A concrete tile roof primer is the first coat applied to the tiles before the colour coats. On this Auckland job the primer was white, so the roof looked white before it turned green. We masked the conservatory glass and the skylight, applied the white primer coat, then the green finish.
A concrete tile roof primer is the first coat that goes onto the tiles before the colour coats. On this Auckland job the primer was white, so for a while the whole roof looked white. Here is what My Homes Roofing Expert did, stage by stage, and what that white stage means if you see it on your own roof.
What is a concrete tile roof primer?
A concrete tile roof primer, or sealer, is a coat applied to the tiles before the finish coats. Resene’s guide to painting roofs describes the concrete tile system plainly: a sealer “to even the porosity”, then two finish coats.
The same guide explains why porosity matters on tiles. It says concrete tiles “on weathering … become relatively porous and readily support moss and mould growth.” The sealer goes on first so the finish coats sit on an even surface.
Not every paint system uses a separate primer. Dulux describes its Roof & Trim paint as “self-priming” and recommends it for concrete tiles. So the honest answer is that it depends on the paint system, and the maker’s data sheet decides. If you are planning roof painting in Auckland, ask which system your quote uses.
Why was this Auckland roof white halfway through the job?
Because the primer coat on this job was white. The photo below was taken at the primer stage, after the coat had gone on and before any colour. Every tile and ridge is white, and the tile profile is still easy to read.
We do not explain why primers come in white, because no source we checked says why. On this job, the white roof was the primer stage, not the finished colour. If your roof turns white partway through a job, ask your painter which stage it is.
What did we mask before priming, and why?
The roof runs beside a glass conservatory and has a skylight. Both had to be kept clear of coating. On this job we covered the conservatory glass and taped over the skylight before the primer went on.
A skylight is there to let light in, so keeping coating off it matters. The same goes for the glass roof of a conservatory beside the tiles.
Scaffolding was in place for the job, and you can see its poles at the edge of the primer photo. WorkSafe New Zealand’s working-at-height guidance explains why edge protection matters on roof work.
What did the finished roof look like?
The finished roof is an even green across the tiles and ridges. The skylight was still masked when the photo was taken.
You can compare both stages side by side in our primer-to-green case study. We do not publish the paint brand, colour name or number of coats for this job, because the job record does not include them. For your own roof, those details belong in your written quote.
What are the stages of painting a concrete tile roof?
| Stage | What you see on the roof | Where the step comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Wet tiles, with dirt, lichen and moss coming off | Dulux: “Remove all dirt, chalk, lichen and moss using a high pressure water blaster.” |
| Mask | Glass, skylights and flues covered | This job: the conservatory glass and skylight were masked |
| Primer or sealer | One even coat; white on this job | Resene: a sealer “to even the porosity” |
| Finish coats | The chosen colour; green on this job | Resene: two finish coats over the sealer |
Our roof painting process guide walks through each step in more detail. Our roof paint systems comparison explains how primer and top coat systems differ.
How long between the primer and the top coat?
It depends on the product and the weather, so follow the manufacturer’s data sheet. We do not have a recorded gap for this job, so we do not quote one.
Resene’s guide gives two general weather rules for roof painting. It says to “avoid painting in temperatures below 10 degrees”. It also says that if the roof surface “is hot to touch then it is too hot to paint.”
Tile roofs are steep as well. Resene notes that tiled roofs “need to be steep, at least 30 degrees and this makes them difficult to walk on, clean and paint.” That is one reason tile roof painting is not a weekend DIY job.
What should you check before your tile roof is painted?
- Which coats the quote includes: the wash, a primer or sealer, and how many finish coats.
- Whether the paint needs a separate primer, according to its data sheet.
- What will be masked: skylights, glass roofs, flues and solar panels.
- Whether cracked tiles or ridge pointing will be repaired before any coating.
- Rainwater tanks. Resene says downpipes feeding a water supply must be disconnected until after the first heavy rain shower.
How much does roof painting cost in Auckland?
Our published price for roof painting in Auckland is $1,500–$5,000 for a standard home. The range depends on roof size, pitch, condition and material. It includes moss treatment, pressure washing, priming and a two-coat application.
We confirm the system for your roof in a written quote after a free inspection. Book a free roof inspection or call 022 501 9921.
What Questions Do Auckland Homeowners Ask?
Why is my roof white during painting?
On our Auckland concrete tile job, the roof was white because the primer coat was white. The photo was taken after the primer went on and before the green finish. If your roof turns white partway through a job, ask your painter which stage it is. It may not be the finished colour at all.
Do concrete tiles need a primer before painting?
It depends on the paint system. Resene’s roof painting guide puts a sealer on concrete tiles to even the porosity, then two finish coats. Dulux describes its Roof & Trim paint as self-priming. Follow the data sheet for the product named on your quote, and check that the quote lists every coat it includes.
How long should a roof primer dry before the top coat?
Follow the manufacturer’s data sheet for the product used, because drying times differ between products and with the weather. We do not have a recorded gap for our Auckland job, so we do not quote one. Resene’s guide also says to avoid painting below 10 degrees, and that a roof hot to touch is too hot to paint.
Why are skylights and glass masked during roof painting?
Because they have to be kept clear of coating. On our Auckland job the roof ran beside a glass conservatory and had a skylight, so both were masked before the white primer went on. The skylight was still masked when the finished green roof was photographed.
Does your roof painting price include priming?
Yes. Our published roof painting price in Auckland is $1,500–$5,000 for a standard home, depending on roof size, pitch, condition and material. That price includes moss treatment, pressure washing, priming and a two-coat application. We confirm the exact system for your roof in a written quote after a free inspection.
Topics covered
- roof primer before painting
- why is my roof white during painting
- do concrete tiles need a primer
- roof sealer concrete tiles
- roof painting stages Auckland