Paint Roof White

trevisgardne · 10-05-2006, 01:18 PM

I have seen and read about painting the roof white to reduce internal temps. I have a couple of questions:

1. What does Airsteam use? What kind/type of paint?

2. Has anyone else done this and what do you recommend?

3. Has anyone contemplated the white spray on -do it yourself pickup truck bedliner polyureathane stuff?

Thanks
Trevis

GlenCoombe · 10-05-2006, 01:22 PM

Check my thread "Airstream One wears a white hat." I would not recommend the spray on liner material. It will hold and show dirt.
I used Interlux Brightside and brushed it to a high gloss finish with the aid of slow trying brushing thinner also from Interlux.
It did make a difference.

2airishuman · 10-05-2006, 01:42 PM

hi trevis

the factory uses prefinished panels...
the white is applied by alcoa for the top panels.
it is a very thin layer but supposed to be very durable...

we shall see

cheers
2air'

klevan · 10-05-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevisgardne

I have seen and read about painting the roof white to reduce internal temps. I have a couple of questions:

1. What does Airsteam use? What kind/type of paint?

Thanks
Trevis

I have followed this topic closely and will soon paint the roof on our '76 Sovereign. That being said, I would never use what Airstream uses. On our 2000 it tended to chalk and stain the aluminum skin on the sidewalls when it rained.

Fyrzowt · 01-17-2008, 06:22 PM

My new to me 2000 Safari has a lot of chalking from the roof as well. When I washed it, the water draining from the roof was white.

Is this common to all years that have a white roof or limited to some years?

I would assume that waxing will help limit this.

Dave

lewster · 01-17-2008, 08:05 PM

Dave,

I'm up on MoHo roofs every day. Most have either pre-enameled aluminum roofs like A/S uses, or have some other type of white roof finish ( other than white rubber EPDM roofing).

Many of them chalk up when walked on and streak like you describe. The ones that don't have been regularly waxed. If yours is beginning to chalk, use a 2 step: polish, then final wax. It will have a nice gloss on it and should not chalk.

I do this on the white-finished roof of my '06 CCD. Still shiney and no streaking!!

Fyrzowt · 01-17-2008, 08:11 PM

Lew I appreciate your help, I'll give that a shot.

thatismytruc · 04-26-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Dave,

I'm up on MoHo roofs every day. Most have either pre-enameled aluminum roofs like A/S uses, or have some other type of white roof finish ( other than white rubber EPDM roofing).

Many of them chalk up when walked on and streak like you describe. The ones that don't have been regularly waxed. If yours is beginning to chalk, use a 2 step: polish, then final wax. It will have a nice gloss on it and should not chalk.

I do this on the white-finished roof of my '06 CCD. Still shiney and no streaking!!

Sorry to hijack the thread, but since it's been inactive for awhile ....
I have an Argosy with a white roof (po painted the rest of the trailer). I have some of this Premium White Elastomeric Roof Coating - Gallon - Camping World
hanging around and was thinking I would brush it on the small white section of the roof. What do you think? thanks in advance.

**overlander63** · 04-26-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatismytruc

Sorry to hijack the thread, but since it's been inactive for awhile ....
I have an Argosy with a white roof (po painted the rest of the trailer). I have some of this Premium White Elastomeric Roof Coating - Gallon - Camping World
hanging around and was thinking I would brush it on the small white section of the roof. What do you think? thanks in advance.

We used the white elestometric roof coating (aka kool seal) on the roof of our Argosy. It did help, and passed the ten foot test.

bobfowler · 04-26-2008, 07:21 PM

The Kool Seal that Terry put on his (now our) 20' Argosy seems to be holding up fine. Our only problem is that the trailer was parked for quite some time under pine trees (after Terry and before us) and now it's a filthy mess. We're in the process of finishing up some body work and the trailer will off for a fresh paint job - to include a fresh clean coat of Kool Seal.

n2916s · 04-26-2008, 07:49 PM

We used:

Product Detail (Snow Roof)

So far, so good. It has made a marked difference and as we live in Miami, there has been ample opportunity to garner results.

Looks pretty good and it rolled on painlessly.

Mike

Wharf Rats · 04-26-2008, 08:31 PM

As always Lewster is correct. The paint up there is oxidizing and you need to seal it. I personally use Rejex, but any good system like Meguires is just fine. I found I can reach 95% of the roof if I use an extension ladder with swimming pool noodles on each rail, one on each side. Just be careful it can get slippery up there. As a rule I wax the whole trailer twice a year, and the roof 3 times a year. Hope this helps. --Mark--