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Can standing-seam metal roofing be painted?

914 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  mark sr
Around 2010 we had our house re-roofed with pre-finished raised seam metal. Unfortunately, I don't know the brand and our contractor is no longer available to ask. We've decided that the color we chose isn't really one we want to have forever.

Is it possible to repaint it? My spousal critter's brother is a retired builder and says that paint won't stick to the finish on the metal roof, but I'm pretty sure he never had any first-hand experience with this question, so I would like a second opinion.
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Painting it makes it a maintenance project. You sure you can't live with the color?
Painting it makes it a maintenance project. You sure you can't live with the color?
That depends on how much maintenance. If it needs repainting only as often as the wooden siding on the house, or just slightly worse, that would be OK. OTOH, if the paint is going to peel off and need repainting every year or three, that would not be appealing.
That depends on how much maintenance. If it needs repainting only as often as the wooden siding on the house, or just slightly worse, that would be OK. OTOH, if the paint is going to peel off and need repainting every year or three, that would not be appealing.
They talk about the paint here.
https://www.metalroofing.systems/metal-roof-colors/
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A lot depends on the brand/line of paint used, color and environment. All metal roofs will need painting sooner or later although site applied paint won't last near as long as the factory finish. Most painted roofs need repainting in 5-10 yrs because of fading.
We're in Seattle, so intensity of the sun isn't what it would be in, say, Phoenix! If we repainted the roof, it would probably be a slate-gray color, which I'd be willing to watch fade to a medium-gray.

Any suggestions on what sort of primer and paint to use?
If it was painted, it can be repainted. If it has a coating instead of paint, maybe.
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Any suggestions on what sort of primer and paint to use?

Go to your local paint store [not a paint dept] and discuss it with them.
I don't think I've ever used a primer over factory painted roof panels BUT the ones I painted were already faded. On galvanized roofs the only time I used primer is if they had been let go too long and there was rust.
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The short answer is a resounding YES.

There are different applications, priming, and steps...but YES. It can be painted.

Tons of good information over here: https://www.metalroofing.com/forum/
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Go to your local paint store [not a paint dept] and discuss it with them.
I don't think I've ever used a primer over factory painted roof panels BUT the ones I painted were already faded. On galvanized roofs the only time I used primer is if they had been let go too long and there was rust.
Luckily, I'm a terrible pack-rat, and I just found three yard-long scraps of the roofing leftover from the original installation. I was hoping there would be a brand name on the back side, but no luck. Still, convenient to have those to take to the paint store and show to them.

Can also do a test on them with a first quart of paint, although I don't know if that would really show me how well it would work in the long-term...
If the factory finish is faded there shouldn't be any adhesion issues. If it still has a good sheen - a light sanding or a bonding type primer would be needed.
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