Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
- Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Fibered silver coat for metal roof?
Q. We have a barn with galvanized roof that we coated with a silver fiber sealant approx. 4 years ago. Now we want to re-do the thing. To cut cost we would like to paint the roof brown rather than replace it. I have not been able to find an answer to my question --
After cleaning the roof and possibly applying another coat of silver sealant, what type of roof paint can we use that will cover properly on the silver fiber sealant?
- Forksville, Pennsylvania
June 8, 2024
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A. Hi Faye.
The right paint for painting on top of fibered silver (actually aluminum) roof coatings is "acrylic latex exterior paint". There are some acrylics that are not latex, some latex paints that are not acrylic, and maybe even some acrylic latex paints not meant for exterior use :-(
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
⇩ Related postings, oldest first ⇩
Q. During my recent home purchase my inspector recommended fibered silver coat for a weathered section of metal roof on an addition to the house. I am curious if this is preferred over paint and do I need to prep in the same manner as painting (power wash, prime, paint)? There is some surface rust and possibly some old paint.
home owner - Watkins Glen, New York USA
September 10, 2011
A. Hi, Todd.
You can use canned tar-like materials around flashing and joints, or as a roof topping. Often the tar has fiberglass fibers in it so that it bridges gaps better. Although I've only used black, I think your home inspector was speaking of the same thing in a silver tone. I think this is something you can do before repainting, or after repainting, if the roof is sound, but you can use it rather than a paint if you think the roof may have pinholes or a lot of joints. Considering the mixed construction of this roof, the inspector may be dead on.
I think you should power wash, then prime, and you'll be in a much better position to determine whether it will be easier to seal joints with the fibered tar, and paint the rest, or just seal the whole thing with the fibered tar. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. The silver stuff has been used on trailer houses for over 50 years. The silver reflects a lot more of the sun than the plain black stuff.
It is available at most home repair shops. It takes a bit more than the can says to cover the roof because of the curves in the roof and another bit more because it is not easy to lay down in a proper thickness coat.
- Navarre, Florida
Thanks for your input. I am hoping to get this done in early/mid October, as soon as we move in. Hoping the weather is warm enough to treat the roof before winter.
- Watkins Glen, New York, USA
September 17, 2011
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