You thought the old paint job would last just one more winter, but now the snow is gone. Paint has chipped all over the place. Do not despair. Here are some easy steps toward restoring the look of your garage doors.

1. Scrape it

First thing you need to do is scrape away the old paint. It doesn't have to be stripped completely, but get as much off as you can. Preparing a clean smooth surface is the key to a good paint job. Peel away the obvious large chunks of old paint with the help of your scraper. Avoid using a plastic putty knife - it is not as effective as a good metal scraper that you should use.

2. Smooth it out

Next, use a sanding disc with your power drill to smooth out the surfaces. I suggest 100 grid, because any lower could tear away at the wood. My favorite brand of discs and drills are the Craftsman makes. I also recommend a corded drill so the power won't run out as it would with a battery. You can certainly try to sand the doors without a drill but it will take you hours and won't give you as smooth of a surface. Plus, everyone should have a drill for house projects.

3. Clean up

Now is a good time to clean away the chips and prepare for the paint job. Spread newspapers below to avoid paint spills. If you have a nice vac, it will be helpful to have around for future clean-up. I also like using the masking tape on the sides next to the garage or in areas where paint might spill on sides of the house - this way the paint will stay on the garage doors only.

4. Paint it

First off, I like to use the cheapest brushes and throw them out when done. It gets too messy trying to clean off the brushes. If you are spot painting, find a local hardware store that will make a color match for you. You will need about a quarter size sample for them to get a good reading. Generally it's pretty hard to get a great match, especially with white. The trick I use is to start from the center, then use a dry brush to spread the paint out surrounding it. But for this project we painted the whole doors. That way you are guaranteed a nice uniform color. Let it dry 12 hours and apply another coat if desired.

(before)

(after)