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How do I paint my metal roof

My name is Carly Lamberson. I live in Talala, OK. My husband and I decided to put a metal roof on our home we built 2 years ago. We bought some reclaimed metal panels that were in good shape but they were several different colors. I assume they have the typical baked on finish. We have primed and painted our roof with the brand of paint that several paint experts and metal companies suggested. We have had to paint our roof 2 times in the past 2 years and it need it again. The paint keeps peeling. We have spent over $1000.00. on paint an supplies alone. I have read all of the questions and answers posted on this subject but I haven't seen an answer dealing specifically with metal with factory finishes. Is there something you have to do differently over this finish compared to galvanized metal? Please advise.

Carly Lamberson
consumer - Talala, Oklahoma
March 20, 2008

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Hi Carly,
What the paint experts probably forgot to tell you is that preparation of the surface to be painted is sooooo important. A few years ago I helped a friend paint his metal barn roof (non galvanized) in the north country here. We had a few high speed electric drills with wide wire wheels. We roughed up the surface, then used a pressure washer to remove most of the debris. After the roof had dried we then wiped clean with mineral spirits ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . We rented an Paint Sprayer (airless) [affil links] and applied the paint. The prep work alone took a whole day. The roof still looks great today.
You will want to consult a commercial paint dealer. They have a wider variety of high temperature paints for metals, and are able to give you prep hints. I can imagine the roof surface can get very hot during Oklahoma summers!

Mark Baker
Process Engineer - Syracuse, NY USA
March 22, 2008

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Have you already use an epoxy paint?

Jose Castellanos
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
March 24, 2008

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

You probably have panels that were finished with kynar or similar, since you say that it had a baked on finish. If so, it is like trying to paint teflon. It is not going to stick. I am not aware of any primer or prep coating that will help.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
March 24, 2008