Painting a Metal Roof the Right Way: Best Tips, Tricks, & More

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The easiest way to prep and paint your metal roof

Co-authored by Patrick Coye

Last Updated: July 12, 2023 References

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Removing the Old Paint

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Applying the New Paint

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Choosing Paint

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Working on Your Roof Safely

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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. Painting a roof can be a difficult job that takes a long time, so you should consider hiring professional painters to do the work. If you’re up for the challenge, though, you’ll need to make sure you have the right kind of paint, clean your roof, and apply several coats. All the effort will be worth it when you end up with a roof that looks brand new!

Things You Should Know

Before you start, remove any old paint and wash your roof with a power washer.
Apply a coat of primer to your roof, then apply 1-2 coats of paint.
Use primer and paint suited for the type of metal roof you have. Terne roofs require an oil-based paint, whereas galvanized roofs need acrylic.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Removing the Old Paint

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Use a paint scraper or a putty knife to scrape away loose paint. Press the scraper or knife firmly against the paint, but make sure you don’t damage the metal underneath. Don’t worry about patches where the paint is in good shape, as you can simply paint over those.
- To help the primer and paint adhere to the roof better, try lightly scuffing the surface of the metal. For instance, if you're painting a smaller roof, you might use 80-120 grit sandpaper or a wire brush.^{[1]
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  Painting Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.}
Remove patches of rust if you find them. As you scrape away old paint, you’ll get a close look at your entire roof. Old metal roofs sometimes have patches of rust. Try scraping them away with a putty knife if they’re small. Try using vinegar or other solutions you can make at home for more stubborn rust.

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Wash the roof with a power washer. A power washer will be able to remove any areas of peeling paint you might have missed. It will also clean the roof, preparing it for the next coat of paint. Rent a power washer from a local home improvement store. Spray down your entire roof, moving the wand side to side to catch the whole surface.^{[2]
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- If you can’t get a power washer, use your garden hose on the strongest setting. It is not as effective, but it can still clean the roof.
How long it will take your roof to dry completely depends on the temperature and how sunny it is. Check the last area you washed after an hour. If it’s still wet, check again every 15 minutes or so. The roof needs to be completely dry before you move forward.

Part 2

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Applying the New Paint

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Avoid painting in the rain, as this could wash your paint away. If possible, try to paint in the spring or fall. Metal roofs can get extremely hot in the summer, making them very difficult to work with.
Use a paintbrush or a paint roller to spread the primer. You need only one coat, but it should be a thick coat. Work from your ladder whenever possible. Carefully go onto your roof for areas that are hard to reach from the ladder. Purchase a roller with a long handle from a home improvement store. This allows you to reach further from your ladder.^{[3]
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The weather can affect how long primer takes to dry, but it will usually take at least an hour. Check the can for your specific primer to see how long it typically takes to dry. When checking to see if the primer is dry, always check the area where you applied it last.^{[4]
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Wash the brush or roller you used for the primer, or get a new one. Apply a generous amount of paint across the entire roof. Again, work from your ladder as much as possible.^{[5]
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Check your can of paint to see how long it generally takes to dry. In most cases, it will take around an hour or so.
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Apply at least one additional coat of paint. The paint helps protect your roof, so apply it generously. When applying your additional coat, try working from different positions than you did for the first coat. This might help you hit spots you missed before. After the second coat, your roof should be well protected and have a nice color. If the color doesn’t seem dark or rich enough yet, apply an additional coat.^{[6]
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- Always wait for the previous coat to dry before adding a new one.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Choosing Paint

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Some homeowner’s associations have rules about what kinds of colors can be used to paint houses. If your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association, speak with a representative to find out if there are any restrictions you need to know about before you get started.
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Choose a paint that’s right for your metal roof. Some historical homes have terne metal roofs, and these need to be painted with oil-based paint.^{[7]
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Research source} Galvanized metal roofs are usually painted with acrylic-based paint.^{[8]
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- To ensure that you know what kind of metal your roof is made out of and what kind of paint you should use, ask a professional roofer to inspect your home.
Try to avoid making your roof the same color as the sides of your house. Instead, choose a neutral color that complements the sides, or a lighter color that gives an accent to your home. If your house is made of brick or stone, it is especially important to make sure your roof complements these materials, as their colors cannot be changed.^{[9]
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Purchase a primer designed for metal roofs. You can find primers for metal at your local home improvement store. Ask an employee for help if you’re having trouble finding the kind you need.^{[10]
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- These primers are specifically made to inhibit rust from growing on your metal roof.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Working on Your Roof Safely

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Work from an extension ladder instead of going on the roof if possible. It’s usually safer to work from a ladder instead of on the roof. Lean the ladder against your house. Keep the ladder away from power lines. Do not place the ladder in front of any doors, as someone opening a door could knock the ladder down.^{[11]
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- Always keep both feet firmly against a rung of the ladder, and hold onto the side of the ladder with the hand you’re not working with.^{[12]
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- When painting from your ladder, don’t try to extend your reach to paint areas that are too far away. This could cause you to lose your balance and fall.
- Instead, use a paint roller with a long handle to reach patches far away from you.
Purchase a harness and rope at your local home improvement store. Anchor the rope securely to a stable part of your house or to a tree. Put on the harness and then attach the rope to it. With a harness, you can prevent yourself from falling off of the roof if you lose your balance.^{[13]
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Safety is very important when working from on your roof, so it’s best to have someone else with you at all times. Have someone hold the ladder from below to keep it stable while you’re working from it. This same friend can help you if you do have an accident.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I paint an old metal roof?

Patrick Coye
Painting Specialist
Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.

Patrick Coye

Painting Specialist

Expert Answer

Start by preparing the surface by scuffing it with 80-120 grit sandpaper or wire brushes, which will help the paint adhere better. Use a special oxidizing primer on the roof, which will help inhibit the growth of rust in the future. Then, after the primer dries, go over it with your top coat.

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Question

My metal roofing is fading after over 20 years. Can I paint the metal roof without using the undercoating?

Zack

Top Answerer

It is unlikely that paint without undercoating will bond well to old metal. I recommend power-washing, sandblasting, then undercoating or priming before attempting to re-paint in order to prevent peeling and separation of the new paint layer when it is dry.

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Question

How well can paint hold up on a metal roof?

Sylghouls

Top Answerer

It can hold up pretty well, depending on the type of paint you use. If you use acrylic latex paint and apply a primer, you can increase the chances of the paint staying on longer.

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Tips

Work in the fall or early spring if you can. Metal roofs can get very hot in the summer, making them difficult to work on.

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Place guards over your gutters to keep wet paint from dripping into them. Find gutter guards at your local home improvement store.

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If you go on the roof, wear shoes that have good traction and try to stay away from the edges whenever possible.

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Warnings

Falling from your roof can be very dangerous. Work on a ladder leaning against your roof whenever possible. When you need to be on top of the roof, secure yourself in a harness so you don’t fall to the ground.

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If you’re standing on a ladder, have someone holding it while you work. This stabilizes the ladder and helps prevent accidents.

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