How Do You Clean A Metal Roof For Painting

Anyone that has pre painted metal roofing or siding will eventually need to clean it.

How do you clean a metal roof for painting.

Galvanized metal roofs are coated with a layer of zinc that inhibits rust. You ll also need to purchase a primer designed for metal roofs. 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 metal roofs for an added layer of protection. If the wire brush fails to do the job then and only then you can use a flat blade putty knife.

Overuse or abuse such as over concentrating a cleaning solution mixing with other chemicals or using too much of a solution for too long could lead to damage of the metal or paint system which will also likely void one or more of your warranties and leave you with the cost of paying for a metal roof replacement. Avoid scraping the paint unless you are sure that you won t damage the roof. 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. Keep in mind that metal roofs tend to be much more slippery than an asphalt roof and that many aluminum roofs will also dent easily if walked on.

If you really need to scrape the excess paint or the peeling paint do not use any metal instruments to do so. 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. Galvanized roofs require the use of a different paint than what is used on terne metal. Unfortunately over time this coating can fail leading to minor rust outbreaks.

Terne is best painted with an oil based paint. Long term exposure to the sun also creates a chalking effect where the metal appears lightened in color when compared to other areas of the roof. Before you can clean your metal roof you ll need to do a thorough inspection of the roof itself. 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.

It is recommended that cleaning either of these be accomplished with a mild solution of detergent. Therefore it s usually best to clean a metal roof from on top of the house itself. Over the course of time painted metal roofs will appear discolored in areas where dirt and grime accumulate. You can use a wire brush instead.

When you re ready to get started spray your roof using a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment starting at the top of the roof and blasting downward so the dirty water runs off the sides. If you re not sure what kind of roof you have ask a professional roofer to inspect it before you paint it. To clean a metal roof wait for a dry overcast day and make sure you have a partner to help you for safety reasons.