Roof - Elastomeric Coating

Our motorhome's Filon fiberglass roof was in need of a cleaning when we purchased it.  Despite the cosmetic appearance, it looked pretty good, including the Dicor self-leveling lap sealant and the Eternabond tape sealing the roof to the front and rear caps.

This is the roof when we purchased the motorhome.

Further inspection showed that the roof had been coated in the past with something that was now dull and chalky.  Online reading revealed that fiberglass roofs are prone to micro fractures as they age, which can lead to leaks.

Fortunately, I didn't find any large cracks like the ones pictured in this example of textured Filon, but I did find some small hairline fractures.

I suspect that one of the cons with coating the roof is that the slick gelcoat of the Filon gets covered up with a material that actually encourages dirt to stay attached to the roof.  I've owned a variety of fiberglass boats over the years, and it's always the ones with faded and chalky gelcoat that are the hardest to keep clean.

Eternabond tape around the skylight.

The roof was ready for a scrubbing and a recoating.

The area near the ladder provides a good view of the roof's texture and the Eternabond tape at the seal between the roof and the end cap.  The clear coat is gone from the paint on the top of the end cap.

Online research indicated that several Safari owners had good luck with elastomeric roof coating.  Especially helpful was the blog of Safari owner Karen Pfundtner

https://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

The Pfundtner's had documented their process for recoating their roof

kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/2009/10/coating-our-fiberglass-roof-on.html

Research showed there was no conscience on brand, as evidenced by folks using whatever happened to be available in their local market.  I went with Henry 687 which I got for $115 in a five gallon can from Home Depot.

I scrubbed the roof twice to break up the black spots and growth.  The scrubbing was followed up with a cleaning of the sides of the motorhome to avoid white streaks that came off the old coating.  I then touched up the Dicor lap sealant where needed.

The ladder area after two coats of white elastomeric coating.

I used blue masking tape along the sides, and then cut in everything with a brush.  I also removed the two vent covers.  After cutting in, I used a roller.  I found it easier to pour the coating on the roof and then roll it out, as opposed to using a roller pan.

Vent covers were removed for the process. 

All done and the vent covers back in place.

I used a little less than two gallons in apply two very heavy coats. In addition to the roof, I also coated the two sewer vent covers and the refrigerator vent cover.

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