Painted Metal Siding

[Maddog10]

Anyone had a metal building painted? Recently bought an 18 acre farm and have lots of cleanup to do. There is a large shop though that is in great structural condition, but we would like to make the exterior look a little nicer. Wondering if anyone here has had this done before and how it turned out? Exterior is in nice condition, very minimal rust. Would ultimately like to do a two-tone similar to new pole-barn style buildings. Here's a picture of the shop from the front along with a barn that we are getting rid of off to the side.

 

[bjcouche]

I have had poor luck painting pole building metal. I went to a Sherman Williams and went with a high grade exterrior paint. I sprayed it on and it looked great. The paint itself was extremely durable, however it didn't adhere to the metal, and you could scrape it off with your finger nail. I've had very good results with paint that comes in a rattle can....
My conclusion is that any water based paint won't adhere to metal. The stuff in a rattle can is oil based still. The rep at Sherman WIlliams said he doesn't carry ANY oil based paint, the EPA killed it...
I'd try getting some ail based paint, possibly from an industrial paint source, or maybe an automotive painter....
Brian

 

[Bradbilt]

If that is galvanized metal, GOOD LUCK getting paint to properly stick

 

[Maddog10]

Hmm, I appreciate the feedback fellas. Not what I wanted to hear, but much better hearing it before getting started.

It's not a major priority really since we don't intend to live on the farm for another 6-8 years. If we were going to be living there soon I would definitely have to address the "eye appeal" factor, but may save that for down the road. Nonetheless, I'm excited about having a 30'x50' to work out of now. Much better than the 8'x16' shop that I'm currently used to.

 

[RPH]

Farmer down the road from me painted one of his barns. It was a faded red that turned to pink. About 12 years ago he painted it gray. It’s been fine every since, can’t see any problems with it. It can be done.

 

[PAToyota]

You can paint galvanized, but it does take proper prep: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/ho...eeling-cracking/peeling-from-galvanized-metal

By the time you do all of that, you may be ahead to just replace the panels with color finished panels.

 

[strutaeng]

You can paint galvanized, but it does take proper prep: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/ho...eeling-cracking/peeling-from-galvanized-metal

By the time you do all of that, you may be ahead to just replace the panels with color finished panels.

This is a great reference I have used before. Galvanized steel can be painted successfully, it just takes extra steps.

OP, I can't really see anything wrong with the siding. I don't see any corrosion. I would just leave it alone if there is no rust.

If it is starting to rust, then the life can be enhanced by painting. Maybe use a pressure washer and stiff brush on telescopic pole to prep? Use this primer:
https://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/D...EY123-03_Bulls_Eye_1_2_3_Plus_Primer_TDS.ashx

 

[NUTTSGT]

Hmm, I appreciate the feedback fellas. Not what I wanted to hear, but much better hearing it before getting started.

It's not a major priority really since we don't intend to live on the farm for another 6-8 years. If we were going to be living there soon I would definitely have to address the "eye appeal" factor, but may save that for down the road. Nonetheless, I'm excited about having a 30'x50' to work out of now. Much better than the 8'x16' shop that I'm currently used to.

If you won't be there for a long time, I think I would be more likely to put the money elsewhere to make it nicer. . . . sealing it up/weather tight, better electrical or a concrete apron by the doors to keep the mud down when the weather is bad.

 

[zoepop]

Like any painting its all about prep. You'll want to sand to give the paint something to bond to then clean it really well. Use a good quality paint meant for metal and it should last. I used to paint a lot of metal roofs before my business grew to the point that I could turn that type of work down.

 

[6768rogues]

Clean it well and use the right paint. It will work. Don’t cheap out with latex house paint. There is one I drive by regularly that is in pine trees. The barn has pine trees painted on it and it blends in.

 

[PugetDude]

Sell the weathered, rusty panels to hipsters to use as "statement walls" in their lofts/condos/mancaves and buy new painted steel with a 50-year paint warranty...with $$ left over.

 

[Kpaige]

Like stated above prep is key. But on something that big could be a big job! There are chemical etchers out there or bonding agents. You could use a bonding agent and epoxy paint. It just depends on your time and money.

 

[RWorth]

I'd go with new panels, quick and easy, and you can insulate at the same time if you intend to heat it later. And if you do it yourself, you can do one wall at a time.

 

[gungatim]

I did the back addon of my polebarn with plain old exterior latex I had color matched from home depot. color is spot on and as long as the steel is clean you shouldn't have an issue. I used a bunch of used steel that was all sorts of different colors...galvanized you may need to prep and prime first.

 

[davejo]

Congrats on the new farm. I'd keep the old barn.

Isn't Tractor Supply Equipment enamel oil based?

Is there a cheaper alternative than POR ($150 per gallon) to actually paint over rust? I have a rusty metal building frame to deal with...

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Rustoleum in gallons?

 

[Maddog10]

Congrats on the new farm. I'd keep the old barn.

Isn't Tractor Supply Equipment enamel oil based?

Is there a cheaper alternative than POR ($150 per gallon) to actually paint over rust? I have a rusty metal building frame to deal with...

The old barn is too far gone. It's leaning pretty bad and wouldn't be something I would be comfortable working or putting things inside. I'm sure it's actually sturdier than it looks, but we are going to take it down. I've actually already started removing the good barn wood that I'm going to use for projects. When we do eventually build here, we are going to incorporate pieces from the old barn into our house.

Going to get a Garage Gallery thread going on the entire farm once we get a little farther into it and I've accumulated more pictures.

 

[77Birdman]

I had a barn that had 40 yr old painted siding, it was an ugly faded red. I painted it about 4 years ago with Pro Mar Sherwin Williams latex, nothing special about. Just run of the mill paint. It held up fine, and still looked great until last fall when the building burnt to the ground. I did the 2 tone, dark on bottom, light on top. Didn't do anything special for prep, just wiped it down with a rag before I painted. I only put on one coat and that covered just fine for what it was, where it was. I started with a roller, then a hot dog roller, and ended up using a 3" brush that worked just as well and just as quick. Building was 35' x 24' x 10', I painted it by myself in a week of evenings and a Saturday.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Congrats on the new farm. I'd keep the old barn.

Isn't Tractor Supply Equipment enamel oil based?

Is there a cheaper alternative than POR ($150 per gallon) to actually paint over rust? I have a rusty metal building frame to deal with...

The manager at TSC told me it is oil based, but soy bean oil based.

 

[CGT80]

Congrats on the new farm. I'd keep the old barn.

Isn't Tractor Supply Equipment enamel oil based?

Is there a cheaper alternative than POR ($150 per gallon) to actually paint over rust? I have a rusty metal building frame to deal with...

Rustoleum rusty metal primer has worked well for me, with an oil finish on top. It is what I have used on plenty of personal projects. There are conversion products as well, but I haven't used them enough give good input.

Zinzer primer is great and I have used hundreds of gallons of their cover stain primer. It is available in an oil and water based version.........used to be only an oil product. The 123 is good as well. Just use one that says it is for galvanized steel. x2 on washing the panels first. It is better to get oils and dirt off of them, then use proper primer and finish. You can use oil or water finish over the 123 primer, but read the label as formulas change all the time.

Oil and water both have their pros and cons and they have changed greatly over the last 20 years or so and they have changed a bit in the 6 years since I quit painting for a living.