Calbar Metal Roof Blog

How to paint a metal roof

A Word from the Experts: The metal roof paint that is applied during manufacturing will eventually fade completely away and rust will set in. When this occurs, the application of Calbar metal roof paint is required. Coatings used for maintenance and aftermarket applications must posses similar attributes to paints and coatings applied during the metal-manufacturing process. Protection from the elements: UV radiation, rain, snow, ice, pollution and other airborne contaminants is imperitive. The purpose of the coating is to prevent further metal-surface degradation such as rust or corrosion.
Prior to the application of maintenance coatings, all required repairs should be completed. Initial repairs be to make sure that all fasteners, seams and laps, have been checked and resealed with Calbar Roof Seal if necessary. Fasteners are originally waterproof, thanks to the rubber gromits that are placed under the fastener when the roof is applied. These grommits will deteriorate over time allowing rain to penetrate the roof. Seams and laps can be made watertight with a combination of Calbar Roof Seal and polyester fabric.  Once the repairs are completed, preparation of the metal surface is required. The metal surface should be thoroughly power washed and scrubbed with a solution of Tri-Sodium Phasphate (TSP). Rust and corrosion should be treated with 10-520 rust inhibitive roof primer after all loose rust is scraped from the surface. When the preparation is completed, two coats of Showerproof "WB" should be applied in accordance with directions at a mil thickness of 8 wet mil per coat.
Calbar products are available in a variety of colors, Lighter colors (white, gray) are more reflective, but reds and greens are still the color of choice.

Choosing a Contractor

Comments: Can you provide info regarding a dealer near me. Also any contractors that paint metal roofs with your product.

Response: We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof. The information that you need will be found in them.  ABC Supply Company carries our product and would probabaly be the best source to recommend a contractor.  A good rule of thumb is to choose a trusted, well referenced painting or roofing contractor.  The better business bureau would be a good place to start if you don't know where else to look. Please feel free to contact us at 800-642-9505 with any questions you may have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Jim Guy

Comments on the Competition

Comments: I need to find a local dealer for your product. I am in the Houston area. How does your product compare to Behr\'s primer/paint system?

Response:
We do not comment on other products, other than to say that Calbar has been making metal roof paints for over eighty five years.  I don’t know of any other company that can make that claim. We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof. You pay no freight or tax in TX.  Please feel free to contact us at 800-642-9505 with any questions you may have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Jim

Choosing a Contractor

Comments: I am looking for a dealer, painter and a color chart please. Thanks!

Response: We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof.  The color chart will be in the brochure.  We do not recommend any specific applicators other than to say that a good roofer or house painter would be able to apply the product. Please feel free to contact us at 800-642-9505 with any questions you may have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Jim

Factory finishes

Comments: I am trying to paint my metal roof. It is not a tin roof, but the same material as metal siding (factory painted light green kind of shiny). Without much expperince with metal roofs, I had laid down a latex primer and then used an outdoor latex (flat) paint. It peeled within 3 months (I just painted the porch roof, to experiment. Your product sounds like it may work for this application. Should I use the roof paint shower-proof \"WB\" or the metal siding paint?

Response: We can certainly help you, but now you are going to have to remove as much of the house paint as possible. If you are painting a metal roof, you will want to use the Showerproof WB. We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof.  Most of our products ship from our Bristol warehouse at $39.00 per gallon delivered. You pay no freight or tax in TX.  Please feel free to contact us at 800-642-9505 with any questions you may have.  We look forward to hearing from you. Jim

Comments: Many thanks for your reply.  Please send the brochures I wanted to get started very soon.  One point though, I am trying to verify which roof panels were installed.  They were factory painted with either...Kynar 500, Silicone Polyester, or Galvalume Plus

I suspect Silicone Polyester.  Will either of these present me challenges with adhesion?  I will know for sure by Saturday which is when I visit the factory...

Response: Let us know which factory surface you are trying to coat. Also, how old is the roof. Jim

Painting a new factory finish roof

Comments: I am interested in repainting a new 13\' x 29\' VicWest (Pacific Turquoise) barn shed roof. I would like to achieve a matte gray similar to the color and tone that tin flashing takes on when weathered. Would your product be appropriate, considering the roof is so new? Please advise.

Response: You didn't say how old the roof is.  Also what type of factory finish roof coating does it have on it.  As a rule, our Tinners Gray would be the color I suggest for you.  We can send a chip and brochures on the product. Jim Guy

Comments: The roof is new-installed 3 months ago. It is made by Vic West, and I'm not sure what the actual paint/coating is made of-it just looks like painted metal, in this case a bright patina-blue/green color. If that roof would accept paint, then I'd like to get a sample of your Tinner's Gray.  I'll contact Vic West directly and inquire as to whether it can be painted and what should be used. Then I will call you to arrange for a brochure and chip.
Thanks for your reply

Response: All of that is good. We have already sent brochures and a chip.You may find that the chip looks dark, but when it is on the roof with the sun shining on it, it will look lighter. It will also lighten with time. Jim Guy

Comments: Thanks, Jim. I'll be in touch. Do you offer paint samples for sale, i.e. for touch-up, that I might use to create my own test sample? I have a chip of the Pacific tourquoise / Vic West metal roof I saved from installation.

Response: We can sell you a gallon of Showerproof "WB" but not in your "custom color". Special colors require a 25 gallon minimum, which is what a 2500 sq ft roof would require. We could however sell you a gallon of the
Tinners Gray.  Let us know how we can help.  We will be closed for
the Christmas week but I'm sure that you have some time in RI where you
will not want to paint. Jim

Comments: Definitely not painting season, Jim. Let me see what the chip/ brochure looks like. Then I may spring for the gallon. What is the
cost of the gallon?

Response: $39.00 delivered, and no tax.

I'll let you know on the paint once I see the info. Thanks for your assistance.

Extreme Temperatures

Comments: How does this product perform with large temperature differences ( -20 degrees in early morning to 100 degrees surface temperature or more by the afternoon). Also, ice and snow build-up with freezing and thawing potential, and snow migration down a pitched metal roof?

Response:The temperature shifts and extremes are not a problem.  What can become a problem, is the result of impact when the roof is that cold.  Icicles that fall from higher roofs or from trees can damage a finish where it hits.  I know of a story where a customer complained about silver dollar sized paint chips in their roof paint after winter.  The technician who inspected the roof found spent bullets in the gutter, left over from a New Years Eve celebration.  Go figure.

The normal finish of the roof is flat so you could apply an optional clearcoat finish to help with down slope migration.  We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof. The information that you need will be found in them.  Most of our products ship from our Bristol PA warehouse at $29.50 per gallon in a 5 gallon pail. You pay no tax in comments: How does this product perform with large temperature differences ( -20 degrees in early morning to 100 degrees surface temperature or more by the afternoon). Also, ice and snow build-up with freezing and thawing potential, and snow migration down a pitched metal roof? thanks john

Response:

The temperature shifts and extremes are not a problem.  What can become a problem, is the result of impact when the roof is that cold.  Icicles that fall from higher roofs or from trees can damage a finish where it hits.  I know of a story where a customer complained about silver dollar chips in their roof paint after winter.  The technician who inspected the roof found spent bullets in the gutter, left over from a New Years Eve celebration.  Go figure. The normal finish of the roof is flat so you could apply an optional clearcoat finish to help with down slope migration.  We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof. The information that you need will be found in them.  Most of our products ship from our Bristol PA warehouse at $29.50 per gallon in a 5 gallon pail. You pay no tax in CO.  Please mention quote WR52 when placing this order. Please feel free to contact us at 800-642-9505 with any questions you may have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Jim. 

Ivy vines damage metal siding

Comments: I recently pulled alot of ivy off of a mobile home front and it left alot of tendils that need to be removed. Is there something I can use to remove them with?

Response: Its always hard when I can't see the actual siding but one way would be to powerwash the siding with a 3500 psi powerwasher. After you have most of it off there may still be a stain which may be able to be removed with a strong commercial cleaner and bleach. Check first to make sure that the cleaner is okay with your siding paint. Jim

Patching Nail Holes in a Metal Roof

Comments: Hi I am searching for a dealer, of Showerproof WB and Primer in the Raleigh, NC area. Do you have any suggestions on color and on patching nail holes in galvanize roofing, prior to primer and paint?

Response: We will be happy to send you the brochures you need to paint your metal roof. Most of our products ship from our Bristol warehouse. You pay no freight or tax in NC. Your nail holes can be patched with Calbar Roof Seal (CRS) Then top coated with Showerproof "WB". As far as the color that you choose for your roof, Tinners Red has been a staple color of metal roofs for over one hundred years, going back to when they were painted with red lead. Naturally, white would be cooler in the summer, but not as ascetically pleasing. It really is a personal choice issue. Please feel free to contact us at 800-642-9505 with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you. Jim

Austin Texas

Comments: I have a roof that needs to have your product applied. Where do I find it in the Austin Texas area and do you have a list of qualified applicators in the area also?

Response:
We will ship your material from our Bristol warehouse for. You pay no freight or tax in AR. We do not recommend applicators but suggest that you contact a trusted contractor such as a roofer or a painter. We will send you the brochures for the product that you need. If you have any questions, please feel free to call.Thank You, Jim 800-642-9505