Forum Discussion

Willie_B's avatar
Willie_B
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013

...Help, I Need Good EPDM Rubber Roof Advice...

...I have a 1997 Forest River 26' single slide 5th wheel... ...The EPDM rubber roof has about seen it's last days... ...It still looks gray but black spots are starting to show through... ...I am completely confused as to what to do with it as far as replaceing it or applying one of the many sealing coatings available... ...If I replace it,...washing it several times a year is not an option as it will be sitting on my mountain property where the water pressure and supply is quite limited,...and I am only there for a couple of weeks twice a year... ...I have researched several sealing coating options,..but that has just left me confused...

...The latest roll on coating I have encountered is a product that is made by an outfit called Gaco and is a silicone... ...There is a mobile outfit in Sacramento that swears by this product... ...The RV Roof Man... ...Here is the link http://thervroofman.com/home ...It all sounded good to me until I saw a video on U-Tube stating that it is not compatable with EPDM rubber roofs...

...In looking back at the web site it says they roll on 2 component EPDM sealant but in speaking to the owner Ron,...he tells me they now use Gaco Silicone,...which the U-Tube video indicated will not stick to EPDM rubber... ...The only thing I can think of,...and the owner kind of alluded to this,.. is that they must roll a layer of something that will stick to the EPDM as a primer coat,...then roll the Gaco Silicone over that???... ...Can anyone tell me what that primer coat might be???... ...The Gaco Silicone product is supposed to be maintance free and have a much longer life span than any of the other options...(search GacoPro.com for info)

...The bottom line here is that this trailer will spend the rest of it's life up on my property and I need a roof that is as maitenance free as possible with an extremely long life span... ..A rhino lining type coating also sounds like a good option but I can't seem to find much information on it as a roof coating...

...In other words,...Help!!!,what do I do???... ...Thanks Willie...
  • cabanaman's avatar
    cabanaman
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    Jerry B wrote:
    Coat it with "Liquid Rubber Roof", a two part EDPM roof coating.
    Also behr elastomeric paint works very nicely.It is 25 bucks for a gallon and will do your whole roof.
  • sk734's avatar
    sk734
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    Willie B wrote:
    ...I am not to concerned with the cost if it stands up for as long as they say it will... ...Their primer which is an epoxy is also a little pricey... ...The epoxy primer is what makes their product compatable with EPDM... ...The epoxy sticks to the EPDM and the Silicone sticks to the epoxy... ...I'm going to go for it when I get home (if all is well at home,...I am looking after my 97 year old mother)... ...I will let you know how it goes... ...It's a pretty basic procedure... ...I do have a minor amount of wood damage to attend to but I will take care of that with West Systems Epoxy(also very pricey)... ...I used to paint yachts with epoxy primers and urethane paints,...very expensive materials... ...Gaco isn't anywhere near as expensive as Awl Grip or Sterling epoxys and urethanes... ...It makes no sense to me to replace the rubber roof that may last for ten or twelve years when I can coat my old roof and it might last for 50 years???... ...Like anything else the prep is critical...
    What do you think it will cost for the materials? Ask the rep to sell it to you at cost or give it to you if this is the first rv roof it has been used on and they can use your rig in their advertisements as a new use for their product-good luck.
  • Willie_B's avatar
    Willie_B
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    ...I am not to concerned with the cost if it stands up for as long as they say it will... ...Their primer which is an epoxy is also a little pricey... ...The epoxy primer is what makes their product compatable with EPDM... ...The epoxy sticks to the EPDM and the Silicone sticks to the epoxy... ...I'm going to go for it when I get home (if all is well at home,...I am looking after my 97 year old mother)... ...I will let you know how it goes... ...It's a pretty basic procedure... ...I do have a minor amount of wood damage to attend to but I will take care of that with West Systems Epoxy(also very pricey)... ...I used to paint yachts with epoxy primers and urethane paints,...very expensive materials... ...Gaco isn't anywhere near as expensive as Awl Grip or Sterling epoxys and urethanes... ...It makes no sense to me to replace the rubber roof that may last for ten or twelve years when I can coat my old roof and it might last for 50 years???... ...Like anything else the prep is critical...
  • billmac's avatar
    billmac
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2013
    Sounds like it is an expensive elastomeric but it might be that much improved. Interesting that they endorse use with EPDM. Good luck with whatever route you choose.

    I sure would like to hear how it works out for you. I may be down this road someday. :)
  • Willie_B's avatar
    Willie_B
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2013
    ...OK guys,...I just got off the phone with a Gaco rep... ...He says their commercial product,...Gaco Western S2000 is compatable with EPDM rubber roofs... ...The roof must be clean and then primed with their primer before the Gaco S2000 is rolled on... ...He said it is used on lage commercial buildings with EPDM roofs... ...He indicated as much as a 50 year life span... ...I am now awaiting via E-mail the tech info from the rep... ...Who knows,...this may be the savior for EPDM RV roofs...

    http://www.gaco.com/Solventless-Silicone-Roof-Coating.html
  • sk734's avatar
    sk734
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2013
    I think many times people use produts when repairing things that were not recommended for the repair-I know I have on many occasions. A good example is the high gloss floor wax made by Zep that some people on this site have put on older 5vers to bring back the shine and swear it works well-I am sure this product was not made for this application.I would think about the above product if I was trying to save a lot of $$$ and if it did not work out I would coat it with liquid roof or replace the roof as a last resort. Good luck with your project. IMHO
  • billmac's avatar
    billmac
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2013
    Jim-Linda wrote:
    billmac wrote:
    I would be tempted to use the liquid roof. I have used it to repair my rv roof with good results. An RV repair guy told me he has painted several whole roofs with the stuff.

    If it were mine, I would be tempted to use white elastomeric roof coating from Lowes or Home Depot. It is used often to seal many mobile home roofs.

    I had a shop with a rusted metal roof that leaked terribly, a couple of hours, $100 in materials, and roofed was fixed. I know an RV repairman in the Arizona desert that paints the asphalt roofs with white elastomeric to reflect the sun, and seal the shingles from the wind. I decided to paint my storage building roof on his advice and could not be more pleased. Elastomeric is suppose to last 7 years.


    A phone call to the products support line will inform you its NOT for EPDM. Normal non-RV roofs, it will work well, just not for our purpose. A call may ease you mind about these products.

    Jim


    Jim I can appreciate what your saying and readily admit I don't know anything on this topic.

    Of course it is the best choice to follow the advice of the business. I am sure the best course would be a to install a new EPDM roof and then replace it every time it gets a bad spot. And be sure to clean it a couple of times a year with the appropriate cleaning material recommended by the manufacturer.

    I also understand elastomeric is not recommended on rubber roofs, commercial buildings, for use over rust, and many other exceptions. But I see it used all over, including several of my buildings, one is commercial, and one has a rusted R panel metal roof.

    I am just saying since the rv is not going to be used as an rv on the road, I would be tempted to use the elastomeric. I am NOT recommending it and I am no expert, I am just saying what I would consider it.

    I want to point out, I got the impression the question was possible alternatives to save money. I know many times manufacturers are concerned with many factors that don't concern me. Also, I've learned businesses are often worried about litigation but not necessarily saving me money.

    As someone who would prefer to spend my money elsewhere, I would seriously consider the liquid roof and maybe the elastomeric. The rv already has a roof, so a roof-over would only interest me if I was trying to reflect the heat from the sun.

    But this is all just me thinking out loud. I have admitted and made it clear that I don't know anything. Good Luck :)
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jun 10, 2013
    Bird Freak wrote:
    Patch the bad spots and have a metal carport built over it. You did say it will be there the rest of its life.


    X2! Might be even cheaper in the long run.

    Lyle
  • Jim-Linda's avatar
    Jim-Linda
    Explorer II
    Jun 10, 2013
    billmac wrote:
    I would be tempted to use the liquid roof. I have used it to repair my rv roof with good results. An RV repair guy told me he has painted several whole roofs with the stuff.

    If it were mine, I would be tempted to use white elastomeric roof coating from Lowes or Home Depot. It is used often to seal many mobile home roofs.

    I had a shop with a rusted metal roof that leaked terribly, a couple of hours, $100 in materials, and roofed was fixed. I know an RV repairman in the Arizona desert that paints the asphalt roofs with white elastomeric to reflect the sun, and seal the shingles from the wind. I decided to paint my storage building roof on his advice and could not be more pleased. Elastomeric is suppose to last 7 years.


    A phone call to the products support line will inform you its NOT for EPDM. Normal non-RV roofs, it will work well, just not for our purpose. A call may ease you mind about these products.

    Jim
  • sk734's avatar
    sk734
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    billmac wrote:
    I would be tempted to use the liquid roof. I have used it to repair my rv roof with good results. An RV repair guy told me he has painted several whole roofs with the stuff.

    If it were mine, I would be tempted to use white elastomeric roof coating from Lowes or Home Depot. It is used often to seal many mobile home roofs.

    I had a shop with a rusted metal roof that leaked terribly, a couple of hours, $100 in materials, and roofed was fixed. I know an RV repairman in the Arizona desert that paints the asphalt roofs with white elastomeric to reflect the sun, and seal the shingles from the wind. I decided to paint my storage building roof on his advice and could not be more pleased. Elastomeric is suppose to last 7 years.


    Sounds like a very interesting product.

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