Guide · 2026-11-09

Cladding respray versus replace: how to decide

Replacing metal cladding is sometimes necessary. Often it is not. The deciding factors are panel condition, water tightness, coating compatibility and the cost of access — not only the price of paint.

Start with condition, not colour

Chalking, fading and uneven sheen are finish problems. Soft or perforated panels, failed fixings, widespread corrosion through the sheet, or chronic water ingress are envelope problems. Spray finishing does not fix leaks.

What recoating can achieve

A surveyed cladding spray can restore colour consistency across elevations, support brand changes and avoid strip-out disruption where panels remain serviceable. Large areas such as the ~384 m² elevation on our fitness facility case study show why access planning dominates cost as much as coating.

Cost drivers that matter more than litre price

MEWP or scaffold, weather windows, occupied-unit constraints, edge detailing, and the need to treat corrosion before cosmetics. A cheap spray that skips prep is the expensive option when it fails early.

A practical decision sequence

1) Inspect for water ingress and panel integrity. 2) Confirm coating history if known. 3) Price access honestly. 4) Compare whole-life disruption of reclad versus refinish. 5) Only then lock colour and sheen.

When to replace

If panels are mechanically failed, insulation or vapour control is compromised, or the cladding system is at end of life, replace or repair first. We will say when spraying is the wrong answer.

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