All moving parts need lubrication. A garage door has a lot of moving parts. Hinges, rollers and shuttles driven by screws, chains or belts. Being as garage doors are an outdoor mechanical device you don’t want to coat rollers, tracks and hinges with anything that is sticky. The wonder lube that everyone reaches for is WD-40. Control yourself and don’t surrender, WD-40 is not recommended for garage doors, unless your removing rust, then wipe clean. WD-40 is not really a good lubricant. It is a rust destroying product and degreaser. It does make parts move better, but this because of WD-40’s cleaning action, not lubricating capabilities. As a cleaner and rust preventative, it strips lubrication leaving metal to metal contact. It is recommended as a track cleaner. Brake cleaner works good as well. Remember WD-40 is also a brand name. WD-40 white lithium grease is an ideal garage door lubricating product.
How to Lubricate a Garage Door
Most garage doors lubes are Fluoropolymer (Teflon) and coat but leave no tacky film. There are lithium grease lubricants as well as silicone-based sprays, the most important characteristic is that it dries with a non-tacky film to prevent attraction and accumulation of dirt, grime and dust. Lithium and silicone aerosols will penetrate bearings and other small moving parts. Some tips:
• Garage Door Tracks: Start here. Wipe down the tracks with a rag to clean out any accumulated dirt. The lower track needs to be clean or it will interfere smooth operation. Don’t lube as the tracks need to be clean. Use WD-40 to clean rust but wipe clean.
• Garage Door Springs: Spray down the torsion springs that help counter the garage door’s weight. Lube, but not until the lube is dripping, a slight even spray is enough. There are plastic bushings or metallic bearings that need lubricating. A high-pitched squeal indicates that the plastic bushing needs some lube.
• Garage Door Bearing Plates: these support the torsion shaft ends with large bearings and need to be lubed regularly, about twice a year. These bearing are often overlooked but carry the full weight of the door.
• Garage Door Hinges: These need to be lubed at the hinge points, but don’t spray plastic ones. Lube can cause plastic to break down, only lube metal hinges. Hinges are metal on metal and need regular lubrication.
• Garage Door Rollers: Two choices here. If they are white nylon wheels only lube the bearings, avoid spraying the wheels. All metal rollers don’t require the precision of applying lube as does the nylon rollers. Wipe excess lube to not drip on your floor or ride. Plastic rollers need no lubricating but will last only 2-3 years. Replace with nylon rollers with bearings. Use the straw to limit lube to the bearings only. Double sealed ball bearing nylon rollers are considered to be commercial grade and will survive harsh commercial environments.
• Garage Door Locks: Hard to turn, sticking key you can give your lock a shot of lube. Tumblers and moving parts need lubricant.
Garage Door Troubleshooting, Diagnosis, Repair & More In Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, North LV, Paradise, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
It is in your best interests to ensure that your door operates as smoothly and quietly as possible. This makes the door efficient and safe. Mr Garage Door Repair Service can handle all your residential garage door needs. Contact us today!
