Silicone Roof Sealant. Yes or No?

[davalt75]

The rubber roof membrane on my 2014, 42 ft. 5th wheel is not leaking, but the top layer is starting to flake off and I can see the black/gray rubber underneath. I am researching different coating options and came across Henry's Tropicool 887.

Henry HE887HS073 Tropicool Roof Coat, 5 Gallon Amazon.com

It has mostly good reviews and I like the fact that it is only a one coat application and doesn't require a primer. It is also supposed to reflect heat and help with cooling the camper, similar to Kool Seal. But I have read that some things such as Dicor self leveling lap sealant won't stick to silicone, so that is one thing to take into consideration. Has anyone used this stuff to seal their roof? If so, what was your experience? Any other recommendations are welcome. Ease of application and cost are both factors in my decision.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Henry's makes the seam sealant as well!
Read the stuff on their website!
If I had a rubber roof I couldn't put trop-i-coat on my roof quick enough!!! And is the only thing I would recommend, period.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Oh! Yes I have experience using it!!!

 

[davalt75]

That is what I was hoping to hear. I think I will go ahead and pull the trigger on it and order it. I found out Home Depot has it for about $120 less than Amazon. I hope it helps with keeping the camper cooler as well. Summers in South Carolina are no joke!

 

[davalt75]

Oh! Yes I have experience using it!!!

This is the 3rd camper I've owned, and all 3 have had an epdm rubber roof. With all 3 I have applied an approved epdm cleaner and uv protectant every Spring. In your experience, is it still necessary to apply a cleaner/protectant to the silicone coating? Also, roughly how long does the silicone coating last before needing to be re-applied?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Henry's is silicone, 100% silicone. UV protection is silicone. The reason I say this is silicone hose is used to transport Ozone, the product of UV light! It is the Ozone that causes the oxidation of virtually everything left in the sunlight. Silicone tubing still deteriorates in said equipment, but it takes much much longer.

Henry's is according to website. Designed for epdm roofing, but is not limited to it! You will find the warranty long enough if applied the way they tell you to, that in my opinion, the rig will disintegrate long before the roof needs any care.

Keep in mind, you will need to stay off the roof when it is wet, for the same reason non-stick pans are non-stick!

 

[davalt75]

Henry's is silicone, 100% silicone. UV protection is silicone. The reason I say this is silicone hose is used to transport Ozone, the product of UV light! It is the Ozone that causes the oxidation of virtually everything left in the sunlight. Silicone tubing still deteriorates in said equipment, but it takes much much longer.

Henry's is according to website. Designed for epdm roofing, but is not limited to it! You will find the warranty long enough if applied the way they tell you to, that in my opinion, the rig will disintegrate long before the roof needs any care.

Keep in mind, you will need to stay off the roof when it is wet, for the same reason non-stick pans are non-stick!

I like the idea of it being a one and done application.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I like the idea of it being a one and done application.

Read the application instructions, it is two coats just as all paints are, with one twist.

 

[davalt75]

Read the application instructions, it is two coats just as all paints are, with one twist.

Sorry for all the questions. You seem like you know what you're talking about and I really don't want to mess up the application. I understand the silicone coating and Dicor lap sealant will not bond together. I've also read that all old lap sealant should be removed before applying the silicone. I'm wondering if I could just apply the silicone up to where the lap sealant is at along the edge of the roof vents and skylight, and leave a border around them. My reasoning being that those vents and such inevitably degrade over time and need to be replaced. Lap sealant would need to be applied at that point, wouldn't it?

 

[davalt75]

Sorry for all the questions. You seem like you know what you're talking about and I really don't want to mess up the application. I understand the silicone coating and Dicor lap sealant will not bond together. I've also read that all old lap sealant should be removed before applying the silicone. I'm wondering if I could just apply the silicone up to where the lap sealant is at along the edge of the roof vents and skylight, and leave a border around them. My reasoning being that those vents and such inevitably degrade over time and need to be replaced. Lap sealant would need to be applied at that point, wouldn't it?

I emailed Henry customer support and they told me that the Henry 887 will in fact adhere to clean, dry, lap sealant. I have read several comments in other forums and Product reviews mention removing the old lap sealant. I was under the impression this was necessary b/c the silicone would not adhere to the sealant. Apparently, it is the opposite scenario that won't work, in that the Dicor won't adhere to the silicone once applied.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I emailed Henry customer support and they told me that the Henry 887 will in fact adhere to clean, dry, lap sealant. I have read several comments in other forums and Product reviews mention removing the old lap sealant. I was under the impression this was necessary b/c the silicone would not adhere to the sealant. Apparently, it is the opposite scenario that won't work, in that the Dicor won't adhere to the silicone once applied.

On point!!! I use silicon when I install vents and other (needs to seal) items. Henry's makes roof patch as well that is silicone.

Clean, dry, and make sure any cracked lap seal is removed before you apply any roof coating!

 

[LMHS]

A word of warning. Once you use the silicone roof coating you can ONLY use silicone roof coating on top. You can roll any of the elastomerics on top of each other, in any order. You can roll the silicone on top any of the elastomerics. But you can only roll silicone on top of silicone.

BTW, I have Henry's elastomeric roof coatings (287 Solar-Flex & 587 Dura-Brite) on my bus and on the truck camper. Love the stuff. Really quietens rain and hail on metal roofs. Makes a huge temperature difference too. I have also communicated extensively with Henry's tech support via email. I had a lot of questions. If you have a question, ask them. It might take a few days for them to get back to you but they will answer your questions.

If you roll any of the reflective roof coatings yourself, I suggest that you wear a high SPF sunburn protectant. It REALLY reflects well. I wore pants and rolled only on overcast days. I sunburned up to my knees. I sunburned on my stomach from leaning as I rolled (my shirt would swing away from my body). I sunburned on my neck and under my chin.

For sunburns: Brew Earl Grey tea (1 tea bag per coffee cup of water), let cool. Pour the tea into a fine mist trigger or fingertip sprayer (I use the empty fingertip sprayers in the travel stuff in the shampoo/deodorant section of Walmart). Rinse the dirt and sweat off in a lukewarm shower, if you can. Spray the sunburned areas with the tea. Do NOT rinse the tea off. Do NOT run. Do NOT pat. Let the tea dry. Repeat the application until the burn no longer hurts. The next day, you probably will not have a sunburn. I am very fair and burn like a redhead. This works for me.

 

[davalt75]

A word of warning. Once you use the silicone roof coating you can ONLY use silicone roof coating on top. You can roll any of the elastomerics on top of each other, in any order. You can roll the silicone on top any of the elastomerics. But you can only roll silicone on top of silicone.

BTW, I have Henry's elastomeric roof coatings (287 Solar-Flex & 587 Dura-Brite) on my bus and on the truck camper. Love the stuff. Really quietens rain and hail on metal roofs. Makes a huge temperature difference too. I have also communicated extensively with Henry's tech support via email. I had a lot of questions. If you have a question, ask them. It might take a few days for them to get back to you but they will answer your questions.

If you roll any of the reflective roof coatings yourself, I suggest that you wear a high SPF sunburn protectant. It REALLY reflects well. I wore pants and rolled only on overcast days. I sunburned up to my knees. I sunburned on my stomach from leaning as I rolled (my shirt would swing away from my body). I sunburned on my neck and under my chin.

For sunburns: Brew Earl Grey tea (1 tea bag per coffee cup of water), let cool. Pour the tea into a fine mist trigger or fingertip sprayer (I use the empty fingertip sprayers in the travel stuff in the shampoo/deodorant section of Walmart). Rinse the dirt and sweat off in a lukewarm shower, if you can. Spray the sunburned areas with the tea. Do NOT rinse the tea off. Do NOT run. Do NOT pat. Let the tea dry. Repeat the application until the burn no longer hurts. The next day, you probably will not have a sunburn. I am very fair and burn like a redhead. This works for me.

Yes, I have read that pretty much nothing sticks to silicone once you apply it. I've read several arguments for and against it, but I've read far more positive reviews than negative. I'm gonna give it a shot. And I'm really hoping the Henry's will make a difference in keeping the camper cooler in the summer, too. I agree with you about Henry's customer service. I sent them a couple of emails and they were very responsive and helpful.

 

[jim85541]

The rubber roof membrane on my 2014, 42 ft. 5th wheel is not leaking, but the top layer is starting to flake off and I can see the black/gray rubber underneath. I am researching different coating options and came across Henry's Tropicool 887.

Henry HE887HS073 Tropicool Roof Coat, 5 Gallon Amazon.com

It has mostly good reviews and I like the fact that it is only a one coat application and doesn't require a primer. It is also supposed to reflect heat and help with cooling the camper, similar to Kool Seal. But I have read that some things such as Dicor self leveling lap sealant won't stick to silicone, so that is one thing to take into consideration. Has anyone used this stuff to seal their roof? If so, what was your experience? Any other recommendations are welcome. Ease of application and cost are both factors in my decision.

My experience with silicone is only silicone will stick to it. And only if it is clean. So you will be stuck with silicone for all future repairs. Good news is it is available everywhere. Alcohol cleans it up and thins it. Plus a finger or tool dipped in alcohol with smooth the surface without sticking.

 

[eZAK]

Just for an alternative point of view, there are companies that will come to you, clean and recoat your roof
plus offer a life time warranty. The thing about RV roofs, you most likely won't know its leaking until it too late.
(past experience) Of course, Now, I have a Solitude with a life roof warranty

 

[Kevin D Pem]

My experience with silicone is only silicone will stick to it. And only if it is clean. So you will be stuck with silicone for all future repairs.

Kinda like setting high standards right?