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Garage Door FAQs – From defining industry terms to explaining your door customization options, Overhead Door Company of Southern California is here to help. And if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, contact us to talk to one of our experts.

Garage Door FAQ’s

How do I clean my pre-finished steel Overhead Head Door?

Follow these guidelines for cleaning your pre-finished steel garage door:

DO’s

• Clean the door with 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.
• Clean behind weather-strips on both sides and top of the door.
• Use your bare hands to feel and dislodge any caked-on particles.
• Use a soft, grit-free cloth, sponge or chamois to wipe the surface.
• Dry with a clean damp chamois.

DON’Ts

• DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER ON YOUR DOOR!
• DO NOT Use detergents containing greater than 0.5% phosphate.
• NEVER mix cleansers or detergents with bleach.
• DO NOT use hard or rough cloths that will scratch the acrylic glazing.
• DO NOT use any window cleaning fluids, scouring compounds, abrasive cloths, or solvent-based cleaners of any kind.

How do I clean my wood garage door?

Yearly cleaning and inspection of your wood garage door are easy. If the finish appears to be in good condition, cleaning and touch-up work are often adequate.

Remove dirt, chalk, and mildew by washing your wood door with a diluted solution of mild household detergent at a concentration of one (1) cup in five (5) gallons of warm water.

Rinse with clear water after washing and allow to dry completely.

• If the finish is severely eroded and thin, clean the areas where the wood substrate is showing through as described above and prime those areas using an oil/alkyd primer. Follow the cleaning and priming with complete priming and finish coating.
• If there is no bare wood showing through, only a finish coat may be required. Review your Maintenance Brochure for detailed instructions and information on cleaning and maintenance of your wood door; improper finishing may void your warranty.

How do I paint my pre-finished steel garage door to match my home’s color?

To prepare your pre-finished steel garage door for painting, it is important to give it a good cleaning, but do not wax. Remove surface wax to prevent the paint from peeling or flaking.

• Remove surface scratches that have not exposed the metal substrate by lightly buffing or sanding with 0000 steel wool or No. 400 sandpaper to create a smoother surface for painting.
• Do not over buff or sand the garage door, because the paint will not adhere to the door if the surface is too smooth. Do not attempt to remove scratches if your steel door surface has a finish painted texture representing wood grain, stucco, etc. because of the increased danger of exposing the metal substrate.
• Just paint them with a high-quality metal primer. Follow drying time on primer can label before applying topcoat.
• To prevent rust from forming, treat any scratches that have exposed the substrate by sanding the exposed area lightly and then painting with a high-quality metal primer. Follow drying time on primer can label before applying topcoat.
• After properly preparing the surface according to the above instructions and allowing it to dry thoroughly, coat the door with a premium quality latex house paint. Follow the paint label directions explicitly.

Oil-based paint is not recommended. Note that if the substrate is exposed, painting with latex paint may cause accelerated rusting of steel. Follow previous instructions on priming the door for painting. Review your Maintenance Brochure for more detailed instructions and information on cleaning and maintenance of your steel door; improper finishing may void your warranty.

What is the difference between extension and torsion springs?

Springs counterbalance the weight of a door and actually lift the door.

Extension springs run parallel to the track to help the door raise and lower. When the door is down, the springs extend. When the door is up the contract. Over time these springs stretch out offering the opener less help with opening the door. Extension springs work independently of each other and wobble back and forth causing more uneven wear on your door parts.

Torsion springs are located above the door opening and generally work together as a pair providing smooth and even operation. They are the superior spring as they are more precisely gauged for the size and weight of your door. Torsion springs offer more control over the door when raising and lowering and are safer than extension springs when they break as they are “contained” on the torsion bar.

How important is insulation in a garage door?

Insulation is essential in a garage door for many reasons. In addition to helping control the temperature,

The amount of insulation a garage door provides is represented in its R-value, which is its resistance to heat flow. It is essential to select a garage door with an R-value that is consistent with your local climate and lifestyle. Also, insulation helps reduce the noise of your garage door as it opens and closes..

Can I Replace A Section Of My Door, Or Do I Need To Replace The Whole Door?

Yes, replacing only a section of your garage door is possible in some cases; however, depending upon the damage involved, the entire door may need to be replaced. Contact us so we can evaluate your specific situation and make recommendations for the best solution.

What should I look for in an electric opener?

When looking at openers you need to consider three things: strength, safety, and security. Openers come in two strengths: 1/3 horsepower or 1/2 horsepower. Safety is very important on openers to protect people and pets from being injured. Any opener should come with at least these three safety features.

• Safe-T-Beam — photocells at the bottom of the door shoot an invisible Safe-T-Beam across the opening. If this invisible Safe-T-Beam is broken, while the door is closing, the door will reverse.
• Contact Reverse — the opener should reverse when the door comes in contact with an object, even if the Safe-T-Beam is not broken. The industry standard is to have the door reverse off of a 2×4 laying flat on the floor.
• Timed Reverse — the opener should automatically stop and reverse when the door is closing if it fails to close completely within 30 seconds.

To be a smart consumer, what should I avoid?

• Companies with no track record promising “too good to be true” warranties. These are companies who plan on making their money now and skipping town before you call them on that “lifetime” warranty.
• Companies that use more than one name. No, this practice is not illegal, but it is a strategy often used to deceive customers and avoid warranty follow-up.
• Companies will only warranty their door if you use their opener. It is possible for an opener that has been poorly installed to damage a door, but that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty anyway.
• Companies who are not members of the Better Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce.
• Companies who “subcontract” their labor. Who are you going to call for your warranty work? Is the subcontractor insured? If you don’t know who is going to your home it is hard to do a background check.
• Companies that are not insured. Make sure the company has proper Liability Insurance and Workman’s Compensation insurance.
• Companies that don’t have clearly marked vehicles and uniformed employees. If they aren’t proud enough of their name to identify themselves how can you expect a professional outcome?
• Companies that don’t offer a FREE written estimate. A sales representative should be experienced enough to know exactly what they need to complete the job to your specifications before any work begins and be willing to put it in writing.