A quick garage makeover is surprisingly simple, especially when your doors are wood or metal and respond well to exterior paint. Our double garage has one large metal door, painted to resemble two separate panels. Two coats of black semi-gloss exterior latex paint transformed the look in almost no time and cost roughly $20 for the paint.
We always thought the maroon doors looked dated, and a glossy black finish would freshen up our nearly 20-year-old garage. The bold, classic black (Glidden’s Dark Secret) gave exactly the update we wanted. Before painting, we placed large pieces of cardboard beneath the door to protect the concrete from drips:
Here’s an in-progress shot. John added that diagonal stripe just before I snapped the photo—he likes to be a little rebellious.
And this is the finished result: crisp, clean, and noticeably updated after only about an hour of work. We began the project around 5:30 in the evening and raced the setting sun, but we wrapped up comfortably before dark—painting black in low light would have been a mess.
For tools, we used a regular wool/poly roller to cover large areas; foam rollers tend to introduce bubbles and uneven texture, so we avoid them when possible. An angled brush handled the cracks and edges. After the first coat dried, the second coat sealed the job and went on quicker than the first. It feels great to come home to a refreshed garage, and during a recent appraisal the appraiser even asked if we’d replaced the garage—proof that small improvements make a big visual impact.
Have painting plans for spring? Whether you’re planning to add a pop of color to a front door or refresh terra cotta pots, paint projects are an easy, affordable way to update your home. Share what’s on your painting to-do list—we’d love to hear about it.