FWC Roof Paint/Painting

[MarkBC]

Mine's a FWC, but these questions could equally apply to any aluminum-roof camper...or trailer.

There are some "small/medium-sized" patches on my camper roof where the paint is gone and the aluminum sheet is showing...and the bald patches seem to be growing/spreading a bit.

• Does it really matter? What is likely to happen if I don't paint those patches soon?

I assume that "corrosion" is the answer to that question. But does that mean that a yawning hole will open up

"soon" or would it take decades? I spend very little time near the ocean.
Has anyone ever seen aluminum roofing/siding on a camper or trailer or motorhome damaged by corrosion beyond just superficial/cosmetic damage? (on rigs that aren't oceanside, near the salt).

Why not paint? Because I'm lazy...and don't want to do work that's purely cosmetic and can't be seen from the ground...but if the danger of damage to my roof is real and not just cosmetic then I'm willing to do what my camper needs...to nurture its resale value, if nothing else.

• If I go ahead and give my camper the care it needs, what's the right/best type of paint to use?

I've asked the "what-paint" question before -- back in 2010 I think -- when the first bald patch appeared, and Stan@FWC answered me, told me what paint to use, but I can't find that answer now. I could probably just go to a hardware/paint/big-box store or RV dealer and ask, but I'm interested in what WTW members -- and/or Four Wheel Campers /Stan@ -- have used/recommend themselves.

I suppose that if I paint then I need to start by brushing (wire brush?) all over the roof to remove any potentially loose paint...

This issue is on my mind now because I've got all the components to install a solar panel to my roof (as well as the components to install roof-lifting helper struts so I can lift the roof + solar panel). Seems like before I cover up several square feet of roof with solar panel I should paint the bare patches...

Thanks in advance for input.

 

[SunMan]

Stan always said to use Rustoleum gloss white, liquid (quart) or spray. It's a pretty good match. That's what I've been using.

 

[Chukar Hunter]

Mine got some bald spot also that are growing. The cause for mine was ice buildup being stored outside in the winter and peeled the paint when I pushed the ice off. I have not had any corrosion issue but in the dry Nevada weather probably never will.

 

[LuckyDan]

My experience the roof is the first thing to go paint wise. Once it starts it will continue till you have a shiny aluminum roof, then a dull, oxidized roof. Although my Granby is older than yours I'd suspect the same progression will hold true. The thing about having the roof white is it will keep the camper's inside cooler in hot weather. Same reason they transported nuclear stuff in "White Trains" back in the 70's & 80's. The previous owner covered mine with Henrys elastomer sealant stuff, (I don't remember the correct name) which has held up so far. If and when I need to re-cover mine I'm considering using the roll on bed liner stuff, sans the texture grit. We have equipment at work that starts losing paint on the roof and other places, usually from something scratching it which lets water under the paint and thus the start of the peeling. Probably other reasons but that's the first one that comes to mind. So I'm thinking the bed liner stuff should be more durable.

I wish you well however you choose.

 

[Lighthawk]

Stan always said to use Rustoleum gloss white, liquid (quart) or spray. It's a pretty good match. That's what I've been using.


x2 When I gouged a hole in my roof (first trip mistake) with my Yakima rack I painted the roof patch with the same paint Sunni mentions. I've also touched up the front of the camper (the bug collector) when I blew off the paint with over zealous spray at the car wash. So far, so good!

 

[MarkBC]

Thanks for the input, guys.
I think I'll pick up some Rustoleum gloss white. If I get it in a spray can I can avoid cleaning a brush...I'm just a little lazy.

 

[Lighthawk]

Thanks for the input, guys.
I think I'll pick up some Rustoleum gloss white. If I get it in a spray can . . .


Spray can is the only way, Mark! My local hardware store had it in stock. I found a little blue masking tape for my buckles, etc. was helpful too. Just make sure the metal is neither too cold nor too hot when you apply the paint. I learned from a house painter years ago, that the surface temp of the building is often not the same as the air temp. If it was me, I would paint in the shade, during the warmer part of the day, preferably without a lot of wind (blows overspray around and dust can get into your finish). Guess you should drape the truck with sheets too, unless you want to touch up a few scratches.

 

[MarkBC]

OK, so I've finally gotten around to this task -- the first step in a multi-step project (solar panel on the roof, roof-lifting assist struts, under-cabover-storage rack for other solar panel).

Here are the BEFORE photos of my camper roof:

Yesterday morning I thought I was all set to paint.
The day before yesterday I'd taken a stiff-bristle (plastic) brush to it to remove loose paint, then I sprayed it off (with garden hose with spray nozzle -- not a power-washer) and let it dry overnight.
But as I looked closely at the surface of the roof I saw (what I thought were) hundreds, thousands of tiny bare spots all over! A little bit of rubbing with a wet paper towel showed that those "bare spots" were just dark dirt in all of the (fake wood-grain) texture of the roof.

So, last night I took a sponge mop and a bucket of mild-soapy-water to the roof and got it looking 95% cleaner, rinsed it and it dried overnight.

This morning I used a spray can of Rustoleum Gloss White on all of the bare spots, including some tiny ones not visible in the photos. I didn't do anything like a professional job, but the bare spots aren't bare anymore...and as I was considering not doing anything at all about the issue, that's good enough for me.

This afternoon I'll inspect it and see if I missed any spots or if any patches need a second coat.
"AFTER" photos to follow, as soon as I've decided I'm done.

 

[MarkBC]

Here is an "AFTER" picture -- I'm satisfied

:

The less-white area/patches are the new paint. I think the real color of the new paint is the same as original, but the new areas are smoother, and smoother surfaces have less micro-surface-area, so less surface-reflection, so appear less-white. The glossiest areas are spots I applied a second coat this morning, just a few minutes ago.
If I decide I really care about having a uniform-appearing surface I can still go back and go over the whole thing more methodically. (The paint is <$4/can, and HD has a 25%-more-free size can sale going on for the Rustoleum Gloss White right now, so the paint cost is minimal.)
← Yeah, boy!

Ummm...yeah -- a little overspray on the vent cover.

Oh well...maybe I can buff it off with very-fine paper...but I don't really care anyway as it won't affect function -- that's the kinda guy I am.

----------------------
Next step: Install the solar panel...or should it be "Install the roof-lifter assist struts?" first?

 

[Roger]

Looks good to me.
Who is going to inspect your roof for paint coverage uniformity anyway?
I have to climb up a ladder or come down a steep slope and get out to see my roof.

Roger