Painting Lead Flashing

[Gavmacp]

Why don't you paint lead flashing?

[tonyav]

It probably wouldn't last very long, peel off I should think.

[Mattk]

Didn't know you couldn't!
I have done previously as it had become quite discoloured.

[RATTER15]

No need to and paint doesn't adhere to it very well, possibly due to its flexibility, you would also need to use a special primer I would imagine.

[Gavmacp]

Rather silly reason for asking. Mother was told that it is to let it breath. My brother who has a DIY business thought that it was rubbish and through a strop!

[RATTER15]

Well Gavmacp, I can honestly sa, I have come across a lot of lead pipes over the years that have been painted, underneath that paint the lead has been bright silver and as clean as the day it was made into a pipe!

[Mattk]

I painted ours using black Hammerite and it stayed on just fine.

[The Builder]

Lead is used as a waterproof barrier, Gav. It doesn't "breathe".
There's always a certain amount of movement with lead from the weather, particularly the wind. Also from thermal expansion/contraction.
These are some of the reasons why lead is never laid in lengths of more than 1.5 metres.

Clean lead should properly be treated with "Patination Oil" to keep its appearance, and resist discolouration.

[Gavmacp]

Thanks The Builder