Tips on Reusing Rusted Galvanized Metal Roofing

Clean the Metal

• Cleaning the metal gives you more freedom in how to reuse it while also making it more attractive in the process. Use a soft wire brush to remove dust from the metal's exterior and then vacuum the surface using a vacuum attachment for best results. Wash the metal off in warm water to eliminate any salts or chemicals that have built up on it. Apply mineral spirits to the metal if there is any grease remaining, as this helps remove it without affecting the zinc coating.

Remove the Rust

• Cleaning isn't enough to remove rust from the metal and the rust needs removal prior to reusing. Sand off any small spots of rust using a fine piece of sandpaper. Another option for large-scale rust is the application of a rust converter. The converter relies on rust to be effective and it converts it through a chemical reaction. Clean the metal first and then apply the converter with a brush or sprayer. Use masking tape to cover any non-rusted sections of the roofing because the converter won't be useful on it. It takes about 24 hours for the converter to work completely.

Paint the Metal

• Painting the roofing once it is cleaned and the rust is removed helps improve its appearance so it is usable for a variety of applications. It can be reapplied to the roof or cut down into smaller panels for use on a car or other structure. The paint also adds another layer of rust protection. Cleanliness is key because dirt or foreign materials interfere with the paint's bonding process and lead to peeling at a faster rate. Roughing the surface slightly with either course sandpaper or steel wool helps improve the paint's bonding properties, but be careful to not scrub off too much of the zinc.

Scrapyards and Construction Companies

• If you don't have any use for the old roofing yourself, try selling or donating it to local scrapyards or construction companies. They often need materials, and you both make a profit on metal you're not using and also recycle galvanized metal that, aside from some rust, isn't damaged in any significant way. Preparing the metal beforehand with the cleaning, rust removal and painting helps make the roofing more attractive for someone to reuse.