How To Paint A Galvanized Metal Roof

If crawling around on a metal roof in the hot sun does.

How to paint a galvanized metal roof.

Many metal roofs are made out of galvanized metal which is a type of metal that has been covered with hot zinc in order to protect it from the weather. Galvanized roofs require the use of a different paint than what is used on terne metal. Terne is best painted with an oil based paint. Go over the metal with a wire brush to remove any oxidation.

Galvanized metal roofs are coated with a layer of zinc that inhibits rust. Before painting galvanized metal such as drip strips around eaves or roof flashing take the following steps so the paint will adhere properly and not peel. The enamels in alkyd paints can react with the slick zinc finish on a galvanized steel surface leading to poor adhesion and peeling. Painting a galvanized steel panel roof is not all that different from painting other metal objects but you must ensure that the surface is perfectly clean before beginning the application process.

You ll also need to purchase a primer designed for metal roofs. For the most dependable results look for paints that are formulated specifically to bond to galvanized steel. However paint on metal roofs often peels or rusts in which case it is time to repaint it. 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.

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. 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. Unfortunately over time this coating can fail leading to minor rust outbreaks.