me. sigh..
What is more, MANY bloggers have stolen my tutorial and passing it off as their own. GRRR…
While I agree imitation is a sincere form of flattery, I don’t appreciate thievery. All they had to do was give credit where credit is due.
With that, let’s take a look at MYSTERIOUS.
If you’ve been around me for long, you know blues are some of my favorite colors. Additionally, in my shed remodel I painted my exterior doors blue (all except my front door). And I painted my DIY planters the same color too (free build plans!).
pssst… take a look at that picture of the paint can above. Do you see the text? “Take back control of your life.”
AMEN! I’m on it.
Though, the planters are looking SHABBY as well.
I feel ya, planter.
We’ve both seen better days. Albeit, we look a hot mess, but our foundation is strong.
GET ‘ER DONE
To get this makeover party started, I share my vlog below to demonstrate how I painted my garage door (and hardware and planters!) in one day.
Let the record show, that I painted my entire house BY MYSELF, over two weeks’ time in TWO COATS a several years ago in the now-faded green.
I would get up super early, paint. Babies take naps, PAINT. Nurse babies, then PAINT.
Maybe I’m a bit salty I had no help, but it got done and it still looks good, for the most part.
If you look closely, you can see that under that carriage door hardware, there is a remnant of the original color.
I debate on whether or not to put the hardware back on after painting.
hmmm…
I could fill in the metal door with an epoxy and no one would know. But… my fractured thumb is still healing, still very owie, and less is more is the name of the game.
PREPARATION IS KEY
As anyone knows, you get excited to start a project and realize quickly that there’s a whole lot more to prepping than actual doing.
So… make sure that if you paint your own garage door, you clean it and get it ready for paint as I show in my video above.
After that, it’s just a matter of getting that paint on, cutting in, and cleaning up.
The first time I painted my garage door; I used a brush.
This time, however, I use my airless sprayer and I’m done quickly. Keep in mind, though, that I do use a brush to cut in the edges as well as an artist’s brush to paint the window frames.
Tough job when you can’t use your thumb.
Oh, and I have the best protection this side of the planet.
Right, Loula?
FINISHING TOUCHES
Thankfully, this was easily done in a day with little-to-no mess.
What more can you ask for?
Even my planters are refreshed and ready for blooms.
While my entire street (except one house) all have white garage doors, I’m here with my mysterious blue and LOVIN’ IT.
Blue for the win and I think it really livens up my space. I can’t wait to see it with a fresh, fallen snow.
Have you ever thought about going bold with your garage door?
Even Ivan approves. He featured himself in my vlog above.
INSPIRE
Tell me what color you would do to your door if given the chance in comments below. And white counts too! Also, pin and share to inspire others to have DIY fun with their own home story.
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While you’re at it, here are more updates and DIY like how I painted my garage door:
Fun!! I like bold in small exciting ways.. I tried bold on my garage and I’m regretting that now. Siding is expensive so it’ll stay for a while…….😩.
You and me both. I’m curious… what color is your door and what color is your house?
Wow, it’s been twelve years already! I remember when you published your fabulous faux wood tutorial like it was yesterday. Time is flying by too quickly. I live in a 55+ community and we have no choice but white for our entry and garage doors. Love the blue!
I aged fast in that time! haha! Maybe just shine fun lights on it? 😉 Kidding.
WOW!!! THAT IS AMAZING. I LOVE IT!! I RENT SO………..THE CHOICE ISN’T MINE. BUT I WOULD GO BOLD IF I COULD. I LOVE SEEING YOUR ANIMALS. THAT PUP OF YOURS IS SO LOYAL.
There’s that. I always thought it’d be fun to wrap my garage door like they do cars and many other things nowadays. I’d send a message… 😉
My third attempt to comment, hopefully this works 🙂 I Love this blue, Larissa! I use it in my yard as an accent on fences or other artifacts…I call it French Blue, but not sure that is accurate. But boy does it make your flowers pop in your photo! Very good choice, IMHO. 🙂 I have a question as I need to paint my garage doors too. How do you keep the paint off the weatherstripping on the sides of the door and across the top? I’m not sure if ours comes off? Keep up the great work you are doing to beautify your surroundings 🙂 Love it!
Got it, Mary! Thank you for the kind words. I wanted a fun color to roll up to and that went with the style of the home. You definitely can take off the weatherstripping, but if you see in my video, I used a guard and then cut in with a brush. Thanks!