Elastimeric roof coating

[Jpav]

I have a 1998 Thomas short bus that I would like to apply An elastimeric roof coating to help manage the heat and help with some leaking issues. So far I am most interested in th Henry extreme enviro white. My bus has an aluminum skin with fiber glass on the front and back of the roof. I was hoping for some input on weather I would have issues getting the coating to stick, if it would make a noticeable difference in temperature and if there is a better product than the one I listed and why. Any input would be greatly appreceated.

[Rovobay]

sub'd for responses.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Jpav

I have a 1998 Thomas short bus that I would like to apply An elastimeric roof coating to help manage the heat and help with some leaking issues. So far I am most interested in th Henry extreme enviro white. My bus has an aluminum skin with fiber glass on the front and back of the roof. I was hoping for some input on weather I would have issues getting the coating to stick, if it would make a noticeable difference in temperature and if there is a better product than the one I listed and why. Any input would be greatly appreceated.

If you have existing leaks in the roof, you need to find them, and fix them first.

An elastomeric paint is like a Band-Aid. It will help enormously, but if leaks exist they will re-appear.

[john61ct]

Henry 887 Tropi-Cool is the bomb if you're in the heat.

Does both jobs fantastically

[EastCoastCB]

Nothing beats some 3m seam sealer and regular flat, semi-gloss, or satin white paint.

[bluebird90]

I used Snow Roof on my bus. Marked improvement in insulation, looks good and holding up well so far. The only downside is the stuff goes down blue and takes a looong time to turn white. The blue leeches out and runs down the sides. I just hosed it off every day for about a week. fine now.

[Mgulley82]

Clean every seam and around every rivet/screw from the rain gutters up

Seal everything with some self leveling roof sealant

Then paint over with the paint 2-3 coats or more

Haven’t had a single leak in mine

[jjhwick119]

Anyone have experience with blackjack stuff from lowes? Planning my first road trip for beginning of June to new Mexico, without ac, might want to paint roof beforehand and we carry the blackjack at Lowe's

[Tango]

I'm with ECCB. You won't find a better seam sealer than the one that carries that name. 3M brand Automotive Seam Sealer is an OEM grade product...does not harden/crack and is fully paintable.

Use the real stuff and never use silicone sealer on the outside of a vehicle.

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Nothing beats some 3m seam sealer and regular flat, semi-gloss, or satin white paint.

That's a bold statement, but with over 13,000 posts, you gotta be right...

Seriously, I was going to go with Henry's Tropicool (after sealing any leaks). A waste of money?

[cadillackid]

there are generally 2 "schools" of thought..

1. that color is the only factor in repelling heat... thus flat bright white paint reflects the most heat and is much less costly than ther elastrometric paints.. - theres no disputing that painting the roof white instead of yellow or any other color will greatly help with cooling..

2. other though its elastometric paints are better because the "beads" in the paint are actually hollow and create many airspaces in the coating (which what insulation does).. and therefore give you better insulating properties.. these are more costly than flat white paint.. some of these products are claim to be sealants as well

my own personal thoughts are that I want the roof to not leak before I paint it with any color... and then if you are on a tight budget, paint with the flat white paint as suggested, but if you have the funds, paint with the elastometric paint.. as i do believe from my observations that it is a bit better heat repellant than just white..

ive observed both in action.. albeit on 2 different busses but to me there was a difference in INSIDE temp of the ceiling.. the Bus-Kote seemed cooler..
-Christopher

[john61ct]

Yes go with the Henry's. Sure, seal any known leaks first, belt & braces.

Being flexible and long-lasting under super-hot conditions, really worth paying that bit extra.

If you're in temperate weather, 587 is fine.

No paint has actual insulating value, bubbles filler waste of time, it's just that the bright white is well reflective.

[brokedown]

I put a couple coats of rustoleum oil based enamel semi-gloss on the Wanderlounge. You do NOT want to be on the roof on a sunny day. Holy crap that stuff reflects.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

That's a bold statement, but with over 13,000 posts, you gotta be right...

Seriously, I was going to go with Henry's Tropicool (after sealing any leaks). A waste of money?

I don't like elsastomerics on vehicles. Dirt and dust stick to them. They also can yellow and peel pretty easily. If you seam seal the roof properly, there's no need for rubberized roof paint and you'll have a better looking longer lasting result.

Post count means nothing... There are folks with thousands of posts who have never driven or owned a bus!

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

That's a bold statement, but with over 13,000 posts, you gotta be right...

Seriously, I was going to go with Henry's Tropicool (after sealing any leaks). A waste of money?

The Henry's is fine. It's regularly used for that purpose.

As I said above though, it's best applied to a roof that is not leaking. Paint, however elastic, is not a seam sealer so ig you have leaks they do need fixing first or they will return.

[1olfart]

I seem to remember that someone was thinking about, or maybe even did, use a bead filled paint on the interior of their bus. They didn't like the added dirt buildup with the 'less than smooth' paint, but liked the idea of added insulation.
Did I just dream this, or do others remember anything about that post?

[Whatthefak]

Having grown quite a bit of cannabis indoors, I do know mylar reflects best, but flat ultra white is the most light reflective paint. Something like 10% more so than gloss white.
If it has no r value and your sealed up well idk why spend the extra, I'm sure there is plenty stuff on a bus to use that couple bucks

[bluebird90]

One positive about the elasomeric coatings is they help in the cold. Since I put snow roof on me bus I have a lot less condensation on the inside.

[Jpav]

Any tricks to making tropi cool stick? Or would just a good scrub down and then whipe down with acetone do the trick?

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Jpav

Any tricks to making tropi cool stick? Or would just a good scrub down and then whipe down with acetone do the trick?

You also should flatten the OEM paint with 220-grit. Just take the shine off and it will be fine. Then wipe with acetone before painting.