When you open your garage door after a long day of work, an unfinished, drab interior should not be the first thing you see. Painting your garage is an excellent, cost-effective way to beautify your room and maximize your living space. Many homeowners are taking this step these days.
Painting your garage is a popular step to optimize your home’s appearance. It is inexpensive, attractive, and can improve the property value of your home. Some of our favorite ways to beautify the garage include using neutral colors, matte finishes, and pops of color.
Painting a garage is simple and cheap, but only when done correctly. Taking shortcuts like not cleaning the walls or skipping out on primer can lead to damage down the line. There are plenty of reasons to paint your garage wall beyond its appearance.
Why Paint Your Garage Wall?
Garage walls are typically bland and unfinished. A paint job can bring color and light to an otherwise drab space. There are many reasons why you may be considering adding some customization to your garage.
Common reasons include wanting the space to be more of an entertainment area, making the area more pleasant, and sprucing up the last unfinished room in your home. Whatever your reasons, adding a paint job can improve the appearance of your garage significantly.
Appearance
The most common reason people paint their garage walls is to improve the room’s appearance. The average homeowner visits the garage at least once daily, and adding a bright coat of paint can significantly improve this experience.
The opportunities for the post-paint job are also extensive. Your garage can become an extra entertainment area, a man cave, a handyperson’s station, or even an extra sitting area. Garages are a blank canvas filled with renovation opportunities. They can also increase the value of your home.
Cheaply Increases Property Value
Updating your garage is an excellent way to increase property value. It is an easy and inexpensive room to add some character and organization.
Getting your unsightly garage in shape can be an excellent step in making the entrance to your home more attractive. Some organizations and a paint job can make a world of difference. Bonus: it is the cheapest way to hide cosmetic damage.
To Cover Damage
Garages often lack insulation and protection from the elements. This is practical as the average garage is strictly meant to be a shelter for your cars.
If the damage in your garage is merely cosmetic, a paint job can be an excellent way to hide water damage and stains from car fumes. Be sure to investigate major damage before covering it up with a fresh paint job.
Painting a garage isn’t tricky. Anyone with minimal experience in painting homes can easily take on this task. However, gathering the proper tools and manpower is essential to do the job correctly. Although you can paint a garage alone, the task is much easier and quicker with an extra hand to help.
What you’ll need: drop cloths, shop vac or broom, bucket, dish soap, sponge, patching compound or caulk, putty knife, sandpaper, paint roller, paintbrush, paint primer, and latex or oil-based paint.
How to Paint Your Garage Wall
Step 1: Clean the Walls
Properly cleaning your garage walls is possibly one of the most critical steps. It may be tempting to bypass this, but proper prep is essential in application. First things first, open your garage door. Garages are often not well-ventilated, and you’ll be working with toxic fumes.
Garage walls are dirty. Exposure to the elements, chemical buildup, fumes, and more can make them extremely dirty. Use a shop vac or broom to get any dust and dirt from the surface.
Next, fill a bucket with warm, soapy water and use a sponge to cleanse all surfaces you paint. Dish soap is perfect for this as it is meant to disintegrate oils. Once your walls are clean and dry, it’s time to fix any damages.
Step 2: Repair Damages
Garages endure a lot of damage. It is essential to fill in any holes or cracks in the wall before cracking open the paint can. There are a few different methods for filling in cracks, but almost all require a patching compound, a putty knife, and some sandpaper.
First, mix your patching compound. This can be drywall compound or premixed caulk. Smooth the compound over the cracked surface, ensuring the repaired area is even with the existing wall. Scrape off excess if needed.
Give the compound time to dry thoroughly. This usually takes around 24 hours, depending on the outdoor temperature. Once a day has passed, it’s time to smooth your damages.
Step 3: Smooth The Area
Garages can have plenty of imperfections that must be smoothed over before painting. The smoothing method often depends on which type of wall you have. Before you do this, lay down a drop cloth to prevent the debris from coating everything in your garage. Leave it down to paint.
To begin, smooth down any of the patched areas with sandpaper. Wipe down the residue with a damp cloth.
There are four common types of walls that garages tend to have. These are drywall, brick, wood, and concrete. Sandpaper works on all surfaces but brick. For brick, smooth the area using a wire brush.
Sanders come in an electric form and sandpaper. Sandpaper is the most common and cheap option. However, it can require some force to do correctly. Especially on concrete walls. Electric sanders are best for these. Be careful using them on wood and drywall as they can damage the walls if used too forcefully. Once your walls are perfect, crack open your primer.
Step 4: Paint The Surface
The first step to painting any surface is applying painter’s tape around edges, power boxes, etc. Next, prime it. Primer helps with paint application and creates a finer finish. Coat all surfaces you plan to paint with primer and give them ample time to dry.
Once your primer has set, it is finally time to paint your walls the desired color.
Make sure to paint your walls with multiple coats for the brightest shade. Use a paint roller for large sections and a brush to fill in the details. Think you’re ready to grab a paintbrush? Painting is a more complicated process than many expect, but there are plenty of ways to make the job go smoother.
Tips For Painting Your Garage Wall
Painting may seem like a simple process. However, doing it correctly can save you hassle down the line. There are plenty of tricks to make the job easier and more attractive. Before you pick up a paint roller, check out these simple tips.
Seal All The Cracks
Garages go through a lot of damage from cars and other chemicals. Cracks and holes in the wall are standard. However, filling in these gaps is pivotal if you want to do your paint job right.
Not only is filling in cracks a cosmetic difference, but it can also help deter structural damage down the line. The most common types of sealant are water-based latex, acrylic, butyl, and silicone.
For uninsulated garages, acrylic sealant is the best option. They are UV stable and not prone to shrinkage. However, this type of sealant can be challenging to apply.
The most common and easy-to-apply sealant on the market is water-based latex. This type is also acceptable. However, it can be prone to shrinkage. This can lead to water damage down the line.
Paint The Floor
Why stop the paint job with the walls? Painting the floors is an excellent step many homeowners take in transforming their garage. Most garage floors are concrete, so painting them is a simple task.
To do this, follow the same prep steps to paint a wall.
Be Careful of the Temperature
Garages are exposed to various temperatures and elements as they tend to be uninsulated. Paint manufacturers often list the minimum and maximum temperatures to use their product, which should be strictly adhered to. If not, your paint may become bubbly, cracked, or tacky.
It is often best to wait to paint your garage until the fall or spring if you live in a temperate climate. Hot summers and freezing winters can wreak havoc on fresh paint jobs.
Best Garage Wall Painting Ideas
Painting your garage may seem mundane, but there are plenty of different ways to make the task more exciting. Many homeowners decide to branch out beyond the walls and paint their floors, doors, and ceilings. Take inspiration from this list of ideas and make your paint job more attractive.
Garage Floor Paint
Your garage floor can be different from your walls. Plenty of homeowners have chosen to color their floors using an array of methods, from stains to marble designs. Choose one that is easy to clean and durable. It goes through a lot, from car wheels to chemical damage. You use this paint for painting the floor.
Garage Door Paint Ideas
The garage is often the main entrance to your home. Make it attractive by giving it a colorful paint job.
Homeowners usually go with one of two options; a shade that blends in with the house or a statement color. We love one that stands out! Go with a bright color or a sleek dark shade of blue or grey to pop.
Garage Wall Paint Ideas
Adding a trendy coat of paint to your garage wall is an excellent way to spruce up the room. One of the most popular trends right now is neutral colors.
People are returning to their roots with subtle earth tones, beiges, and greys. They are simple and timeless. Matte walls over a glossy finish are also in right now.
Garage Ceiling Paint
Why stop at the walls and floor? Grab an extra-long paint roller and paint your ceiling too. You can use the same color as your walls or mix it up to make a statement. Interior latex paint is the best option for garage ceilings.
What is The Best Paint For Your Garage Wall
Latex-based paint is the best option for garages as they are the most durable. Oil-based paints are the next best option for your garage. Interior or exterior paint can be used – each has pros and cons.
Interior Paint
Although garages are often exposed to the elements and uninsulated, there are a few instances where interior paint is favorable to exterior paint. First off, in finished garages. These garages are insulated and often have drywall.
Sealed and well-maintained garages also deserve a coat of interior paint. These tend to have less access to the outdoors and do not bear the brunt of structural damage from weather or chemicals.
Exterior Paint
In most cases, a garage requires exterior paint. The garage is left unfinished, uninsulated, and exposed to the elements in plenty of homes. If the region you live in has extreme temperature changes throughout the year or has wet seasons, the garage is vulnerable to wear and tear.
If the above applies to your garage, purchase exterior latex paint. This is durable and will not crack or bubble due to weather changes, damage, or stains.
Conclusion
Painting your garage is an excellent way to maximize your living space. It can elevate your home value and is an easy and cheap cosmetic change. You may be tempted to pick up a paintbrush and get to work immediately. However, remember to follow the basic steps and tricks we list for the perfect paint job.
Our team includes many home improvement professionals such as painters interior decorators and architects. Collectively, we have over 30 years of experience.