Garage Exterior Paint Questions

[Vintage Veloce]

It's time to paint the garage exterior and I have some questions... picture for reference.



All of these questions are about the robustness of the protective coating, NOT about the color choice

1) The metal drip edge at the roof edge: should this be painted? I know it CAN be painted, but should I paint over the factory metal finish?

2) The attic wall vent is galvanized steel and has held up well for 5 years. Should we paint the vent?

3) The mini-split unit, it's supports, electrical box and power/fluid connections. I would assume I shouldn't paint any of that, right?

4) (not shown) The metal rain gutters and downspouts... again, should I keep the factory metal finish instead of painting these?

There is a theme to my questions... Typically, I prefer not to paint factory metal finishes as they are pretty good. Should we paint over them or leave them as they came from the factory?

 

[Bert_]

I like to paint those things, but it's more about correct color placement.

With the right prep work the paint will last just as well on any other surface.

 

[nadogail]

80% of any painting job is the proper preparation of the surface you will be painting over.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

80% of any painting job is the proper preparation of the surface you will be painting over.

Yeah, but is there any protection benefit to painting over these surfaces?

 

[FMB4]

I wouldn't paint any of the above if the factory finish is still good. But that's just me.

 

[CraigStu]

I am with FMB4. My thinking is usually that if I don't paint it, I won't need to re-paint it when the paint peels. It is easy to paint a wall and it goes pretty fast but prepping and painting things like the drip edge and the AC supports takes time to do it right.

 

[racecougar]

^^^Exactly.

 

[yeldogt]

I typically attempt to purchase a factory finished product in the color I want --- never touch it until it starts to fail. It's amazing how long some of the paint lasts --- when it starts to go it gives you plenty of time as it dulls.

Galvanized .... I never pant it -- think it looks cool. You need the proper primer for galvanized if you want it to stick over time

 

[Bert_]

Yeah, but is there any protection benefit to painting over these surfaces?

Putting more paint on top isn't going to add more protection.