Painting Aluminum Roofing

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.

Painting aluminum roofing.

A topcoat doesn t eliminate the need for a good primer the topcoat seals your paint but the primer makes the paint adhere properly. Fibered or asphalt aluminum would be dull in appearance. Painted metal roofs come with a baked on factory finish and you can re coat these as well as paint bare metal roofing with acrylic latex paint. There are some acrylic base primers and paint that will work on chalky aluminum.

However this paint must specify that it can be used on aluminum. Acrylic latex paint is a good choice for bare metal roofs and to go over old paint. A pre mixed solution of this type can be found in most paint stores under the name aluma prep made by amchem. For truly greasy or dirty aluminum siding or other outdoor pieces use a commercial degreaser in the power washer or sprayed on the surface to ensure it is as clean as possible and ready to take on primer and paint.

Oil based alkyd paint may also be used with an appropriate galvanized metal primer. The roof must be thoroughly cleaned before any primer is added. If the aluminum is outside use a power washer to remove all grit and grime that can stick to the aluminum surface. More than likely it sounds like a traditional aluminum oil based paint on the roof itself.

Apply a cold water and phosphoric acid mixture to prepare the aluminum surfaces to accept and cling to paint. It tends to blow the lid off the cans. Water resistant metal roofing paint for example can be of great value if you live in a rainy area. If you re not sure what kind of roof you have ask a professional roofer to inspect it before you paint it.

Aluminum is seldom available in an acrylic product due to the extreme volatility of suspending an aluminum powder in a water based product. A good coat of paint goes a long way in extending the life of any quality aluminum roof. You can also use oil based alkyd paint but. Not only is it affordable but aluminum roofing is also long lasting and environmentally friendly.

You ll also need to purchase a primer designed for metal roofs. Most aluminum paints need to be put on in several layers the primer and then several layers. Not using a sealant another mistake is to forget or ignore using a sealant before the application of the metal paint. Aluminum roof paint should be oil based.

And one of the greatest advantages of aluminum roofing is its energy efficient quality.