Q: What should I use to clean my door?
A: Any product with tri-sodium-phosphate (TSP), such as SoilaxTM or diluted Spic-n-Span. In areas where there are TSP restrictions, use a mild household cleaner. All products should first be tested on a small interior surface to ensure color fastness.
Q: What do you recommend for painting of my steel garage door?
A: Steel doors should be painted with a high quality exterior latex (water base) paint. The surface must be cleaned prior to application of paint to the steel (on new doors it just needs to be wiped down with a damp cloth and doors which have been installed for awhile should be cleaned with a tri-sodium-phosphate (T.S.P.) based product [such as SoilaxTM or diluted Spic-n-Span] or a mild household cleaner). Doors do not require a coat of primer unless the finish has been damaged down to the silver galvanizing.
Q: Does my steel garage door require maintenance?
A: Clopay recommends the following maintenance be performed on an annual basis (please refer to the installation manual for a detailed description of the maintenance requirements):
- Clean door surface with a mild household detergent and rinse with clear water (best if done twice a year)
- Lubricate all moving parts of the door with light household oil (e.g. WD 40)
- Check for bent or loose hinges
- Check rollers for broken wheels, bent shafts or worn out bearings
- Check the door and track supports for loose or missing bolts, screws, etc. and tighten.
- Check the extension spring lift cables for proper operation (are they running properly in the pulleys, is the cable rubbing at the bottom bracket button location?)
- Check for bent track
Important: Do not attempt to make repairs on your garage door without proper instructions or the assistance of a qualified professional door technician. Do not attempt to do any repairs on a standard torsion spring assembly (which requires the use of winding bars for installation or adjustment).