Roof coating

[Jerry Emert]

Hello all!  Newbie here again, although you'd think after 2 years with this coach I should know what I'm doing by now, anyway!
I had to replace a vent cap on the roof and all went well but in the process I discovered that a previous owner had some sort of roof covering put on the fiberglass roof.  It is white and very thick and ... well... rubbery.  I know there are several kinds out there and I was wondering if there is anything I should know about this type of roof treatment.  Like don't put X on it or it will flow off like a river of mud!  Or hopefully less dramatic "bad" things will happen.  It must have been there for awhile because I've also noticed that there are some small (smaller than dime) areas that I can see and feel the fiberglass through.  I slapped some Dicor on just for the heck of it but is there anything that I should do?  As always, thank you in advance for your help.
Jerry

[Edward Buker]

Jerry,

One would assume that the past owner had a suitable product applied and for the most part you just clean periodically and just keep an eye on it for any adhesion loss or spots like you found. Lapping a small area with Dicor is probably as good as anything for patching a thicker coating. Most of the modern roof treatments are durable and do not require much attention. If you got any literature from the past owner you may have a warranty on the coating or some info where it was done so you could find out what the material was.

Later Ed

[Jerry Emert]

Jerry,

One would assume that the past owner had a suitable product applied and for the most part you just clean periodically and just keep an eye on it for any adhesion loss or spots like you found. Lapping a small area with Dicor is probably as good as anything for patching a thicker coating. Most of the modern roof treatments are durable and do not require much attention. If you got any literature from the past owner you may have a warranty on the coating or some info where it was done so you could find out what the material was.

Later Ed

Thanks Ed.  No paperwork, just curious. 

[Dick Simonis]

Jerry, from your description it sounds like the elestomeric roof coating commonly used on houses here in the south.  If so, thank the PO for doing that.  Great stuff.

[Robin Goffrier]

My 01 Marquis is in the shop in Bend right now having the white portion of the roof coated.  When I purchased the coach from Beaver Sales in Bend we had the caps repainted but not the white center.  Every time it rains we get significant white streaking down the sides of the coach.  I have most of my work done here by Bend RV and had them look at the roof when it was in for winterization.  Glass roof is suffering from UV exposure and is chalking but not yet checking.  They will clean, sand and coat glass with something similar to a bedliner coating if I understand correctly. It will be great to wash the coach and a few days later have no streaking.

[Doug Allman]

We are in the foam insulation and coatings business and I am going to install this winter when in Arizona a coating on our 2004 Marquis that you can roll on over the original fiberglass roof. I have been applying mop and glo about every 6 months to keep the streaking to a minimum. It works but a real coating will last for 20 years or better and fully seal roof. It has significant flexibility for our rolling earthquakes.

I know this site is not for advertising but there are options that are far better than what you can get on the open market so I will help anyone if they want to ask for info on this type product. If you can handle a paint brush and roller, or have a friend that will, or want it done at a area I am in, you can review my coach roof and make your decision. I could also send you a picture after mine is completed in January.

[Joel Weiss]

Three years ago we had Dicor Fiberglass Roof Coating applied to our roof which was chalking and leaving streaks whenever it rained.  The product is relatively easy to apply and has weathered well.  We have not had ANY chalking since the application.  I'm surprised that more people aren't aware of this product: http://www.amazon.com/Dicor-RPFRC1-Fiberglass-Roof-Coating/dp/B007TQI96K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449696218&sr=8-1&keywords=dicor+fiberglass+rv+roof+coating

[LaMonte Monnell]

Three years ago we had Dicor Fiberglass Roof Coating applied to our roof which was chalking and leaving streaks whenever it rained.  The product is relatively easy to apply and has weathered well.  We have not had ANY chalking since the application.  I'm surprised that more people aren't aware of this product: http://www.amazon.com/Dicor-RPFRC1-Fiberglass-Roof-Coating/dp/B007TQI96K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449696218&sr=8-1&keywords=dicor+fiberglass+rv+roof+coating

That is what I used Joel. It was an easy prep, I just lightly sanded the roof, washed it super good, waited till the next am when it was dry and applied Dicor with a long handled roller and pan. By the time I ddi the whole roof it was dry and started the second coat. Been great for three years now. Only a couple of spots it came up and I just recoated them.

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

The Rustoleum Marine Deck Coat is designed to go on a marine application in a damp environment and still adhere to the surface like an epoxy.  A yacht flexes even more than our rigs.
The truck  bed liner is much the same and fuses to the surface like an epoxy.

I will admit that there is much to the prep work of any of the roof coatings and seeing the result after a few years, but not witnessing the prep, might impact the result.  That said I have had this experience on multiple past RV s and the same result.  Anything that doesnt become part of the roof substrait like an epoxy, will seperate from the roof and allow water to infiltrate between the layers.  This never fully dries out and it becomes a leak that can't be traced.

I too have the aging fiberglass roof but give me a product that becomes part of the roof permanently.

Just one guys opinion
Keith