Wayne Dalton 9100 Long Panel White steel garage door

How to Protect Your Steel Garage Door from Rust

Oct. 22, 2024

Rust is one of the biggest concerns a homeowner can have when they think about their steel garage door. You have invested a lot of money installing your high-quality steel garage door, so to see rust and corrosion on it would feel like you’ve wasted money.


How do you prevent rust and protect your steel garage door so you can get years of use out of it? Read our tips on rust prevention and contact our garage door maintenance experts today to schedule an appointment. Rust is a common phenomenon in many metals. We see it on a regular basis when the metal is not properly cared for. 

 

Why Does Rust Happen?

Rust is a chemical reaction that happens when the surface of the metal reacts with oxygen and water. It can occur in any metal that contains iron, including your steel garage door. 


Row of old rusted steel garage doors


How to Prevent Rust

Rust can be a problem for your door, preventing proper operation and leading to you having to spend money on maintenance and repair for your steel garage door. However, you can help reduce the risk of your garage door developing rust with a few easy steps.

 

Wash Frequently

One of the most important things you can do to take care of your garage door is wash it regularly. This part only requires a simple garden hose. Dirt, dust, and other grime can trap moisture against your door, causing it to rust more easily. Use a mild soap such as dishwashing detergent, and a damp sponge or cloth.

Note: don’t pressure wash your garage door. It can strip away the paint and even put dents in the door.

 

Lubricate Garage Door Parts

It's important to pay attention to your garage door's moving parts as well. Regularly lubricating rollers, hinges, chains, springs, and tracks, can help to prevent rust from building up.   

 

Remove Existing Rust Spots

You may already have rust spots on your door and not know it. They can seem like dirt that won’t wash off at first, and you may notice them more commonly on the lower panels of the door. You can remove surface stains with a mix of water and vinegar and a sponge or cloth. More stubborn rust may require baking soda and a wire brush.

 

Schedule Regular Maintenance Checks

Your greatest ally in the battle against rust is a professional, experienced technician who provides regular maintenance checks. A professional can examine your door for damaged spots that might be a place where rust can form. They’ll conduct a thorough garage door maintenance routine, cleaning, lubricating, repairing, and replacing all the equipment and hardware, ensuring your garage door is good to go for another year and saving you the hassle of having a garage door that just suddenly stops working.


Wayne Dalton Sales & Service technician conducting a maintenance inspection with homeowner


Call Wayne Dalton Sales and Service for Garage Door Maintenance and Rust Protection

Wayne Dalton Sales and Service are the experts in garage door maintenance, and we can service all makes and models of garage doors. We have convenient locations across the country so we can assist you as quickly as possible. Our experienced garage door maintenance technicians are committed to high-quality service and customer satisfaction. Call one of our 14 locations serving Akron, Albuquerque, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Houston, Kennewick, Lewiston, Missoula, Peoria, Quad Cities, Raleigh, Spokane Valley, and Tempe and request a quote.