Best coating for metal roof?

[HVACguy]

So I've noticed many small holes in metal roof, looks to me like maybe someone sprayed something like a/c condenser coil cleaner up there ( as it is localized ) and failed to properly rinse the spatter. Being as it is a 30 yr old roof, I am inclined to prep and paint the whole thing with some sort of sealer. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[M & J]

There are countless threads on roof coatings. Try typing roof coatings in the search window.
Many different products used - several threads with costs/suppliers/pictures.

[LJ-TJ]

See if this like works. Lauren and I used this product and swear by it. Great stuff and easy to work with.


http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=album;id=448

[TerryH]

I used it as well after LJ-TJ's write up. It's only been a year, but an abnormal year for weather and so far very happy with it. Their tape is identical to Eterabond and very effective, as well as completely compatible. Customer support also better than many companies I have dealt with.
What ever you choose, great idea asking for recommendations.

[Rickf1985]

I used Kool-Seal bought at Home Depot. It is also an elastomeric coating. Probably about the same formulation. I think any of the brand name elastomerics will do what you want, just make sure you get a thick enough coating.

[LJ-TJ]

I think the secret to success is the cleaning  of the roof first. Scrub her down real good say with something like Spray nine. Make sure the roof is good and dry and wait for a good warm day and then lay it on. Hm?

[DRMousseau]

I noticed some long term experience by folks with various products here, and some were done quite some time ago.


How do the elastomeric products hold up to the temp extremes of sub-zero and the UV of the southern sunrays??? How durable is it to traverse when doing rooftop maintenance and upkeep??? What's the observed lifetime between recoating and reapplication??? Does it resist the occasional sweeping, scratching tree branch???


I'd swear by the use of Elastomeric on stucco and concrete block, lasts for years and holds up to hurricane driven rain, but application techniques and product quality are important here too. Can we expect similar satisfaction on the unique aluminum roofs of our RVs?

[LJ-TJ]

Well Doc, One thing I don't do is walk on my roof. (1975 21footer) there is no roof. I took a couple of 2X6's as wide as my roof, screwed a couple of 2x2's on each end so they wouldn't slide off the roof and use them to walk on. In terms of the old Winnebago's I think anybody that walks directly on the roof is asking for trouble. As far as the roof seal Lauren and I used. Our rig is in Canada with all the extreme weather you can think of actually just like you and Northern Michigan and we haven't had a lick of trouble. That's the only reason I feel I can suggest the product that we used. It's just really great stuff and the folks at the factory were excellent to deal with. They couldn't do enough for you. Something that seems to be lacking in a lot of businesses these days. 

[DRMousseau]

I was especially interested in that extreme cold y'all insist in sharin' with us here in Great Lakes,... really wish ya'd jus keep it. Lol!


But it's especially important to me as a full-timer, who's winter heated home may unexpectedly have to endure to those conditions and the complications of extreme ice and cold.


So I can believe it to be a long lasting alternative to other, more costly considerations. I like that. Thanks.

[LJ-TJ]

And if you ever have cause to head down to Port Huron, let us know we're about three hours out on the Canadian side. 

[HVACguy]

Thanks for all the input peeps! Guess I will check out Home Depot, as the link LJ-TJ provided appears they no longer carry/make that product.

[Rickf1985]

Google is your friend, http://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-Roof-Repair-Coating-Safe-T-Plex-Elastomeric-5-gallon-/172280158724, But boy is it pricey!!!

Here is the Kool Seal in Wal Mart,  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kool-Seal-KS0063600-20-4.-75-Gallon-Premium-White-Elastomeric-Roof-Coating/47648075?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3005&adid=22222222227034863374&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=75448649314&wl4=pla-175445666434&wl5=9003783&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113146015&wl11=online&wl12=47648075&wl13=&veh=sem

I see that Home Depot apparently does not carry Kool Seal anymore, Here is a link to Kool Seals retail dealer locator.

http://www.koolseal.com/retail-locator/

[cook elandan]

If you want to check this site out and see if this might work for you also. www.amesresearch.com

[LJ-TJ]

 :)rotflmao Yeah! Yeah! Your going to kill me for this but just remember "You Get What You Pay For" D:oH! What usually happens to yeah when you take short cuts or the in expensive route. Hm? decisions, decisions, decisions. JUST KIDDING

[Rickf1985]

The Ames Iron Coat specifically mentions RV and mobile home roofs. Whatever you use has to remain flexible since your roof is always moving.

[DRMousseau]

The Ames Iron Coat specifically mentions RV and mobile home roofs. Whatever you use has to remain flexible since your roof is always moving.

Many products specifically mention aluminum roof RV applications,... as do many of the Ames products. But determining what's best for MY needs requires a bit more than "for use on,...". All latex products are flexible to specific degree. But more important to me is stretch, permeability, mildew resistance, long lasting and other factors of temp, UV resistance, and more. And value is not always a gauge of needed quality! UGH!


The greatest "movement" in our RV's, is often the result of temperature extremes, probably the leading cause of most of my failures in the sealants and caulking used by well intending but uninformed PO,.... so I need something with A LOT of stretch. And those seams and joints WILL be properly attended to!!! Small areas of short term "ponding" water (especially in areas of those pinholes) will require a high degree permeability resistance too.


Sooooo,...after reviewing TONS of info and spec sheets of various products, and with many other considerations, I'm personally opting for Ames Maximum-Stretch (https://www.amesresearch.com/media/SpecSheets/mx-p.pdf). Still required me to "special order" it to my favorite local hardware outlet, and I still have wait for a VAST improvement in weather conditions,.... or schedule a short trip to a more desirable climate. Hm?

[tmsnyder]

I went with a 2-part EPDM liquid rubber, this stuff:  http://www.epdmcoatings.com/liquid-roof.php


It's about $100 a gallon, took 2 gallons to do a 16' travel trailer.  Makes about 1/16" thick layer of flexible white rubber on the roof.  Awesome stuff.

[Rickf1985]

I went with a 2-part EPDM liquid rubber, this stuff:  http://www.epdmcoatings.com/liquid-roof.php


It's about $100 a gallon, took 2 gallons to do a 16' travel trailer.  Makes about 1/16" thick layer of flexible white rubber on the roof.  Awesome stuff.

I was watching the videos on their page showing the RV roof application and I noticed one MAJOR problem. On the very first video the guy ,who droned on forever, mentioned that it bubbled and that EPDM Co, mentioned that could happen and it would lay down. Well he showed the roof at three days out and right about when he was going to mention the bubbles that had not changed at all the video cut off. Another video that showed a roof application where the coating was coming up also cut off right at that point. Seems like they do not want to show that stuff. I like the product but I sure as hell would not want that to happen to me. the guy in the first video prepped until the sun went down so poor prep could not be blamed. His application method was the same for the whole roof so I doubt that was the issue either. I would definitely want some answers before spending that kind of money. Really looks like a good product other than that though. I can tell you that after two seasons my Kool Seal is starting to chalk but that is out in NJ weather all year round. The other thing that worries me is their claim that rain right away will not hurt it, I tend to question that and with a several day skin time I think you have to have cover to do this job.

[LJ-TJ]

Yes our process was more towards the top end of the scale in price. However after five years the roof looks good as new, no leaks. Couldn't be happier. Hm?

[DRMousseau]

Yes, a couple seasons, or 5+, 10+yrs? Hm?


It was one of many products I had researched for my use. While a product of durability and long lifetime, I opted against this and other "2-part" products for a few reasons.
   Value- the cost is close enough to a "rubber" (TPO, EPDM) roof replacement that I'd rather a few dollars more for an actual rubber roof based on greater durability, lifetime, and permanence, although a much greater effort in installation. (weight is another factor I think about, I'd like to avoid an additional +200# of high placed weight!).
    Stretch- Elongation factor in this application is real important. An actual "rubber" roof overcomes this "mechanically" being physically attached in critical areas as well as by adhesives. But this makes "adhesion" of coatings important too, and 2-part coatings can fall short of most elastomeric products in both adhesion and elongation.


Elastomeric products can also fall short of 2-part products in many other factors of my criteria,... durability and lifetime being most important here. As Rick noticed, some are prone to greater UV damage and chalking more than others. And the ugly streaking down the sides of an RV! UGH! Mold and mildew damage are also major factors for me to consider. The range of quality of elastomeric and acrylic/latex products is HUGE! Here, you really do get what you pay for, and the additional costs of supplemental additives of plasticizers, mold and mildew inhibitors, UV protectants, and others, doesn't always make a cheap product better or more economical.


AND THEN,... there's the "hybrid" products! They are "siliconized", "rubberized", "poly-ized" and whatever else can be "ized"! lol! Mostly,... I wanna see the spec sheets, WITH units and codes of established standards.


And every once in a while, I stop to see some work I had done years ago,... repainted stucco homes, new block buildings, old malls and even somewhat recent state-of-the-art hospital constructions. Wish I could get on some roofs sometimes, but that's a bit of an extreme request for anyone's curiosity.




   


   
   

[bluebird]

I too used the Kool Seal on my old Itasca. I did use the Kool Seal patch method on the holes before I coated the whole roof, and gave it 2 coats. I had the coach for 4 years and it looked as good the day I sold it as the week I put it on. I parked the coach under some trees and had the black mold spots, but I pressure washed the roof every year and it cleaned up much better than the epdm roofs I had on my Damon coachs.