How to paint a metal roof?

There are several reasons why you should paint your metal roof. For one, you may want to change the colour of your metal roof, or its current paint might have started to crack and peel. Since painting a metal roof is a tasking job, you should consider hiring professional painters to do it for you.

Getting your paint job done by a qualified and reliable tradesman will give you value for money. ServiceSeeking.com.au is a reliable database where you can get local painters who are ready to provide you with top-notch house painting services. What’s more, getting quotes from them is just a few clicks away. Try them today!

Make sure you have the correct paint, your roof is thoroughly cleaned, and you can apply several coats.

How to Choose Paint for Your Metal Roof?

Image source: Pexels by James Fineman

• Follow the homeowners’ association roof painting regulations – If you live in a neighbourhood with some form of homeowners association, you should always follow their rules for painting a house. Before you start painting, make sure you speak to a representative of the association to know the restrictions.
• Ensure the paint you choose is meant for your metal roof – If you have an old house that was painted using oil-based paints or Acrylic-based paint, you may need to know the right kind of paint to use. If in doubt, ask a professional to give you advice.
• Ensure the colour you choose complements the rest of your house – The best practice is to use a natural shade that complements the tone of your home. If your home is made of stone, it is imperative that you get your paint colour correct.
• Buy primer manufactured for metal roofs – Make it a rule always to need a primer before you apply a fresh coat of paint. If you have trouble finding the right primer, ask your painter for directions.

How to Work Safely on Your Metal Roof?

Use an extension ladder – It is safer to use a ladder than to work directly on the roof. Ensure that the ladder is leaning against the house and it is situated away from the power lines. Never put your ladder in front of doors; otherwise, you will be knocked down if somebody opens the door.

If you are printing from a ladder, do not try to reach areas that are too far. You may lose your balance and fall. Instead, use a roller with a long handle that can reach the unreachable areas when you are using a brush.

Use a harness when on the roof – You are well advised to buy a harness and a rope with which you can fasten yourself when working on the roof. The harness will prevent you from falling and losing balance.

Always have a partner – When working from the roof, always have a partner who will hold the ladder in place as you work. This partner is essential in case of an accident as he will be responsible for giving you first aid and calling the ambulance.

How to Remove Old Paint from the Metal Roof?

• Scrape loose paint with a putty knife or scraper – Never start to paint a metal roof if there are paint peels on it. A scraper will not damage the metal underneath but will help you remove all the loose paint in preparation for a fresh coat of paint.
• Get rid of rusty patches – before you start thinking always make sure that you have gotten rid of rusty spots by scraping them with a putty knife. If the rust doesn’t come off, use vinegar to remove it.
• Use a power washer to clean the roof – A power washer will remove any oil paint that you might have missed during the scraping process. If you don’t have a power washer, you can use a garden hose, although it is not as effective.
• Give the roof one hour to dry – depending on the prevailing temperature, your roof may take more than 15 minutes to dry. The best practice is to give roof at least one hour to be completely dry.

How to Apply New Paint to Your Metal Roof?

Paint during good weather

Avoid painting on a rainy or windy day because this could cause your pain to be washed away. The best time to paint a metal roof is during fall or spring. This is because, during hot summer, it could be tough to work on a metal roof since it changes its hotness with the current temperature.

Apply the primer

Spread the primer using a roller or a paintbrush. You only need one coat of primer, but it has to be thick enough to help the paint adhere to the metal roof. If it is possible, work from a ladder and then carefully go to the areas of the roof that you can’t reach from the ladder. Alternatively, you can use a roller with a long handle.

Allow the primer one hour to dry

Depending on the weather, your primer may take more than an hour to dry. Check on the primer’s can to see how long it should take to dry. It is essential to check the last place that you applied the primer.

Apply the first coat of paint

Remove any traces of primer on your brush or roller, or get a new paintbrush or roller to apply paint across your roof. If it is possible, work from the ladder and if you can’t, make sure you have a harness tied around your waist.

Allow the paint one hour to dry

Check the manufacturer’s label to see how long the paint should take to dry. It usually takes about an hour to be completely dry.

Apply a minimum of one extra coat

Obviously, one layer will not do. Remember that you are painting your room to give it aesthetic value as well as long life. When applying the second coat, make sure you start at a different position than you started with the first coat. This ensures that you paint areas you might have missed during the first coat.

After applying the second coat, your roof will have a better colour and a longer life. If the roof doesn’t look the way you expected, you can apply another coat of paint for your roof to look just the way you want it. As advised, wait for the previous coat to dry completely before applying a new one.