Finding the best paint for your metal roof is no easy task. You have to look for paints that are durable and resistant to weathering.
As a gardening enthusiast, I prefer to install metal roofs for my garden sheds to protect the plants. But, the harsh Texas weather often causes the color to fade after a while and I've struggled to keep metal roofs in good condition for a long time.
That's when I started doing extensive research to find the best paint for my metal roof that's reliable and long-lasting. It's safe to say that I had to go through several options and employ a trial-and-error method to find the best metal roof paints.
During this entire process, I came across five decent products and in today's article, I'll tell you about the best paint for metal roof. Hi! I’m Stacy Smith and let’s get started.
Top 5 Paints For Your Metal Roof
1. Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint
The Hammerite metal paint is arguably the best product I've come across due to its smooth glossy finish. I've been using it to paint my metal garden shed for quite some years now, and its high sheen appearance has proved worth the investment.
Product Highlights
The Hammerite metal paint is available in a smooth white color that offers a high sheen gloss finish to your metal roof. It has a 3-in-1 formulation, so you get a primer, undercoat, and topcoat, in one tub of paint, while it's quite easy to apply and dries up quickly.
You can apply it directly to ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces without needing any primer or undercoat. This helps you save a lot of time and money on painting the roof.
On top of this, it creates a smooth and robust coating on metal surfaces, offering excellent rust protection to the roofs for up to eight years by sealing out moisture. Just make sure to clean the metal surface thoroughly before applying the paint and you’ll be good to go. Also, it is not sticky like other glossy paints and makes roof maintenance much easier.
What's There To Like About It?
The first thing that attracted me to this metal paint was its high sheen gloss finish. Its smooth appearance and white coat instantly make it stand out and offer an attractive and appealing look to my otherwise simple metal garden shed.
Also, this paint's corrosion protection quality enhances the longevity of my metal roof, even if it's regularly exposed to water and moisture. This helps keep my plants safe even during stormy weather or under the scorching Texas sun.
What's There Not To Like About It?
If you are running on a tight budget, this metal paint from Hammerite might not be the best choice. This 250 mL paint can be quite expensive considering the volume you get in one pack. It may not be an ideal pick for painters who prioritize affordability when choosing metal roof paints.
Pros and Cons of Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint
Pros
Cons
- Smooth glossy finish for a flawless high sheen
- Up to 8 years rust protection
- A 3 in 1 formulation gives beautiful protection for metal
2. Rust-Oleum Brush-On Metal Paint
Next up is the brush-on metal paint from Rust-Oleum that's available in a pack of two. It's effective in protecting your metal roof from corrosion and weathering, so you can use it to paint wood, concrete, and masonry.
Product Highlights
If you are looking for metal paint with a protective oil-based formula, the Rust-Oleum brush-on paint can be a great choice. It works well on internal and external surfaces, and you can use it for multiple applications.
The oil-based formula offers a durable coating for excellent rust protection. It is resistant to weathering and other outdoor conditions, minimizing the damage from chipping and abrasion on your metal roof. You won’t need to worry about fading either as the paint stays on for a long time. It even has a glossy finish that can make your old metal roof look brand new.
One gallon of this paint can easily cover up to 90 square feet of area. Also, it dries within two to four hours, so you need not waste too much time painting the roof.
What's There To Like About It?
The paint is excellent for coloring interior and exterior surfaces. After painting the metal shed in my garden, I used the remaining paint to color the old metal chairs sitting on my backyard porch. The glossy finish of the paint made them look quite attractive.
Moreover, the paint is durable and can easily withstand the extreme Texas summer heat, so you won’t have to worry about fading. The color of my metal garden shed remained intact for almost two years after using this paint.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Even though this Rust-Oleum paint offers superior corrosion resistance to your metal roof, it's an oil-based enamel paint containing solvent-based drying agents. It can emit toxic fumes once the chemicals in the formula start to dry up, making it harmful compared to the Hammerite metal paint. So, it's best to apply the paint in a well-ventilated space to disperse the fumes.
Pros and Cons of Rust-Oleum Brush-On Metal Paint
Pros
Cons
- Weather and corrosion resistant coating protects exterior/interior surfaces like wood, metal, concrete, masonry and more
- Oil-based formula provides a durable protective coating with excellent rust prevention
- Dries to the touch in 2-4 hours and covers up to 90 sq. ft.
3. Henry Roof Coating Paint
Moving on, I bring you the Henry roof coating paint that's excellent in withstanding high temperatures and keeping your metal roof cool. It works exceptionally well to seal leaks and prevent water infiltration, so you can even use it to paint the flat roof of your RV.
Product Highlights
The Henry roof coating paint comes in a smooth white color that enhances the longevity of your metal roof. It is an elastomeric roof coating, offering superior weathering protection with its high peel strength and elongated coat that can contract and expand without cracking or fading.
Furthermore, it has high solar reflectivity, allowing you to lower the temperature of your metal roof even during the scorching summer months. This is because it dissipates 91% of the total heat energy to keep the metal roof cool.
It also enhances the breathability of your metal roof, allowing moisture to seep out of the underlying substrate to prevent liquid infiltration. But there won’t be any water dripping from your metal roof during the monsoon season as its leak-proof design offers protection.
What's There To Like About It?
Texas summers can get quite harsh due to the extreme temperatures and arid climate. But the high solar reflectivity of this Henry roof coating paint made it easy to keep my metal garden shed cool and protect my heat-sensitive plants.
The leak-proof quality of this roof coating also prevented water infiltration during the monsoon season owing to the resins, titanium oxide pigments, and filler elements in the formula. It even has high peel strength to ensure that the elastic coating doesn’t crack.
What's There Not To Like About It?
While the Henry roof coating works quite well on flat roofs, using it to paint slanting roofs can be a problem. The paint is quite thick, takes time to dry, and often slides off a slanting surface instead of adhering to it. It might take up to 24 hours to dry completely compared to the quick drying time of the Hammerite and Rust-Oleum metal paints.
Pros and Cons of Henry Roof Coating Paint
Pros
Cons
- The Product Is 5Gal White Roof Coating
- Easy And Simple Use Kit
- The Product Is Manufactured In China
4. Ames Maximum Stretch Waterproof Sealant Membrane
The Ames Maximum Stretch is an elastomeric waterproof roof sealant that works well on rubber, metal, and concrete roofs. It is resistant to cracking or peeling and can be excellent for long-term applications, such as for keeping low-slope roofs in top shape.
Product Highlights
This elastomeric, rubberized, acrylic roof coating comes with 650% elongation that offers excellent resistance against peeling and cracking. So, no matter how hot it gets, you can trust the roof coating to not crack while expanding.
The 88% light reflectivity and bright white color make the roof coating effective in significantly lowering the surface temperatures of the roof and reducing cooling costs. Also, you don't have to worry about water dripping from your roof during heavy rainfall as this product acts as an excellent waterproof sealant.
You can use it on metal, wood, or concrete surfaces, like RV roofs, rolled roofs, and built-up concrete roofs, without needing any primer or undercoat which makes it pretty versatile.
What's There To Like About It?
This Ames Maximum Stretch sealant has been excellent in maintaining the durability of my low-slope metal garden shed. It stayed on the roof throughout the harsh Texas summer without showing any signs of cracking, fading, or peeling.
It was quite easy to apply it on the roof using a flat and large paintbrush because it didn't require any priming. I was able to do it myself and I’m sure that even first-time painters won’t have trouble applying an even coat.
What's There Not To Like About It?
You have to wait for almost 24 hours in-between two coats if you use this sealant, unlike the Rust-Oleum paint which takes only two to four hours to dry. It might take you a couple of days to finish painting the roof using the Ames Maximum roof coating.
Pros and Cons of Ames Maximum Stretch Waterproof Sealant Membrane
Pros
Cons
- Ames Maximum-Stretch is a white, elastomeric, acrylic, rubberized roof coating & sealant with 650% elongation to resist cracking & peeling. With 88% light reflectivity, the bright white finish reduces surface temperatures resulting in lowered cooling costs.
- Ames Maximum-Stretch adheres to metal roofing, tar, rolled roofs and more. Use as a RV roof sealant, waterproof sealant, rubber roofing material and more. Designed for low-slope roof maintenance.
- 650% elongation - does not flake, chip or peel - elastomeric and rubberized coating and sealant. Rubber roofing material is 88% light reflective resulting in lowered cooling costs. Brush, roll or spray on!
5. GacoRoof White Silicone Roof Coating
The GacoRoof Silicone Roof Coating is available in a smooth white color and it can seamlessly create a protective membrane over your metal roof to seal existing leaks or holes. Apply a couple of coats of this paint for much-needed durability.
Product Highlights
It comes in a container size of one gallon, enough to cover an area of around 70 to 80 square feet. You need two coats of this roof coating to cover a metal roof adequately. But, you might have to apply up to four coats of this product if your roof is severely damaged with numerous holes and leaks.
Nobody likes to have a roof that constantly drips water after heavy rainfall. This roof coating can perfectly seal off metal or wooden roofs, and you can apply it directly to the surface without much hassle. All you need is a ¾-inch nap roller to get even coverage across the roof.
Thanks to this silicone roof coating, your roof stays protected against corrosion and weathering. It works quite well in properly maintaining a metal roof over the years, so it’s worth your money.
What's There To Like About It?
My garden shed is quite old, and the metal roof developed holes and got chipped in some places over time. But, with two coats of this silicone roof coating from GacoRoof, I covered all the holes and leaks in my garden shed.
It only took me a gallon of the roof coating to cover my entire garden shed properly. I applied it directly to the roof without any primer, first a base coat followed by a mobile top coat, which made the entire process much easier.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The applications of this GacoRoof Silicone Roof Coating are quite limited, unlike the Ames Maximum Stretch coating and sealant. Even though it works well on metal and wood roofs, you can't use it on concrete or asphalt-based roofs. Make sure to check the roofing material before applying this roof coating.
Pros and Cons of GacoRoof White Silicone Roof Coating
Pros
Cons
- Container Size: 1 Gallon
- Coating Material: Silicone
- Color: White
Buyers Guide
Now that you know about the best paints for metal roofs, there are certain factors you need to consider before purchasing a suitable product. In this buyer's guide section, I'll highlight some key features that can help you make an informed decision. Let's take a look!
1. Corrosion Resistance
Before purchasing a paint or roof coating for your metal roof, consider its corrosion-resistant properties. A good metal paint will be flexible and won't crack or peel with the changing seasons or in harsh climates. It should be able to expand and contract easily without deteriorating.
The right paint will protect your metal roof from chipping to increase its lifespan. You can even repair a damaged metal roof by applying a premium-quality corrosion-resistant paint or roof coating.
Oil-based paints are more resistant to weathering than other paints. It would be best to carefully read the product description to know more about the rustproof qualities of a metal paint before purchasing.
2. High Sheen Finish
While painting a metal roof, you want to make it look attractive and appealing and the high sheen finish of gloss paints can help you do it. Gloss paints, such as the Hammerite metal paint, offer a smooth and glossy finish to a roof, covering its dingy and old appearance.
If the inner substrate of the roof is intact, choosing the right paint should be enough to amp up its outer surface without wasting money on replacing it entirely. You can refer to my reviews but also read the rest of the points in this buyer’s guide to look for durable and high-sheen metal paint.
3. Temperature Control
Metal is a good conductor of heat, and naturally, metal roofs tend to attract higher temperatures during the summer season compared to any other roofing material. So, consider the factor of temperature control while choosing the best paint.
The heat and light reflective quality of premium-quality roof coatings or metal paints make them quite effective in lowering surface temperatures. You can keep your metal roof cool even during the harsh summer months.
Most roof coatings and metal paints are available in a bright white color that helps reflect more light and dissipate heat from your metal roof.
4. Drying Time
The drying time of the paint is another essential factor to consider before you use it to color your metal roof. It's always easier to work with quick-drying metal paints that dry up completely within two to four hours.
If you want a more durable finish, you might prefer choosing a roof coating and sealant, which usually takes longer to dry. You need to wait up to 24 hours for one coat to dry, in such scenarios, before you can apply the second coat. It can be time-consuming but will offer more permanent results in repairing a damaged roof.
5. Waterproof Quality
It's best to select a roof coating or paint that can help you repair the holes of a metal roof to stop water infiltration. The waterproof quality of a premium metal paint or sealant can keep your roof dry and prevent leakage after heavy rainfall.
Since my garden shed houses several sensitive plants, waterproof sealants and roof coatings have greatly helped me protect them from rainwaters during the monsoon. But you might need to apply multiple coats of paint if your roof is severely damaged.
FAQs
After going through my reviews and buyer's guide, your head must be buzzing with tons of questions. In this section, I'll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about metal roof paints and coatings.
When it comes to painting RV roofs, it's better to go for elastomeric roof coatings and waterproof sealants as compared to traditional metal paints. You can try out the Henry roof coating or the Ames maximum stretch waterproof sealant to paint your RV roof.
These products are waterproof and resistant to weathering and corrosion, which can prevent water infiltration inside your RV. They can also lower the surface temperatures of your RV roof to reduce cooling costs. You can also seal off the holes and dents on your RV roof using these sealants.
Usually, roof coatings are quite heavy and can cover around 70 to 80 square feet of area per gallon. At the same time, you can easily cover 90 square feet when you use metal paints. If you plan to paint a 100 square feet roof, two to three gallons of metal paints or coatings should be sufficient.
Yes, oil-based paints are better for a metal roof than water-based acrylic paints. Oil-based paints offer greater resistance against rusting and weathering to enhance longevity. They are naturally waterproof, so you need not worry about water leakage. Also, they are long-lasting and won’t fade easily due to extreme heat and high temperatures.
My Final Recommendation
Choosing the best paint for metal roof can be a tough job if you don’t know what to look for. I hope my reviews have helped you understand how these metal paints and roof coatings work and what qualities you need to consider before purchasing.Â
If you want my recommendation, I’ll definitely ask you to try out the Hammerite Direct Rust Metal Paint because of its attractive glossy finish and superior rust protection.Â
However, if you have a tight budget, the Rust-Oleum metal paint is a decent product that comes with an oil-based formula. It can help you get the job done faster as it dries up within two to four hours.Â
You can also select any other product from my list as per your requirements or do some more research to choose a top-notch paint. With that, I’ll sign off. Take care and see you next time!Â