by Joshua Thomas
Owning a recreational vehicle comes with responsibility as you have to take good care of it to make it serve you for long. And the roof is one of the areas often overlooked when it comes to maintenance.
For proper roof maintenance, you need to have the best RV roof coating as it provides a protective coating for the roof to keep out the elements.
There are different types of RV roof coatings from rubber to roof caulk and each will be ideal for different RVs and situations.
Besides understanding what the different types have to offer, you will also need to consider several other factors such as durability and ease of application.
In this piece, we explain these factors in more detail and provide a review of top 7 products to help make it easy to choose a good RV roof coating.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. Proguard F99911 (Best Overall) |
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2. Liquid Roof F9991-5 |
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3. Heng's TG-976 |
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4. Dicor RP-CRC-1 |
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5. Liquid Rubber USA 14101 |
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6. Kst Coating KST0000MC1 |
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7. Dicor RP-IRC-1 |
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Proguard F99911 is a top-rated RV roof coating that is designed to provide the best protection for a newly installed rubber roof. And it is an EDPM liquid coating that requires only a single coat application.
Also, it provides maximum coverage to the rubber roof with just a single coat application and can withstand a wide range of temperature from 60 degrees to 300 degrees F.
Furthermore, this liquid roof coating lets you enjoy a nice layer of rubber when it is completely cured. Since it is quite easy to apply on the surface, it also dries pretty quickly.
You also get a wider coverage per gallon to ensure you do not need to buy a lot of it, and it is guaranteed to provide roof protection for up to 5 years.
Being the priciest item on our RV roof coatings review, some users might find this product a little pricey but the quality of protection it provides makes it worth it.
Pros
Cons
Liquid Roof F9991-5 RV roof coating made especially for roofs, mobile homes and trailers. This coating promises to extend roof life and the results are great.
You can apply this roof coating to most roofing materials. It is also UV and ozone resistant, which will protect against harmful sun rays and keep the roof intact for a long.
This coating cures and waterproofs immediately after the application. Also, it seals roof leaks and provide heat reflective coating over the surface.
Other than that, it doesn't get damaged by freezing and it provides long term flexibility. It works very well even in adverse conditions with no chalking or shrinking and just one coat application is enough.
You need to make sure not to apply it directly over asphalt as it can damage it, but it should work well for other materials. Also, despite not being available in 1-gallon containers, the 5-gallons ones are still quite affordable.
Pros
Cons
If you are searching for the best rubber RV roof coating, Heng has you covered with this amazing product. It is manufactured to seal EDPM rubber roofs and will also seal vents and air conditioners.
Moreover, this roof coating is UV resistant to protect the coated roof from sun. And it is capable of resisting cracks for many years. Because it is non-toxic, it doesn't cause pollution and the coating is generally easy and safe to use in many conditions.
The coat dries fast and if you want to clean up, you can do easily as soon as it sticks up.
By providing excellent exterior durability, one coat lasts longer than expected. And it is is even more long lasting given that it expands and contracts with the roof.
The 30 square feet coverage that you get with this coating is the smallest on our list and the texture also seems a little thinner. But for a rubber coating, this product is still good enough.
Pros
Cons
Dicor brings you this RV EDPM roof coating to provide an excellent protective barrier for the roof.
As it is made to take special care of RV rubber roof, it helps extend the life of roof membrane by providing excellent UV protection and can withstand any weather.
This roof coating is also effective in eliminating the annoying roof rumble and will also require less maintenance over its lifetime.
If you want it to stick properly, use it with Dicor rubber roof cleaner or activator as the combination gives proper adhesion.
Because you need to buy the cleaner or activator separately, this means extra cost, but it is cheap and this should hence not be a big deal. And while it is true white coatings are more prone to staining, a little extra care is all you need to avoid this.
Pros
Cons
Ease of application is one of the key things that makes this one of the best rubber RV roof coatings but there is still way more to it.
It is also a great roof coating solution for keeping UV rays away and for offering protection from other elements such as rain and wind, and you can use it on various surfaces.
This coating will help keep the interior cooler. It will be handy for protecting metal roofs, camper, sheds, planter boxes, flat roofs, fences, metal, concrete, wood, mobile homes, stucco and gutter.
This roof coating has been formulated to be safe for both the vehicle and use as it uses a water-based formula with no harsh chemicals.
You will need to apply 2-3 heavy coats to achieve 1.0 - 1.5 mm membrane, which means more work and a longer application time. However, the final results will make the extra work worth it.
Pros
Cons
Kst Coating KST0000MC1 is a professional grade elastomeric roof coating for RV roofs that has been formulated to create a tough and highly protective barrier.
It is the cheapest RV roof coating on our list and after applying it you will get a cooler motorhomes during the summers as it reflects 85% of the sun's heat rays. Also, it is completely waterproof once cured completely.
Moreover, it creates a highly elastic and tough membrane which makes sure to serve you longer than those petroleum based solutions. Plus, it is safe to use and easy to apply as well.
If you want to seal or renew the roof, this roof coating will give good results. Also, it is ideal for different temperature ranges as it resists cracking and peeling. And if applied properly, it will serve for more than five years.
Because this roof coating is quite thin, you will need to use tape during application but once it dries up it will form an amazing coating.
Pros
Cons
Dicor brings you coolcoat roof coating on the best EPDM RV roof coatings out there thanks to the tough and long-lasting membrane it creates.
This one is well-known to save over 25% labor as compared to its counterparts because it offers quick drying time and easy application.
Plus, this roof coating is equipped with ceramic microcells which are infused to reduce heat transfer thus keeping the interiors cooler by up to 29%.
Moreover, Coolcoat reflects and scatter solar heat using tiny vacuum spheres to keep heat at bay. However, the need of air conditioner lessens which further helps in cutting energy bills.
The only downside of this roof coating is that you have to buy the rubber roof cleaner or activator separately as it is not included. But, it is quite cheap, and so you will not spend a lot of cash.
Pros
Cons
While it is true there are many kinds of RV coatings from different companies in the market, you should not just settle for any. To make sure that you make an informed choice you need to watch out for the following things when shopping:
Before you start shopping for a good RV roof coating, you will first need to decide the type you want to buy. And here you will often need to choose from 5 main options which are rubber, liquid, aluminum, fiber glass and roof caulk.
Rubber Coating
RV owners often prefer to use rubber RV roof coatings over most other types and there are generally two types of rubber coating. One is made from thermal poly olefin and the other is made from ethylene propylene diene monomer. Both of them are protective enough but they require different levels of maintenance.
Liquid Coating
Liquid coatings prevent corrosion and are water repellent. This coating is very easy to apply and will give you an easier time than most others. It is more of like painting the roof and since it also provides protection against UV rays, you can expect good durability.
Aluminium Coating
The aluminum coatings are not widely used because they add to the overall weight of the RV. Also, because not all the roofs are made of aluminium, it might also not be appropriate for some RVs with non-aluminum roofs.
And to apply this coating, you should have proper knowledge of the application procedure as you can easily ruin the roof. But, on the bright side, with the best RV aluminum roof sealants you will get some of the toughest roof coatings.
Fiberglass Coating
Fibreglass coating is used a little more often than aluminum coating. The maintenance is low as compared to aluminium coating. But the application process is not easy and you might have to call in a skilled professional to get it done. Also, it is costly and also adds to the overall weight of RV.
Roof Caulk
The roof caulk majorly prevents corrosion of metallic parts. The process is called caulking and it prevents water from getting in the recreational vehicle. Because different caulks serve different purposes, you need to check your RV type to get the best product.
Durability, no doubt is the primary reason you invest in RV roof coating. As you may know, reputed brands offer a good amount of durability and make the product serve you for longer.
While choosing any roof coating, don't forget to check the brand you are buying from as it is a good indication of the durability.
Also, the materials and the ratio of the ingredients used to make the coating will determine how long it will last and hence the frequency of reapplying it.
You do not want to invest in a product that is pretty hard to apply as it can take up a lot of your time. The roof coating must follow easy application process, so you can do it yourself instead of calling a professional for help.
Also, check if the cleaner or activator is already included if a roof coating requires it as this will ensure an easier time for you. And the cleanup must also be easy when the coating dries.
The roof coating has to be waterproof in order to prevent rain water from entering in and also to ensure it can last long enough.
As the weather changes your RV roof will be exposed to different elements and a water-repellent roof coating will give it much-needed protection.
UV rays produced by the sun are quite harmful for both the RV and its inhabitants. Hence, any RV roof coating you choose should create a protective barrier against sun rays.
Plus, UV rays can ruin the roof top so the roof coating should have the potential to avoid sunlight from getting through.
Price, is definitely a deciding factor for all. When you are done with considering all the factors above, the ultimate buying decision will come down to how much money you are willing to spend.
Usually, the products with high price tags are from the reputed brands and they are also better quality and more protective.
But that is not always the case, so it would be better to check the customer reviews first before deciding whether to splash a lot of cash on any RV roof coating.
Dicor RPCRC1 White EPDM Rubber Roof Coating - 1 Gallon - Walmart Link
Dicor Corporation RP-MRC-1 Elastomeric Coating 1 Gallon, White - Walmart Link
Heng's Rubber Roof Coating - 1 Gallon - Walmart Link
EternaBond RoofSeal White 4" x50' MicroSealant UV Stable Seam Repair Tape | 35 mil Total - Walmart Link
Geocel Corporation GC24201 Pro Flex RV Instant Repair (Packaging May Vary), White - Walmart Link
Flex Seal Liquid Rubber in a Can, 1-gal, White - Walmart Link
L R Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating - Solar Reflective Sealant, Trailer and Camper Roof - Walmart Link
Dicor RPCRC1 White EPDM Rubber Roof Coating - 1 Gallon - eBay Link
Dicor Corporation RP-MRC-1 Elastomeric Coating 1 Gallon, White - eBay Link
Heng's Rubber Roof Coating - 1 Gallon - eBay Link
EternaBond RoofSeal White 4" x50' MicroSealant UV Stable Seam Repair Tape | 35 mil Total - eBay Link
Geocel Corporation GC24201 Pro Flex RV Instant Repair (Packaging May Vary), White - eBay Link
Flex Seal Liquid Rubber in a Can, 1-gal, White - eBay Link
L R Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating - Solar Reflective Sealant, Trailer and Camper Roof - eBay Link
A good RV roof coating will give your motorhome much needed protection from the elements and also keep it looking neat and clean for a long time.
To choose the best RV roof coating from the many options out there you will need first to decide the type to buy and consider other factors like ease of application and price.
And regardless of the RV type you have and the level of protection you want you can be certain that there is at least one product from our review of top 10 products above that will work well for you.
Read More: 7 Best RV Roof Sealants
About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
Just Car Care