Using Blackjack Elasto-kool 1000 on your RV is always beneficial. RV roof leaks due to cracks are common due to wear and tear and damage due to harsh weather conditions and UV rays.
Can You Use Black Jack Elasto-Kool 1000 on RV Roof? You can use Black Jack Elasto-kool 1000 Elastomeric sealant on RV roofs with metallic sheets or materials other than polymer plastics. First, to cover the roof, clean it and then dry it before using the roof coating. Next, repair the cracks or joints with sealant tape. Finally, apply the 2-3 coats of the Elasto-kool 1000 and wait for 1-2 days to completely dry it.
This article will guide the RV owners to use siliconized Elastomeric roof coating to protect it from direct sunlight and water leaks. We all also discuss its application method, preventive measures, and compatible materials for its usage to get the best adhesion.
What is Black Jack Elasto-kool 1000?
Two common roof coating materials are Silicone and Elastomeric, each having its benefits and drawbacks.
Blackjack Elasto-kool 1000 is a Silicone-based Elastomeric type material having potential benefits of both protecting your RV roof from water leaks and other kinds of harsh weather conditions.
The acrylic content of the coating gives it flexibility and resistance against peeling and cracking during RV movement and temperature changes. Silicone content gives it strength, extended life, waterproofing, and better adhesion with the roof surface.
UV rays in sunlight are most damaging for all kinds of materials. Elasto-kool 1000 is a potential barrier against UV rays and other side effects of direct exposure to sunlight.
The coating’s reflective nature and white color make it ideal for Metallic RV roofs to keep the interior cooler and reduce heat absorbance. It is economical to purchase, costing less than $50 that is many times lesser than silicone coatings.
Moreover, you can save dollars by less use of air conditioners as the interior temperature remains significantly lower than ambient conditions. It reduces the cooling bills by 25-35%, proving it a good investment.
Black RV roof with asphalt or tar coating can give it an unpleasant look that becomes dim with time. Therefore, the bright white layer of Elasto-kool 1000 gives it a new look.
You can also use any colorant in a small quantity to provide it with a desirable or matching shade with motorhome sidewalls.
What types of RV roofs are suitable for Elasto-kool 1000 coating?
Blackjack Elasto-kool 1000 is an Elastomeric roof coating suitable for flat roofs such as an RV. However, manufacturers recommend specific material roofs compatible with the coating material.
Using it on surfaces other than recommended ones can cause damage to them or don’t make an adhesive bond with them. Therefore, it results in no benefits and waste of resources only.
An example of recommended products with Elasto-kool 1000 coating is metallic ones made of lightweight metals such as aluminum.
You can also use it on built-up roofs (BUR) made of fiberglass sheets and asphalt layers. The purpose can be to repair the cracks and seal the joints to prevent water leaks.
Manufacturer prohibits the use of Elasto-kool 1000 on vehicles built of synthetic polymers like ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The reason can be the lack of adhesive bonding between the two materials and the single-ply membranous surface of such synthetic roofs.
You can fix it by adding layers of Polyurethane Elastomeric coating for protection and then apply the Elasto-kool 1000 for protection against sunlight, UV rays, and other unfavorable weather conditions.
If you doubt the compatibility of the siliconized Elastomeric paint with your RV roof material, you can check it before using it on the entire surface. Apply it on a small patch and let it dry. After the recommended time, check it for adhesion and finishing of the material.
How to use Black Jack Elasto-Kook 1000 on an RV roof?
Elasto-kool 1000 coating material also has few limitations regarding the temperature range. Therefore, follow the general precautions before applying the coat.
- Use protective equipment like goggles, gloves, and mask to protect your eyes and skin.
- In case of rain forecast in the next 1-2 days, delay the application process.
- Its acceptable temperature range is 30F-75F. Don’t apply it on a surface having a temperature above 90F.
Clean the roof
The first step of using Elasto-kool 1000 roof coating is to clean the surface thoroughly. With time, there can be the accumulation of dust, debris, or rust on metallic surfaces.
You can use any recommended RV roof cleaner for thorough cleaning to prevent any weak points. Next, apply the cleaner and rinse the surface with a clean cloth. You can also use water with pressure to serve the purpose.
During the cleaning process, it is recommended for best results to remove any loose pieces of roof materials and paint peels or other objects.
Clean the sides of vents and in case of rusting, apply a coat or two of paint before using this coating.
Check for mildew or mold growth and strong stains should be cleaned and washed using a bleach solution.
Completely dry the RV roof
Its surface should be free of water or moisture content before application of the Elasto-kool 1000 coating. Leave it for 1-2 hours after the cleaning step so that all water and other cleaning agents get dried.
In case of drainage problems or accumulation of water at any point, it is necessary to make arrangements for its removal.
If you don’t make it dry, Elastomeric roof coating will not bond with the roof surface. Moreover, it will increase its curing time, resulting in a waste of time.
Suppose you are applying it on any other roof layer of asphalt or aluminum. In that case, there should be a significant time difference between the application of two to make the first one cure properly.
Repair any cracks or joints
Before applying the Elasto-kool 1000 coating on the RV roof, make sure to repair any cracks and seal joints. Then, use sealant tape near the vents, around corners, and in damaged places.
Apply the coat over sealant tape and wait for 1-2 hours to make it completely dry. It is crucial to widening gaps over time due to expansion or contraction with a change in temperature.
Apply the Elasto-kool 1000
The First 3 steps are to prepare the RV surface before applying the Elasto-kool 1000. Apply the coat during mild weather conditions when the temperature is neither too cold nor too hot.
A clear sunny morning is the best time due to moderate temperature and good working conditions. Use a paint roller to spread the coating on the entire roof.
Repeat the procedure for a second coat to cover the whole top uniformly after 6-8 hours of the first coat. Use the roller gently as heavy rolling can damage the surface resulting in loose material mixing with the paint.
You can also use a sprayer to spread it, but that requires professional expertise to operate it and uniform layering on the roof. Change the direction of rolling in the second coat perpendicular to the first one for maximum coverage.
Dry the surface
After applying the coat, wait for the surface to be completely waterless. Recommended curing time for siliconized Elastomeric curing time by the manufacturer is 1-2 days. It can extend depending on the weather conditions.
If the roof has poor drainage or low areas to allow water accumulation, it can damage the coating before drying. After the process completes, you will observe a shiny bright roof surface due to the Silicone content of the paint.
Quantity of Blackjack Elasto-kool 1000 roof coating required for your RV
The quantity of Elastomeric roof coating for an RV roof depends on its material and surface area. Moreover, it increases with the number of joints and coats that you want to apply.
Metallic surfaces with flat and smooth textures require less quantity due to less absorbance. You will need 1 gallon to cover 75-105 square-ft for a single coat.
It will become double or triple according to the number of layers you want to apply. For other built-up structures, coverage will be lesser, ranging from 55-80 square-ft per gallon.
The reason can be the roughness of such surfaces and their porous structure to absorb the paint material. Before buying the coating, use a measuring tape to calculate the surface and order the quantity accordingly to prevent waste of resources.
How much does it cost to apply Blackjack Elasto-kool 1000 on an RV roof?
Elasto-kool 1000 is available in 2 packings of 1 and 5 gallons. 1-gallon size has a $30-$35 price, while a 5-gallon container costs around $95-$105.
Therefore, you can save money by buying the large size, but overall it depends on the coverage area of your RV.
You will also need to purchase additional products like ¾-ft roller, cracks repair solution, fabric, and tinting dye if you want to add color. They will additionally cost you $15-$20. However, it is easy to install, and you can do it by yourself.
What is the temperature range of application of the coating?
Recommended temperature range for the roof surface and ambient is 45F to 55F at the time of coating application.
Too hot temperatures beyond 90F can damage the adhesive properties of Elastomeric paint material. In addition, the freezing temperature will not let the surface dry, resulting in the wastage of the material.
What is the useful life of the product?
Blackjack has a standard warranty of 8-10 years for the product. Therefore, you can expect its useful life beyond that limit with proper application and preventing it from any physical damage.
To preserve its properties, you must ensure recommended curing time and acceptable temperature limits for its usage and storage.
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