white roof paint

[diggerdude]

I have a 1972 vintage airstream. In my readings, I have learned, the white paint that is on newer airstreams, lowers the body temp. 50 degrees.
Is there a special paint ? Thankyou.

[dwightdi]

I painted the roof on my 77 white. It did help on the heat at Rapid City when there was a blazing sun and temperature in the shade was 105. It helped maybe 10 degrees on interior temperature since we did not have 30 amp service to run the air conditioner. Under normal conditions in locations like Newark New York, I do not think the differences would be that great. You should use a brilliant white automotive grade paint with high gloss since you do not want the caulking that occurs with house type paint. The caulking will lead to white residual stripes coming down the side of the Airstream after each rain. You will need to use a good primer intended to stick to aluminum under the paint unless the original Plasticoat is fully still attached.

[wahoonc]

The paint on the newer ones comes on the panels from the metal supplier, it will be a baked on enamel of some sort, probably Kynar or something similar. A couple of members on here have done it, one used Interlux boat paint on his MoHo with great results. I plan on using a high grade elastomeric coating, unless my test panel proves otherwise. POR 15 might be an option, but it is a super hard finish and might not take the flexing and is expensive.

Aaron

[nunya001]

My roof has an automotive white on the top - definitely helps

[Gkiesel]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

The paint on the newer ones comes on the panels from the metal supplier, it will be a baked on enamel of some sort, probably Kynar or something similar. A couple of members on here have done it, one used Interlux boat paint on his MoHo with great results. I plan on using a high grade elastomeric coating, unless my test panel proves otherwise. POR 15 might be an option, but it is a super hard finish and might not take the flexing and is expensive.

Aaron

Aaron, what is a elastomeric coating? Are you refering to the type of product that you coat a truck bed liner. Such as a Rhino lining? We are preparing to paint the argosy and I thought this would be a great coating for the roof. George.

[Roy B]

we have used an elastomeric coating on a house we built for a customer, its a coating that moves with the home kind of flexible in a way doesn't crack etc. ours was an elastomeric stucco coating that we used.

[Gkiesel]

What do you think of using this stuff?

Herculiner Truck Bed Liners

[Roy B]

Sounds like a good idea to me, if i had to repaint my roof i would look into an elastomeric paint for sure, we never had a crack in the stucco of the house we build at all, so when the house moved from natural settlement it held up great. I think it would hold up with the movement of an airstream also. Definitely worth looking into for sure.

[kdenault]

Kool Seal--available at Lowes. I painted the roof of my vintage Spartan with it. It's an elastomeric coating--I've been happy with it.

[Roy B]

thanks kdenault ..... i knew there was a product but couldn't think of the name "Kool Seal" was floating around in this old head some where but wouldn't come to the front for me.