How to save a metal roof on a small shed?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I have a small 10 X 16 shed with a galvanized sheet metal roof with a very slight pitch to it. I noticed that it has become very rusty looking, but it isn't leaking at all (yet). I would like some ideas on how to prolong the life of it... do I have to sand off the rust and then what? Does it require a prep coat of something and then what is best to use as permanent protection? Since we use it as a boat house by the water, I was wondering about that cool stuff you put/spray on roofs to insulate against the heat and sun. I am hoping I can get another five years out of it at least. Thanks. Carole

-- Carole (carle@earthlink.net), June 19, 2001

Answers

Any large home store will sell metal roof paint .That should help , i have never used it .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), June 19, 2001.

Ask people in a hardware store or paint shop. It's their business, and they get paid to do it, so don't be afraid to use their time. Even though it's a small job, anyone worth their salt will be hoping to get your business for something bigger next time round. In principle, if the rust has progressed to the extent of eating into the iron, you'll need to steel-brush it to remove loose rust, then apply a rust-fixative (probably phosphoric-acid based), then I'd use a form of roof-paint which in Australia goes by various trade names, one of which is SilvaFrost, and which are an emulsion containing aluminium (or in your case probably aluminum) powder.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), June 19, 2001.

Years ago we would paint rusty rooves with fibered aluminum roof coating, avaible in 1 or 5 gallon cans. We did not prepare the surface in any way, just made sure it was dry. The cans were turned up side down before the first opening (for an hour or two) which allowed the settlement to loosen up, the paint was very dense, like pancake batter and had to be stired vigorously before use. Adding up to 1/20th by volume of paint thinner help it flow easier. It was inexpensive and messy but some of it is still there.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), June 19, 2001.

I second mitch's suggestion. Around here they call that stuff Alumacoat. Apply it with a long handled, very stiff bristled "push broom" type of brush. It'll last for a few years then just reapply it.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), June 19, 2001.

At the paint store or building supply the type of brush is known as "a three knot" brush with 3- 1 inch diameter clusters of brisels and a 4 foot angled handle.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), June 19, 2001.


Carole, not only does this describe what my hen house roof looked like, it was also ugly. I (well my son) just used an old rag mop and put on the mobile home roof coating. It is sort of soot grey looking, really thick and filled in all the tiny pin holes, and completely covered the rust. Much nicer looking that the rust and it doesn't leak at all. Probably been going on 3 years since we did it and it is still nice. Definetly a good idea. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), June 19, 2001.

Aren't most new metal roof panels made from a non-rusting metal? Isn't that stuff pretty cheap?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), June 20, 2001.

Cheap and metal roof do not go hand and hand. They are high .You may be thinking of the baked on enamel finish on roofs .We have had ours for 5 years and would do it again .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), June 20, 2001.

Hi Paul.. as small as the lil' house is, it couldn't cost much to redo it, but.....I would have to hire someone to do it and that in itself is no big deal, except it is located down a hill with a 90' drop from the top and getting back up can give a man a heart attack if not in shape. Everything I have had done down there has cost me so much extra that I thought I would just salvage what I already have and hopefully do it myself. I think the heart of the matter is I wondered if I needed to brush off as much of the existing rust as I can before I cover it up with whatever I end up using on top. ( I have built up some calf muscles on that hill over the last year ((grin)))

-- Carole (carle@earthlink.net), June 20, 2001.

Carole; I had the same problem on my barn and chicken coop roof. Gemplers sells a product called Rust Converter. It is not cheap, but it works good and comes in quart or gallon sizes. I painted it on and let it cure for a day then top coated with aluminum paint. Has held up pretty good. They have a web site: www.gemplers.com. BTW, their last catalog had the gallon size on sale.

-- Roscoe Rotten (rkphipps@simflex.com), June 20, 2001.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ