Prep Metal Roof For Paint

Metal roofing installation prep if you re looking to replace your current roof metal roofing is a durable low maintenance alternative to asphalt shingles.

Prep metal roof for paint.

Galvanized metal roofs are usually painted with acrylic based paint. Rinse and let the metal dry. Wash the metal thoroughly with a degreasing agent such as trisodium phosphate. Unfortunately over time this coating can fail leading to minor rust outbreaks.

Find either oil based or acrylic based paint at your local home improvement store. There are several different types of metals used in roofing applications. Galvanized metal roofs are coated with a layer of zinc that inhibits rust. For light rust and small areas use steel wool and 80 to 120 grit sandpaper.

The first step in painting any metal roof is determining what substrate and existing coatings you are dealing with. Inspect the surface for rusty areas and remove all rust down to the bare metal using tools appropriate to the extent of the rust. One of my neighbors used an oil based paint as a primer since some of the metal was rusted and then covered the roof with one of the specially formulated roofing paints that is sold by calbar for use on old metal roofs for an added layer of protection. This is a huge factor in what coating system you ll want to use and is critical to determining how to prepare the existing surface.

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.