Garage Door Safety & Maintenance

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT!

STEEL DOORS

This maintenance guide is for the hot-dipped galvanized steel doors. They come with a baked on epoxy primer and polyester finish that will provide many years of service, if properly cared for.

The manufacturer’s warranty covers rust-through of the steel skin due to corrosion. There is also a condition of proper maintenance and cleaning, which, if not performed, is viewed as neglect and may result in the warranty becoming invalid. Please consult the published warranty for the specific model of door and the published maintenance and painting instructions for details on warranty coverage and proper care.

The coatings used on the steel garage door sections will prevent the structural failure of the metal due to rust-through, caused by untreated corrosion, for the expected life and warranty coverage period of the product. However, the presence of unsightly rust or other forms of corrosion are likely to occur on the surface if proper cleaning does not occur on a regular basis. Surface rust may also occur where the protective layers have been scratched or where tiny metal particles from hardware installation are embedded on the surface. This situation is the same for automobiles or other pre-finished steel products that are in or near marine environment.

In coastal areas, airborne corrosive elements will collect on the painted surfaces and cause surface rust or corrosion. This can be prevented with proper care. If the door is to remain without further painting, it is strongly recommended that the door be cleaned thoroughly, immediately after installation, and coated with an automotive-type wax or protective coating.

Surface corrosion may be fairly easily prevented by following the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, which calls for a thorough cleaning of all exterior surfaces annually (see specific instructions). Best results are achieved if automotive-type paint protectant (wax) is applied when the door is new, and re-applied periodically according to the instructions for the type of wax used. Areas of the door where corrosive elements tend to collect, such as behind the weather-stripping, should not be overlooked. Sporadically wash with car wash with wax in it.

Follow the directions on the protective coating label for initial application and how often to re-apply. Please refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance and painting instructions for minimum care required and how to paint the garage door.

Taking these simple steps will protect the garage door from normal exposure in coastal areas. In situations where the door has direct exposure to salt water or heavy airborne concentrations, periodic painting is strongly recommended. (see manufacturer’s painting instructions).

WOOD DOORS

Maintenance and Painting Instructions for All Wood Doors

These instructions apply to all Wood Doors produced and sold by Wayne-Dalton Corp. The interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges must be properly primed, painted and maintained if satisfactory performance is to be achieved.

The purpose for painting is to both protect and beautify the substrates. These requirements for finishing are intended to achieve both functions for reasonable service life of wood doors.

Wood doors must be completely finished (3 top coats) prior to installation, to ensure that the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges of the doors are properly protected against moisture or other contaminants. Wood doors, in a non-finished condition, must not be transported or stored where the wood surfaces can be exposed to moisture or other contaminants. IMPROPER STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION OR DELAY IN FINISHING, THAT EXPOSE WOOD DOOR SURFACES TO MOISTURE OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, WILL RESULT IN THE WARRANTY BEING VOIDED.

Surface Preparation

All surfaces must be clean, free of dust and dirt and any other contamination. Any scarring or stains that occur during transportation, handling and storage must be re-sanded to the original condition.

Painted Finishes

When painting a door, the finish coat base must be the same as the primer coat base. A latex based finish paint is recommended for use over a latex based primer, and an oil based finish paint is recommended for use over an oil based primer. Prime the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges, using paint approved for use on the specific species of wood substrate being finished. (Note: Some species of wood, such as cedar, require special primers and finishes to prevent tannin stains from appearing. Consult with your paint supplier.) If the door is factory primed by Wayne-Dalton Corp., the

priming step is not required, unless touch-up is needed due to surface preparation and re-sanding. (Note: Wayne-Dalton Corp. uses a latex primer, so latex finish paint is required.) Finish paint the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges with at least 2 coats of finish paint over the primer. Follow paint manufacture’s label directions completely for all coatings.

Clear or Stained Finishes

If staining, apply an exterior grade stain, approved for use on each species of wood substrate being finished, to the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges, following stain manufacturer’s label directions. The stain selected must be compatible with the urethane finish that will be used to finish the door. After proper drying time for the stain (or if stain in not being applied), apply 1 coat of urethane finish to the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges. After recommended drying time of 1st coating, sand with a fine grit (320) sandpaper. Clean all surfaces of sanding dust and apply a 2nd coat of the urethane coating to the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as all edges,. After 2nd coat is dry, sand with a fine grit (320) sandpaper again. Clean all surfaces of sanding dust and apply a final 3rd coat. Three urethane finish coats are required for proper finish. Follow the finish manufacturer’s label directions completely for each coating applied. (NOTE: Do not stain MDO plywood, apply paint only. Only a urethane finish is an approved top coat for stained or natural doors. Other types of top coat finishes, including deck sealers, are not acceptable and if used, will void the warranty.

Maintenance and Refinishing

Yearly inspection of all the surfaces of the garage door(s) will reveal the extent of weathering and the need for refinishing. When the finish becomes eroded or thin, clean and prime the areas of deterioration. Follow up with a complete refinishing of the door(s), according to the above directions, as well as the manufacturer’s label directions. Protecting the door(s) from prolonged exposure to moisture and sunlight is vital in extending the service life of your garage door(s).

VINYL DOORS

Use a soft bristled washing brush. Attach it to your garden hose to make washing easier. For hard to remove dirt, wipe the door down with a solution of the following ingredients:
1/3 cup powdered detergent
(Tide, Fab or equivalent powder detergent)
2/3 cup household cleaner (Spic & Span or equivalent)
1 gallon water

DO NOT USE wax-furniture polish, abrasive or aggressive cleaners, bleach or other hypochlorate (chlorine) based cleaners, multipurpose-cleaners, dilutes, acetone, alcohol, solvent or similar products on the door as this will damage the surface.