Can You Paint Over A Metal Roof

If you have a terne metal roof like this one then it has probably been repainted several times over the years.

Can you paint over a metal roof.

To prep metal for paint adhesion you must. Water resistant metal roofing paint for example can be of great value if you live in a rainy area. People assume that if they use waterproof paint it will be better for their roof but instead of protecting your shingles it creates a barrier that traps moisture in leaving your home at the risk of molding. Due to its slick smooth surface metal can be challenging to paint and that can you ve got sitting around in the garage probably won t cut it.

If you choose the wrong paint you are putting your roof at the risk of molding and rotting over time. Be extremely careful not to pierce the metal when scraping. Another mistake is to forget or ignore using a sealant before the application of the metal paint. Whether your roof has been painted previously or not powerwash just before you start painting.

Try to achieve a slightly abraded texturized finish as this helps your new paint bond with the roof finish. Metal surfaces require specialized primer and paint for good paint adhesion. If you want to paint a new metal roof though you can prepare it by washing with a weak acid such as diluted vinegar to remove oils and residue first. Not using a sealant.

Sand the entire metal roof surface very lightly with your wire brush or sandpaper. Painting a roof can be a difficult job that takes a long time so you should consider hiring professional painters to do the work. However if you want to paint over prepainted metal you re in luck. If the paint on your metal roof is starting to crack and peel or if you re tired of its color it might be time to paint your roof.

Before painting you ll still need to do a little. You cannot set up roof jacks on a metal roof as you can on a shingled one so if you plan to paint with a brush or roller include a safe way to reach the ridge in your plans.