Interesting you mention patching with Galvalume. I've been wondering about this myself. My shed's roof is metal too, but I'm honestly not sure what exact material it is—looks similar to Galvalume based on pics I've seen online, but who knows. Anyway, it's got a few rough spots here and there, nothing major yet, but I figure it's better to tackle it sooner rather than later.
You mentioned using those sheets for patchwork, did you have to prep the surface in any special way before putting them on? Like sanding or applying some sort of coating underneath? I've read mixed things online—some people say just slap it on and screw it down, others talk about sealing edges or treating rust first. I'm a bit lost, honestly.
Also, how can you tell if the sample you found is still good enough to reuse? Mine feels sturdy enough, but there's definitely some discoloration and minor surface rust. Not sure if that's a dealbreaker or just cosmetic. Would hate to go through all the effort only to have it rust out again in a couple years.
I'm totally new to this homeowner stuff, so I'm trying to learn as I go along. Seems like every time I think I've figured something out, another question pops up...
You're definitely on the right track tackling it early—rust never sleeps, as they say. I'd recommend lightly sanding off any loose rust, then applying a rust converter before patching. Minor discoloration isn't usually a big deal structurally, just cosmetic mostly...
Good tips on the rust converter—I swear by that stuff. Personally though, if it's just minor discoloration, I'd probably skip patching altogether and just coat it well. Cosmetic issues don't bother me much... especially if it saves a few bucks.
Totally get where you're coming from on the cosmetic thing—if it isn't leaking, why mess with it, right? I've seen plenty of roofs with minor discoloration hold up just fine for years. But I'm curious...have you had any trouble with rust spots spreading over time even after a good coat? I've had mixed results myself, sometimes it's fine, other times it creeps back. Anyway, sounds like you've got a practical approach that works for you.
I've had similar experiences with rust spots creeping back, even after careful prep and coating. Usually, the key is thorough sanding and using a rust-inhibiting primer first...but honestly, sometimes rust just has a mind of its own.
