Garage Door Lubrication: What It Is and Usage Guide

When you start hearing noises from your garage door, it may indicate that something is wrong. The most common cause of such noises is friction between different garage door parts as you try to close it. The simplest way to overcome this is to lubricate the garage door. This should be part of your garage door maintenance.

What exactly does garage door lubrication entail? You may also be wondering about the importance of garage door lubrication. Continue reading this usage guide to find out all you need to know about lubricating a garage door.

What Is Garage Door Lubrication?

Garage door lubrication involves applying lubricant to your garage door. This reduces friction between the metallic parts engaged in closing the garage door. Lubrication allows your door to close smoothly without causing any annoying noises. Lubrication should be included as part of your maintenance. It also helps you to prevent rusting.

You may ask, “How often should I lubricate my garage door?” It is important to put on lubricants at least every 6 months. This will vary on which parts you want to lubricate. Parts like rollers can be lubricated every 3 to 6 months, while once a year is enough for tracks.

There is a wide variety of lubricating oils that you can use. Examples include silicone sprays and white lithium grease. Silicone spray lasts for long periods and can withstand high temperatures. Lithium grease is non-corrosive, can be applied by hand, and easily stocks to metal. It is best to avoid spray that easily causes dirt to accumulate. Examples of such lube include:

• Mechanics grease;
• Degreasers;
• Engine oil.

Top 4 Garage Door Lubricant Benefits

Make sure you never skip lubricating your garage door. So, what are the advantages of garage door lubrication? You should lubricate the garage door for the following reasons:

1. Smoother Movement

The noise your garage makes might be the result of friction between the metallic moving parts. This friction can cause damage to the metallic parts. When you apply lubricant, there will be smoother movement and no friction.

2. Increased Flexibility

This is another reason why you should use garage door lubricant. The hinges are responsible for folding and unfolding the door as it opens and closes. Applying lubricant to the hinges makes the door more flexible and reduces the pressure on the rollers, tracks, and opener.

3. Avoid Strange Sounds

When springs are dry, you will hear strange noises as you try to open or close the garage door. If you leave this unattended, it can lead to serious hazards. A torsion spring that is left dry for too long can snap at any moment. So spray lubricant to avoid noises and ensure the safety of your garage door.

4. Prevent Rusting

When steel moves against steel, it erodes faster. So adding a lubricant can prevent rust formation. It saves you money in the long run. Parts that are hugely damaged by rust have to be replaced.

Which Parts Should You Lubricate?

For the garage door movement to be smooth, you have to lubricate the garage door parts. Let’s see closer what parts you need to lubricate.

Tracks

Lubricate tracks at least once every year. If you are lubricating other parts, it won’t do any harm to clean the track. Doing this allows you to remove dirt and prevent debris from accumulating between the tracks.

Springs

Springs are crucial for preventing the garage door from hitting the ground. Just like most mechanical parts of a garage door, springs are at constant risk of wearing out. Lubricate the garage door springs to increase their lifespan. Lubricating springs, make sure to add the right amount of grease.

Hinges

You only have to lubricate steel hinges that are located on panels. Do not spray or grease the plastic ones. When you lubricate plastic hinges, you risk damaging them. Once plastic hinges are damaged, you have to replace them entirely.

Rollers

Rollers carry the door up and down. So lubricating the garage door rollers means the door will move effortlessly when opening or closing. For rollers that have nylon wheels, make sure to grease the bearing. Greasing the nylon will lead to permanent damage to the wheels. If you have metallic rollers, you can lubricate the wheels and bearings.

Locks

Locks do not need to be lubricated as often as the parts mentioned above. However, lubricating once in a while will not cause any harm. Also, if you experience trouble opening or closing the lock, greasing should help.

So, you know what parts need to be lubricated. Now you may have a question, “How do I lubricate the garage door parts?” In the next section, you will learn about the ways to properly lubricate your garage door.

A Complete Guide on How to Lubricate a Garage Door

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to lubricate a garage door. Before lubricating parts of the garage door, make sure it is closed. Also, switch off the opener.

1. Clean the Tracks

Use a damp cloth to clean the inner and outer surfaces of the rails. Do not add any spray to the tracks, as it will make it difficult for the rollers to move. This will also put more pressure on the opener. Removing any debris will make it easier for the rollers to move.

2. Add Grease to the Hinges

Next, you have to apply lubricant to the hinges. Before doing this, make sure you open the garage door. Apply lubricant on each hinge at the point where it meets the track.

3. Work on the Rollers

Next, you want to lubricate the garage door wheels, also called rollers. Put grease on the bearings that are found inside the rollers. Make sure you clean any excess lubricant, as it will make it difficult for the rollers to move properly. If you have nylon wheels, apply the lubricant to the bearings only.

4. Lubricate the Springs

Now you have to lubricate the springs. These are located at the top of the garage door. While applying lubricant, keep the door open and closed to make sure you apply enough spray to all the springs.

5. Add Lubricant to the Rails

Apply grease to the rails. You can use a cloth to make sure you apply lubricant evenly. There is no need to lubricate the chain.

Expert Tips to Follow

Here are some tips from the STI Garage Door experts on how to use lubricants. Let’s check them to have a basic idea on how to cope with an issue:

• Add the right amount of lubricant;
• Do not put lubricant on plastic parts;
• Run the door a few times after applying lubricant;
• Always wipe off the lubricant from the trolley;
• Never apply grease on the track;
• Silicone spray is the best option for hinges;
• Never use WD-40 as it increases the risks of friction.

If you are not sure how to use garage lubricant for the first time, it is better to ask professional services to come and help you here. Therefore, you will avoid other issues with the garage door and learn more tips.

In some cases, the problems with the door may not be caused by the lack of proper lubrication. If the issue persists, you should get a consultation from specialists that provide garage door opener installation services, so they can find out the reason your door does not work the right way and help with the necessary repair.

Final Thoughts

Applying lubricant should be part of your regular garage maintenance. Garage door lubricant benefits include smoother movement, increased flexibility, and reduced risk of strange noisy sounds. Another advantage of adding oil to the garage door is that it reduces the risk of rust forming. We recommend greasing a garage door at least once every six months. You can apply lubricant to the rollers, springs, hinges, and rails. Never apply grease to the tracks or any plastic components of a garage door.

Call STI Garage Door experts to assist you with lubrication. We provide the best services in garage door maintenance and repair.

STI Garage Door

Operating in the garage door industry for over 25 years, STI Garage Door is dedicated to quality service and excellence in everything.

The company is a proud partner to the top brands in the field — LiftMaster for commercial door openers and Amarr and Clopay for residential and commercial doors.