Elastomeric paint

[Drew Bru]

So Brokedown i should do it at night? I understand the magic oven thing..lol..

Morning or evening or possibly a cloudy day should work. In the heat of the afternoon, our roof gets pretty damned hot. The metal cools off pretty quickly though.....I threw my t-shirt over the metal (to shade if from the sun) when I was skinning over the roof hatch and it cooled down in probably about 15 minutes.

 

[o1marc]

Paint doesn't have an R value. It does have a reflective value.
Regular white paint will lower the temps as much as elasto stuff.

Here's some info worth reading, after reading it I won't be using paint on my roof:


https://surecoatsystems.com/roof-paint-case-study-white-roof-paint-vs-white-roof-coating/

 

[EastCoastCB]

The manufacturer of the bus used paint.
I'd rather seal it up properly and paint it than rely on a thin coating of rubber that's painted on.
Nowhere in that link does it say anything about vehicular use.

 

[Drew Bru]

The manufacturer of the bus used paint.
I'd rather seal it up properly and paint it than rely on a thin coating of rubber that's painted on.
Nowhere in that link does it say anything about vehicular use.

Surely it can be used on metal, no? The specs must say something about use on metal substrate. I'd like to see a report from an independent tester rather than take the sales brochure at face value though.

 

[o1marc]

The manufacturer of the bus used paint.
I'd rather seal it up properly and paint it than rely on a thin coating of rubber that's painted on.
Nowhere in that link does it say anything about vehicular use.

Come on Charlie, the manufacturer was looking for the cheapest method to get the most profit by meeting the minimum standard. That's a far cry from what we expect. They were not required to meet near the requirements we want. That thin coat of rubber is probably thicker than 15 coats of paint. As though vehicular makes it perform differently? I don't know why you're so against a product designed specifically for what we need.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Come on Charlie, the manufacturer was looking for the cheapest method to get the most profit by meeting the minimum standard. That's a far cry from what we expect. They were not required to meet near the requirements we want. That thin coat of rubber is probably thicker than 15 coats of paint. As though vehicular makes it perform differently? I don't know why you're so against a product designed specifically for what we need.

Its a band aid to properly sealing the roof.
It also looks like crap in a couple years, imo.
"specifically" designed for buses? nah. Buildings? maybe.
I like to fix things the proper way. I'm not into gimmicks or miracle cure-all products.
I saw a bus recently that had been completely painted in elastomeric roof paint. Man it looks rough. Stuff stuck to it all over. Peeling, yellowing.
Paint your wagon with whatever you like. I'm just adding my opinion on bus roof painting.
I've been up on more than a few bus roofs. They only leak if you let them.

 

[raulaleman84]

Its a band aid to properly sealing the roof.
I'm not into gimmicks or miracle cure-all products.

dude, I hope you don't ever see the kind of patch job that I'm planning on doing my van. I will probably have to redo it on a monthly basis, lol

 

[EastCoastCB]

dude, I hope you don't ever see the kind of patch job that I'm planning on doing my van. I will probably have to redo it on a monthly basis, lol

Bring it over and I'll seal it up permanently.

Where's it leaking?

 

[Tango-SKO]

I'm doing both on mine. Lots of Seam Sealer in my immediate future...then multiple coats of some kind of "roof coating" with some kind of thermal properties over that. Still shopping that final finish.

 

[raulaleman84]

Bring it over and I'll seal it up permanently.

Where's it leaking?

More like rust holes around windshield !

 

[mikeypj]

So, next question..how to prep your roof for the sealant paint? Some sanding for sure..mines got this crap job that will need sanding. Then pull AC unit and add a temp hatch cover to seal up hole.

 

[Dog Rescuer]

I used BusKote for my roof. I painted about a year ago, and no issues to date...
It is about $40 per gallon - 5 gallons will run about $200.
I lightly sanded the roof - then applied the BusKote directly. my 28' but took less than a gallon for solid coat. I applied two coats (2 gallons - with left over) - then applied a coat of Flexi-Seal.
I have no complaints - it is what the paint is made to do - and it reflects the heat - lowering the temperature of the inside metal in direct sun from about 120 degrees to about 95 degrees or less. It made a huge difference.
I am sure you can use other paint - but I am really happy with the results.

Insulating roof paint for buses, recreational vehicles

 

[ultram]

Use the best

I used Henrys Tropi-Cool from Home Depot. It has been on a couple of years and it is the best I have found or seen bar none!

 

[#1FordFan]

About 7 years ago I bought the
Kool seal brand of elasomeric roof coating.
I bought a big pale (4.5) gals for $73
If I remember right. It worked great on my roof (8x24. )
Dropped roof temp from 140 to 90 in direct sunlight.

 

[druidwood]

Amount elastomer paint needed

Only used 2 gallons of elastomer paint for 3 coats on 27 foot bus. I would recommend grouting all seams and replacing grout around roof hatches first. I grouted all my windows in place , both inside and out. Spent last winter under giant blue tarp, so worth your time. Elastomer paint was $80 for 5 gallons at Lowes. My metal ribs are partially exposed and they felt much cooler after elastomer paint.

 

[mikeypj]

Only used 2 gallons of elastomer paint for 3 coats on 27 foot bus. I would recommend grouting all seams and replacing grout around roof hatches first. I grouted all my windows in place , both inside and out. Spent last winter under giant blue tarp, so worth your time. Elastomer paint was $80 for 5 gallons at Lowes. My metal ribs are partially exposed and they felt much cooler after elastomer paint.

Grout? Do you mean sealing? I thought that was the point of the elastomeric paint?

 

[druidwood]

WELL after you have dealt with leaks during build you wanna be sure. Elastomer paint went on thinner than I thought so glad I caulked (used non-silicon, clear) the heck out of it. Your bus may be newer and may not need it, but the last thing you want is for your lovely build to be damaged. FYI, after I ripped out walls and ceiling I found that my leaks were originating from seams and exits, not the windows as I had thought.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Just for the record...regarding the ceramic paint additives, a University of Florida study...

 

[Mr4btTahoe]

I used Sta-Kool on my bus. 2 coats and the stuff works well. My only gripe is that it stains easily due to it's grippy/rubber like texture. This stuff rolled on like liquid rubber. Not watery or thin... fairly thick.


I'll say it will seal up seams and such too. I had a small crack in the fiberglass roof panel (shuttle bus) and it sealed it up. The stuff I bought also has a 10yr warranty IIRC...

 

[EastCoastCB]

Grout? Do you mean sealing? I thought that was the point of the elastomeric paint?

Paint should never be what's keeping out the weather.

Fix it right, then paint it with whatever you like.