Forum Discussion

Njmurvin's avatar
Njmurvin
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2019

Re-coat roof already?

I had a mobile RV service guy come over to the house to look at a couple of items on my 2011 Arctic Fox 27-5. One of the items was to check out the caulking on the roof. He told me that besides the caulking being all cracked and needing replacement, he also said my roof needs a complete re-coat (he calls it paint - in two stages of base and top coats) job. He quoted me $3,000 for the whole job. The first owner lived in Bakersfield, CA and I'm in SoCal. Yeah, it's hot in the summer but certainly not desert type heat. I would have hoped the roof would have lasted longer than 8 years before needing this level of service.

I'm a DIYer for many things, but climbing on a roof is not something I'm comfortable with. If I go up on a ladder next to it, can I see enough to confirm that it really needs re-coating? What should I be looking for?

If it does, is this a fair price for a 28ft trailer (includig re-caulking)?

18 Replies

  • I visited Rvroof.com aka RV Flex Armor store in Green Cove Springs, FL, yesterday. I have seen them at the Tampa RV show for years now. Even though My roof is in great shape and only 5 years old, I have decided to do the $6100 roof on my fiver. It will put an end to checking, re-caulking, etc., to the roof.
    After all, if you have a good rig you plan to keep, then just like your home, a good roof is s must.
    Your AF fiver has good bones and if you plan to keep it then I think the investment in a sprayed roof is well worth it.
  • A friend is an rv tech and recently suggested that the lifespan of the roof on my 09 Sundance would be extended considerably by painting it with the Decor product, it's an EPDM roof. After purchasing several gallons of paint and cleaner on eBay, I tackled this project last week. It took two hours to tape off everything and hang plastic on everything (following the Dicor instructions video) and the results were worth a full days effort.

    I had cleaned the roof and touched up the caulk annually, and store it in the shade here in San Luis Obispo. But I can definitely see the benefits of doing this project.
  • If looking at a DIY application, consider a high solid silicone roof. Unlike a membrane roof, it's a solid continuous roll/brush on application that eliminates the need for caulking, tape or lap sealant. It's also a soft roof so fused repairs are done with a tube of the silicone and a putty knife. It also has insulating properties especially on metal or solid fiberglass roofs. Another benefit is you can buy the material at major home improvement stores like Loews or Home Depot. Since this is a raw material applied application, you can do things like create a water diverter or channel on the roof or edges to suit your needs. Since it's a flexible material, you really don't have to worry about stretching, twisting, bending, flexing or anything else as it just becomes a huge silicone sheet bonded to your roof.

    Now, there are some pros and cons that must be considered and not all roofs are good candidates, but it's a excellent product at a reasonable cost that is becoming more and more popular. If you can paint an exterior wall, you can coat your roof with this product.
  • Another vote for Flex Armor.....if you plan on keeping your RV for a while, as it’s not cheap. The application charges are based upon linear feet of coverage, and if roof repairs are needed prior to the roof application! Do some research, it’s darn near “bullet proof”, and eliminates all of the roof seams.

    Everything is removed from the roof, the roof is inspected, the mounting flanges, brackets, etc. for all of your roof components are reattached to the roof, then the new roof material is sprayed on. Essentially the entire roof and all flanges, brackets, etc., become part of the roof.....no potential leakage. Then the ac’s, fan bodies, vent caps, etc. are connected to their bases.

    We did this two summers ago, including our slide-outs....it’s not cheap, but we thought it was worth the expense. The only potential negative....When it is wet, or has snow on it....it is slick as “snot on a door knob”! We do some fall/winter camping...To remove the snow is an extreme challenge. If videoed, you may make an episode on “Wipe Out or “ Jackass”! You will be on your hands and knees, holding on to whatever is available. Golf shoes would help....but, not recommended! :B
  • No it’s not a fair price. RV repair guy in our park quoted me $600 to two coat my roof with Henry’s solar roof coating. Had a guy next to me had it done and it looks like a new roof. I looked up the cost of materials would only be about $80, but Father Time keep telling me not climb on the roof any more