Paint for Metal Buildings: Follow these Steps

Is there Paint for Metal Buildings?

Painting a metal building is quite different from painting a building of vinyl, wood, or cement. Metal buildings often come pre-painted from the factory. You can choose trim, walls, and roof colors. They are designed to be maintenance-free, but over time it can wear, or you might choose to change the color. This means new paint for your metal building.

You could always call an expert, but painting it yourself is actually quite simple. Below are a few tips for painting your metal building.

Preparing a Metal Building for painting

There are right and wrong ways to paint metal buildings, such as pole barns. The metal might be unpainted or painted to begin with, but the steps in either case are similar.

Before painting your metal building, you need to prepare it, including cleaning it and getting rid of rust through 80-grit sandpaper or a drill with a wire brush. The same is true of any existing paint that might be flaking off. It is important to apply a rust inhibitor to any scratches you may find in your preparation. If this is not done – the paint job won’t last as the rust will bleed through over time.

Later, you can use 120-grit sandpaper to smoothen things out. If you have any dents or bumps, use a hammer to fix them before painting.

Remove Any Substance on Your Metal Building

Steel building panels often come oiled from the factory. This oil both protects them from rust and makes the machining process easier. To remove any substances like oil or dirt from your metal building, use a power washer and apply a low setting (nothing above 2500psi). After cleaning, you must allow the metal to dry completely. If a power washer is not available, then a sponge and household detergent can be perfect for the job. However, you will have to employ elbow grease.

Protect any Adjacent Surfaces

Cover any areas you are not painting, such as windows and doors, using painters’ tape. Also, spread drop cloths on the floor or ground to keep paint from staining. If you’re painting the roof, tuck, and tape a tarp in to protect the gutters and downspouts.

Apply Primer to Your Metal Building

Before you start painting, it’s best to apply a primer. Some paints may claim to be primer and paint in 1, but we recommend doing it right and painting both on separately. Primer is a special paint that goes over the surface and helps the top-coat adhere to the metal and makes it last longer. Choose a primer made for the type of metal you’re painting. If you’re painting over a previous coat of paint, use a primer that is compatible with the old paint.

Apply the primer using a roller or a brush. Ensure that you get into all the nooks and crannies and cover the entire surface. Let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Painting Your Metal Building

Once the primer is dry, you can start painting your metal building. Use a roller or paint sprayer to apply the paint and keep your edge wet to avoid any streaks. Let the paint dry completely, then apply a second layer according to the instructions on your paint. Give your metal building a final inspection to make sure everything looks good. If any areas need touching up, do so now – before the paint cures.

Painting metal buildings can be a daunting task, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to get the job done quickly and easily. Some paint jobs also work to protect your building from rust, corrosion, and any deterioration.

Light colors and those considered reflective are great for eco friendly buildings!