The type of paint you should use for the topcoat on your metal roof will depend on the weather conditions and roof position.
Best way to paint a metal roof.
If you re not sure what kind of roof you have ask a professional roofer to inspect it before you paint it.
Terne is best painted with an oil based paint.
Try to achieve a slightly abraded texturized finish as this helps your new paint bond with the roof finish.
The best and safest way to paint a metal roof is to hire a professional to do the work in a safe convenient and timely manner that will not damage the appearance and structural quality of the existing roof.
Another mistake is to forget or ignore using a sealant before the application of the metal paint.
One of my neighbors used an oil based.
Galvanized metal roofs are coated with a layer of zinc that inhibits rust.
Sand the entire metal roof surface very lightly with your wire brush or sandpaper.
You cannot set up roof jacks on a metal roof as you can on a shingled one so if you plan to paint with a brush or roller include a safe way to reach the ridge in your plans.
Galvanized roofs require the use of a different paint than what is used on terne metal.
Water resistant metal roofing paint for example can be of great value if you live in a rainy area.
Unfortunately those funds needed to hire a professional are not always readily available.
Not using a sealant.
Terne metal roofs are extremely long lasting but because they look very similar to galvanized metal a person can unknowingly invite problems if they use the wrong paint.
To paint a metal roof you ll need to use an oil based paint if you have a terne metal roof or an acrylic based paint if you have a galvanized metal roof.
You ll also need to purchase a primer designed for metal roofs.
A roof that will be often exposed to direct sunlight will perform best with a different paint composition than one in a damp shaded area.
If painting light to moderately used indoor metal surfaces think wall sconces bed frames or guest room night tables go with water based acrylic paint a cheaper 15 to 40 per gallon.
To make the optimum choice for your roof consult a paint specialist.