How to Tar a Metal Roof

How to Tar a Metal Roof
Written By
April Dowling
April Dowling
Published: Nov 8, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Push broom
  • Wire brush
  • Garden hose
  • Wet-stick fiber roof coating
  • Paint stir stick
  • Paint tray
  • Long-handled nap roller
  • Paintbrush

Tarring a metal roof with wet-stick fibered roof coating seals the metal with a durable and flexible moisture-proof film that protects the entire roof for years. Tar a metal roof properly to ensure even and continuous coverage of the asphalt-based coating.

  1. Sweep the entire metal roof with a push broom to loosen and eradicate dirt, leaves, twigs and other rubble. Scrub any corrosion patches vigorously with a wire brush until all scale is eradicated, then sweep the loosened corrosion and the other rubble off the roof.

  2. Spray each metal roof panel with water from a garden hose. Thoroughly rinse the roof before tarring it to ensure proper bonding. Let the roof air dry for 24 hours.

  3. Open the container of wet-stick fiber roof coating, then stir the tar with a paint stir stick. Pour the tar into a paint tray.

  4. Roll the tar onto the edges of the metal roof using a long-handled nap roller. Apply the tar to the entire perimeter of the roof, then cut tar in around chimneys, skylights and other penetrations using a paintbrush.

  5. Fill in the rest of the metal roof with the tar, using the nap roller. Apply the tar in even, back-and-forth passes across the width of the roof, starting at one end and working across the length of the roof. Use 1 gallon of tar per 100 square feet of metal roofing.

  6. Let the coated metal roof cure for two to three days.

Tips

Check the weather forecast before starting the project to ensure the weather stays dry and warm for several days.

Warnings

Wet-stick fiber roof coating is combustible; never use the tar near heat nor flame.

Never tar metal roofs in rainy or cold weather.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

April Dowling

April Dowling first started writing in high school and has written many news articles for newspaper and yearbook publications. She is currently pursuing a career as an online writer and affiliate marketer. Dowling writes for several…

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