One of the best things about using metal as your carport material of choice is the incredible durability of these structures. If you buy your metal carport from a trusted, reliable source, you can plan on getting many years of faithful service from that building. Of course, while the structure itself should hold strong, the paint that covers it might start to show its age over time. With that in mind, this article is going to discuss some of the basics of painting an old metal carport to bring its look back to life.

Proper Preparation

If there is just one point we can make strongly in this article, it should be this one – the key is proper preparation. To get this right, you’ll want to take as much time as you need to make sure the metal carport is fully prepared to receive a new coat of paint. If you skimp on the prep part of the job, you are sure to run into trouble later.

Let’s talk about what you can do to prep your metal carport before adding a fresh layer of paint.

Make Sure Your Primer is Compatible

Not only do you need to make sure to use a primer coat before putting on the actual paint, but you also need to make sure that the primer you choose works well with the paint you have selected. If you don’t have much experience in the world of paint, ask for help at a local paint store to pick out the right products.

Clean the Surface of the Carport

Assuming this carport has been in use for many years, its surface has surely picked up plenty of contaminating materials, fluids, etc. For example, if you do auto work under the carport, grease and oil are sure to be found on at least some of the structure. Go around the entire carport and thoroughly clean it off so the paint will be able to stick properly.

Roughen the Surface

Speaking of getting the paint to stick, it’s going to be hard to create a smooth, even coat if the metal carport is slick and slippery. The paint needs something to stick to, so consider using sandpaper to rough up the surface slightly. This doesn’t need to be anything dramatic – just a bit of light scuffing should do the trick.

Timing Matters

If you do a good job of preparing this old carport for new paint, you’ll be off to a great start. One other key point to keep in mind is the timing of this project. In fact, timing comes into play in two ways. First, there is the timing of when you plan to work on the project. Since this is outdoor painting, you need to pick a time when the weather will be dry and the temperatures will be mild. If it’s particularly hot or cold outside, you might struggle to get great results. So, watch the weather forecast and be ready to go when the right conditions show up.

Also, you’ll need to consider the timing of how you apply coats of paint during the project. There is a tendency to rush this kind of work just to get it done and move onto something else. Unfortunately, rushing a painting project can lead to disappointing results. Be sure to let your coats of paint dry completely before adding a new one. Check the instructions that come with your paint for guidelines on how long it will take to dry.

Quality Makes the Difference

It’s true that good metal carports can last for years, but don’t overlook the most important word in that sentence: good. Only when you buy from a trusted dealer can you expect to get the kind of longevity you deserve from a carport purchase. So, whenever the time comes to replace your old metal carport with a new version, reach out to American Steel Carports, Inc. as your first step.

We make customizing your new carport easy with our Build & Price tool, where countless options are available for you to consider. If you need any help during that process, or if you have any questions for our team, just contact us at your convenience. Thank you for visiting and we hope to hear from you soon!

Disclaimer

Any modifications or alterations made to your carport, such as painting it, will void any warranty coverage that is currently in place.

This article is for educational purposes only. Some of the depictions, designs, materials, accessories, setup, etc. may not be included or even compatible with our actual products. Please get in touch if you have specific questions.