How to Paint a Wooden Garage
Do you have a laundry list of weekend projects to complete around the house? Is one of those projects painting your wooden garage? Painting your outdoor garage should be done when the temperature is not too cold and not too hot. The ideal temperature is around 65°F. The garage should be dry and free from any moisture. With the proper prep work and supplies, you will have the garage painted in one weekend. Here's how to check that one project off of your "to do list." Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Water hose with sprayer or pressure washer Oil-base exterior primer -- 5 gallon buckets with a sealer built in (estimate the amount you will need based on the size of the garage) Exterior paint -- 5 gallon buckets (estimate the amount you will need based on the size of the garage). Rollers -- at least four (two for the primer and two for the paint) Roller pole Paint brushes Drop cloths Paint scraper Sandpaper Shop towels or rags Ladder
Instructions
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Prepping the Garage and Applying Primer -- Day 1
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1
Clean off any dirt, bugs or debris from the garage with a water hose or a pressure washer. Do this late Friday night or the day before you want to start painting. Let the surface air dry.
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2
Scrape off any lose paint and sand any rough surfaces with sandpaper. Wipe any dust off with a shop towel or rag.
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3
Apply primer to the garage on your first day of painting. Apply primer on the trim first, then with the roller move on to the larger surfaces. Follow the manufacturer's instructions found on the label. Apply the first coat, and let it dry according to time stated on the label.
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4
Apply a second coat of primer. Hint: Apply the first coat of primer in the morning and the second coat during the afternoon hours.
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5
Touch up any trim and hard-to-reach places with your paint brush.
Applying the Paint, Painting the Trim and Clean Up -- Day 2
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6
Paint the trim and hard-to-reach places with a paint brush first.
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Apply the first coat of paint using a roller to large surfaces.
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8
Touch up where necessary with a paint brush and apply a second coat to hard-to-reach places. Apply a second coat on large surfaces.
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9
Clean up area around the garage while the second coat is drying. Look for any problem spots on the large surfaces and reapply paint using a roller if needed.
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10
Check for any problem spots on the trim and touch up with a brush. Put supplies and any left over paint away in a cool, dark place.
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1
Tips & Warnings
By applying primer, you can usually get away with just two coats of paint. Only use a third coat if you have to. Spend the day/night before your first full day of painting to sand and remove any old paint from your garage exterior. Let the paint dry completely, then apply your next coat. Use the roller as much as possible to prevent brush strokes and marks.
Purchase exterior paint based on what type of wood you are painting. Usually oil-base paint will work, but first check with a customer service clerk at your local home improvement store.
