Red Barn Paint. Suggestions??

kubotacres · Mar 18, 2012

So I've just recently finished my new barn and now all it needs is a good painting to finish the job. I'm certainly going with the traditional Red color however I'm having a time finding paint intended for metal rather than wood. I'd like to keep the cost low on and need around 5 gallon's. I did run across a few brand's that claim to work on metal, but I'm not a expert on paint and hate to spend the time and money for it to peel a year later... Any advice or recommendation for a particular product? thanks,

BEHR 5-Gallon Flat Deep-Base Barn-Red Barn and Fence Paint 2505 at The Home Depot

Creamer · Mar 18, 2012

It looks like the Behr paint you found should do the trick. I would not go with a regular latex as it will wear off much quicker. I prefer a harder enamel. The Behr you attached looks like a good paint for the application as it has oil features in it like the enamel.

personally I am a big fan of Behr paint. I painted my house with steel siding with it 11 years ago and it still looks real nice. It is very consistent and goes on well. i have to drive 30 miles to get Behr versus Sherwin Williams right in my town. I usually plan ahead and do not make a special trip but I always get the Behr!

kubotacres · Mar 18, 2012

I buy all my hardware/house items from Lowes however I couldn't find anything there I could use. Looks like I'll be making a special trip to Home Depot If i decide to go with this paint. My only concern was using on metal and It seems it should be fine then..

Western · Mar 19, 2012

If it is Galvanized, you'll need a special enamel latex paint, latex and most exterior paint will peel or blister off.

If you want it to last, read this article. To much for me to relate here so I posted this link. I have used Sherwin Williams for 10 years commercially and all of it exterior applications, mostly traffic paint, but we paint steel pipe every night. They make a great product. ( Not saying no one else does)

Peeling - From Galvanized Metal - Sherwin-Williams

Fossil Farm · Mar 19, 2012

My pole barn was built about 1980. Steel siding and roof. About 40 ft x 40 ft x 16 ft high. A few years ago it needed a paint job. Some staining, some rusting, just normal wear mostly. I went with the Behr "Premium Plus Ultra" which is paint and primer in one. They did a custom mix to match the existing color. It has been at least 4 years now (probably longer) and it is holding up well. I did some sanding as I went along, but did not do a full prime as I was afraid I would have to. So far so good. It is a pricey paint, but well worth it. Whatever you choose, get a good quality paint. Oh - it is a latex paint also which was another plus. Good luck.

kubotacres · Mar 19, 2012

I have helped build three pole barns in the last 20 years. All the barns were walled and roofed with galvanized "tin".. However we used whatever paint was available at the time to coat it. The paint is still in good condition with the exception of rust in a few places from fertilizer.. I'll look into the Behr paint for now. However it only shows to come in 1 gallon at my store and doesn't give a price on 5 gallon which is what I'll need... Thanks for the information!

Western · Mar 19, 2012

Paint made as few as 5 years ago, isn't the same paint. When lead was banned, paint lost much of it's durability.

That said, there are many brands of paint available. I only mentioned SW, since thats what all of our commercial specks require us to use and what I have 1st hand knowledge of.

ronjhall · Mar 20, 2012

Last barn paint I used was from TSC. TSC BARN PAINT. Covers well and last.

kubotacres · Mar 20, 2012

ronjhall said:
Last barn paint I used was from TSC. TSC BARN PAINT. Covers well and last.

I've found the paint I'm going with! As much as I shop at tractor supply, I left it off my list of places to look..It's in stock and I'll pick up 5 gallons next day I'm off.Thanks for the reminder!!!

EddieWalker · Mar 20, 2012

ronjhall said:
Last barn paint I used was from TSC. TSC BARN PAINT. Covers well and last.

When I built my container barn, I painted the wood and the metal containers with the barn red enamel paint from TSC. I have to disagree with Ron in recomending it. Like all oil based paints, it was a pain to work with, but I wanted something to last. Unfortunately, it hasn't held up very well and the new owner of the place has had to repaint it.

I've had good luck with Rustoleum paint on metal, but have heard that Sherwin Williams has a better paint. I can't verify this, but might give it a try.

With paint, you get what you pay for. There is a HUGE difference in quality and duribility.

Eddie