The Best RV Roof Coating - Makes Your Roof Last Longer And Care Is A Breeze!
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- Your RV roof is your first line of defense against water leaks that can break down your RV from the inside out. So caring for your RV roof is a must!
But is there a way that you can extend the life of your RV's roof and cut down drastically on the amount of time and effort it takes to maintain it at the same time?
The good news is that you can accomplish both of those things if you use the right RV roof coating.
This video explains what I used to coat my RV roof and how I did it. This is a must-watch video!
Here is the link to the video mentioned in this video:
My video on "EPDM vs TPO RV roofs - How To Choose, Identify And Maintain Them" - • EPDM vs TPO RV roofs -...
Here are the links to the products mentioned in this video: -
Henry's 887 Tropicool silicone roof coating - amzn.to/3TtnHB0 (for questions about the application of this product on your RV call the customer support number at 800-486-1278)
Eternabond RV roof tape - amzn.to/3TH7Ccf
Dicor roof coating for EPDM and PVC roofs - amzn.to/3n6ZV1O
Dicor fiberglass roof coating - amzn.to/3nbIv3S
Dicor metal roof coating - amzn.to/3Jsnn13
Heng's rubber roof coating - amzn.to/3n4WOY7
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Duane, great video. I’ve been in the commercial roofing industry for over 30 years and approaching retirement. As I started my search for our first RV or camper I came across your videos (actually thru Facebook ad). I will definitely purchase your ebook and try to pick your brain as I continue my search.
If you don’t mind, I would like to give a little advice, from a roofer’s perspective, as it relates to the performance and aesthetics of the roof coatings mentioned. Although it is just a roof, as a current buyer, the upkeep of the roof is one sign as to whether previous owner properly cared for the unit. I will try not to go too deep, but a few tips / personal opinions.
**First off, don’t stress, this is a very simple / cost effective roof solution, you just have to read the product data sheets and follow instructions. Anyone comfortable with heights and small areas can do this. Definitely use tight (normal), clean rubber soled shoes. I definitely would not use bare feet, sandals, Hey Dudes, or any loose fitting shoes. You’re working on an elevated, narrow, and possibly slick surface so please consider your comfort level and ability to do it safely. If the roof currently has a coating or TPO, it will be a little slicker than EPDM from the get go.
**Henry is a large trustworthy commercial roofing products manufacturer. They offer a warranty, as others will, for this product, however, it is only a material warranty. If you have an issue and you can convince them you installed the product correctly all you will get is a couple buckets of free material to start all over again. It’s more important to install it correctly than count on a warranty later. This appears to be a quality product, however, your success will be determined by the preparation of the surface and proper application of the product. Gaco and Lucas also make good commercial grade products. While there are many others, I would search for those manufacturers that will offer a 15 - 20 labor and material warranty. If they will offer a commercial warranty for the specific product you want to use, it must be a good product with a good track record and they believe in it. I have seen a lot of coatings come and go and would not use any product that doesn’t meet this criteria. Not only do you want a coating that will last, you want one to be around if you need touch up materials down the road. You will have your best luck finding good products at roofing material specific distributors such as ABC Roofing Supply, Beacon, or others. The distributors are everywhere. Not only will they have better products they will be more educated and able to address the warranty question above where as a box store employee will have no clue.
**No to Acrylic - a short term solution that will create more maintenance and headaches later. This product is best suited as an economical restoration solution for metal roofs with slope and no roof penetrations. Acrylic does not perform in ponding water conditions or puddling as you will see at seams, skylights, and other penetrations on the RV / camper roof. I’m sure failures, at these areas, would account for 99% of all RV roof leaks.
**Yes to Silicone - a great product for this application. Select a product that contains “High Solids” with “90% solids” minimum, the higher the better. This will result in a thicker layer after curing / drying has occurred. Once you have selected a product pull up the manufacturer’s data sheet and application instructions for the product. If the product you are considering does not have these sheets or they are not very clear and concise the manufacturer is probably not as established and proven as I would like. Keep looking for one that does. On thing to note, silicone is great because with proper preparation it will stick to almost anything, however, only silicone will stick to the topside of silicone. In the future if you need to touch up something like damage from a branch or recaulk a penetration use a silicone product only.
**EternaBond is a great product for seams and sealing penetrations. If just doing repairs and coating later the RoofSeal product is great. If doing coating at the same time use their Webseal product. Webseal has a fleece type top surface that will absorb the coating for a much better bond. Webseal can be used as a patching product also as long it is immediately coated with silicone otherwise the fleece will absorb moisture. When coating I would suggest, after proper roof cleaning / preparation, do all repairs / detailing and cover with a layer of coating to extend a couple of inches past each edge of the tape. Let it set up / dry, then come back and coat the entire roof area at once. If aesthetics and sharp lines are important, taping off the perimeter is a good idea. Just to note, the manufacturer’s also make a thicker “flashing grade” type product, to be used with fabric, if you don’t want to use EternaBond.
**Read and follow manufacturers application procedures. The three mentioned previously will most likely be the same, however, depending on what you are coating over, some might require primers. Scrape loose caulks and clean. Use proper cleaners, proper nap roller heads, and brushes. All of this info should be provided in the product data.
**Most products require only one coat, however, due to the area being so small, I would let the first coat set up over night and add a second coat the next day. If done correctly, this will last 20+ years easily. Just alternate the coats, north to south on the first application and east to west on the second. Pls note, whether camper or RV, these are moving, bouncing units and the items that attach to or penetrate thru the roof should be inspected periodically just to make sure the seals haven’t cracked open.
**Caution, if the roof has been previously sealed / repaired with black asphaltic type products, the silicone will stick but the black residue will bleed thru and will leave discolored areas. The manufacturer will have a product that most call a “bleed trap” that will seal these areas to make sure the finished roof is pretty white everywhere.
**Finally, the two downsides to silicone roofs. They can be slick, not a problem unless you are being careless. They also attract dirt so of course they will look best when brand new. Don’t be shocked with a slight dirty white you will probably never notice. You probably would want to clean and lightly power wash the roof prior to selling to show the perspective buyer that there is a great roof in place.
I’m for being long winded, I can only hope it helps someone. I will continue to follow if there are any questions. Good luck to all.
Hi Bob. This is a great comment and I really appreciate you leaving it here. There is a lot to learn in the information you shared with us. I always appreciate when a professional in the field expands on the video and gives us all more information that can be helpful. Thanks so much and I hope that lots of folks will read your comment and benefit by it!
I used Gaco silicone on the roof of my 2001 trailer. The rubber roof was so bad that it peeled in some areas yet was sticky as could be in many. I stripped the plywood and rebuilt back by priming with oil based cover stain primer over the wood bondo for screw holes. After the gaco primer, i used their seam tape and thick liquid tape over the edges of vents and seams. Like suggested here, I did three coats of finish silicone, one each evening. I was a pro painter and also do many other trades. Our company used a roofer who was certified to apply gaco roof to the commercial building we worked on. They had up to a 50 year warranty. I used a gaco roof product that was available at an ace hardware, an hour from where I live but in an area where I had worked numerous times. It wasn't cheap, but beat the price of new edm rubber and having it fail later. I did touch up along one drip edge a couple years later, but it worked great when I stayed in my trailer all of 2020 for an out of town job. We had snow for weeks to months at a time and it was perfect for he ponding water, especially since I my trailer has a few dips in the roof and I reinforced the framing but did not change the concave shape that part of it had. When not in use, I leave the jack down so the water drains off the front of the trailer. As a painter with decades of experience, prep is key.
A question for everyone. I have no improvements to my rubber roof. Should I dicor tape the edges and then apply 887 or just apply 887 over the edges? Much hello for your wisdom.
This is so helpful! Thank you so much for sharing.
@@tetedur377 That is how my uncle was and the story is the same. He owned a painting business and his dad owned a media blasting company. They would blast turbines and other parts for power plants both on site and at their own shop in the inland empire, an hour from LA.
I started working for him at age 14 when he bought a HUD home for him and my aunt. At 15 years old, I worked on paint jobs for his customers and was taught to be methodical with the prep through the finish steps. At the end of each day, we cleaned up the job site, sometimes outside of buildings and other times inside people's homes. He also got most jobs by word of mouth and I don't think he advertised very often since it was just him and his sons along with myself working.
I have had customers wait months or longer and have a couple neighbors who have waited a year or more for me to have time to work on their place. Now, a big part of what I do is environmental and infrastructure work, which includes equipment operating, for the company my brother works for. He bids the jobs and is usually the superintendent and he does the labor as well, while I am skilled in a number of trades and act as a foreman or assistant as needed since I am also good at focusing on the details for technical, business, and legal aspects of the jobs. The laborers we get are from our landscaping/environmental crews and they don't have the attention to detail or construction experience my brother and I have.
My home shop is setup for welding and fabrication along with a cnc plasma table that my dad and I built and I do on site work as well. With so much going on, and health issues from fibromyalgia and a worn body from almost 30 years of this kind of work, some people have to wait for me to get to their work. My three long time employers have come to me as well as almost all of the customers for side jobs or self employed work. That attention to detail you mentioned is a big part of it. I strive to do quality work and to learn new skills which helps keep jobs coming my way. It also has allowed me to do many jobs at home or on vehicles that other people would hire out.
It is a long winded way to say you are absolutely right and it applies to more than just painting or coatings.
I come from the silicone roof coating business. Yes, you have found the only product that should be on an RV roof BUT, you absolutely should use a primer to ensure good adhesion. DO NOT use any silicone product that claims to have the primer in it. The Henery's 788 is excellent and expensive. The expense is well worth it. Clean the surface thoroughly, prime it, and then roll on the silicone. This process will give you a trouble-free roof for many years.
Thanks for sharing that information with us. And thanks for watching!
Can you recommend a primer? Their website has several primers but none are specifically recommended for the 887 Tropicool.
@sundanceseven which primer do you recommend please? Thank you!
Check with the manufacturer of the silicone that you plan to use. They are better equipped to give you a recommendation. Tell them what is currently on the roof.
@@sundanceseven thank you
Interesting as I have started looking into these types of products just recently. The Florida sun is much like the SW, but we get the humidity. I had always been a fan of Dicor, but at this point, would rather do treat the roof once and be done with it.
Hi Robert. I'm a huge fan of Dicor products too, but after looking carefully at the Henry roof coating option I decided to go for it mainly for essentially the same reason you mentioned. I want to get as close to zero roof maintenance as I can. I realize that I can't get all the way there, but roof care will definitely be much less involved from now on with my 5th wheel. Thanks for sharing your thought process here.
I'm in the middle of trying to peel off the dicor garbage I put on a few years ago, the stuff that didn't peel off just driving down the road, yes I used the primer 🤦
Did it take a full 5 gals ?
Good question. I actually had about 2 gallons left over that I will use on my slide-out roofs.
I LOVE Henry's Tropi-Cool! I used it on my previous 2007 hybrid camper's roof in 2018 and last year, when we sold it, the roof still looked brand new. I only wish it was available in quart-sized cans as I needed just a little more to complete my project, but had to buy a whole additional gallon.
Last year, we bought a Jayco Jay Flight 28RLS and I'll be cleaning and coating it's roof over this summer.
Sounds great Britt. So far I am very happy with the product too. Thanks for sharing your experience with TropiCool for us!
Just recently put Crazy Seal on my Winnebago Class A roof. Amazing stuff! I was surprised when going on the roof the 3rd day to install the new vent covers in the heat of the Florida sun and the roof was cool to the touch!
Curious if you have found that to be the case with the Henry coating.
Crazy Seal has a 50 yr warranty. Longer than I'll have my RV LOL
Thanks for mentioning that product. I had not come across Crazy Seal before. And yes, there is a noticeable difference in the temperature of the roof after applying these kind of products. You should not have to be doing any major time-consuming roof care for a while now. And isn't that a great thing?
@@RVInspectionAndCare YES low maintenance is going to be a wonderful thing.
I used this coating two years ago and it still looks new. I also used the tape around my sky lights , front cap seam , and rear cap seam. Highly recommend using both products .
Thanks so much for sharing your experience here Timothy. I'm sure it will be helpful for others.
Hello. Would you please advice me on how much tape would I need for a 36 foot Montana 5th wheeler? If you can answer. I’d greatly appreciate it!
Question for you. Did you lay down the Henry’s silicone first to the entire roof and then apply Eternabond tape to your end cap seems and directly over the Henry’s product? Just wondering as to the adhesion of the tape to silicone? Usually not much will stick to silicone. Thanks for you feedback.
Forevercoat from The RV Roofman in California. We put that on 5 years ago and we love it. 25 year warranty for the DIY person.
Sounds like a good product to look into. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
My RV is at the RV roof man right now, dropped it off today for tpo coat.
Are you happy?
I was watching this video on the tv to help my mom with her new rv roof and my son yelled out , that’s our mountain ! 😂 I should pay you to come out and have a look at our rv as I live at the base of that same mountain in the background : )
LOL ... the Superstition Mountains are pretty easily recognized. They have a very unique profile. I hope my video was helpful for your mom too!
I just coated my RV roof with Henrys and couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
That's awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Henry's product!
Duane, is one can enough to do a 29 ft. trailer? Can't find the coverage on the Amazon ads.
All I know is that I bought a 5 gallon bucket of TropiCool and applied it on my 35 foot fifth wheel. And it used about 2 1/2 gallons to cover the roof with one coat. So you can adjust the coverage for your travel trailer from there. I hope that helps.
Wow!!! I am absolutely loving your channel. The information that you present is priceless!! I have a young man that does mobile rv service who works on all my maintenance needs that I can’t or don’t want to tackle and he is just phenomenal. He is Well trained and actually lives in a motor coach in East Tennessee.
Thanks so much for the kind words. Positive feedback is always appreciated!
Armor coating has a life time warranty and good reviews, was wondering if you know about it?
Yes, there are a couple of very good roof coating companies out there that do an amazing job from what I hear. But this video was only for those who want to do the job themselves. And if your roof is in fairly good shape to begin with making roof coating a DIY job can save a lot of money. Thanks for watching!
Apoc is good too. I’m a roofer by trade. Prep work is so critical. They have a good polyester mesh that you can put right down in the material as you’re rolling it out or using a brush.
The reason I didn't maintain my
Rv roof is that the salesman at
TC RV in Traverse City Michigan
Told me my roof was a," forever" roof that needed no
Maintenance. As. First time
Buyer I fell for it. Buyer Beware.
I'm so sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing your experience here. Hopefully it will be a good warning for others. Have safe and happy RV travels!
Thanks. Lots of good folks in
The RV community. Now
That our kids are grown we
Have embraced tent camping
In beautiful Northern Michigan!
Duane, Excellent video 👍Back in 2018 our Highrise condo had the new roof sealant coating put on and it was Silicone. I asked the contractor if this would work on my TT's EPDM roof and he said "it is a perfect solution". Thanks for the great video and quality tip.
I'm glad this video was helpful. Thanks for sharing your personal experience on the subject and for leaving some positive feedback too!
What primer or cleaner do you suggest before applying? Thank you
Hi Larry. The instructions on the product spells out the prep that is needed beforehand and I recommend following the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Question. I was thinking about using Henry's because I saw on a Facebook group a lot of people recommending it. The people are also saying that it's silicone so nothing will stick to it, some people are saying never use anything silicone base because if it needs reapplied after a few years it won't stick to itself and you have to tear your entire roof off... I was planning to seal my RV with a eternabond tape. So does that mean I have to do the tape first and then the Henry's over top because if I do the Henry's first the tape won't stick to it is that correct?
There is so much misinformation out there about this subject that it's just amazing. Yes, other roof coatings will not stick to silicone. But what they are not saying is that silicone-based products like Henry's lasts so long that you never really need to re-apply it like you do with other roof coating products. I actually covered that in this video. And as far as Eternabond is concerned, Henry actually says that they don't recommend coating over it. But I have seen many reviews of the TropiCool product where RV owners have put down Eternabond and then coated over it and it's just fine. My roof already had Eternabond on the seams and seals. So I coated over it and it is just fine. But that is only my experience. And I always say that the choice is up to you to decide how to handle that issue and I don't recommend either coating or not coating over Eternabond.
I just applied the tropic-cool on my 2002 Fleetwood Discovery 38N and the results were fantastic.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with the product here. Have safe and happy RV travels!
We have a bubble that forms while pulling our fifth wheel, but don’t see any tear. Others have mentioned that that the bond is no longer sticking to the wood. If we used this product would it help with the bubbling on the roof? Or should we be doing something else before using this product? Thank you, as this is our first camper and first time looking into this project. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I recommend that you get the roof material's adhesion issues fixed first before sealing it with anything. No matter what the dealer or manufacturer may tell you, RV roof materials are not supposed to bubble up as you travel down the road. It's a recipe for major roof problems eventually.
@@RVInspectionAndCare ok! But if we happened to do find a small hole of some sort would using eternabond tape and resealing with the Henry’s tropicool work?
@@lynellejackson5220 If you have a rip or tear in the roof membrane, Eternabond can be a good solution for that problem. But Tropicool is really mainly for one simple purpose and that is to help protect the roof from UV damage and to help delay aging. It just extends the life of the roof.
But it doesn’t mention use on a fiberglass roof!
Just look at the directions on the product and follow them carefully. If it says it can be used on a particular material, then it can. But if it isn't mentioned in the instructions you may want to call the manufacturer and ask them for their advice on your situation.
how many gallons is needed for a 26ft trailer?
All I can say is that I have a 35 foot fifth wheel and it took almost 3 gallons for one coat. I hope that may be helpful.
Hello, I have two questions. What did you use to wash the roof? & did you use a primer before you applied the Henry’s?
Thank you
Hi Hector. I just used a pressure washer on my roof to prep and clean it. The instructions on the product recommend using TSP though. Also, the instructions do not include anything about a primer so I didn't use one. Thanks for watching!
@@RVInspectionAndCare
What is TSP?
@@hectormhernandez8073 It's Trisodium Phosphate and you can learn more about it here - www.bhg.com/what-is-tsp-cleaner-7968570
Here's my conclusions from watching dozens of videos.....Have fun!
TO DO A EPDM RV ROOF: Recommend spray bottle down a 50/50 solution of Simple Green & Bleach, a section at a time, then wait a few minutes and pressure wash off using a 40° fan spray at least 8-12" (depending upon PSI) away from the EPDM roof then let dry 24 hours. The next day, reseal top edges of all the edge trim pieces with non-leveling DICOR sealant, reseal all cracks with DICOR Self-Leveling lap sealant and/or use EternaBond (only where it's really needed) then coat the entire roof with HENRY's Tropicool 100% Silicone white roof coating. It can really be that simple.....JUST 2-3 DAYS OF WORK!
Sounds good to me. Thanks for laying it all out for us!
Are aware that Rust-Oleum makes a product that is very similar to the tropi-cool
That's interesting. Thanks for suggesting it Bob.
Curious about this product. I have a 3 1/2 year old trailer with EPDM roof. In one small area the plywood beneath the rubber roof has lifted about 1/8” higher than the next sheet under the rubber. The trailer seams need to be recaulked with Dicor according to a pressure test. No leaking but potential for the uneven portion to work it’s way through the EPDM. Less likely to happen with a coat of Henrys? If I was to use the Henry’s 887 product, do the seams still need to be recaulked or does the product cover the seams and make Re caulking unnecessary?
I don't recommend using 887 on any roof that has problems with the underlayment. It's best to fix the plywood issue before going further with roof coating. And in many cases if you apply 887 over the seams it will make maintenance in that area much easier.
Did you use the ETERNABOND on your roof, before the Henry's 887? What criteria would make you decide to use the ETERNABOND? Also, should the ETERNABOND always be used before the Henry's 887?
Actually the previous owner of the 5th wheel we bought had already applied Eternabond to the seams and edges of the roof. So that decision had already been made for me before I sealed the roof. But deciding about using Eternabond or not is a choice that should be made by each RV owner. It's not necessary at all. But many feel that it is an additional step to drastically cut down on seam and sealant maintenance. I hope that helps.
Incredibly, there is a video that compares Eternabond tape with "Gorilla" white sealing tape (not sure of exact name) in terms of adhesion to substrate after UV exposure and the Gorilla tape was much better ! ? I was shocked but I intend to do more research on the Gorilla brand tape. BTW, what is the exact composition of Eternabond tape. What kind of fabric is it and what kind of adhesive. I heard someone say it uses Butyl adhesive.
Hi Scott. I honestly don't know what the composition of Eternabond is. I just know that it has proven itself over and over again in the RV industry to be a quality product that can last more than 20 years in the right circumstances. And I would be surprised if the folks that make Gorilla tape have produced a comparable product but I suppose it's possible. Safe and happy RV travels to you!
Would u use the henrys on a brand new camper??
I don't think so. It works best to extend the life of a roof that is starting to age.
Just cleaned nice and put polyurethane closed cells spray foam on a small 1/2 to 1 inch covering the whole thing just carefully with the vents ,and than painted with that white elastomeric coating and give me a thanks after 10 years , I did that way on my mobile home and now I don't even feel the rain, is insulated and will last almost forever
Sounds great. I hope it works well for you!
Ive used the Henry's Tropi-cool a few times now. LOVE IT! Great view of the Superstition Mountains btw.
I'm so glad to hear that you had good success with Tropi-Cool William. And you really have an eagle eye to spot the Superstitions in the background. I'm impressed!
Hi I'm new here but from what ive read i thought you were NOT supposed to use silicone products on your camper rubber roof ? Does that just apply to the seams vents AC excetera ? Thanks in advance
Yes, it's generally not recommended to use silicone sealant on the roof joints and seams. The most common recommended product for that job is Dicor self-leveling LAP sealant. Thanks for watching.
@@RVInspectionAndCare ok great thank you.
Dwayne thanks for sharing your knowledge I just found your channel&subc. 2 years ago I purchased a used older5th wheel for sole purpose of leaving it on my daughter’s horse farm in NC so we can visit. Last year I did roof over w/dicor was just recently up on it to inspect because was planning on putting another coat & it definitely needs 1 . I was wondering if you can put the Henry 887 over the Dicor after reading many comments & articles it seems silicone is the best route . The rv is stationary stays on site . Thank you again great information in your article.
That's a good question Catherine. I believe that it is possible to do that but I highly recommend giving Henry a call first just to make sure that it's OK. Thanks for watching and subbing!
Greatly appreciated your channel. Very valuable information and detailed presentations!!! Will tropical-cool seal over older/compromised sealants to stop a current leak? We have recent water intrusion likely from a seem. Would you recommend using the Eturnabond tape over seams first?
If you already have a sealant failure on a joint that is allowing water intrusion, I would personally recommend removing the old sealant and putting down some fresh sealant first. At that point you can decide whether you wish to cover the sealant with TropiCool or Eternabond or both.
Hey Duane, great information. I have a question, I have a 35ft fifth wheel, would you know how many gallons I would need to cover my roof? Thanks Lee
Hi Lee. I have the same size 5th wheel and I still had a couple of gallons left from the 5 gallon bucket that I bought. I plan on using that leftover product on the tops of my slides though.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Awesome, thank you so much for your information and the top of the sliders idea. Love the channel.
These products may not be available all ways throughout the United States of America are you talking about the properties of elomastic?
I treat my EDPM. Rubber roof class C RV roof with it every single year. In fact, I put three coats on to achieve what you are depicting. Thank You.
So far I haven't had anyone get back to me about not being able to get the products they need. Thanks for watching!
Did you coat over the Dicor lap sealant, I have seen people using Eterna bond tape over the dicor and the Henerys?
The folks who owned my fifth wheel before ma had already put Eternabond over the lap sealant areas on the roof. So yes, I went ahead and covered them with TropiCool. And it has worked out fine so far. But that's just my decision. You may choose to do differently.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thanks, I went ahead and did both eternabond and Tropicool on my 2022 GD and it looks great. My question no is did you do the same on the slide roof?
@@mleisz I did not coat my slide roofs when I did the RV roof. But I intend to coat them as well pretty soon.
This video was exactly what I was looking for! We purchased a 2017 Riverside travel trailer to live in while building our new home. I noticed at purchase that it could use a fresh coating, but was unsure of what coatings would be compatible. Thank you sir!
I'm glad the video was helpful. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the product for the best results. Thanks for watching!
How's the Henry's helping with the summer heat in AZ? Friend of mine says it's cut his AC cost by 30% on a 2014 minnie winnie in Buckeye Az
Hi Greg. Unfortunately, I don't have any information to share on that since we are on the road now through the summer months and our 5th wheel is closed up for the summer. But before we left AZ we had some warmer days and it seemed to me that the AC's didn't have to work so hard after the roof was coated.
Could you just paint over the lap sealant if your membrane is still in great shape. Mine is 4 years old & have been looking at eternabond tape on all sealant. Instead of doing the whole roof could I just paint over sealant as the membrane is good. I read that roof like yours do that due to the glue or backing. Also why don't these manufacturers do a better roof if there is so much maintenance with the sealant?
Some RVers have used roof coating to cover the lap sealant (usually when they coat the rest of the roof) and I have heard that it works well in many cases. You may want to try an area first and see how it works. But many RVers choose instead to use Eternabond on their roof joints instead. Of course, there are those who feel that either of those solutions are not very good. So again, you may wish to try it first before committing to a full roof application of either method. And actually, most rubber roofs last a pretty long time, and they are very lightweight which is important in RV construction. The simple truth is that RVs require much more maintenance in almost every area than stationary houses do. It's usually best to understand that going in and commit to the effort needed to keep your RV maintained well.
What about if you have to replace a fan or ac unit? What is the instructions of removing, then re-installing the units and then re-sealing? 2nd, did you remove all the old sealant around your vents and ac unit? or just go over it with the new coating? Great video BTW!
If I am going to remove a roof item on my roof in the future, I'll scrape the coating off of the item first and then remove the sealant over the screws that holds the item in place. If you are uncomfortable with this, just avoid coating over the sealant on roof items. But on my roof, the sealant was very fresh and in perfect condition, so I coated over it. But any older sealant needs to be cleaned and re-applied if necessary before coating over it.
Just applied and turned out great. Roof temp 122F 4pm yesterday (108F East Texas) before application. 4 pm today roof temp 106F (108F today as well). Very satisfied. Thanks for the recommendation. Almost went with the cheaper rustoleum elastomeric.
I'm glad to hear that it worked well for you. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
What are your thoughts about fiberglass roofs?
@@jiml40 I haven't made a video or wrote an article about fiberglass RV roofs yet. But I agree with the pros and cons you will find here - www.thervgeeks.com/fiberglass-rv-roof/
I Used this product, my only comment is be careful, most caulk will not stick to this!
Plus the product creates static electricity and attracts dust! It will not blow off, only wash off.
But with that said , it does work well. And if it needs to be redone , have to use the same product.
Yes, the silicone in the product helps make it last incredibly well. But it does also have some characteristics that a user should be aware of. Thanks for commenting on them.
Great video, so glad I found it. It'd be great to see a one-year video after you sealed it. Also, besides cleaning it, what do you need to do to maintain the Henry's sealant? Any type of conditioner?
To my knowledge there is nothing required to condition the roof after applying the sealant. Just keep it clean.
I am just starting to look at RV life. Getting great ideas! It will not be cheap, for sure. Sell my manufactured home to go? No more 750.00 a month lot fee. Taxes per year? 500.00. Insurance. California. Cannot imagine I might not be able to buy insurance at any price one day...already, no fire. No earthquake. Might be better to just leave...my hubby has heart failure. I imagine being alone one day, which is why I am looking now....thanks for all the advice, from a pro!!! ❤ Jeannie in Lakeport California
I'm glad the advice on my channel is helpful for you. Thanks for watching and commenting!
The roof looks shiny in the pictures after application. Silicone products are usually slippery. What is the roof like when wet ? I'd hate to have to go up to inspect a roof issue after a rain and fall off. OEM roofs are not very slippery when wet.
Yes, it's true that applying any coating product to your RV roof can make it more slippery. This can affect some people more than others. If this is a safety issue for you, it may be best not to apply a coating on your RV.
I have applied Gaco for many years in southwest NM and the only fully certified contractor in the area. I have use the S2000 and now better S4200 silicones for years. In my opinion, it is the best on the market for almost any type of 'low slope' or flat roofing. None of these companies will warranty an RV, maybe Dicor will, but doubtful. The reason for this is that an RV is mobile and on top of that in a warranty situation, there is a prior inspection by the companies engineer or rep prior to application. They will never hold to the warranty. But in the light of what's best for you is probably going to test 2-3 things; 1) your budget, 2) availability of said product, 3) capability of the application.
I have used Gaco on 3-400,000 square feet residential and commercial so I can testify that it works very well. I have also used Eternacoat, which is a very similar brand to the Henry silicone. 1000% agree that acrylics are not the best option as they will break down faster on a roof of any kind. I am in no way paid or reimbursed nor sponsored. I have used Gaco on several of my friends and families RVs as well as mine with 100% satisfaction. I will be doing my own 2021 Carbon 348 toy hauler very soon to help preserve its original roof as well! Good luck and happy camping!
Thanks for sharing you opinion based on experience with these products. I hope it will be helpful for others who read it.
Duane,
Considering the way some of these are built, and for complete piece of mind, would you suggest doing this to a brand new camper?
Not necessarily Patrick. A new roof and sealant should be good for several years. But it's up to each owner to decide when it is best to apply a roof coating. For me, it was mainly because the roof on my 5th wheel was showing its age and darkening in color, which was causing it to absorb heat.
Can this roof coating be applied directly over areas where Dicor has been applied, or would it be better to use EternaBond over the Dicored areas THEN apply this roof coating ?
That's kind of up to you to decide Mark. Apparently there are some folks who do it either way with success. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thank You.
To chime in, it appears that Dicor makes Acrylic and Silicone coatings. Depending on which one had been applied, I will say this: if Acrylic had been installed, EternaBond and / or Silicone coating will stick to it well. If Silicone has been previously applied, EternaBond will NOT stick long term. Only Silicone will stick to Silicone. Embedding fabric into a wet base coat of silicone coating and applying a top coat will perform well in place of EternaBond. Good luck
I have a question about the holding tanks. Do you have videos about them? I didn't see any scanning through your lists. The sensors say they're full when they're not, I've seen videos about cleaning inside the tanks with a wand. But is that enough? And why would sensors be affected inside tanks when they've always been left open, (galley line/tank-grey tank) and how to get the toilet air vent opened on roof? It looks sealed shut, can't see how it would ever vent odors, etc. And now I've seen videos about the freshwater tank filling by a faulty check valve or water pump, but they dont show you how to actually do it, they just talk about it, and talk and talk. (I think they get paid by the word instead of the video itself) Any suggestions or links that would be helpful? Or do I have to do it all by trial and error and video myself? Been full time RV'ing for 20 months now, have had a few issues with a brand new RV 5th Wheel 35ft, but not many. And getting assistance from the manufacturer or dealer is not ever helpful. They didn't even supply me with actual instruction guides on how stuff works, just the installation guides of every product in the RV, microwave, AC's, Refrigerator, CO2 sensors, elec heater, ceiling fan, gas stove. And the Lippert system constantly has errors and if there's a power outtage I swear it tries to reset itself by raising and lowering by itself. I've found videos on the lippert 3.0 system, but again, its more try this and that, which is what I do. Etc... Sorry for the ongoing, just would like some professional-esque type input and you Sir definitely seem to fit the ideal! BTW, solo female fulltime RV living, so even much more appreciative for help to learn how to's, because Not bashing a soul here I promise, but there's a lot of individuals that look at my type(SFRVL) and think, let's bamboozle, take advantage, over price, or just laugh her off types. When I really just can't afford to pay lots and am willing to do things myself and learn them. I downsized my life from the largely burdensome stress of it all and that's all. (Disclaimer: any Single Men inquiry offers, would require their living in their own space as well, lol) "Downsized by choice" copyrighted. Thanks again! 😊
Wow! That's a lot of questions ... :-) I know that when you first get into fulltime RV life, there is so much to learn. And you are right that many of the RVing channels on RUclips are more geared toward the travel side of things and not so much toward actually fixing things on the RV.
On holding tanks. you don't want to leave them open all the time if you are sitting in one place for a while. If you leave the gate open, the liquids drain on out into the sewer but the solids remain, build up, and often harden over time. Then it requires a major clean out to get things working right again.
Many have had good success with using the tank wand you mentioned, but others not so much. One guaranteed way to get your waste tanks as clean as possible is to have them pressure cleaned on the inside. Here is a mobile service that does that kind of work - www.allprowaterflowltd.com/ You can check out their website to learn more about the process. And the RV Geeks has an article on the subject that can be helpful too - www.thervgeeks.com/clean-your-rv-tank-sensors/
A great source of information about fixing RV problems in general is IRV2.com. It's a forum where a lot of old timer RV guys like to hang out and help answer questions. It's free to join, so why not post some questions there and see what help you can get for specific issues you have on your RV?
I hope that helps. Thanks for watching my videos and for commenting as well!
Newbie motorhome owner. (2024 Tiffin Allegro Bus)
Good vids for a researcher who wants his rig kept in good shape.
So I see that we can apply these products periodically-measured in years. My question is should we be applying a UV protectant between applications of the more long term products in this video. I’m thinking a spray on swiffer-stick type applicated product. If so, it seems the roof would then last longer between the full on refurb applications. (A product recommendation is welcomed.)
Thanks from beautiful North Idaho.
Hi Gregory. The product I featured in this video doesn't need any other applications of UV protectant to last a very long time. But if it makes you feel better about it, I doubt that it would hurt anything if you did. Have a lot of fun adventures in your Allegro Bus!
Okay. I’m thinking that I’ll keep an eye on this new, as yet, untreated roof, keeping it clean and, at times, using a UV type cleaner. When it seems time, I’ll come back to this video to look up the bigger treatment product. Sound right?
There is a mountain of info leading up to ownership and then another once you actually take one home. Thanks again for all the video’s. Been a big help.
I live in Canada and the Home Depot has the Henry tropi cool 487. Would this do as well as the 887.
As far as I can tell it seems to be similar, if not the same. Here is the link to that product on the Henry website - ca.henry.com/roofing/reflective-coatings/white-roof-coatings/487-100-silicone-white-roof-coating . If in doubt, just give Henry a call and ask. They seem to be very helpful that way.
Why are RV roofs so weak? They shouldn’t need any attention for at least 10 years.
I wouldn't say that they are weak. Rubber roofs are very lightweight, but they have a finite lifespan. And roof coating allows you to expand the life of the roof quite a bit, in some cases almost indefinitely.
What roof membrane would you recommend for British Columbian weather? Lots of rain!!
Actually any commonly used roof material is supposed to do a fine job against rain or any water penetration. But if you are asking about rubber roof material, I compared them in this video - ruclips.net/video/cZtKLMK-Rv0/видео.html I hope that helps.
So when you have a new trailer and look at the roof & sealant every year & notice that the sealant has some cracks already after a year or 2. How do you sseal these small cracks due to the weather.?
As soon as you see sealant beginning to weather, it's a good idea to clean it first and then apply some fresh sealant in the problem areas. It will often buy you more time before you have to strip and reseal your roof joints.
Hey. My husband and I watched this video several times and ordered Henry’s tropi cool coating. My husband washed the fifth wheel today with TSP as you used and stated. Yes, the roof is white, even though he hasn’t coated it yet. The problem TSP has ruined our sides. It’s like it etched the finish. It has white streaks that won’t respond to anything we use to remove them. My husband had already got most of the camper buffed. I’m so upset. How could that be recommended, when it could cause that kind of damage. Do you have any idea what we could use to make it look better? Our fifth wheel is fiberglass.
I'm very sorry to hear about the issue you are facing. I have not heard of this issue before with anyone else who has cleaned their RV roof before applying the Henry product. In the video I said that the instructions call for using TSP. And that is clearly stated on the bucket of material that I used. But I did not personally use TSP myself as I have explained before in the comments for this video. I have a friend who pressure washes RV roofs and does a really nice job. So I told him about the TSP recommendation by Henry and he said that he felt his cleaning agents would be fine to use instead. And since he knows what he's talking about, I let him clean the roof his way. In the video I did advise to follow whatever the product manufacturer recommends in their instructions though. So it might be a good idea to contact Henry and let them know about the issues you're facing and see what they suggest to resolve it. I hope you can get this resolved quickly and easily.
@@RVInspectionAndCare It might be a good idea to caution everybody to pay attention to the RV sides when washing the top with strong cleaners and rinse and maybe scrub the sides a little when done to make sure there is no lasting residue that could streak on the sides by chemical reaction etc.
Duane, do we need to remove the old Dicor self leveling caulk already on the roof and any new caulk recently applied?
All I can say is that my caulk and sealant was in good condition on my 5th wheel, so I cleaned it and sealed over it. But that doesn't mean that everyone should do that. It's an individual decision.
thank you for this nice report, very usefull. I have a question if I may ask: part of my RV rooftop (the front part) is made of an ABS shell. I got a gallon of white alkyd fibered roof top coating from eng's, as far as you know, to apply this on the ABS section, do I need to apply a primer first to promote adhesion? Thank you so much for your kind answer in advance. Edoardo
Hi Edoardo. I'm not sure what would be best for you to do in this instance. So I recommend that you call Henry themselves and ask what they suggest. They are happy to answer questions about the use of their product. The number is 800-523-0268. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you so much!
How is your roof doing? Im thinking about this product versus getting a company to seal my RV because of the lifetime warranty and transfer of that RV warranty.
My roof is holding up just fine so far. Of course, the companies that you mentioned have a good reputation for providing a quality product too. It just costs quite a bit more to go that direction.
@@RVInspectionAndCarethank you so much for replying
I have outlined my trailer edges with Eternabond tape and around all the fixtures in the roof as well. I called Henry's and they said the 887 will not stick to the Eternabond. Any suggestions? Also, will 3M tape stick to the roof after I put on the 887?
Thank you.
My roof has Eternabond on the seams and seals too, but 887 stuck to it just fine. And others have had that experience too. You might try a small test area on your roof over the Eternabond and see what happens first before going further. And I'm not sure about 3M tape sticking to 887. I've never tried it.
Use Eternabond WEBSEAL tape. It has the same waterproofing characteristics, but is made to allow roof coatings to bond to the non sticky side of the tape better than regular Eternabond tape.
Duane- Thanks for the highly informative channel! Quick question for you. I have a Grand Designs TT I plan to use Silicone on this year. I have 10 solar panels mounted. As an experienced inspector, what is the best way to go about this?
Do you think I will get a better result removing the panels- coating, then installing the panel's eternal bond over screws and recoating? (This is my rambling thought your input would be appreciated!)
It's best to apply any coating to the entire roof. So removing your solar panels is probably a good idea to get the whole roof coated. As far as Eternabond is concerned, using it is kind of a personal choice. But if you choose to do it, the EB needs to go down first and then coat over it.
i inherited a 32 foot trailer. its prob 15 years old. sat in yard for years barely used. my question, with all the big rain i noticed wet carpets from leak somewhere. i dont know where but ii know the roof was never sealed. should i clean it with tsp solution and then use this henry 887 product..or i only have about or. could i seal the roof covering with eterna tape? honestly i had no clue if you can step in roof...can you? Help!! any advice from all you guys would be greatly appreciated!!
Before you do anything to maintain your roof with a coating like this product, you need to find the water leak source and get it fixed ASAP. First find out if the roof is safe to walk on by looking in the owners manual for that travel trailer. If it is, either you or someone who is qualified should carefully inspect the roof and seams for places where the sealant needs to be replaced. Most likely, if it is that old, you will need to replace all of the sealant and maybe even the roofing material too. Then make sure that leaks aren't happening anywhere else like under your windows. In other words, get the water leaks completely repaired and water damage fixed before you start protecting it from further damage. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare well god bless you. i appreciate that rapid reply. i am very grateful. unfortunately im not well single mom and very hard to get by. can only afford 200 300 tops. cant afford what it needs but im going to read manual and tty to do w my daughters.otherwise i dont think i can do anything. i was thinking to hire a person to look for leak but where to start.?.a camper store i suppose. its tough but it was my fathers and now it holds items from his life. its important to me. thank you kindly.
Did you apply this to your slides as well? Thanks in advance!
Good question. I didn't apply it on my slide tops because I only stay in the fifth wheel a few months and then retract the slides while I'm away from it. But I am a year down the line from coating my roof now and it has turned out so well that I plan to coat the slide tops as well next year when we get back to Arizona. Have safe and happy travels!
Can you add this to your slide out roof as well? Or just the main roof?
In many cases you can. Just make sure that the roof is made of the materials that are approved on the product's label.
I used 6" eternabond tape. Amazing stuff
Yes it is. And it lasts an incredibly long time too. Thanks for watching!
How much product did it take to cover your rv roof? We have a 36.6’ fifth wheel. Just a guesstimate.
Ours is about the same size and I used about 3 gallons for a one coat application. I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare …thanks. I ordered it a little while ago. Great video
mobilastic white coating works well, duckpond white coating works good on most all rv mobile home roofs. what does the inspector think of flexseal white roll on liquid ?? how about flexseal white rubber sealng tape ????
I don't have any experience with Flexseal myself, but there are other RV content creators that recommend it. Here is an example - rvblogger.com/blog/flex-seal-rv-roof/ I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare allrite thank you.
A question for everyone. I have no improvements to my rubber roof. Should I dicor tape the edges and then apply 887 or just apply 887 over the edges? Much hello for your wisdom.
You can go either way. If you apply TropiCool to the roof edges, you might want to apply it with just a painters brush to control how much is applied. Then use the roller in between on the flat roof surface.
What TSP cleaner do you recommend? This was a great video and appreciate all the help.
This is the only one I know of - amzn.to/46Aqgr9 And thanks for the positive feedback!
I see that you painted the Henry’s over all the sealant, and where screws hold the roof fixtures on. If you have to replace a cover or fixture, how hard is it to peel that stuff back without peeling more than you want?
To me it doesn't seem that difficult at all. I would just take a utility knife and cut around the edges of the roof component that needs to be replaced. Then just scrape the coating and the lap sealant off the top of the item's edge and remove the exposed screws. It's a pretty simple and straightforward job.
The label you showed did not include a fiberglass in the list.
If you have any questions about the use of Henry TropiCool it would be a good idea to call them direct at - 800-486-1278. They are happy to answer questions for you.
How do you feel about using Flex Seal for Rv rubber roofs?
I haven't really had any experience with Flex Seal on RV roofs so far. So I don't have any comment on it at this point.
Thanks for the video! I am looking for certified tv inspector crystal river fl area. any suggestions?
Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you for the information. much appreciated! we tried one of the big name places and they had it like 6 weeks and just kept saying waiting on parts should be anyday. long story short it was a nightmare. and nothing was done! so going to go this route and have them refer a/c specialist so I can have this basement unit replaced. compressors are bad. overall safety and front to back inspection will ease the mind before taking off on the road.
Can u use this right over new wood incase u had to tear off the top for repairs
That's probably a question for the good folks at Henry to answer. You can talk to them at 800-486-1278.
what if you use the eternabond tape and you have to replace something?, I heard it won't come back up
Yes, Eternabond can be removed. It's not an easy job but it's very doable.
Applicable for slide roofs as well ?
I would think so Bill. As long as the roof material is mentioned on the bucket as an approved type of roof that can be coated, you should be fine. I plan on coating my side roofs next year when I return to AZ.
I put on CRAZY SEAL!!! 50 YR WARRANY!!!!
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Thanks for sharing your choice of another kind of roof coating with us.
Is this better than Liquid roof RV roof coating or Liquid rubber silicon roof coating?
I can't say if it's better or not as I haven't tried that product. All I can say is that it worked very well for me on my 5th wheel roof. And the Amazon reviews for the product as well as the feedback I have gotten on this video indicates that lots of others are satisfied with the results as well. I hope that helps.
Thanks.@@RVInspectionAndCare
I've had a good experience with Eternabond. Why not use it for the entire roof if it lasts 20 years or more it would be worth the extra up front expense. Anyone done this?
Hi Mike. It would probably cost about 4 times as much to cover the same area, would take an awful lot longer to do, and this kind of roof coating product can last a very long time too. So it's just not worth the added expense in my opinion.
I just stumbled across your channel this afternoon and it is by far one of the best for RV'ers.
That's great to hear Douglas. Be sure to sub the channel because I've lots more great RVing stuff coming soon. Thanks for watching!
Is the roof still in good quality since you coated it.
It was great before I left on this year's cross country trip to the NE. And I haven't seen it since. I will be back in AZ in the next month or so though and I'm anxious to see how it held up during this year's record setting heat.
Hey Duane, what was the formula you used for the tsp was?
Hi James. Actually I had a professional power wash the roof before applying the product. I discussed the use of TSP with him, but in the end I allowed him to use his own prep wash product since he's very knowledgeable and experienced in the field. But if using TSP, my recommendation is to follow the directions on the product or call Henry to ask about their suggested mixture ratio if you still aren't sure what to do. They seem to be very helpful on questions like this.
Have you ever used any of the flex seal products on any Rv.
Sorry Dean, but I have not used Flex Seal thus far.
Can you put the eternabond over this roof coating?
I am told that Eternabond will not stick to TropiCool after the coating has been applied. But some RVers apply Eternabond first and then coat over it. The Henry customer service folks do not appear to recommend that. But there are reviews by RVers who have done it successfully with no problem.
since this is silicone, what if you need to add more of the tape or self leveling dicor later, will it stick on top of this coat?
The whole point of using either Eternabond or a silicone coating is to not have to redo anything on the roof. So if the coating covers either the Eternabond or sealant, there is very little that can cause it to degrade and need to be replaced. But if you're uncomfortable with using either of these products, just don't. It's not necessary. It has just made RV roof maintenance much easier for many who have used these products.
What about fixing tears?
What would you use since dicor won't stick to silicone
Firstly, this product is very tough and it would take a lot to penetrate it in my opinion. But if you do have a tear, Henry makes a repair product that they say can be applied over an existing cured silicone coating as a repair. You can view it here - henry.com/retail/repair-sealants/henry-885-tropi-cool-silicone-seam-and-repair-roof-sealant
@@RVInspectionAndCare ahh very kul
Thank you for this
I greatly appreciate it
I'm on the fence with Henry's tropicool
Just Wana cover all bases and get as much info on it
I can't seem to get a straight answer from the local rv guys around here
Thank you, I’m in search of a used RV but did not have any idea what to look for until I started watching your channel. I’m ready to get more serious about buying one now🤗
I'm glad to hear that my videos are helping you find the right RV for your needs Patricia. Thanks for watching and for leaving some positive feedback about the channel too!
Hi there, what do you use for a primer?
Hi Andy. The instructions from the factory do not recommend using a primer before application. You can view the instructions here - henry.com/fileadmin/pdf/current/tds/HE887_techdata.pdf
IA year ago I followed in your footsteps and covered all the sealant on the roof of my 2017 flagstaff fifth wheel with eternabond tape and then covered the tape and entire roof with Henry's Tropicool silicone sealant. I turned out GREAT! The question I have is because someone of face book said that their dad did the same thing to his RV. He now is asking what kind of sealant can he use to cover an area around a roof vent that is leaking. He said the tried DiCor and it just bubbled and the instructions say not to use over silicone. Hopefully I will never have a leak to worry about but if I do what is your recommendation. I assume it would be use eternabond but if I am somewhere that I can't get my hands on some, what kind of sealant that is self leveling would you recommend?
The whole point of applying both Eternabond and TropiCool on a roof is to prevent leaks, not to repair them. That's why it's essential to make sure all the joints and seams are treated with sealant first. If the person on Facebook applied Eternabond and TropiCool properly, it should not have developed a leak. And if the leak is because of the vent itself, it should just be replaced.
@RVInspectionAndCare I would assume if there every was damage to the roof like a tear then eternabond it and the problem is fixed. Is there any self leveling sealer that will work over silicone?
What product do I use for aluminium roof
Hi Mary. Dicor makes a product that says it is specially made for metal roofs, including aluminum. You can find it here - amzn.to/3rkjCVR
Duane good info! But my question to you is this beings you do inspections. My class C is 2 years old and last year I got the whole roof covered in black specks on it front to rear. I used a soft brush and dawn dish soap and water and it still left specks on it. Second time last year I used simple green disputed and soft brush. The roof is fine as the lap sealant from the factory as I’m inspecting all the time but because I can’t stand those specks I thought about Henry’s or divot cause I can’t stand looking at it. I hate to put a coating on it beings it’s two years old but it would look good. Any input would be appreciated.
That's an interesting question Rick. It's true that some stains just can't seem to be cleaned away from certain roofing materials. If you have tried Simple Green and Dawn, I don't have any other better recommendation for cleaning the roof. You might consider using a less expensive roof coating like the Dicor or Heng's product that I mentioned in the video. That should cover all the stains and give you UV protection too. It won't last as long as the Henry TropiCool, but it doesn't cost as much either. And you don't have to wait until a roof is showing signs of wear to apply a roof coating either. The sooner you start, the more protection the roof gets. I hope that helps. :-)
@@RVInspectionAndCare I don’t have a problem with Tropicool versus recoating every other year, I’m rather ocd about mechanicals and appearances. I’ve got beautiful full body paint and I wax it every other month plus I wax the vents and ac shroud up on the roof. I can’t help it, been that way with my house and vechiles and my semi trucks before I retired in 2021. Been rving for a good while tho.
I put the best roof over my motorhome.
I had an all metal, fully enclosed, shed built.
If you buy an Rv, you should park it under cover.
Be it a tent cover or car port or a shed Rvs need
to be protected from the elements.
They will oxidize & weather quickly.
Protect your investment.
!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject with us.
Thanks I appreciate your info and help. Big Phil.
Glad to help. Thanks for watching!
Any tips on how to remove Dicor on seams
Here is a good article and video that covers the subject pretty well - www.rvgoal.com/how-to-remove-sealant-from-rv-roof/
Great subject for a video here, and Ill share my secret recipe for leakfree roofs..Ive been using white marine polyurethane on all my rvs forever, as well as sealing permanent seams with 5200 fast cure and my skylights get full sealed with clear flexseal.
That seam goop is so primitive and useless and most people cannot figure out how to properly apply it anyways.
Thanks for that tip and idea. I always appreciate hearing what is working for others.
The problem with marine and avaiation urethane is that they do not tolerate any movement underneath due to movement of structures or heat related expansion and contraction and will develop cracks in those areas. The silicone coatings are highly flexible. But it is true that the urethane coatings last the longest on solid firm structures. The marine polyurethane 3M 5200 sealant is probably the best caulk goop money can buy. I'd guess better than silicone as proven in the marine industry.
4200 is 3Ms flexible brother to the 5200 (rigid/permanent)
Hi Dwayne, I have had my 1986 pace arrow since it was new and I’ve used snow shield on the aluminum roof, and I am absolutely amazed at your protection. It has given the roof as you know water damage is the very easily when you can’t see it so if you ever ever used the snow, can you tell me if you know anybody else used it and if they like it bitch in thanks for the great show video
I was using the mike , it spelled your name wrong.I’ll get it wright next time!😊
That's an interesting suggestion Bob. I have not heard anyone mention using that product before. Thanks for bringing it up here. Hopefully it might be helpful for others who have an aluminum roof.
LOL ... :-)
Great informative video. Keep them coming👍👍.
I'm glad to hear that the video was helpful. I've got lots more in the pipeline .... :-)
I've considered Henry's, but I'm concerned about it being slippery if its wet. Whats your observation?
Yes Joel, it can definitely be slippery when wet. I just take it into account and am extra careful on my roof.
Treat the roof like a ladder, always 3 points of contact. Nothing wrong with being on you hands and knees.
Silicone is very slippery when wet. Use caution.
Anyone know if this Henry's product can be applied over multiple layers of other roof coatings on a older RV, and get the same results as if applied to a bare rubber roof?
If all of the underlying coating is tight, Silicone coating will stick well. If there is any loose areas or blistering, scrape them off first. If there have been asphalt based coatings (black) previously applied, a bleed blocker primer is required if you want it to be a pretty white. If not the black will bleed thru and turn it a yellowish color.
I think Bob Esperum has the most expertise in this field, so I'm going with what he said!
@@BobEsperum-nr4co Thanks for the reply. All previous coatings are white. Some flaking and some blisters appears every summer and shows some small half dollar size black spots from the other coatings flaking off. The black appears to be the original rubber roof layer. I'm guessing the original white color has worn off in these places. I'm in Texas and the summer heat and sun are brutal on anything left outside. It's a 1996 Monaco class A. I know it needs a complete new roof, but I don't have the money to have it done, no place to park it under a roof, I'm old and I have back problems, nobody to help me and I'm tired of coating it every other year because of leaks from using products that don't last. I have an old 1994 5th wheel RV I live in with the same issues. Just tired of always worrying if I will have any leaks every time it rains. It's getting hard for me to do all this roof maintenance.
@@UnitedWeStand2020 A handyman type guy can easily handle this project if he follows the directions. Scrape / power wash (if it won’t flood the unit) to remove loose particles. If black EPDM (rubber) it doesn’t require bleed blocker however if it is an asphalt / tar type patch I would prime it with bleed blocker. If the unit does leak at the seams or penetrations, they can be scraped and repaired first to make the RV watertight, then power wash the larger roof area. Caution, tarp the ground and surrounding area as power washing will shoot loose stuff off the roof. Lightly hose for final rinse.
I have been careful not to critique the various products mentioned, but to more so tout commercial grade roofing products. Most products mentioned list “warranty” but it is only a piece of paper. If you read them and you qualify for a warranty claim, all they do is send you a bucket of coating. Henry, GACO, and LUCAS, to name a few manufacturers, provide commercial grade products that they will warranty Material and LABOR for product failure on commercial buildings. While they will not chase nor warranty RV roofs, if properly installed per the commercial specs you will receive the same performance.
Different manufacturers may require different cleaning, prep, or priming depending on the product. As I have mentioned in other threads, read the instructions for the substrate you are coating and follow the directions. Great products will have very specific and detailed installation instructions.
Could this help a new roof last longer
Yes it could in many cases Bobby. A roof coating acts as a shield for the roof from UV rays and the elements. So naturally that extends the life of the roof considerably.
How many gallons did you use for your roof?
Hi Vic. I got the 5 gallon bucket, but only used about 3 - 3.5 gallons on my 35 ft. fifth wheel's roof.
Thanks Duane. Keep up the good work