The Best Garage Door Lubricant Choices Explained!

Kenneth Wilson

When your garage door becomes noisy, it’s time to apply a good lubricant. Not sure what type of lubricant is best for a garage door? That’s okay, we will help you pick the best lubricant for the job.

There are so many spray lubricants on the market right now, making it a little difficult to pick one. Getting the best garage door lubricant is important as there are a lot of moving parts you need to lubricate.

Using the best lubricant will also prolong the life of your garage door, preventing wear on the rollers, bearings, chains, springs, and gears.

Nobody wants a noisy garage door, it’s a huge door, and when they’re not lubricated they can sound like something is about to fall apart. Failing to lubricate the door can even lead to more serious issues like your garage door getting stuck in place and not going up.

White Lithium Grease vs. Silicone Spray


The two main types of garage door lubricant are silicone spray and white lithium grease. Both are great options, so choose the one that works best for you. (Related: Five Points To Lubricate On Your Garage Door To Extend Its Life)

Playing around with grease can get messy, make sure you have a brush or other tool to make the application process easier. Silicone sprays usually come with a straw attachment so you can get into smaller areas with less effort.

It’s recommended that you wear a mask when applying a spray lubricant, and make sure there is proper ventilation so the chemicals don’t stay in the air for a long period of time.

Pros and Cons of Using a Spray Lubricant


Since there are pros and cons to everything, let’s go over the good and bad when it comes to using a spray lubricant.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Easy to apply and doesn’t leave a mess
  • Using a thin straw allows you to get inside tight spaces and thoroughly lubricate all the parts on your garage door
  • Long-lasting protection
  • Silicone sprays work during the summer and winter - they’re able to handle most temperatures
  • Superior chain lubrication

Cons:

  • Spray lubricant is not safe to breathe in, so be careful when applying
  • It’s easy to overdo it and use too much product

Pros and Cons of Using White Lithium Grease


White lithium grease can be purchased in a thick grease form, or in a spray can. The application process can be very different if you have to apply the grease by hand or via brush. Both forms of white lithium grease are great options, here are the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Water-resistant
  • Can handle extreme pressures
  • Great for vertical applications
  • Perfect for door hinges, rollers, cables, and chains 
  • Many different product options, some in spray cans
  • Prevents rust 

Cons:

  • Grease products are usually a messier option - as the product will get all over your hands if you’re not careful

Benefits of Applying a Garage Door Lubricant


As a homeowner, you most likely want to keep your garage door in great shape for as long as possible. That’s why you’re here, reading this article! We’ve already covered the main two types of lubricant you can use, but let’s discuss all the benefits of keeping your garage door lubricated.

Keeping it Quiet


Just like any door in your house, the garage door will start to squeak after enough time has passed. If you park your car in the garage, then you will likely notice the sound upon entering or leaving the house. It can sound scary, as the door is bigger than the ones in your home.

The noise is also embarrassing if you have visitors who happen to hear it. A garage door should open and close smoothly without whining and rattling noises. If you start to hear any weird noises, then get your lubricant ready and give all the parts a protective coating. 

Prevent Serious Damage


If your garage door is making a lot of creaking sounds and struggles to open and close, then apply a lubricant as soon as possible. When there is more friction than normal and the door isn’t closing or opening with ease, you’re putting more stress on the motor and other vital parts.

Apply the lubricant and make sure the garage door starts to open and close without any creaking or moans. If you’re still hearing creaking sounds when it’s moving up or down, then inspect the track for damage or debris. Re-apply lubricant and check again.

Prolong the Life of your Garage Door


When you take care of a garage door, you can expect it to last for a lifetime. All the parts can be maintained to last a long time. The springs, track, hinges, locks, and rollers can all be lubricated. Springs can actually snap and break off if they haven’t been properly maintained.

Lubricating the springs and all other moving parts is crucial, but seriously don’t forget to lubricate the springs. Some installers have put a cable that inside the springs to prevent them from flying off, but if you don’t have this safety measure in place you can expect that spring to fly off into your car or a wall in your garage.

Trusted Brands in the Market


There are so many products on the market right now that it can be overwhelming, so let’s go over the brands you can trust.

  • WD-40 - We might as well start with the most popular option, WD-40. The brand is definitely trustworthy, having started in the 1950s and now offering a line of multi-purpose anti-rust and corrosion products. Look for WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease to keep your garage door quiet and operating smoothly.  
  • Blaster - Blaster is a great company offering great products. Mechanics often use their products to help break stubborn bolts loose. It’s a trusted brand amongst mechanics, but many homeowners aren’t as familiar with their products. However, Blaster makes an awesome product called Premium Garage Door Lubricant and it is specifically designed for use on garage door parts.  
  • Liquid Wrench - Liquid Wrench makes great products for industry professionals, as well as for car owners. They offer high-quality lubricants, and their Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil Spray will work great on garage doors. 

Pricing


How much does garage door lubricant cost? Anywhere from $5-$50. It depends on the quantity you’re purchasing. For most, one bottle will last a year or two if you only use it for your garage door. If you have a 3 car garage with multiple garage doors, then you may want to buy a larger quantity to save money in the long run.

Conclusion


Keeping your garage door thoroughly lubricated is crucial if you want to prevent damage to your door. Properly lubricating the rollers, bearings, track, and other parts will keep your garage door operating like it’s brand new. Many of the parts will last for a lifetime if properly maintained.

There is no one best garage door lubricant, there is only the one that works best for you. Every garage door is different, but you can’t go wrong with any of the trusted brands we mentioned above.

The most important thing is to lubricate the garage door once every six months, and some professionals recommend lubricating the springs once a month. Pay attention to your garage door and listen for squeaks, cracking sounds, and other weird noises. Lubricate as often as needed, as the lubricant is relatively inexpensive.  

Kenneth Wilson
October 17, 2021
Contractor Tips, Exterior

Kenneth Wilson

Retired contractor. Currently residing in Southwest Florida. Now in semi-retirement, I write and manage this blog focused on helping home owners make savvy decisions when it comes to finding contractors and getting their projects done. I also operate remodeling design service for homeowners.

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