PART 3 OF 3: The Best Paint Spraying Techniques for Ceilings, Corrugated Metal, and High Walls

Painting commercial and industrial buildings and structures can present its own set of challenges. In this series of articles, we share niche techniques for tricky surfaces commonly seen on commercial buildings.

Painting Corrugated Metal

Supplies Needed:

• Cleaning Supplies: 
  • Pressure Washer or detergent water
  • Sponges to remove any dirt or oxidation.
• Surface Prep:
  • Wire Brush, scraper, or wire brush drill attachment to remove rust and old paint.
• Safety Gear:
  • Goggles, respirator/dust mask, gloves, and protective clothing
• Primer:
  • A rust-inhibiting metal primer is crucial for bare or rusty metal
• Paint Type: 
  • Acrylic latex enamel, HDP (High Durability Polyester), or specialized metal topcoats. 
• Application Tools that can include a paint sprayer or rollers (specifically a contour or a foam roller), or a synthetic fiber brush. Drop clothes or painters' tape can also be a helpful tool to prevent overspray and protect surrounding areas. 

What's the best way to paint corrugated metal?

First and foremost, when painting anything, especially corrugated metal, it is essential to ensure that you have properly prepped the area. Make sure you are thoroughly cleaning and removing or treating any rusted areas to prevent peeling post-paint application. Once the area you will be painting has been cleaned and prepped, it is time to apply a galvanized metal primer. An airless sprayer is a great tool to utilize when applying your primer, as it ensures even coverage and gets into the grooves of the metal, if any. 

What paint sticks to corrugated metal?

Paint is just paint, right? No. There are so many paint options, and if you are new to the world of painting, it is important to select the correct type for each project. When painting corrugated metal surfaces, it is best to use a rust-preventative, exterior-grade paint such as a Direct-to-Metal (DTM) coating. This type of paint offers high adhesion and even coating when using either a roller or a paint sprayer. A best practice when it comes to painting metal is to apply two thin coats to build your full coverage rather than applying one thick coat. This will prevent drips or runs. Make sure you are also allowing each coating to fully dry between applications.

Pro Tip: Because of the uneven surface, expect to use 1.5 to 2 times more paint than you would plan for a flat, even surface.

Can you use a roller to paint corrugated metal?

The best times to paint corrugated metal really depend on your area. Here in Ohio, the best time of year would be early spring or fall when our weather is mild and dry and has an average temperature of 50F to 85F. Humidity levels should be low, and you should plan when you have had at least 24-48 hours without significant rainfall. When the temperature gets higher than 85F, it can cause your paint to dry too fast, which can ultimately cause a faster breakdown of the product in the long run. Painting while it is raining or on a day with high humidity levels can cause the paint to not cure fully as the moisture gets trapped between the metal surface and the paint, which leads to beading and peeling. When the weather is TOO cold, the paint can sag - if you have no other options, make sure you do the thinnest coat possible and increase up to 3 coats for proper coverage and curing.

We look forward to assisting you with any questions or picking out the correct equipment for your project needs. We hope that you have enjoyed these tips and commercial painting highlights on painting corrugated metal surfaces. 

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