How to Lubricate Your Garage Door

Is your garage door making loud, grinding noises every time it opens or closes? A noisy garage door isn’t just annoying—it can also be a sign that your door needs maintenance. Over time, garage doors that aren’t regularly lubricated and maintained can become stiff, noisy, and prone to breakdowns.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your garage door running smoothly is by lubricating it every six months. Proper lubrication helps the door glide effortlessly along its tracks, reduces noise, and extends the lifespan of your garage door system.

If you’re wondering how to lubricate your garage door like a pro, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Pre-Lubrication Maintenance Checklist

Before you start lubricating your garage door, it’s important to complete a few basic maintenance tasks. This ensures your door is in good working condition and that you’re not applying lubricant to damaged or worn-out parts.

Follow this quick pre-lubrication checklist:

Tighten Hardware
Inspect and tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws on your garage door. Avoid overtightening, as this can cause damage.

Inspect the Rollers
Rollers allow your garage door to glide along the tracks. If your rollers have unsealed bearings or visible wear, they can cause the door to wobble and make noise. Replace worn-out rollers before lubricating.

Check the Hinges
Worn or damaged hinges can cause your garage door to bind at each section as it opens. Make sure your hinges are in good condition before applying lubricant.

Adjust the Garage Door Opener Chain
A loose opener chain creates a loud slapping sound and makes the door move unevenly. If the chain is sagging, tighten it according to your opener’s manual.

Once you’ve completed these basic maintenance steps, you’re ready to start lubricating your garage door.

How To Lubricate Your Garage Door: Step-By-Step Guide

Proper lubrication requires more than simply spraying lubricant on your garage door. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure every moving part is protected and running smoothly.Turn Off the Garage Door Opener

If your garage door is automatic, unplug the opener or switch off the power to prevent accidental activation while you’re working.

2. Clean the Tracks

Wipe down the inside and outside of the tracks with a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Never apply lubricant to the tracks—this can actually make your garage door harder to open by attracting grime. If the tracks are especially dirty, use an automotive brake cleaner to break down stubborn buildup.

3. Lubricate the Hinges

Open the garage door and apply lubricant to each hinge where it bends. This helps the door sections move smoothly without creaking.

4. Lubricate the Rollers

Apply lubricant to the small ball bearings inside each roller—these are the parts that keep the door gliding along the tracks. Wipe away any excess lubricant to prevent imbalance.
Important: Never lubricate nylon rollers, as the lubricant can damage the nylon material.

5. Lubricate the Springs and Bearing Plates

Garage door springs are under high tension and can wear out over time. Apply lubricant to both the torsion springs and the circular bearing plates at the top of the door. Open and close the door a few times to help distribute the grease evenly.

6. Lubricate the Armbar and Lock

If your garage door has a manual lock, apply lubricant to the armbar, lock mechanism, and keyhole. This prevents rust and makes it easier to lock and unlock the door.

7. Lubricate the Opener Rail

Finally, apply lubricant to the top of the opener rail (the metal bar where the chain or belt runs). Use a cloth to spread the grease evenly.
Tip: Don’t lubricate the opener chain itself—most chains are pre-lubricated and don’t require extra grease.

How Often Should You Lubricate Your Garage Door?

It’s very important to lubricate all of the moving parts in your garage door every six months. This extends the lifespan of your door and also keeps it quiet. If you live in a harsh environment (e.g. near the coast), you should lubricate your door more frequently.

To keep your garage door operating quietly and efficiently, lubricate all moving parts every six months. However, if you live in areas with extreme weather conditions—such as salty coastal regions or cold climates—you may need to lubricate your garage door more frequently.

Garage door tracking system. — It is important to lubricate all moving parts of your garage door every six months, including the garage door track rollers.

Choosing the Right Garage Door Lubricant for Your Door

You may be wondering how to grease a garage door, but it all starts with choosing the right garage door grease. Look for silicone sprays or white lithium grease when selecting garage door lubricant. Aerosol sprays are your best option when it comes to injecting lubricant into small moving parts.

Standard degreasers (e.g. WD-40), mechanic’s grease, and engine oil are susceptible to dirt and dust buildup, so you’ll want to avoid these products.

Silicone Sprays

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

White Lithium Grease

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

Based on performance, durability, and ease of application, here are the best garage door lubricants on the market:

Final Garage Door Lubrication Tips

Always use all-weather lubricants to protect your garage door from temperature changes.
Avoid WD-40 Multi-Use Spray or engine oil—these products can attract dust and grime.
If you’re not sure whether to grease or spray a part, remember this rule: Use silicone sprays for small parts and white lithium grease for larger, exposed components.