Does anyone have any info on roof coating ( would you recommend it ?)
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We are believers in paint with UV protection and with ground glass mixed in to reduce the slipperiness of paint. That is how we had our roof done and it easily allows us to wash/clean roof. We do not care for the rolled-on 'bed liner' type of roof coating.
I just started researching the same thing.
First I was sold on the Bus Kote, After checking out some tests it seems there claims are false.
Bottom line was, a good WHITE paint works the best for heat repulsion, The additional "hollow beads" mixed in the paint provide no more protection from heat. A couple extra thick coats of white paint is the winner.
I may go with this product. HENRYS SOLARFLEX.
I would definitely use an Elastomeric product on the roof and to give you some extra "grip" add some crushed walnut shells or washed sand to it. In the past I have spray painted houses with it (all types of finishes) and had excellent results for many years.
The secret for good adhesion is make sure thr roof is CLEAN and if it has been polished at some time just use one of the foam sanding blocks to quickly dull the surface.
JohnH
Painting the roof is to seal off the fiberglass pores, which need constant maintenance to stay clean so the dirt does not get washed down the sides of the coach. Paint is more slippery than fiberglass so something needs to be added to the paint for safety sake.
White paint in my opinion does nothing to improve heat rejection over a white fiberglass roof. Our fiberglass roof was in great condition, but we painted for less maintenance.
Just my opinion, but I am not a fan of any coating on a fiberglass roof. The gelcoat requires little maintenance and last many years. My 1990 U280 has never been coated and is still in good condition with no leaks. Any coating you apply will require maintenance and replacement. One of the great advantages of a fiberglass roof is they don't require a coating.
When FOT or extreme paint the roof do they remove the aircon units and vent covers etc or do they mask around them ???
Yes, the A/C covers are removed or replaced as needed, everything else is masked.
I was thinking under the units themselves or the vent bases , if they ever need to be changed
My A/C units were not removed to paint underneath the bases.
+ The reason I painted this roof was because it had been painted many years ago with a slip resistant one and it had become ugly looking. There where also a couple of very small leaks that Geoff was having a bi--h of a job finding and fixing and the end cap trims were a possible area. I feel I found the problem with a top window rubber trim under one of the awnings but wanted to clean up the roof after all my resealing of equipment etc. It should now be easier to keep clean and we can rule out any problems with this roof area from now on. As we have not had any rain in last 11 days since I brought it away from Vancouver it has not been tested, but I feel sure with the total recaulking of every trim and screw I have it beat (famous last words). This was not done for reflection of sun but all other reasons mentioned. The roof is easier to keep clean by just washing than giving it a polish.
JohnH
On the new 2015 models , do Foretravel leave the roof as gelcoat or do they use some other finish ?
Here is a copy of an email I sent and their response.
On Apr 10, 2015, at 9:24, "Janis, Steve" <sjanis@henry.com> wrote:
David, unfortunately we do not recommend or warrant our coatings on RVs or travel trailers for just that reason.
Regards, Steve
Steve Janis | Product Support Rep | HENRY COMPANY | P 800.486.1278 | Henry (http://www.henry.com)
From: contact=henry.com@linux06.rs.bytejam.com [mailto:contact=henry.com@linux06.rs.bytejam.com] On Behalf Of Henry Company
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2015 6:54 AM
To: Product Support; Williams, Ryan
Subject: Form submission on henry.com
Someone is contacting Henry in regards to:
Product support
Customer's name: David Bzzzzzzz
Customer's title/occupation: Homeowner/DIY
Customer's email address: David.xxxx@yyyyy.com
Customer's opt-in: N
Customer's address: Anytown USA
Customer's message: Hello, Is the HE687 a material that will withstand the twisting and flexing on a motorhome? Thank you, David
Edited to remove David's personal information - Michelle
Thanks for that post!
Back to the drawing board.
Right after we bought our coach in Aug 2014 had Xtreme paint the roof. Since we live in south Florida went with the Pro Guard coating which was one of the two coating they recommend. It's only been a little over 7 months since it was done but so far it looks as good as the day it was done. Previously we owned an Airstream so I cannot comment on the UV benefit.
Gary
I agree...why the need to paint the roof? The white gelcoat will get chalky over time, but who is up looking at the roof?!!?
We like the coating that FOT put on our roof. No more white chalking running down the sides. So far so good. ;D
What is the white chaulky stuff anyway? Oxidized gel coat?