I've actually experimented with automotive touch-up paint on metal roofing before, and your buddy's onto something. Automotive paints typically have better UV stabilizers and clear coats, so they do hold up nicely over time. Just keep in mind, color matching can be tricky—especially with metallic finishes. I'd recommend testing a small, inconspicuous area first to see how it blends after a few months of sun exposure. Could save you from repainting a whole panel down the line...
Have you checked out any local metal roofing suppliers or building supply yards near you? Big box stores can be convenient, but sometimes the smaller local places have better quality sheets and more variety in finishes. Plus, they're usually more knowledgeable about what holds up best in your specific climate.
On the automotive paint thing—yeah, it can work, but have you considered warranty issues? Some manufacturers void warranties if you use non-approved paints or coatings. Might wanna double-check that before going all-in. Also, how big of an area are you planning to touch up? If it's just minor scratches or dings, automotive paint is probably fine, but for larger sections, matching the sheen and texture could get tricky fast.
Good points about local suppliers—I've had way better luck with smaller yards myself. Big box stores tend to sell whatever's cheapest, not necessarily what's best. And yeah, automotive paint can be iffy... warranty headaches aren't worth it unless it's just tiny touch-ups.
"Big box stores tend to sell whatever's cheapest, not necessarily what's best."
Exactly this. Learned that lesson the hard way after a storm peeled my "budget-friendly" roofing like a banana. Local yards usually know their stuff and actually care about repeat business. Plus, if something goes sideways, you can at least complain face-to-face... harder for them to dodge warranty issues when you're standing right there, lol.
Yeah, totally feel your pain on that one. I went through something similar a few years back when we decided to redo our shed roof. Thought I'd save a few bucks by grabbing sheets from one of those big box places... seemed like a good idea at the time, right? Well, first decent windstorm and half the panels were flapping around like laundry on a clothesline. Lesson learned.
Ended up chatting with a local supplier after that mess. Honestly, the difference was night and day. The guy actually took the time to explain gauge thickness, coatings, and even gave me some tips on installation that saved me headaches later. Sure, it cost a bit more upfront, but the quality difference was obvious even just handling the sheets. Plus, knowing I could swing by if something went wrong was reassuring.
Don't beat yourself up too much about it though—it's all part of the DIY journey. We've all made those "budget-friendly" choices that come back to bite us later. The important thing is you learned from it and shared your experience here so others don't have to repeat it. Good on you for that.
And hey, at least now you've got a good story to tell next time someone asks why you're picky about roofing materials...
