Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating User Guide

: June 3, 2024
: Liquid Rubber

Table of Contents

PREPARATION
DETAIL WORK
APPLICATION
APPLICATION TIPS
CLEAN UP
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PACKAGING
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating

RV Roofs are notorious for leaking. Whether it’s a vent, skylight, tear or slide; it never seems to end. Liquid Rubber’s products provide you with easy DIY tools to keep your RV dry, eliminating the need for costly service calls.
The best roof leak is the one that never happens. This can only be accomplished with regular roof maintenance to reflect the sun’s heat, UV rays, and protect/seal the surface.

1150 Eighth Line Unit 16. Oakville, ON L6H 2R4 1-855-592-1049
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PREPARATION

Installing Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating is simple and easy! Follow the steps detailed below to ensure a proper installation of your high-performance coating. Surface preparation is the most important step in any successful coating installation. Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating can be applied to most substrates including metal, aluminum, wood, some plastics, fiberglass, EPDM, PVC, and bonds well to most coatings.

Identify your roof material: Fiberglass, wood and metal are easy to spot, but here is how to identify your sheet membrane roofs.
TPO: Typically, white in color, is usually shiny and has a plastic feel with an “orange peel” like texture. Do Not apply Liquid Rubber products over a TPO surface without a TPO Primer call to discuss with one of our technical representatives.
EPDM: Colors can vary from black to grey to white. Almost always has a smooth rubbery feel. It is also one of the thinnest materials (going down to .41 mm).
PVC: Typically found in white, but can come in grey, tan, and cream colors. PVC can easily be mistaken for TPO. If you are unsure as to which roofing material you have, it is best to call the manufacturer to verify. For EPDM us e Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer. For most other substrates, use Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer.
Inspect: Inspect caulking (lap sealant) and seams for shrinkage. Remove unbonded/damaged caulking and ensure the joint is clean and dry before applying Liquid Rubber Seam Tape.
Remove silicone caulking. and replace with Liquid Rubber caulking (or equivalent). Look for physical damage such as tears, holes, and dents where water pools. Inspect your interior for water damage. If you have fiberglass check for cracks. Use a fiberglass patch kit to repair prior to waterproofing.
Inspections should be performed regularly to identify small problems before they become big problems. It is best to apply Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating before you have a leak. This kind of preventative maintenance can save you the cost of repairs involved in water damaged interiors and electrical/ mechanical components.
General Preparation & Cleaning: (Prep is everything!) Use Liquid Rubber RV Smart Cleaner to remove surface contaminants. Ready to use. Do not dilute. Sweep surface clean. Wet surface lightly with a garden hose. Apply Liquid Rubber RV Smart Cleaner generously using a brush, roller, or spray equipment. Allow the solution to stand for 5-10 minutes. Work into the surface using a stiff bristle brush. Scrub a small section first to determine if area is cleaned. For stubborn stains, repeat application.
Rinse the surface: Rinse the sides and surface of your RV using a high- pressure spray nozzle & garden hose or power washer and allow to fully dry. For EPDM or PVC membranes, wipe down the surface with a clean white rag that has been dampened with acetone. This will condition the surface to receive the Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer. Use Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer for PVC, aluminum and fiberglass roofs.

DETAIL WORK

Cracks, joints, voids, etc.: (1/8″ or larger) should be pre-filled with a suitable patching material such as Liquid Rubber Caulking (or equivalent).
Detail Coats: Detail areas may include vents, skylights, etc. Precut Liquid Rubber Seam Tape to desired length and fit. Remove plastic backing before applying (be careful not to stretch the seam tape when removing the backing). Apply Seam Tape to all seams at perimeter and protrusions (vents, skylights, etc. Use pressure to activate adhesive leaving no wrinkles or fish-mouths. Overlap separate pieces of Seam Tape by at least 1 inch. Prime detail roof areas (not the Seam Tape) with the EPDM primer. When dry (tacky when cured), apply a heavy detail coat of Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating over the Seam Tape to encapsulate (at least 1 inch beyond the edges of the Seam Tape). Allow to dry. (“Remember, these are the area’s most likely to leak so pay special attention to the details, nobody wants to do it twice!”)

APPLICATION

Termination: Tape-off, block off or otherwise mask areas that are not to receive coating.
TIP: Pull your masking tape while coating is still wet. You may re-tape or stay shy of the termination line on your following applications. If you allow your coating to dry too much, you can score/cut along the tape line before pulling to prevent the chance of lifting the coating.
Method: Work in manageable sections. Apply the Liquid Rubber EPDM Prim e r to one side of the RV (leaving the other side uncoated so that you can walk and work on it. ) Allow the Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer to dry for 1-2 hours. Apply the Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating over the Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer, leaving 4-6 inches of the primer exposed so that you will be able to overlap it when you begin the second side. Allow the Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating to dry enough to walk on, and repeat the process for the second side.
Application: First apply Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer to remaining areas and allow to dry (tacky when cured, coat over primer as soon as possible) Apply as many coats of Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating using a brush or (3/8) 10mm roller until you use up required amount. Allow to dry, approximately 6-8 hours between coats or until dry to the touch with nothing wet underneath. Apply each new coat at a right angle to the previous coat to ensure even thickness. Before final coat, inspect for even thickness, pinholes, etc. Repair as necessary until you have a defect free, monolithic coat and apply the final coat.
Inspection: Inspect for pinholes, blisters, voids, thin spots or other defects. Repair as necessary.
Cure Time: Allow the coating to cure for 48 hours. Cold or damp conditions can extend drying times.
Coverage: Apply a minimum final coverage of 1 gallon per 50 sq. ft. (4.65 sq/m). A 5 gallon pail covers approximately a 30 ft. RV. (2-3 coats)

APPLICATION TIPS

Apply using a 3/8 (10mm) roller, brush or paint sprayer.
Apply to clean, dry surface that is free of dirt, silicone, loose paint, rust, oil, grease, coal tar, or other contaminants.
Use Liquid Rubber Caulking for gaps, joints and around penetrations.
Apply when temperature is above 10C/50F and rising including overnight temperatures.
Use Liquid Rubber RV Smart Cleaner to clean the surface.
Use Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer for EPDM roofs and Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer for most others. (we do not have a primer for TPO roofs at this time).
Apply each new coat in an alternate direction to the previous coat to ensure even thickness.
Apply next coat when dry to the touch (typically 6-8 hours, tacky is OK).
Typically cures within 48 hours.
Avoid hot, direct, intense sun when applying.
Avoid contact with solvents and solvent based cleaners, adhesives, and paints.
Wrap brushes in plastic and put in the fridge to keep fresh for next use.
Do not allow to freeze until fully cured.
Do not apply in wet conitions (including fog and dew) or if rain is forecasted within 24 hours.
Do not combine black products with colored products.
Make sure what you’re coating is at least 5 degrees above the dew point of the environment you are coating in. (See technical specs for more details)
For best results remove existing paints/coatings and apply directly to the substrate. (Some paints and coatings will not be compatible. Loose/flaky paint may be an indication that the existing paint/coating is not well bonded and therefore your Liquid Rubber solution may fail if applied over it instead of directly to the substrate. Oil based paints, enamels, epoxies, powder coats can be difficult to bond to. Contact your Liquid Rubber technical representative for further direction.)
If your RV is still under warranty be sure to contact the manufacturer to ensure you do not void the warranty.
Work in manageable sections. (EPDM Primer is very sticky when dry)
It is always a good idea to apply a small test patch in an inconspicuous area to ensure adequate adhesion prior to full application.
See website for videos and technical support.

CLEAN UP

Always organize yourself and your work area to reduce the potential for spillage and other accidents.
Set out a tarp or large piece of cardboard to keep containers and tools on, when not in use. Make sure you have a pail of soap and water and rags on hand so you are ready when an accident occurs.
Soak up as much material as possible with rags.
Clean immediately with soap and water.
If dried, scrape off as much as you can. (with a razor/ scraper/etc.)
Use an appropriate tool to mechanically remove (wire brush, grinder, etc.)
Refer to the product Safety Data Sheet for personal protective equipment recommendations.