Garage Door Lubrication Options and Steps

If your garage door is making some strange noises while it opens and closes, one of the first things you should be checking on as a home or business owner is whether it’s properly lubricated. The garage door includes several mechanical components, and there are multiple areas where proper lubrication of these components leads not only to fewer sounds or noises, but also to smoother and more efficient operation.

At Crawford Door Sales, we have a wide variety of residential and commercial garage doors in wood, steel, glass and several other materials – and we can give you proper lubrication directions for all their components. Let’s look at some broad basics on which lubrications to use and avoid, plus some simple steps to lubricating your garage door if needed.

Lubrication Options

There are two primary lubricant options we suggest looking for if you’re looking around:

• Lithium grease: Protects against friction and creates a moisture-reducing barrier for garage components. Will withstand both cold and heat.
• Silicone spray: Will also protect from friction and withstand temperature while providing waterproofing. However, will also help reach into tighter spaces if needed.

Lubricants to Avoid

Some home and business owners instinctively reach for the WD-40 they might have sitting around the garage when lubrication is needed, but we recommend against this. It won’t provide the same level of effectiveness as lithium or silicone, and while it will destroy rust and grease effectively, it won’t bring you the same benefits in terms of reducing friction and protecting your various mechanical components.

If there’s any question about which kind of lubricant to use, simply check the manufacturer guidelines (either on the door or found online). These generally recommend a specific type and process for lubrication.

Lubrication Steps

Here are the basic steps and areas you should consider when lubricating a garage door:

• Cleaning: First, clean the inside and outside of the garage door using warm water and detergent. Use a basic sponge to clean any dust or debris.
• Hinges: If your door uses plastic hinges, do not lubricate these – it will not help, and will only degrade the plastic over time. If it uses metal hinges, however, the goal is to lubricate at pivot points that are easily visible.
• Springs: The primary thing to remember with springs is to spray enough, but not so much that it starts to drip.
• Rollers: We recommend using a cloth or other wipe to directly apply lubricant to rollers, then wipe away extra so it doesn’t drip. If your garage door uses nylon wheels, however, do not lubricate these at all.
• Locks: If you can’t seem to get a garage lock open, cover it in lubricant (silicone spray is often best here so you can reach the tight spaces).
• Tracks: We do not recommend lubricating garage tracks – rather, keep them clean and free of debris at all times.

For more on lubricating your garage door, or to learn about any of our garage door services, speak to the staff at Crawford Door Sales today.