Cracked garage door panel is a common problem that breaks the grace of your home. When the door fails to close or opens by itself, it can be embarrassing when someone comes in and out without a door!
Fortunately, there are ways to fix the cracked garage door panel. This article will explain how!
Using liquid nail glue and an electronic torque wrench is the two most commonly used methods to fix a cracked garage door panel. The liquid nail glue is installed on the bottom of the garage door panel, and the electronic torque wrench tightens and loosens the screws on the other side to set it in place.
You can also use hot glue gun or some kind of paste but this requires more work and expertise.
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Replace broken piece with same color paint
If your garage door panel is cracked, you can replace the broken piece with another color. It does not have to be a perfect match, it can be a little bit of an upgrade.
This is an easy fix that will add some style to your home!
You can do this in two ways. One way is to find a nail-head sized piece of wood and place it on top of the damaged piece and screw it in place. The wood must be white so this works great! Or you can use paint, if you have painted yourself before!
Either way, you are now able to replace your damaged door panel! This will save you money in future repairs too since there is no need to buy two different types of panels.
Mix paint to match panel colors
When you purchase a new garage door panel, you can pick from two popular paint jobs: Matte or Gloss. Both have the same effect on your door: It looks expensive!
Both add some shine to the surface, and give your garage door a more luxurious look. In addition, both of these paints match well with other parts of your home.
If you pick Gloss, be sure to match it with your doors and flooring. If you pick Matte, make sure there is enough income visible in your paint to match the thickness of the panel.
These two changes may sound small, but they make a huge difference in how your garage door works! When it is heated, it will slow down and require less effort to open and close.
Brush on paint to smooth out cracks
If you can’t or don’t want to repair the broken panel, you can fix the cracks with a little bit of paint. You will need to remove some of the wood and brush on the panel with a brush to create space for the paint to smooth out the cracks.
Using a drill, create several small holes in your garage door panel. Then, using a brush, paint over the cracks and let dry. You will need to do this multiple times, as some areas will need to be painted twice!
How Much Do You Need? The thicker your door is, the more paint you will need to use. The thinner your door is, the less paint you will need. We suggest starting with a few coats and adding more as necessary, but big gains in opening or closing may be seen with just a few drops of paint.
Allow paint to dry completely
If your garage door panel has cracks or flaws, be careful to allow the paint to completely dry before working with the panel. Cracked garage door panels can be dangerous!
You can use a hammer and chisel to loosen the clamps that hold the panel in place, allowing you to remove it and repair the crack. Or you can cut down on the strength of the assembly by using double–sided tape to seal the edges before removing.
Once it is off, you can repair or replace the panel as needed. Doing so in stages will prevent stress on other parts of your home.
Apply adhesive to back of replacement piece
Once the new panel is installed, you can begin using your garage door again! Make sure to keep a close eye on your door to make sure it continues to function as expected.
If your replacement panel looks a lot like the one that came with your door, then you may be able to cut down on the cost of the new panel by buying one through your door.
They may have to pay for their shipping and delivery, but this saves you some money in the long run.
Position and press in place
After you install the door, set it up so that it is in the right position. You want to make sure that it is not moving before you tackle fixing the broken glass.
To fix the panel, you must create a gap where the door meets the frame. Then, you must center and press the door into place to ensure that it is holding together.
For your safety, make sure that all of your doors are level and pressed into place. Then, test your door by opening and closing it a few times to make sure it works. If you have had a problem solving or fixing garage doors in the past, do some research first before attempting this on your own.
There are many brands and models of replacement garage doors.
Brush on more paint to cover entire area
If you can’t figure out why your garage door panel is cracked or broken, then you may need to add more paint to the area.
There may be some hidden stresses that are breaking up the paint and/oradding more paint to the area. Try brushing some clear liquid nail polish onto the area and letting it dry before adding more paint. This will add some weight and help secure the new paint.
If this works, then try another brand of liquid nail polish so you do not get any bad solvent residues on your new paint.
Allow to dry and apply additional layers of paint until it is smooth
When painting your garage door panel, remember to allow it to dry completely before applying additional layers. Cracked garage door panels are difficult to paint on top of, due to the possibility of getting splotches or pieces.
Once the paint is completely dry, apply more layers of paint using a brush or spray can. This will ensure a smooth finish and prevent any problems such as bubbled or crinkled edges.
Now is the time to test your new look! Add some trim, add some doors, add some flooring. You can do it! Once you have painted your panel, let it sit overnight to ensure full penetration and absorption.