We’ll be honest — we don’t usually hear from people when everything is going smoothly.
But when we got a call from a homeowner in Glenview late on a Monday morning, we knew something was up. His voice was tense, and all he said was:
“I tried painting my roof myself… I need help. Fast.”
This is the story of how one well-meaning DIY project went sideways, why roof painting isn’t as simple as it seems, and what you should consider before climbing up a ladder with a brush in hand.
The DIY Dream: A Fresh Start After Lockdown
Like many Hamilton homeowners post-lockdown, Brian had big plans to improve his home.
He’d recently retired, had a bit of spare time on his hands, and was looking to cut costs where he could. The roof on his 1980s single-storey brick home was looking worse for wear — faded, patchy, and dull after 15 years of Waikato sun and rain.
He’d watched a few YouTube tutorials, read a couple of DIY blogs, and even got advice from someone at a hardware store. Armed with a spray gun, a couple of tins of “roof paint,” and a can-do attitude, he was ready to tackle the job himself.
What Could Go Wrong? Plenty.
On the surface, roof painting might seem simple. But as we often say in this industry:
If you can see the mistakes from the road, it’s already too late.
Brian’s situation is a textbook example of the most common (and expensive) mistakes homeowners make when trying to DIY their roofs.
Let’s break it down.
1. He Used the Wrong Paint
The “roof paint” Brian picked up wasn’t suitable for his type of roof. His home had a classic corrugated iron roof, but the paint he bought was meant for concrete tiles. It didn’t bond properly to the steel and started chalking within days.
Even worse, he didn’t use a primer.
Without proper adhesion, the paint began flaking and running after the first decent rain. Not only did it look worse than before — it also started clogging his gutters.
2. Poor Surface Preparation
Preparation is everything in roof painting. But Brian didn’t treat the lichen or surface rust. He gave it a quick blast with the water blaster and assumed it was good to go.
Big mistake.
Without treating the moss and rust properly, the paint didn’t adhere — and the remaining contaminants quickly began to show through. In some areas, the fresh paint was actually lifting off in sheets.
3. He Skipped Safety Measures
Painting a roof isn’t just a DIY challenge — it’s dangerous. Brian had a ladder, a few bungee cords, and a second-hand harness he picked up online. But he didn’t install proper anchor points or fall protection.
On his second day, while trying to reach the ridgeline, he slipped.
Fortunately, he only suffered a sprained ankle and bruised pride. But it could have been much, much worse.
4. Overspray and Unhappy Neighbours
Using a budget spray gun without proper masking or wind protection led to overspray — a lot of it. The wind carried fine droplets of paint onto:
- His neighbour’s car
- The side of his garage
- His own driveway
Needless to say, he wasn’t too popular on the street by the time we arrived.
The Call for Help
By Monday morning, Brian was stressed, frustrated, and unsure what to do next. He’d already spent close to $2,000 on materials and gear, and his roof looked worse than before.
That’s when he rang us.
We came out for a same-day site inspection and quickly assessed the situation:
- At least 60% of the paint needed to be stripped and redone
- Rust had been sealed under the wrong paint and was now spreading
- Overspray would require professional cleaning
We gave him a full breakdown of what went wrong, what could be salvaged, and what it would take to put things right.
How We Fixed It
Here’s what we did to rescue the roof — and Brian’s sanity:
Stripped and Re-prepped the Roof
We removed the incorrect paint layers, treated all rust with rust converter, applied a metal etch primer, and high-pressure cleaned the surface with an anti-fungal solution.
Used the Right System
We applied two coats of NZ-manufactured roof paint, specifically designed for Hamilton’s UV conditions and temperature extremes. The finish? Sleek, matte slate grey — a massive improvement.
Handled the Overspray
Our team helped coordinate with the neighbour to clean their car and fence. We even recommended a detailer who was able to remove all traces of paint.
Followed Full Safety Protocol
Our crew used compliant fall protection, roof anchors, and edge guards. No shortcuts — no accidents.
The Final Result
In less than a week, the job was finished — professionally, safely, and with a result that looked sharp from the street and added real value to the home.
Brian told us later:
“I thought I’d save a few thousand bucks, but it ended up costing me double. You don’t realise how much there is to it until it goes wrong.”
The Real Cost of DIY Roof Painting
Here’s the truth most hardware stores won’t tell you:
| What You Save | What You Risk |
| Labour costs | Damage to your roof |
| Call-out fees | Personal injury |
| A few days’ time | Overspray on neighbours’ property |
| A sense of pride | Lower resale value |
Need Help? We’re Just a Call Away
If your roof is looking tired — or if you’ve tried to paint it yourself and things didn’t go as planned — we can help.
📞 Contact Hamilton Roof Painter for a free quote and roof condition report.
Because sometimes, the best DIY decision… is to call the experts.