"Mine used to trigger randomly late afternoons—drove me nuts until I figured out it was sunlight bouncing off my neighbor's windows."
Had the exact same issue a couple years back. Thought my opener was possessed or something, until I realized the sensor was catching reflections from passing cars. Aluminum flashing definitely sorted it out for me too—easy to install and zero issues since.
About those plastic covers... yeah, learned that lesson the hard way myself. I tried some cheap plastic shields thinking they'd do the trick, but the local raccoons treated them like chew toys. Switched to metal mesh guards and haven't had a problem since. If critters are persistent in your area, metal's pretty much your only reliable option. Also, if you're into DIY, a quick coat of matte black spray paint on the flashing can help reduce glare even more.
Glad you got it sorted—nothing worse than a garage door randomly opening when you're not home.
About those plastic covers...
Interesting you mention the metal mesh guards—I went the opposite route and stuck with plastic covers, and surprisingly they've held up fine. Maybe our raccoons are just lazier around here? Also, about the matte black spray paint... I tried that once, but it seemed to absorb heat and warp slightly after a hot summer. Did you notice anything similar, or did I just pick the wrong paint?
I've had pretty good luck with matte black spray paint myself, but I think it really depends on the brand and type you pick. Some paints are definitely more heat-resistant than others. I used a high-temp automotive matte black (the kind you'd use on grills or engine parts), and it's held up great even through some brutal summers. Regular spray paint, though... yeah, I've seen it warp or bubble up a bit when things get hot.
As for the plastic covers, glad they're working out for you! Honestly, I think raccoons just have their own personalities—some neighborhoods seem to have ninja-level raccoons that can break into anything, while others are just chill and lazy. Mine are somewhere in between; they test things occasionally but usually give up pretty quick if there's no easy snack involved.
If you ever decide to retry the paint route, maybe look into something specifically labeled as heat-resistant or automotive-grade. Might cost a couple bucks more, but it's worth it to avoid repainting every summer...
"Honestly, I think raccoons just have their own personalities—some neighborhoods seem to have ninja-level raccoons that can break into anything..."
Haha, this is so true. Our neighborhood raccoons are definitely the ninja type—I've had to upgrade my trash bins twice already. Good call on the automotive-grade paint, by the way. I've used it on outdoor metal furniture, and it's been rock-solid through heatwaves and storms. Definitely worth the extra few bucks to avoid repainting every year or two...
Haha, ninja raccoons are no joke. Had one pry open a supposedly "raccoon-proof" bin last summer—still not sure how he managed it. Speaking of quiet garage openers, did you notice any difference in wildlife activity after installing yours? I've heard quieter openers might attract fewer curious critters...but maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. Might have to test this theory myself soon.
