Painting Over Metal Roof

This article is meant to clarify the answers to some of the most common questions our customers have about painting a metal roof.

Painting over metal roof.

Metal surfaces require specialized primer and paint for good paint adhesion. To paint a metal roof you ll need to use an oil based paint if you have a terne metal roof or an acrylic based paint if you have a galvanized metal roof. Water resistant metal roofing paint for example can be of great value if you live in a rainy area. Sand the entire metal roof surface very lightly with your wire brush or sandpaper.

This is why when you are considering painting your metal roofing it makes sense to go for specific paints for the metal roof. Try to achieve a slightly abraded texturized finish as this helps your new paint bond with the roof finish. If you have a terne metal roof like this one then it has probably been repainted several times over the years. If you are preparing to paint a rusted galvanized metal roof pay special attention to surface preparation or you will have a recurrence of rust and or flaking.

Before painting you ll still need to do a little. If you re not sure what kind of roof you have ask a professional roofer to inspect it before you paint it. However if you want to paint over prepainted metal you re in luck. Galvanized metal roofs are coated with a layer of zinc that inhibits rust.

Although it isn t recommended to use a metal implement to scrape the roof it was the only way to remove the loose rust and old paint. Painting a metal roof introduction. You ll also need to purchase a primer designed for metal roofs. This information is aimed at the residential customer but can easily pertain to a commercial application as well.

Prepainted metallic surfaces can be treated almost like any other basic latex or oil painted surface. You can update your roof and prevent further rusting by cleaning it up and giving it a fresh coat of paint. Not using a sealant. Metal roofs are prone to rust because they are constantly exposed to the elements.