Periodic maintenance is required to optimize the life and beauty of your wood sectional garage door. The color of your paint or stain, the amount of moisture accumulation, direct sunlight exposure, and accumulation of dust or soil all have an effect on the finish of your door and dictate the amount and frequency of maintenance.
Annually check the door’s finish to verify that it is preventing moisture from reaching the surface. The finish will “tell” you if it needs to be restored. Look for evidence of dulling, a dry feeling, or rough texture. These are all indications that a finish restoration is needed. A whitish cast to the finish, particularly on doors exposed to sun and extreme moisture, is also a signal for finish restoration.
- Test for mildew by applying a few drops of household bleach to any discolored areas. If the discoloration disappears, the discolorant is probably mildew. Clean off dirt and mildew with a scrub brush and bleach solution (one part bleach/ three parts water).
- Lightly sand using fine sandpaper. Then, remove all dust with a brush, compressed air, or a tack cloth.
- Stain Grade: Apply at least two coats of a fade-resistant exterior polyurethane with an ultraviolet inhibitor following manufacturer’s instructions. Sand lightly between coats. Finish all six sides (front, back, edge, and end grains).
Paint Grade: Apply at least two coats of a premium exterior paint following manufacturer’s instructions. Finish all six sides (front, back, edge, and end grains).
Please Note: Your doors are most vulnerable to the elements during their initial exposure and will require more frequent maintenance within the first three years. Maintenance requirements will occur less frequently over time.
