Help! I have to get rid of some graffiti on my garage door!

Now, this is an unfortunate situation – your garage door has been vandalized by a “budding artist” who decided to leave his (or her) mark right where everyone can see it! These types of acts don’t only happen in crowded inner cities, but as well in suburban neighborhoods.

You could use a company specialized in this type of work, but you’d like to attempt to do it by yourself. Quite a few cleaning products are easy to find at specialized retailers. Here are some tips to help you erase the damage.

What type of spray paint was used?

That’s the first question that needs to be answered. Some spray paints are water based and others oil based. Street “artists”, as they could be referred to, often use low-priced paints which are consequently easier to remove. If it was done with a marking pen, with permanent ink, the graffiti will be almost impossible to remove and that you should consider repainting the whole garage door yourself.

What type of paint is your door covered with?

Now, the second important question to answer. If your garage door was manufactured with a baked-on paint, most often polyester based, it is more resistant. If your garage door was repainted in a paint shop by the company that sold you the door, it’s necessary to know what type of paint was used to do it and who it was done (applied by roller and brush or with a paint gun and dried with high-intensity lamps). If, on the other hand, you painted it yourself a few years ago, think back on what type of paint you used. You must have kept the paint can, right?

In addition, the age of your door is another factor to consider. Even if the exterior skin of your garage door has a baked-on paint, you should realize that with the passage of time and exposure to weather, the paint has lost its shine and resistance to Mother Nature.

Go step by step…

Before you pull out the big guns and nuke the graffiti, start more gently with liquid, not powder, cleaning products you already have around the house. Make a test on a small area of the graffiti and see how it works. At this step, definitely don’t use steel wool or any similar nylon scouring material… or even a wire brush!

Not much change? Then you need try something stronger. Now use cleaning products with abrasive agents, often powdered.

A slightly stronger approach…

There is another product that most likely you have around the house – acetone. This is the primary ingredient in most nail polish removers. Even though the use of this product is controversial, if you decide to use it, be sure you wear thick rubber gloves to protect your hands. Environmentalists will tell you that a mixture of white vinegar and lemon juice will give you the same results. Just like before, make a test on a small area of the graffiti and see if it is effective. Admittedly, if you use this product at this step, there is less of a risk that you will damage your door’s original baked-on paint.

Another product that can be used at this point is paint thinner – what is used to clean brushes after using oil-based paint. Alternately, you can test out rubbing alcohol or methanol (wood alcohol) if you have either on hand.

Now, the heavy guns

What type of spray paint was used?

So, up to this point, if you haven’t been satisfied with the results, it’s time for a stronger product. At a paint dealer you should be able to buy a paint remover that takes between 25 and 30 minutes to work. It’s the same product that many public works departments use to remove graffiti left on metal surfaces, such as road signs. This type of product is also used by companies specialized in removing graffiti.

In all of these cases, you should note that if you use this type of product, you will definitely be damaging the base coat of paint on your garage door. That means you should plan on completely repainting your door.

And if repainting your garage door seems the best solution?

If your garage door is getting old and a small makeover would contribute greatly to the overall appearance of your home, why not consider completely repainting your garage door, thus eliminating the need of trying to clean off the graffiti? For best results, start with a thorough cleaning of the surface to get rid of any traces of grease or dust, then apply a primer.

If your door is from Garaga or is a door with a similar surface, then refer to our website for the instructions you’ll need to repaint it.

In the event you decide to do this, take advantage of this opportunity to coordinate your garage door with your front door. Go to the websites of major paint manufacturers because most of them have a visualizer tool for exterior paints. Select from the home models that are suggested, try out different combinations and find the colors that are to your liking.

A rule of thumb for garage doors – if you have a double door, for example 16' x 7', use a lighter color, and is you have one or two single doors, often 9' x 7', you can use darker colors. You don’t have to choose the same color for your front door and garage door… quite the contrary. Your front door can be much flashier and reflect your artistic flair.

By the way, does my home insurance cover this type of vandalism?

The best way to know for sure is to contact your insurance company. Take a look at your insurance policy and well as the deductible that is shown. If it is high, it may be that it isn’t worth submitting in a claim, especially if your garage door is very old.

Have you considered just changing your garage door?

This could be the nudge you’ve needed to change your garage door, so why not do it right away? If you live near Greensburg, PA, contact us now at 724-834-8450.

We can provide you with a no-obligation quotation by email.

Another option is to come and meet us at our showroom. Use our Design Centre to pick out the style of door that suits you to a T. Searching for ideas? Then take a look at our image gallery for inspiration.