Has anyone here ever tried using the Sta-Kool Roof Coating or the Dicor Fiberglass Roof Coating on their RV roof? What recommendations do you have?
John M.
STA-KOOL
Gardner® Sta-Kool® – Gardner Coatings (https://gardnercoatings.com/products/sta-kool-traditional-acrylic)
DICOR
Fiberglass RV Roof Coating | Dicor ProductsDicor Products (https://dicorproducts.com/product/fiberglass-rv-roof-coating/)
I've used neither so other than saying that Dicor makes some good products no opinion. Reading the surface prep required for the Dicor stuff, extensive preparation required. I also wonder about coverage under installed components such as air conditioners etc?
Given the amount of preparation required, and the fact that "when it's done, it's done" and it's yours to live with, you might consider having the roof gelcoated again with the same material as original. This can be done with the same effort as the Dicor if it's rolled on. It will have a slight texture if it's rolled rather than sprayed. Given proper prep it's a 20 year coat, hard, matching gloss surface.
John,
What is wrong with the fiberglass on your roof? With all the inspections I do, it is very rare to see a roof that needs more than a good scrubbing and perhaps a little work if they used the black non-skid square at the ladder.
I was told that I had a roof problem by Xtreme and made appointment for FT. I had no leaks but it still caused a lot of anxiety.
Made appointment at FT and expected the worse based on what I was told by Xtreme. However. after a extensive inspection by the factory, I was told nothing wrong with the roof. A real surprise. Thank you Brett Wolfe for your expertise.
What did they say the problem was?
Roof delamination
Watch out for itinerant painters that show up in campgrounds and offer a free inspection. My neighbor had them inspect his roof prior to cleaning and they said he had cracks that needed to be sealed and suggested a whole new coating after cleaning. $450.00 for a 36 footer. I went up on his roof and looked around, no cracks, sealed well around the ACs, etc. Yes, it needed a cleaning, but nothing else. I went to the owner of the park and he threw them out.
Brett,
Their isn't anything wrong with the roof. I was leaning more on the Dicor. But as Chuck said it require a lot of prep work. I was going to give it a good cleaning and buffing and waxing, but then I'm worried that it may be too slippery when I go on top. I want to feel safe when I am up there. The roof gets a beating with the sun and I just want to protect it the best way possible.
John M.
I used the Sta-Cool on an old bus conversion roof. Took many coats and looked good from a distance, but not so good close up. But was a big improvement in heat reflection over original painted aluminum.
You may check with Xtreme or FT for roof paint. I had it done and very happy with the result. I had it done because I did not want to get the white chalk in the future like our previous 94 FT.
John
About two years ago we had ours painted at extreme. I had a large crack between the skylght and the air conditioner as well as some hairline cracks radiating from some of the self drilling screws. I also had them remove my satelite dish as well as the black anti skid pad by the ladder. While at it i also had them replace AC gaskets. We had them use the anti skid glass paint. Roof still looks great and no white streeks. The cost was about 3 coach bucks. At this point in my life I try to keep my feet on the ground when taking on projects, working on roofs can be life changing, stay safe.
Jason
John, this is the product Extreme applied to our roof over 3 1/2 years ago and it looks as good as the day it was done. When I removed the old satellite dome I ordered a gallon from the manufacture, great customer service.
+1 for my Xtreme roof paint job
If you want an estimate on the cost, check with RV Fog Dr. In Searcy, Arkansas. Might be some what less.
BusKote... Insulating roof paint for buses, recreational vehicles (http://www.hytechsales.com/prod2150.html)
Best thing since sliced bread... :thumbsup:
For the roof, we only believe in one-part paint (with UV) that contains some small abrasive for non-slip. Paint is easy to clean & maintain. Paint instead of gelcoat is also much easier to keep clean and it does not streak sides of coach. All the other 'roof' coatings whether roller applied or sprayed would never be used by us. Insulation value of everything is nil, even though some marketing promotes 'insulating' as a reason to use a product.
Barry, what paint product do you suggest? How about Awl-Grip like on boat decks?
This is what I used on my U280 . Interlux Brightside Polyurethane Marine Paint
Last time I was at Xtreme I had them inspect my roof. The recommendation was to go over it yearly and search for any hairline cracks and fill them with Dicor self leveling caulk. other than that, just keep it clean. $7 for a tube of Dicor or 3CB for paint. your choice.
my roof paint at Extreme was $1,300 - must have gone up! 3 CB?
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Alan, When we painted our coach, we also had the roof painted. Xtreme used their same paint (Glazerit) used for sides, but they mix it as one-part (meaning no separate clear coat) and then added fine granuals for non slip. We considered rolled on coating, but found it not as easy to clean, and Cindy is up there every few months cleaning solar and roof.
I am very happy with the "BUS KOTE" I used this past summer, Very easy to apply. Cleaned roof, applied primer on first day. Put two coats of paint next day, Applied one coat clear coat the next day. No special skills or equipment needed
I'm off topic here, but Foretravel did ours a year ago for $1,200.
Xtreme fixed my soft spot under the ladder/skid-proof area a couple of years ago. Rance did the surgery. Enough said. Paul
You may think Barry is kidding when he says this, but I actually witnessed Cindy cleaning their panels and roof recently, when we were at Q.
Barry is VERY fortunate to have such a energetic and multi talented crew member! ^.^d
Thanks Chuck, didn't know you saw me up there.
Found that if the roof is clean, the sides will stay cleaner. And it is nice to catch roof problems like cable ties & seals before they become a problem. Found a small spider with a big web yesterday, but he is no longer. And it's nice to remove any bird droppings, too.
I always used an 8' ladder bungeed to the coach to not rely on coach ladder and do most of the climb. After we rebuilt & lightened our rear engine door so it hinges up, the lower part of the coach ladder was removed, but the 8' ladder still takes care of reaching the top part of the coach ladder. We are fortunate that our 8' ladder fits in our Joey Bed.
I clean the roof more often than every few months, sometimes every few weeks, depends how the dirt has accumulated.
After Quartzsite, we made it to San Diego beaches after a short stop in Yuma Foothills.
Safe travels,
Cindy
I think that many roof coatings work very well to cover RV roof problems . But most RVs do not have the high quality roof that Foretravel's have. While the coatings resolve issues, the coatings may be harder to keep clean and maintained for many years, and may not be needed for most Foretravel motorhomes.
I believe that many coatings rely on quoting how the coating help keep the coach cool, like the following:
GARDNER® STA-KOOL - WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT
85% REFLECTIVITY
KEEPS ROOF SURFACE COOL
HELPS REDUCE COOLING COSTS
The coating material composition probably has little value in keeping things cool. It seems it is the white color that keeps the coach cooler, something that all white paint & coatings will equally do. So why do they need to over market reflective benefit, when it does little to differentiate a product from all others.
Yup, When I had Exteme do all the repairs to our roof (No thanks to Camping World ), had them do the paint thing..NO White streaks! and not as slippery when wet .