Painted White Tops

[Mike Eagle]

In several of the numerous photos posted on the forum I have seen painted white tops on beautiful highly polished Airstreams. Was the painted white top an Airstream option at one time or is this just an owner decision to paint? Is the paint an effort to seal leaks or reduce heat gain inside the unit? I have found no threads that discussed this.

[Melody Ranch]

It was a factory application. I do not know when it started. My 95 Sovereign had it. I am putting it on my 56 Cloud...previous owner had it done about 15 years ago. While I think the original idea was to reflect heat (what I want it for) some folks use thick rubberized coatings...I guess in the hope to prevent leaks. I am using Ceramaflex white. use search function on ceramaflex and you will get some discussions.

[Mike Eagle]

Thanks for the prompt reply Melody Ranch. Glad to hear it is an Airstrem item. I tried to search the product you plan to use, "ceramaflex", on the forum but I have never get any results here. (must be doing something wrong). I did a search on Google and got some interesting results. One is an industrial product applied in several steps by trained contractors on roofs for heat reduction. Second, was a thin set product used to install ceramic floor tile and the third was a white mastic used to install ceramic wall tile. Is the product you plan to use purchased locally?

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Mike Eagle

Thanks for the prompt reply Melody Ranch. Glad to hear it is an Airstrem item. I tried to search the product you plan to use, "ceramaflex", on the forum but I have never get any results here. (must be doing something wrong). I did a search on Google and got some interesting results. One is an industrial product applied in several steps by trained contractors on roofs for heat reduction. Second, was a thin set product used to install ceramic floor tile and the third was a white mastic used to install ceramic wall tile. Is the product you plan to use purchased locally?

Ceramiflex (only available in 5 gal) is made by a company called Sealoflex. You don't need special skill of equipment. They also make Reflectowhite (available in 1 gal) which is another option. Some people have put it on without primer, but a tech at the company recommended using their metal etching acid primer. To seal the roof the company recommends a final coat of Reflectowhite. It is not a specific trailer product, but a specialty architectural paint. It does seem to keep my trailer cooler.

If the polished Airstreams you refer to are vintage, it was not factory. It now is on new Airstreams.

[Mike Eagle]

Thanks Lumatic, that clears up everything.