Are you stuck with a garage door that keeps getting stuck as you open and close it? Well, lubricating your garage door is probably the solution to your problem. But if that makes you think of a new problem: how to lubricate a garage door…then worry not because we have got you covered.
We have shared below an easy step-by-step guide on greasing your garage door. Following every step will leave you with a smooth opening and closing door and a valuable learning experience to use in the future.
What You Will Need
Here are a few items you may need before you start lubricating your garage door. A garage door lube may seem necessary, especially if you have a WD-40 at home, but we have explained later why that won’t work.
Cleaning rag
Lithium-based garage door lube/ grease
Brake cleaner
Step ladder
How to Lubricate a Garage Door in 7 Steps
Step 1: Purchase a lithium-based garage door lube.
Without this, you cannot perform the job, so this has to be the first thing on your list. You may be surprised to know that standard degreasers like WD-40 do not work well for garage doors. Instead, you will need a lithium-based grease which you can easily find on Amazon or at a hardware store. In fact, you may come across certain greases that have been specifically made for garage doors.
Since oil is susceptible to dirt buildup and is more likely to drip than a garage door lube, this is what we recommend. You will typically find one in an aerosol or spray can.
Step 2: Cut the power off before lubrication.
Before lubricating your garage door, make sure to disconnect it from the power source. You do not want any electrical accidents or mishaps, and the best way to avoid them is by controlling the door manually from here onwards. If you are unsure about how to disconnect it, just turn off the breaker that controls it in the circuit box.
Step 3: First, clean the garage door.
You have to do one more thing before lubricating your garage door, and that is cleaning its tracks. These are what your garage door rollers ride upon when you open and close the door. While you do not want to lubricate these, you want to ensure they are completely clean for your door to operate smoothly.
Use a damp rag to wipe out the insides of both tracks, removing any dirt and debris. If you haven’t cleaned yours in a long time, you can use an automotive brake cleaner to break down the grime. Since the higher portion of the track may be hard to reach, one tip is to use a vacuum there with a hose extension. It will suck out the dirt.
Step 4: Spray on the hinges.
Begin lubricating your garage door by first spraying on the hinges. Slowly lift the door manually and spray each hinge twice as it meets the end of the track. Your hinges should be covered in the lubricant by the end of this stage. This will lubricate the moving parts of your garage door, making the opening and closing of it much smoother.
Step 5: Lubricate the rollers
Nest, you have to grease the rollers. These are the circular moving pieces attached to each of the hinges of the door. Inside them are small ball bearings that need to be lubricated for your door to open and close smoothly. You may need thin hose attachments to reach these. Make sure to wipe out any extra grease otherwise; your garage door will become unbalanced. Also, check what material your rollers are made of. If they are nylon rollers, then do not lubricate them!
Step 6: Spray outside the springs and bearing plates.
If you are not aware, springs are found at the top of the garage door and must be fully lubricated. Bearing plates are the circular attachments on either side of the spring. Start by spraying down the outsides of your spring, and then spray at the center of the bearing plates.
If the springs are damaged, you will have to replace them before moving on. If the springs make noises when you open and close the door, it’s a telling sign they need lubrication. After spraying, do not forget to open and close the door once or twice to spread the lubricant.
Step 7: Finally, lubricate the lock, armbars, and the top of the rail.
Greasing the lock will make locking your garage door easier. Simply point the spray nozzle towards the lock’s keyhole and spray once. Once lubricated, move to the second last part: the armbar – this is placed at the top of your garage door so, you may need a step ladder to lubricate this and the last part, which is the top of the rail.
Finally, spray at the top portion of the rail because that is what your garage door’s chain rides upon. The best way to do it is to spray down the top of the rail and then to spread the grease with the help of a rag. Since the chain usually has a natural protectant, you do not have to worry about greasing it regularly.
Our Final Thoughts
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Like many other chores around the house, how to lubricate a garage door can be a challenging one, especially because garage doors are often the neglected parts of our houses. While lubricating your garage door with the help of a professional is definitely an easy way out, greasing it yourself is not as difficult either. Or at least, we hope it will no longer be a problem after the easy steps we have shared.
