Rawlins Paints Blog Industrial Paint Tips, Guidelines & DIY Articles
Our 3-step guide below will show you how to paint lead, sealing the substrate to help prevent it from causing harm.
If you have a leaking roof and suspect it might be the lead flashing at fault, see our extensive range of roof repair products for general maintenance or emergency repair work.
The Benefits
Unprotected lead can cause harm if left unsealed – Zinsser products quickly seal lead surfaces, priming for decoration with Zinsser Perma-White Interior or Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin/Gloss in 4,000+ RAL, NCS and BS colours.
Zinsser listens to contactors and develops new products – or adds features to existing products – to meet their changing needs, delivering world class products that meet “real world” challenges, providing tried and tested solutions to painting problems, such as painting lead.
Step 1. Surface Preparation
The lead surface must be clean and dry, free from anything that could affect or interfere with the adhesion and application of the materials to be applied.
Remove all visible signs of organic growth, treating the area with Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and allowing to dry.
Step 2. Priming
Prime the surface overall with one full coat of Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and allow a minimum of 1 hour to dry in normal drying conditions.
Step 3. Decoration
To decorate interior lead surfaces, use two full coats of Zinsser Perma-White Interior Matt/Satin/Semi-Gloss in one of over 4,000+ RAL, NCS and BS colours, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow a minimum of two hours drying time between coats.
For exterior projects decorate with two full coats of Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin/Gloss in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and allow a minimum of one hour drying time between coats. The paint is available in 4,000+ RAL, NCS and BS colours.
More Information
If you require more advice on painting lead, give our technical team a call on 0113 2455450 (option 2) or send a message to [email protected].
Can lead roofs / guttering be painted with Aluminium solar reflective paint?
Hi Stuart,
Many thanks for taking the time to read our blog and for getting in touch. It is possible to paint lead flashing using Coo-Var Solar Reflective Paint Aluminium, and as a bitumen-based coating it can be applied directly. However, care must be taken in the preparation due to the health and safety issues associated with lead, and lead expands and contracts a lot in different temperatures, which affects the lifespan of the coating.
I hope this helps and please feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions.
Many thanks
Stuart
Hello.
I have had coloured cladding fitted to the front of my property and wanted to know if the original 1970’s lead flashing which is visible can be painted to match?
Hi Wayne,
Many thanks for taking the time to read our blog and for your question. Once cleaned and degreased and all oxidation removed by sanding or similar, we could recommend the Bradite One Can Matt or Eggshell for your project.
I hope this helps and please feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions.
Many thanks
Stuart
Hi, I was wondering IF I could have your help with 2 questions please.
I used your guide previously for repainting my fibreglass roof (about a year ago) and it turned out perfectly, thank you. But I cannot remember for love nor money what All Coat I bought from you, was it satin, matt or gloss and whether it was water or solvent based. Can find email confirmation (must have been deleted).
Q1 – Using my email are you able to tell me what I ordered last time from you using my email please?
Q2 – I’m repainting a lead roof on my bay window following the above guide and it states to finish it off with Satin/Gloss all coat BUT it doesn’t say to use water based or solvent based. Can you confirm which would be best for the lead roof please.
Thank you in advance for your assistance with this matter
Hi Christopher,
Many thanks for your continued custom and for your questions.
For Question 1, yes we can assist with this, if you contact our Customer Service Team via our Contact Us page they will be happy to help.
For Question 2:
For our Technical Team to be able to assist accurately and in detail please could you send some further info to our Technical Manager, Nick via our Contact Us page.
We wouldn’t generally recommend the Allcoat Exterior for use on a lead roof. We would need to know what colour you would require but assuming this is grey, once cleaned and any oxidation removed by sanding or wire brushing etc. Rust-Oleum Mathys Fillcoat is a potential product which could be used. However, Our Technical Team will be able to confirm the best product for your project after you have been in touch.
I hope this helps and please feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions.
Many thanks
Stuart