Brite Tek roof vs Fiberglass

Semi Retired Grandpa wrote:

harold1946 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

harold1946 wrote:
All seams and protrusions should be checked at least once a year. I do it twice a year. The ac units have a gasket and require no caulking.
Fiberglass, whether a gelcoat or painted finish, should be waxed or coated with a UV protectant. It will oxidize just as any other finish.
Brite Tek requires only checking and resealing of seams and protrusions.

drive by any marina and note those chunks of fiberglass floating in the water. no waxing, no UV protectant, nothing except perhaps rubbing off algae every once in a while. other than caulking the seams and various things mounted on the roof, nothing else needs to be done.
bumpy

I own one of those boats, and believe me they do oxodize and need protection from UV. Instead of just driving by, walk down and swipe your hand across the gunnel.
I guess it depends on whether one wants to keep it in top shape or let it deteriorate. Its pretty easy to spot the ones that are cared for and the neglected ones, even from a distance.
Go to the search bar and type in gel coat. You may be amazed at the number of posts regarding oxidation and fading of gelcoat.

Agree. Have left a sail boat in the water for extended periods - in saltwater on both east and west coasts - with very little maintenance required (teak trim being the only continual maintenance required other than annual bottom cleaning/paint). Also owned a trailerable fiberglass boat for 18 years w/o more than a general washing ever required to keep it looking like new. Also owned an Itasca MH with an aluminum roof for 18 years - used summer and winter - w/o so much as having to caulk a roof seam. More recently owned a Winnebago MH with fiberglass roof from 2005 until 2013 with extended trips thru the very hot SW and twice to Alaska w/o any roof maintenance - no caulking, no leaks, no problem. Looked like new when we sold it the first part of 2013. When purchasing a new MH eliminated from consideration all those w/o fiberglass roofs because of too many reported problems and long term maintenance requirements with other materials.

yep, I've owned fiberglass RVs, boats, etc. for 54 years so I claim to be familiar with what happens when they are left out in the open. yes, they will "look" better if you wax them up but the last fiberglass boat I bought about 1-2 years ago was a 1973 fiberglass Ranger bass boat. strange how that 40 year old chunk of fiberglass hasn't fallen apart by now.

now if one is naive enough to think that TPO is "better" than fiberglass, go ahead and buy one. heck, buy a rubber roofed one if you really want to punish yourself.

bumpy