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cwf · 08-22-2015, 03:38 PM

Here is a possible "Replacement" for Ceramiflex....

Hy-Tech Coatings... A NASA knockoff company... So, this was developed for space gig, now available to mere mortals.... Here is our final exchange:

"I have attached a copy of a quote for you to look over. You will actually need 3 gallons of the Bus-Kote. A gallon only covers 150sqft at best and you have over 200 sqft of roof. You might get away with two but I would hate for you to run short. I also attached one of the pictures with some comments. The seam tape goes over the patch then is covered with another layer of the patching compound. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me."

Cost. $257 + shipping. For our 34'... Or less than $8 a foot!

Insulating Paint | Insulating Ceramic Paint Additive | Official NASA Spinoff

Any input? Thanks in a acne!

cwf · 09-16-2015, 02:52 PM

bump

AWCHIEF · 09-16-2015, 03:23 PM

"+shipping" how much to you? My quote from them for 2 gallons was $35 for shipping.

cwf · 09-16-2015, 03:26 PM

$88.24
shipping to 78664

AWCHIEF · 09-16-2015, 03:44 PM

It would be nice to find it locally.

cwf · 09-16-2015, 03:50 PM

I asked, but they appear to be 'single source'... they do offer the 'insulation' as an 'additive'.... which could be stirred into a good aircraft grade lacquer...which is my other 'thought'... but, finding someone to sell the aviation paint is a pain...

featherbedder · 09-16-2015, 03:53 PM

This was covered in previous thread about roof coatings. I wrote on this thread about bus-kote at that time and also ph. them and received exc. info, and as I stated before when get enough nerve to coat roof will do with bus-kote, also I have several friends that I rec. bus-kote to, but have not seen them this year or if they did it. It is very reasonable in cost compared to other coatings, plus won't streak and easy to apply. Def. replacement for ceramiflex and I believe less costly. It seems very easy to apply, only reason I'm hesitating is my 1976 pur. new by me and still all original.

txtwin · 09-16-2015, 04:55 PM

I've been looking at this as well. My roof coating is pretty thin, and likely needs to be replaced. Hoping that adding a new coating will help with the interior temps in the AS during the summer. Unfortunately, this has moved pretty low on my list of stuff to do lately, as I need to get some other stuff working first.

Good news, is that I think this is a weekend job in the right weather conditions. Tape it off, clean with mineral spirts, and then apply with a roller on the roof. Allow to dry, and apply 2nd coat either later that day or the next day. Is this about right? Will you guys replace the sealants around the roof openings at the same time so that you can paint the entire roof surface?

drboyd · 09-16-2015, 05:00 PM

I'd hesitate to coat the roof with insulating material, even though it sounds extremely tempting when it's 115 outside. Here's why:

You'd end up with two aluminum areas right next to each other at two different temperatures. Now the coefficient of expansion might not be enough to matter, but I'd have to say it would worry me.

AWCHIEF · 09-16-2015, 05:16 PM

Boyd, I don't get your concern. Could you elaborate at a level suitable for a complete idiot.

cwf · 09-16-2015, 10:59 PM

Guys.. I plan to cover only what Airstream originally painted. Guess was not much of a concern.... But willing to listen....

rmkrum · 09-16-2015, 11:37 PM

He's probably concerned that the difference in temperature caused by the "insulation" paint may make the coated aluminum expand less than the uncoated aluminum and possibly lead to movement between the two areas, then possibly lead to leaks or other issues.

I doubt it. The temperature difference is likely to be very little. I tend to think that most "insulating" coatings tend toward snake oil and make little difference unless they really reflect a lot of infrared... Even then there are probably more temperature differences between parts of an AS in the shade and in the sun.

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aquinob · 09-17-2015, 07:33 AM

There is actually quite a bit of difference in temps between a white coated airstream roof and the uncoated bare aluminum. I have mine covered with ceramiflex and while you can comfortably put you hand on the white side, the bare side will burn. But it isn't due to any insulating qualities, rather that the white reflects most of the energy back where the bare aluminum does not. As for movement in-between, I haven't seen anything. When you think about it, it will actually be a temperature gradient between the warm and hot sides due to diffusion.

drboyd · 09-17-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquinob

There is actually quite a bit of difference in temps between a white coated airstream roof and the uncoated bare aluminum. <snip> When you think about it, it will actually be a temperature gradient between the warm and hot sides due to diffusion.

Absolutely. There will be a gradient, but it will be a pretty quick transition between the absorptive aluminum and the reflective white coating.

But maybe it "ain't that big a deal." I just used an online calculator, and with a temperature difference of 104 deg F to 140 degF, the difference over 20 linear feet is only about a hundredth of a foot - roughly an eighth of an inch.

perryg114 · 09-17-2015, 05:27 PM

Your average white roof coating will help a lot. How much better is this stuff than regular white roof coating? I don't see any data. Most paints use ceramics (metal oxides) for pigmentation. So saying ceramic paint is somewhat redundant. White is much better at rejecting heat than polished aluminum. Paints are also by nature insulators because they are made of plastics and ceramics that don't conduct heat well. The coating being so thin makes this not such a big deal. Is this stuff better than regular white roof coating, maybe but by how much? It is probably less than 10%. So do the math and see if that 10% is worth extra money. If it does not cost much more than regular paint then go for it.

Perry

BigAl · 09-17-2015, 07:00 PM

I coated the roof of my trailer with Supertherm. It is a ceramic paint. The difference between this coating and a car surface with factory white paint is stunning. The car surface is hot to the touch. You can't keep your hand on it. the Supertherm surface feels cool to the touch. I would say ambient air temp.
Al

cwf · 09-18-2015, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl

I coated the roof of my trailer with Supertherm. It is a ceramic paint. The difference between this coating and a car surface with factory white paint is stunning. The car surface is hot to the touch. You can't keep your hand on it. the Supertherm surface feels cool to the touch. I would say ambient air temp.
Al

Al, is that similar to the Hy-Tech stuff? How was prep/apply?

Silverflames · 09-18-2015, 08:28 PM

Any running with super therm?

BigAl · 09-18-2015, 08:52 PM

Not sure how it compares to the hy-tech coating. I lightly sanded the area that I painted and then applied it with a roller and used a brush for cutting in the edges of the area and around fittings on the roof. It left a textured surface.
Al

cwf · 09-18-2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl

Not sure how it compares to the hy-tech coating. I lightly sanded the area that I painted and then applied it with a roller and used a brush for cutting in the edges of the area and around fittings on the roof. It left a textured surface.
Al

Ok, all that is available is the Supertherm in 5 gallons for about $200. So you used it right out of the pail? How much coverage? How many coats? How long ago? Easy to clean? Does your AS spend all its time outside! If not, how much under cover?