KEBrown
Kansas
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Joined: 10/15/2007
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My roof doesn't leak, but my class C just seems to get and stay a little hotter during the day than a friend of mine who also has a class C, except they have a rubber roof; their class c is also about 6-7 years newer and they have a 13.5k DuoTherm and not a Coleman a/c. I've already tinted the windows very dark on mine.
1.) Does my '89 Tioga just have much less insualtion than a '96 Eldorado.
2.) Is the aluminum roof really creating that much heat gain.
3.) Will painting the roof white help with heat gain.
4.) Will upgrading to a 15k btu air cure the problem; I just bought the Mach 15 by Coleman, hope to install this weekend.
If I do paint the roof I'd probably just do a "cut around" job. I don't plan to lift every vent, etc, since I have no leaks and don't want any. Is it worth painting it w/ some bright white enamel or will paint even stick to the aluminum?
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vikx
Washington State
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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I'm not a fan of the white roof coatings because they tend to peel and can actually cause roof rot if water creeps underneath. Snow Roof and Kool Seal are coatings that would work for reflection. I would leave an area around each vent totally free of the coating so that you can repair/replace if needed. My hobby is repairing vintage travel trailers and I have spent hours picking and scraping these thick coatings off the roofs...there is a product called "Mobile Coat" which is not so thick; it's for mobile home roofs.
I would do a little research at a paint shop to see what they think about painting the roof and what to use. I'm thinking your new A/C may solve your problem. Also, if it's possible, installing better insulation would make a big difference. Unfortunately, this would involve pulling the ceiling panels. VK
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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If the roof is in good condition leave it alone. "If it isn't broke don't fix it" If it has problems like pin holes or minor leaks it may pay to coat it. The roof coating tends to turn gray after a couple of years. It may make the unit cooler in the hot sun. Good luck,
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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years ago I used Kool Seal on my house trailer. don't know why that wouldn't work just fine.\
bumpy
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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had a '84 26' 5er that had a mill finish aluminum roof. I applied two coats of Cool Seal White Elastomeric coating. Boy did it make a big difference in lowering inside temps. Had the unit 8 years and had to doctor a couple of small spots where the coating was lifting. Mill finnish aluminum roofing material comes in a roll and has grease from manufactoring process (crimp sealed process) so the surface needs prepping so the coating will bond. Many older mobilehomes have been coated with a white covering with great benifits. I would recommend a thin coating such as the product I mentioned over a thick product.
jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
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KEBrown
Kansas
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Joined: 10/15/2007
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Thanks for the help. I guess the results here are 50-50. Maybe I'll install the new 15k Coleman a/c and see if that cures my problem. Reinsulating the ceiling is not going to be an option; just to much to do and the inside is in great shape w/ no water damage. Guess I'll just have to cross my fingers the new a/c does the trick; if not, I'll have to revisit the coating of the roof. Thanks.
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Jim83Itasca
La Quinta Calif
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Joined: 09/16/2003
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Kool seal/kote or whatever you want to call it works wonders on the roofs here in the desert, First coat I brush on the sides very heavy and roller on the roof then let it cure for a few days....
Next coat is just rollered on (sorta heavy) and I'm done for a few years....Yes it works VERY well and the coach temps drop 5º-10º.....It ain't cheap but it works...Remember to wear SUN GLASSES when applied....
Jim
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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kool seal ultra white claims to reflect more heat i believe it works some to make it a little cooler.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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MELM
GA
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Joined: 12/11/2001
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You can also just prep, prime and paint it with primer and paint for aluminum.
My MH roof is aluminum and is white - probably prepainted before installation. It's a '90 model, and the paint is still in good shape.
Mel
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