Metal roof painting
Metal roof painting and coating in Atlanta
A metal roof outlasts its paint. Once the factory finish chalks, fades or starts to rust at the fasteners, a proper recoat extends the roof's life and brings the color back for far less than a new roof.
Calls answered 24/7. Crews staged from the Atlanta service office.
- Rust treated first
- Roof-rated coatings
- Answered 24/7
Quick answer
Metal roof painting in Atlanta starts with a thorough wash to remove chalk, mildew and pollen, then rust treatment at fasteners, seams and edges, a primer made for galvanized or Galvalume steel, and two coats of a roof-rated acrylic or elastomeric coating. Loose fasteners and failed sealant are fixed first, because paint cannot stop a leak at a seam.
Updated September 2026
The job
What a metal roof recoat involves
Factory finishes break down into a chalky film that new paint will not grip, so every roof is washed and checked with a hand wipe before coating. Rust at screws and lap seams is removed and spot-primed with a rust-inhibiting primer such as Rust-Oleum's.
We then coat with roof-rated systems from lines like Sherwin-Williams or Henry, chosen for the metal and the slope. Lighter colors reflect more heat, which matters on Georgia summer roofs.
Around Atlanta
Heat, humidity and pollen on Atlanta metal roofs
Metal roofs around Atlanta take hard summer sun that chalks and fades factory finishes, humidity that grows mildew on shaded sections, and a spring film of pine pollen that settles in the ribs and seams. All three have to come off before a coating will bond, so every metal roof we recoat starts with a full wash and a dry day, and we schedule the coating itself for a stretch of dry weather.
What we handle
Metal roofs we paint
Metal roof cleaning and rust treatment
Before any coating, the roof is washed at low pressure with a cleaner that removes chalk, mildew and pollen, then rinsed and left to dry. Rust is ground or wire-brushed off at fasteners, seams and panel edges, and bare metal is primed the same day before flash rust forms. Fasteners with failed rubber washers are replaced and loose ones tightened. Cracked sealant at laps, flashings and penetrations is cut out and replaced. Skipping this step is the main reason painted metal roofs peel within a few years.
Standing seam roof painting
Standing seam roofs have concealed fasteners and raised seams that need coating on both faces. We prime chalky or bare areas with a primer suited to galvanized or Galvalume steel, then apply two coats of a roof-rated acrylic, brushing the seams and rolling or spraying the flat pans. Clips and flashings are inspected along the way. Many owners use the recoat to change color, and lighter colors stay cooler in summer. We check that the coating is compatible with any panel warranty you still have before choosing a product.
Corrugated and outbuilding roofs
Corrugated and ribbed metal roofs on garages, barns, workshops and carports often have exposed screws through every panel, and those screws are where leaks and rust begin. We replace failed screws, treat rust around each one and seal overlaps before coating. On older roofs with heavy surface rust, a rust-converting primer is used before the topcoat. These roofs are frequently lower-pitched, so we choose coatings that tolerate standing water. Gutters and trim on the same building can be painted at the same visit.
Porch and accent metal roofs
Small metal roofs over porches, bay windows and entries are highly visible and often the first to fade, because they get full sun and foot traffic during gutter cleaning. We clean, treat any rust and recoat them to match or contrast with the house. Because they sit low, they are often painted from ladders without staging. A porch roof recoat pairs naturally with an exterior repaint, since the colors are chosen together and the roof is painted before the walls below it.
Step by step
How a metal roof recoat runs
- 1
Inspect
Rust, fasteners, seams and flashings checked.
- 2
Wash
Chalk, mildew and pollen removed, roof left to dry.
- 3
Repair
Rust treated, fasteners replaced, laps resealed.
- 4
Prime
Primer suited to the metal on chalky and bare areas.
- 5
Coat
Two roof-rated topcoats applied in dry weather.
Warning signs
Signs your metal roof needs recoating
- Chalky residue
The factory finish is breaking down.
- Faded color
Sun has worn the paint film thin.
- Rust at screws
Water getting in around fasteners.
- Rust along edges
Cut edges and laps corroding.
- Peeling paint
An earlier coating applied over chalk or rust.
- Mildew on shaded panels
Humidity holding on the surface.
- Leaks at seams
Failed sealant that needs replacing.
Do it yourself or call
Painting it yourself vs having it done
Metal roofs look simple to paint, but the prep and the height are where most attempts fail.
| Step | Common DIY result | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Chalk | Painted over, coating peels | Washed and wipe-tested first |
| Rust | Covered, keeps spreading | Removed and primed the same day |
| Safety | Ladders on a slick roof | Fall protection and staging |
Coatings and materials we work with
What moves the price
What moves the price of metal roof painting
- Roof area
Square footage sets coating, labor and setup.
- Rust
Heavy rust means more grinding and rust-converting primer.
- Fasteners and sealant
Replacing screws and resealing laps adds time.
- Pitch and height
Steep or tall roofs need fall protection and staging.
- Coating type
Elastomeric and silicone systems cost more than acrylic.
- Color change
Large color changes may need an extra coat.
Questions
Metal roof painting questions
Yes, with the right cleaning, primer and a roof-rated coating.
Usually chalk or rust was left under the paint, or the primer did not suit the metal.
Not on its own. Fasteners and seams are repaired first; the coating protects them afterward.
Yes. Lighter colors reflect more sun and run cooler in summer.
Yes, including corrugated roofs with exposed fasteners.
Also in Exterior Painting
Related work from the same crews
- Exterior house painting in Atlanta
- Brick and masonry painting in Atlanta
- Stucco crack repair
- Deck stripping and cleaning
- Wood fence staining
Before you book, read whether to paint a metal roof.
Bring the metal roof back
Call any hour; we will check the fasteners, seams and finish before quoting.
Call (470) 887-8741Answered 24/7 from 565 Tift St SW Ste b, Atlanta.
Where we start from