How To: Fix a Slow Garage Door

Hello Blue Collar Workman readers! I’m starting a new series where I answer questions about home/car repair and other blue collar stuff that you guys submit! If you have a question you want answered (how much should a contractor for XYZ cost? do I really need to get my tires rotated? why does road construction take so long to finish?), leave a comment at the bottom of this post, or email me (bluecollarworkman1(at)gmail.com) and I’ll answer it honestly for you!

Awesome painted garage door

The question for today comes from a reader with an ever-slowing garage door.

Question: Hey TB! My garage door is starting to act a little funny lately…opening really slow. I’m wondering if the tracks need to be lubricated or something?  I bought a spray that was supposed to be for garage openers a long time ago, but it was awful and I ended up tossing because it came out bright red and was leaving stains.  I can’t remember if I did anything after that or not.

Any advice or products you recommend for the tracks? I used to use WD40 for everything until I heard it is a de-greaser and not a lubricant. So now I’m confused on when to use WD40.

Answer: Try using white lithium grease to grease the track…grease the chain as well.

white lithium grease

WD40 is a good temporary lubricant (and a good de-greaser — I don’t get the chemistry on that one, but it’s true), but you want something that is better than temporary.

If that doesn’t work, you might need a new garage door opener motor. The motor in the electric door opener may be beginning to fail. They should go for about $100, give or take. I’m sure you can find somebody to install it for around $100. Heck, if you were local to me, I’d install a new one for $100.

Another thing could be that you need your door spring tightened. The spring is usually located up above the garage door (or along the rails, if it’s old). Definitely hire a professional for that, it can be dangerous.

Photo credits: flickr users “otzberg” and “commondream“