Door Busters: How bad is it to reuse track and hardware from my old door on a new model?

Never re-use the old hardware, tracks or spring from your old garage door, even if you think they are still in good condition. The new components are designed specifically for the weight and material of the new door. Professional garage door installers will remove all of the garage door components and haul them away with your old door sections when they finish the job.

Photo Credit: Andy Frame

Here’s a tip on how to make the interior of your garage look sharp. Clopay offers powder coated hardware in either a black or white finish. You’ll appreciate the polished interior appearance if you use your garage as a workshop or additional living space.

Door Busters: Is it bad to skip lubricating garage door hardware?

It’s pretty bad. Not only will your garage door become loud and squeaky, the parts can wear out sooner from rust, corrosion or debris build-up.

Something homeowners immediately notice when they get a new garage door is how quietly it opens and closes. The silence is music to their ears. One of the reasons new doors are so quiet is because the hardware is new, clean and lubricated. 

Garage doors have a lot of moving metal parts that get a workout multiple times a day. Metal also expands and contracts in hot and cold weather. Over time, that movement becomes a symphony of noise that can only be quieted by spraying the hinges and springs with a lightweight synthetic oil. 

Do not use standard WD-40 on your garage door hardware or rollers. It will soften any plastic, nylon or rubber components, which is particularly bad if you have nylon rollers. The spray can also damage a garage door’s powder coat finish.

It is also a good time to use a damp cloth to wipe any dirt and debris from the track as well as tighten loose parts.

Door Busters: Is it bad to skip washing and waxing my steel garage door?

It’s bad. Steel garage doors should be cleaned and waxed with a spray on car wax at least twice a year, or more if you live in a coastal region with salt air or a winter climate with road salt and chemicals.

Make it part of your spring and fall clean up routine. Not only is it necessary to maintain your garage door warranty, it will restore the luster of your door’s original finish.

Apply a spray-on car wax to the steel surface and follow directions.

Use mild dish soap and a wet cloth, sponge or soft bristle brush to wash your door. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water.

Clean glass garage door windows with a non-abrasive cleaner like dish soap or vinegar and water. If you have Lexan or decorative windows, use a clean sponge or a soft cloth and wash the window surface with a mild soap and lukewarm water. Rinse well with clean water. Dry thoroughly with a chamois or moist cellulose sponge to prevent water spots. Do not scrub or use brushes on this product. The following cleaning agents have been found compatible with LEXAN™:

• Joy*
• Top Job*
• Palmolive Liquid**

*Registered Trademarks of Procter & Gamble.
**Registered Trademark of Colgate Palmolive.

Looking for more maintenance tips to keep your garage door running smoothly? Read our Garage Door Maintenance Guide or reach out to your local dealer for service.

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