Cleaning Your Garage Door
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER ON YOUR GARAGE DOOR!
While factory-applied finishes on garage doors are durable, it is desirable to clean them on
a routine basis. Some discoloration of the finish may occur when a door has been exposed
to dirt-laden atmosphere for a period of time. Slight chalking may also occur as a result of
direct exposure to sunlight. Cleaning the door will generally restore the appearance of the
finish. To maintain an aesthetically pleasing finish of the garage door, a periodic washing of
the garage door is recommended.
THE FOLLOWING CLEANING SOLUTION IS RECOMMENDED:
A mild detergent solution
consisting of one cup detergent (with less than 0.5% phosphate) dissolved into five gallons of
warm water will aid in the removal of most dirt.
NOTE:
The use of detergents containing greater than 0.5% phosphate is not recommended
for use in general cleaning of garage doors.
NOTE:
Be sure to clean behind weatherstrips on both sides and top of door.
CAUTION
NEVER MIX CLEANSERS OR DETERGENTS WITH BLEACH.
NOTE:
Do not use any window cleaning fluids, scouring compounds, gritty cloths or solvent-
based cleaners of any kind.
To clean polycarbonate windows, see
www.Wayne-Dalton.com
.
Painting Your Garage Door
SURFACE PREPARATION FOR PAINTING
Wax on the surface must be removed or paint peeling/ flaking will result. To remove this
wax, it will be necessary to lightly scuff the surface with a fine steel wool pad saturated with
soapy water. A final wipe and rinse should be done with clean water only to remove any loose
particles and any soapy film residue.
Surface scratches, which have not exposed the metal substrate, can be lightly buffed or
sanded with 0000 steel wool or no. 400 sand paper to create a smoother surface. Care must
be taken to not expose the substrate under the paint. Once the substrate is exposed, the
likelihood for rusting is greatly increased.
If substrate is exposed, it must be treated to prevent rust from forming. Sand the exposed
area lightly and paint with a high quality metal primer specifically intended for galvanized
surfaces to protect the area from corrosion. Allow for drying time on primer can label before
applying topcoat.
The surface of the factory-applied finish, that is being painted, must not be too smooth, or
the paint will not adhere to it. It is advisable to test in an inconspicuous area, to evaluate
adhesion. If poor adhesion is observed, surface preparation for painting the factory-applied
finish must be repeated until desired results are achieved. Again, care must be taken to not
expose the substrate under the paint.
IMPORTANT:
IF A FACTORY SEAL IS COMPROMISED OR DAMAGED, REPAIR THE FACTORY
SEAL WITH FIELD CAULK.
PAINTING:
NOTE:
When painting the section, the paint must not seal the bottom edge of any stiles to
the section surface.
After surface has been properly prepared, it must be allowed to dry thoroughly, and then
coated immediately with premium quality latex house paint. Follow paint label directions
explicitly. Oil base or solvent base paints are not recommended. Please note that if substrate
is exposed and not properly primed, painting with latex paint may cause accelerated rusting
of the steel in the exposed area.
NOTES:
1. Re-painting of finish painted steel doors cannot be warranted, as this condition is totally
beyond the door manufacturer’s control.
2. Consult a professional coatings contractor if in doubt about any of the above directions.
3. Follow directions explicitly on the paint container labels for proper applications of coatings
and disposal of containers. Pay particular attention to acceptable weather and temperature
conditions in which to paint.
Wood (Preparation and Painting)
These instructions apply to all Wood Doors produced and sold by Wayne Dalton. The exterior
surfaces, as well as all edges must be properly 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 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.
Wood (Surface Preparation)
All surfaces must be clean, free of dust and dirt and any other contamination.
Wood (Painting)
Using painter’s tape, tape off all metal surfaces. A premium quality latex house based finish
paint is recommended for use over the factory latex based primer
Painting the wood surfaces with at least 2 coats of finish paint over the primer. Follow paint
manufacture’s label directions completely for all coatings. Once finished, remove painter’s
tape and touch up where necessary.
Wood (Maintenance and Refinishing)
Yearly inspection of all the wood 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).
Operation And Maintenance
OPERATING YOUR GARAGE DOOR:
Before you begin, read all warning labels affixed to
the door and the installation instructions and owner’s manual. When correctly installed, your
Wayne Dalton door will operate smoothly. Always operate your door with controlled move-
ments. Do not slam your door or throw your door into the open position, this may cause dam-
age to the door or its components. If your door has an electric opener, refer to the owner’s
manual to disconnect the opener before performing manual door operation below.
MANUAL DOOR OPERATION:
For additional information on manual garage door operations
go to
www.dasma.com
and reference TDS 165.
WARNING
DO NOT PLACE FINGERS OR HANDS INTO SECTION JOINTS WHEN
OPENING AND/OR CLOSING A DOOR. ALWAYS USE LIFT HANDLES /
SUITABLE GRIPPING POINTS WHEN OPERATING THE DOOR MANUALLY.
OPENING A DOOR:
Make sure the lock(s) are in the unlocked position. Lift the door by using
the lift handles / suitable gripping points only. Door should open with little resistance.
CLOSING A DOOR:
From inside the garage, pull door downward using lift handles / gripping
point only. If you are unable to reach the lift handles/ suitable gripping points only, use pull
down rope affixed to the side of door. Door should close completely with little resistance.
USING AN ELECTRIC OPERATOR:
IMPORTANT:
PULL DOWN ROPES MUST BE REMOVED AND LOCKS MUST BE REMOVED OR
MADE INOPERATIVE IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION.
When connecting a drawbar (trolley type) garage door operator to this door, a drawbar opera-
tor bracket must be securely attached to the top section of the door, along with any struts
provided with the door. Always use the drawbar operator bracket supplied with the door. To
avoid possible damage to your door, Wayne Dalton recommends reinforcing the top section
with a strut (may or may not be supplied). The installation of the drawbar operator must be
according to manufacturer’s instructions and force settings must be adjusted properly. Refer
to the owner’s manual supplied with your drawbar operator for complete details on installa-
tion, operation, maintenance and testing of the operator.
MAINTAINING YOUR GARAGE DOOR:
Before you begin, read all warning labels affixed to
the door and the installation instructions and owner’s manual. Perform routine maintenance
steps once a month, and have the door professionally inspected once a year. Review your
Installation Instructions and Owner’s Manual for the garage door. These instructions are
available at no charge from Wayne Dalton, a division of Overhead Door Corporation, P.O. Box
67, Mt. Hope, OH., 44660, or at
www.Wayne-Dalton.com
. For additional information on
garage door/operator maintenance go to
www.dasma.com
and reference TDS 151, 167
and 179.
Monthly Inspections:
1. Visual Inspection:
Closely inspect jambs, header and mounting surface. Any material
found not to be structurally sound must be replaced. It may be necessary to uninstall part
or all of the door assembly in order to replace defective material. Refer to the supplemental
instructions “Removing an Existing Door / Preparing the Opening” at
www.Wayne-Dalton.
com
. Inspect the spring(s), counterbalance lift cables, track rollers, pulleys, rear back hangs
and other door hardware for signs of worn or broken parts. Tighten any loose screws and/or
bolts, except on bottom corner brackets or on the counterbalance assembly. Check exterior
surface of the door sections for any minor cracks. Verify door has not shifted right or left in
the opening. If you suspect problems, contact a trained door system technician.
WARNING
GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS, COUNTERBALANCE LIFT CABLES, BRACKETS,
AND OTHER HARDWARE ATTACHED TO THE SPRINGS ARE UNDER
EXTREME TENSION, AND IF HANDLED IMPROPERLY, CAN CAUSE
SEVERE OR FATAL INJURY. ONLY A TRAINED DOOR SYSTEMS
TECHNICIAN SHOULD ADJUST THEM, BY CAREFULLY FOLLOWING THE
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
21
Maintenance
