A good roof repaint can add years to a sound roof and lift the look of the whole house. A poor one peels within a few summers and can hide rust that keeps working underneath. The difference is almost entirely preparation: washing off chalk and grime, treating moss and lichen, dealing with rust, replacing failed fixings and priming bare areas before any colour goes on.
We paint painted steel, galvanised iron and concrete tile roofs across Auckland. Before we quote, we check whether the roof is a good candidate for paint at all. If the steel is rusted through in places or the roof is leaking from many points, painting will not fix it, and we will tell you a re-roofing quote is the better investment.
Pricing: every roof gets a free on-site measure and an itemised written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.
Paint still sound and only moss and grime to remove? See roof washing.
When a roof is ready for painting
These signs suggest the coating is wearing out while the roof itself may still have life left:
- Chalking: a powdery residue that comes off on your hand when you wipe the surface
- Noticeable fading, or patchy colour between sunny and shaded planes
- White corrosion on galvanised or Zincalume surfaces, or light surface rust at laps and fixings
- Moss and lichen on concrete tiles, with a porous, worn surface underneath
- Flaking or peeling from a previous repaint
Preparation is the job
Paint manufacturers are clear that the system matters as much as the topcoat. Resene's roof painting guidance describes a typical system as a roof wash, one coat of primer and two topcoats, and notes that for best protection the substrate should be primed. Its guidance for older faded steel roofs is to wash off chalking, scrub away white rust and spot-prime affected areas before topcoating. Brand new pre-painted steel should be lightly sanded or allowed to weather before it is painted.
On concrete tiles, moss and mould need to be killed before painting. Resene's Moss and Mould Killer data sheet calls for it to be diluted and left for up to 48 hours before washing off, with repeat treatment for heavy growth. We also replace cracked tiles, repoint or rebed ridges where needed, and fix loose or rusted roofing screws before any coating goes on. Our roof cleaning service covers this treatment on its own if you are not ready to paint.
How It Works
Paint systems and colour
Roof paint is a specialist coating, chosen for the substrate. Steel roofs need a primer that bonds to galvanised or Zincalume surfaces where they are exposed, followed by a roof topcoat. Concrete tiles need a system made for cementitious surfaces. If you collect drinking water from your roof, the paint system must be suitable for tank water, and the downpipes should be disconnected until the paint has cured and the first heavy showers have washed the roof.
Colour is more than looks. Dark roofs absorb more heat, which stresses the coating and warms the roof space. Some manufacturers offer heat-reflective versions of dark colours, such as Resene's CoolColour range, which look the same but reflect more infrared energy. If you are choosing between colours, our COLORSTEEL colour guide is a useful reference for how roof colours read on Auckland homes.
Roofs we will not water blast
Some older roofs contain asbestos. Fibre cement sheet such as Super Six, some cement tiles and some decramastic roofing installed before asbestos was phased out can all contain it. WorkSafe New Zealand states that high-pressure water blasting must not be used to clean asbestos-containing roofing, and sets out penalties for doing so. If there is any chance your roof contains asbestos, we test before quoting and use low-pressure soft-wash methods only, or recommend replacement where painting is not appropriate. Our asbestos roof replacement service covers that path.
What affects the cost of roof painting
Roof painting is quoted on area, but condition sets the price. Your itemised quote covers roof area and pitch, the amount of rust treatment and spot priming, tile or sheet repairs, fixing replacement, moss treatment, the paint system and colour, edge protection or scaffolding, and protection of paths, cars and gardens from overspray. A roof in poor condition costs more to prepare, which is part of why we check whether painting is worth it at all.
Painting in Auckland's climate
Auckland's humidity and frequent showers make timing important. Paint labels set minimum temperatures and warn against applying in damp conditions, and coatings need dry weather to cure between coats. We schedule around the forecast and will postpone rather than paint onto a damp roof. Coastal homes from Howick to the Hibiscus Coast see faster chalking and corrosion from salt, so those roofs benefit from regular washing after painting to keep the new coating performing.
Why Choose Cheeky's Roofers for Roof Painting
Paint or replace, honestly
We tell you when a roof is past painting and show you the photos that support that advice.
Preparation listed in the quote
Washing, moss treatment, rust treatment, priming and repairs are itemised so you can compare quotes properly.
Asbestos-aware methods
Suspect roofs are tested first and never water blasted at high pressure.
Weather discipline
We only paint when the roof is dry and conditions suit the coating, even if that moves the date.
Roof Painting FAQs
How long does a roof repaint last?
It depends on the roof, the preparation, the paint system and the exposure. Proper preparation and priming make the biggest difference. We give you the manufacturer's information for the system we use.
Can you paint a COLORSTEEL roof?
Yes, pre-painted steel can be repainted once the original coating has weathered. Check with the manufacturer whether painting affects any remaining material warranty before you decide.
Can concrete tiles be painted?
Yes. Concrete tiles need moss treatment, a thorough clean, repairs to cracked tiles and ridges, and a paint system made for cementitious surfaces.
Is painting cheaper than re-roofing?
Usually much cheaper, but only worthwhile if the roof is structurally sound and not rusted through. Painting a failing roof just delays a re-roof.
Will painting stop my roof leaking?
Generally no. Leaks come from flashings, fixings, laps and penetrations. We fix those as part of the preparation, but paint alone is not a leak repair.
Can I collect drinking water from a painted roof?
Only if the paint system is suitable for tank water. Downpipes should be disconnected until the paint has cured and the roof has been washed by rain.
Roof Painting by Area
Local roof painting information for your part of Auckland:
Related Roofing Services
Roof Painting Guides
- How to Remove Moss and Lichen From Your Roof (NZ Guide)
- Decramastic Roofs: Lifespan, Asbestos and Replacement Options
- Roof Painting Cost in NZ (and Is It Worth It?)
See the re-roofing cost guide or every service we offer.
Sources and further reading
- Resene: Painting roofs
- Resene: Roof painting technical advice
- Resene: Moss and Mould Killer data sheet
- WorkSafe: High-pressure water blasting should not be used to clean roofing containing asbestos
- WorkSafe: Check for asbestos before high-pressure spraying on roofs (safety alert)
- WorkSafe: Roof restoration and maintenance