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TOPIC: I Have An Existing Metal Roof and Have A Question

Can I change the color of an existing metal roof?

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Can the color of an existing metal tile roof be changed after installation? Can it be painted? I have a blue metal tile roof and would like to change it to more of a red brick color. What are my options? How much will it cost? Thanks.
E W

4/20/2011
As one of their many benefits, metal roofs can be repainted. This can be done to extend their life after many years or simply for a different look. As long as the old finish is well adhered to the metal, it will provide a great surface for a new coating. We suggest cleaning the roof by power washing or with a TSP solution. Then we suggest a primer followed by a top coat. This will usually be done with a spray process. I suggest going to a quality paint store and using the system they recommend for repainting metal roofs. Air-dry Kynar paint systems are available, usually best done through a metal roof manufacturer. These systems will have better durability than what you buy locally but expect to pay upwards of $400 per gallon for the paint. Please be aware that in any event a field-applied coating likely will not last as long as the roof's original finish.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

4/21/2011
Todd, I have a slightly different question along the same line. I have a galvanized 5V metal roof with the heavier gauge material, installed in 1985. There are some areas that have developed light rust from where leaves have set too long. What should I do to rehabilitate the roof? Should just those areas be serviced or should it be the entire roof? And how (such as rust removal or painting, etc)? Thanks
Chad Lewis

4/28/2011
Chad, I have not had great experience with your exact situation but my inclination would be to clean the rust from the affected areas real well, cover those areas with several coats of a rust inhibiting primer or paint, and then coat the entire roof with a paint system recommended by a major paint store.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

4/29/2011
how long can you expect the paint to last once you have painted the metal roof? Our home is 10 yrs. old and the roof has faded from the sun we would like to paint it to bring the color back.
Guest User

8/9/2011
Robin, I would expect a quality field-applied paint system to last 10 - 15 years depending upon your exact location.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/9/2011
Todd, I have a steel pole barn (built early 70's). The roof is white and I want to paint it brown to match my homes new steel roof. One of the hardware stores recommended your method. I have already scrubbed the roof with TSP and sealed the nail heads with LEAKSTOP. Another reputabl recommends adding 1/2 pint Emulsabond to each gallon of paint and they say that product bypasses the need for priming and also that I wouldn't have had to wash with TSP. Too good to be??? Any experience with Emulsabond or should I proceed with primer then paint?
Guest User

9/5/2011
Hi Jean. I have never heard of Emulsabond. It may work very well. I would be inclined to continue with the way you had intended though.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/5/2011
Todd, we just had a new metal roof put on (standing seam). Much to our dissappointment, the color we chose, and were assured was the dark color we thought it was, is not. Hind sight, we would have handled this differently before installation. I can live with it. My husband hates it. Are there professionals that can come and repaint our roof tot he darker color we originally wanted?
Guest User

9/24/2014
Kim, there are some companies that specialize in this but please understand you will be moving from a finish that probably has a warranty to a finish that does not have a warranty. If you can let me know (in general) where you are located, I will see if I have anyone to suggest for painting.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/24/2014
Hello Todd, Just bought a house and we have a green metal roof, which looks cream colored, almost exactly the color of the spanish moss hanging from overhead trees. I don't know the condition of the roof, except that it is not leaking, but would like to have it pressure cleaned and painted with reflective paint. Can you recommend the minimum psi for getting the roof clean in preparation for painting, and I can't find information on the kynar / hylar painting contractors. It would appear these products are only available as a prefinish on new roofs. I live in Central FL Marion County Lake Weir. Thank you in advance.
Guest User

2/28/2015
PPG Aquatec is an air-dry version of Kynar. Most commercial / professional exterior painting contractors should be able to source and apply it. As far as the pressure washing, you do not want to remove the paint. I would wash at as low of pressure as possible to achieve a clean finish.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

3/1/2015
Hello Todd, I just came across this thread. We just installed a galvalume metal roof. It is so incredibly bright that it is blinding our across the street neighbors. Have you seen this problem before and what do you suggest? Painting? Thanks!! Travis County Texas
Guest User

5/14/2015
Travis, The roof will normally get a somewhat more matte finish as it ages. Not sure that will help your neighbors in the meantime but perhaps a call to the manufacturer will tell you what you can do to the roof to dull the finish or what your repainting options are.
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

5/14/2015
We just bought a 100+ year old farmhouse in Middle Tennessee. The roof is galvanized metal. It is silver - with what looks like a dark color that is coming across the panels (not part or rust - if this makes sense). We would like to paint it green. I have a question here: 1) What is the best prep for this? 2) Would you use TSP or (part) vinegar? 3) Would you scratch it up? 4) What primer would you use? 5) What paint would you use? 6) How many coats of paint? 7) Does it matter if it is rolled or sprayed? Any other suggestions?
Guest User

7/26/2015
Dennis, how old is the roof, approximately? Can you please post a photo on here or email me a photo of what is happening? [email protected]
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

7/27/2015
We just added a room addition to our house and had a pre-existing charcoal gray metal roof, Fabral (2006) is the brand of our existing roofing. Our new addition metal roofing is called Union (2015) in their charcoal gray which is slightly lighter than our original. Right now it is driving me nuts, that the colors are different. Will this new roofing darken in time? I wanted a black metal roofing, but hubby didn't want that when we first installed it. If this new roofing doesn't start to match up, can we paint it black? And if painted black, does it really cause a home to be hotter? If we can't paint it, what can we do to get the different colored roof lines to look uniformed? Thank you!
Guest User

11/17/2015
Its likely the color variance will tone down over time. Atmospheric dirt will help mute the difference as well. Metal can be painted and coated over and the darker the color, the more of the suns radiant energy it will absorb (i.e. hotter surface temps). If you paint the roof, you should paint both sections.
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

11/17/2015
Hello! My house currently has a pretty new roof (<12 years) that was placed by the previous owners. It is in great condition, but I hate the color. I have been researching people in Austin to paint the roof, but I'm getting some weird feedback from them almost as if they don't understand why I would do that or that it's not recommended. I don't want to make a mistake and lessen the integrity or value of the roof purely for a cosmetic change, but I'm ok with paying for a cosmetic change if all else is equal. I don't want the roof to look "painted" though, as in a DIY looking project.. I want it to look like it was made that way. Is that possible? How do I find a contractor who will give me the result I'm looking for? Alternatively, if I just go with a regular roofing/painting company what do I ask that they use for the paint?
Guest User

12/22/2015
Most professional commercial painting companies could do this. The cost should be $3 - 5 per square foot. This will void the warranty on the current roof. Also, a field painted roof will have a shorter life and be more prone to fade and chalk than the original finish.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

12/22/2015

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