How to Lubricate Your Garage Door

Pre-Lubrication Maintenance

There are a few other key maintenance tasks to complete. These include inspecting the rollers and hinges, tightening the chain, and checking to ensure that all the nuts and bolts on the door are tight.

When performing these tasks, you may identify other issues to address that could contribute to the excess noise your garage door is making. After you complete these maintenance tasks, shut the garage door and disconnect the power supply before moving on to the following steps.

Lubricating Garage Door Parts

Close the garage door and turn off the power to the opener (if you have one).

Wipe the inside and outside of the tracks with a damp rag to remove dirt and debris. Never use a lubricant on the tracks since this makes it harder for the rollers to move and forces the opener to work harder. If you’re having trouble cleaning the tracks, use automotive brake cleaner to loosen the grime.

Open the door and lubricate each hinge where they meet the bend of the track.

Thoroughly lubricate the rollers, including the tiny ball bearings inside each roller. Be sure to wipe away any excess lubricant to keep the door from becoming unbalanced. Most importantly, never lubricate nylon rollers.

Lubricate the springs and bearing plates at the top of the garage door. Open and close the door to distribute the grease evenly.

Lubricate the armbar and lock (if you have one) to make it easier to lock the door manually. Be sure to lubricate the keyhole and large armbar at the top of the door, too.

Lubricate the top of the rail (the rail the chain rides in) and spread the grease around with a rag. You don’t need to grease the chain since it already has a natural lubricant.

Choosing the Right Lubricant

When selecting a garage door lubricant, look for silicone sprays or white lithium grease. Aerosol sprays are the best option for injecting lubricant into small moving parts.

Do not use standard degreasers, WD-40, mechanic’s grease, or engine oil, as these are susceptible to dirt and dust buildup.

Silicone Sprays

These products typically contain a long, thin straw attachment to keep the spray contained. These attachments are also helpful for getting lubricants into small spaces. Silicone products are long-lasting and hold up in a variety of temperatures.

White Lithium Grease

This product is hand-applied, so it’s a bit messier than aerosol sprays. Yet, that means it’s easier to spread around evenly. White lithium grease is made of soap and oil, so it’s non-corrosive and adheres well to metal.