Rubber Roof Crazing ?

harold1946 wrote:
I have often referred to the deterioration of the top layer of material on EPDM as crazing. Shortly after it will start sluffing off exposing the black layer. It is perfectly normal for EPDM to do so as it ages.
It does not necessarily mean there is a problem, simply the aging of the material. In this case the roof is 14 years old. EPDM has a normal service life of 20 years but many have extended it by recoating with a compatible material.

X2

You'll see it more often in the deep south where there is a high UV period.

I wish I had taken pics before the repair but this is basically what had happened to the rubber roof on my 96 bounder .It looked liked a shattered piece of glass.I think it was due to an improper roof coating applied to the rubber roof that destroyed it.
The bad roof caused some leak problems and coach was totaled because of it.I purchased coach with a Fla certificate of destruction.After I had completed repairs and documented it with state I was able to obtain a rebuilt title.

It appears I may be mistaken...again.
I must have misunderstood what I read in another forum.
I would provide a picture but the roof is covered by a foot of ice and snow.
Thanks for setting me straight.

Below is a picture of what "Crazing" actually looks like on fiberglass. It's more than skin deep. That's why when folks spend a ton of money to have a coach painted that has this crazing on it, it comes right back after some time. But, to have this same exact effect on a rubber roof, never seen it. I too had the "white" coating on our previous roof sluff off but, I've never heard that condition referred to as crazing. It's simply a "Peeling" of the coating on the black rubber. Ours was at a point that over 80% of the roof was black.

The roof was conveying way too much heat when that condition existed. So, that's when I decided to re-coat it. Way better temps inside the coach after that.
Scott

What makes you think that your rubber roof is crazing? If you post a picture or describe in more detail it would help people see what you are worried about and offer more specific comments to your issue.

I have often referred to the deterioration of the top layer of material on EPDM as crazing. Shortly after it will start sluffing off exposing the black layer. It is perfectly normal for EPDM to do so as it ages.
It does not necessarily mean there is a problem, simply the aging of the material. In this case the roof is 14 years old. EPDM has a normal service life of 20 years but many have extended it by recoating with a compatible material.

RetiredHoser wrote:
Has anyone come across the term "crazing" when referring to a rubber roof?
I have a rubber roof on my 1999 Damon Challenger and I wondered what it was.
Even money suggests it is not good !

The term Crazing is most notably associated with fiberglass. As has been stated, it's a series of fine cracks in multiple directions. It's known in the marine world for happening to certain models of boats in both the decks and the sidewalls. But, lately, as in several years of RV manufacturing, it's found its way into the sidewalls, fronts and backs of many of them. Mostly in the sidewalls. It's been admitted by some of the manufacturers that the cause was "bad" fiberglass panels shipped to them.

But, anyway, back to your question. "Crazing" on a rubber roof, never heard of it before now. Rubber roofs are somewhat dependable and, for the most part, can tolerate lots of mistreatment and neglect.

A good inspection about once every couple of months should reveal its general condition. Many, such as I, have taken steps to prolong it's life. In that, it get's thoroughly cleaned, prepped, pre-treated and then finally re-coated with the proper product. I did that to our previous coach, about 5 years ago and it's still looks great.

But, "crazing" on a rubber roof, I'm not even sure it can happen to rubber.
Scott

Also seen on side walls after removing dark decals. Thousands of very small cracks

Crazing happens to a Fiberglass roof never heard of it happening to a rubber roof.

Crazed = lots of fine cracks.

I've never heard it in the context of rubber roofs, but it can't be good.

Wayne