Dust and grit in a track make rollers drag and the opener work harder. Wipe the tracks with a damp cloth, do not oil them, and lubricate only the hinges, springs and metal rollers with a silicone-based product. Skip nylon rollers. If the door still scrapes, jerks or comes off the track, stop and call a technician.
Why dust is a track problem
The Utah Division of Air Quality describes dust as airborne particles of wind-blown desert soil, and says dust clouds can also come from construction sites and gravel pits. Depending on the storm direction, it may include dry lakebed sediment from the Great Salt Lake. Whatever the source, a garage door is an open edge of your house, and fine dust drifts into the tracks.
Clopay, a door manufacturer, says oil-based lubricants attract dirt and dust, and that dusty climates may need lubricant more often. Dust and the wrong lubricant together make a gritty paste that slows the rollers.
Clean and lubricate in this order
Close the door and disconnect the opener
Pull the release handle with the door closed so the door cannot move while you work.
Wipe the tracks
Use a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris from the inside of both tracks, as Clopay advises.
Check the rollers
Turn each roller by hand if you can reach it. A roller that wobbles, is flat or will not spin may need replacing.
Lubricate the hinges and metal rollers
Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the hinge pins and wipe off the excess.
Leave the nylon rollers dry
Clopay says not to put lubricant on nylon rollers, which are usually black or white.
Lubricate the springs lightly
Clopay describes a light coating along a torsion spring. Do not touch the spring brackets or the winding parts. See the warning below.
Wipe away the extra and reconnect
Remove drips, reconnect the opener and run the door through a full cycle.
Clopay's lubrication guide says not to add lubricant to the tracks themselves. Lubricant there makes the rollers harder to move and forces the opener to work harder.
What to avoid
- Oil-based sprays, including WD-40. Clopay says they attract dirt and dust and cause early wear.
- Heavy grease in the tracks, which traps grit.
- Lubricating nylon rollers.
- Using a pressure washer or hose on the tracks and opener.
- Touching spring brackets, the winding cones or the cable drums.
A garage door spring holds the door's weight under tension. Do not adjust, wind or remove a spring, and do not loosen a cable. Wiping a spring with a rag is fine; anything more belongs to a trained technician. See spring repair.
How often
Clopay suggests re-lubricating every 3 to 6 months, or as needed, with about every 3 months for heavy daily use and about every 6 months for average use. It adds that dusty or humid climates and older parts may need it more often. Wiping the tracks takes a minute and can be done more often than that, especially after a windy, dusty stretch.
Quick answers
Can dust damage a garage door?
Fine dust and grit in the tracks make rollers drag and the opener work harder. Wiping the tracks with a damp cloth and keeping oil away from them helps.
Should I lubricate garage door tracks?
Clopay says no. Wipe the tracks clean with a damp cloth and lubricate the hinges, springs and metal rollers instead.
Is WD-40 safe for a garage door?
Clopay advises against WD-40 and other oil-based products because they attract dirt and dust and cause early wear. Use a silicone-based lubricant made for garage doors.
How often should I clean the tracks?
A quick wipe whenever you see dust or grit is enough. Lubricating the moving parts is usually every 3 to 6 months, according to Clopay.
Signs the problem is more than dust
A track full of dust is a cleaning job. These are not:
- The door scrapes or leaves a bright mark on the track.
- A roller has left the track or the door hangs crooked.
- The opener strains or the door will not stay up.
- You can see a bent track or loose track brackets.
In those cases stop using the door. A bent track or a roller out of its guide can pinch the door and put extra load on the springs and cables. See garage door repair.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Utah, including Cedar City, Hurricane and St. George. Call or send your details with a short video of the door running and we book the soonest visit.
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