The Cheap Way to Stop Rust on a Metal Roof

Roofs for residential and commercial buildings can come in all sorts of different building materials. One material used for roofing needs is metal. Metal roofs are easy to maintain and are becoming a more common roofing material. Over time, the rustproof coating applied by the metal roof manufacturer wears away and rust begins to form. When rust forms on the metal roof, it can cause holes and severe corrosion if left to spread. With proper rust removal and maintenance procedures, metal roofs can last for years and years. There are several cheap ways to remove and prevent rust on metal roofs.

• 1

  Put on gloves and protective eyewear before you begin to remove the rust from the metal roof.

• 2

  Determine the cause of the rust and try to eliminate it the best you can to prevent additional rust from forming after treatment. White rust appears on metal roofs when droplets of water are left to sit on the metal surface. Red rust can form when the roof is near a corrosive area such as a swimming pool. Run-off from treated wood or painted steel can also cause red rust to form on metal roofs.

• 3

  Get onto the metal roof using a tall, sturdy ladder, and remove loose and flaky sections of rust with a scrubbing pad such as #0000 steel wool. Rub the remaining rust down further with a rubber abrasive sanding block. The rubber abrasive sanding block can remove rust within the tiny microscopic pores of the metal roof.

• 4

  Put a thick layer of naval jelly onto a clean cloth. Use the cloth to spread the naval jelly over the rust areas on the metal roof. Allow the naval jelly to sit on the rust stains for 20 minutes. Use a scrubbing brush to scrub the rust off the metal roof. Naval jelly contains phosphoric acid, which etches the surface of the metal roof, and eats away at the rust stain.

• 5

  Wipe the excess naval jelly off the roof with a clean, water-dampened cloth. Dry the area with another cloth.

• 6

  Apply an even layer of rust prevention and primer to the metal roof. Different rust primer manufacturers have varying methods of application such as brush or spray. Allow the rust prevention primer to dry for 20 minutes before touching.