Roof sealer.

[Chaz]

Ok, next question:
  I want to seal the roof and I understand there is some pretty neat stuff out there to do it with. Some of them - although not really thick - have a great insulation value. I was looking for one that has that as well as a silver color. (it will match the rest of my paint scheme best)
  Any suggestions on "what" and where to get it??
  Thanx again!
     Chaz

[Dreamscape]

There is a product called Alum-a-kote, primarily used for mobile homes though. I don't know anything about the product.
I used Kool-Seal from Home Depot, it is white, works very well.

Paul

[Dale MC8]

Chaz, check out pickup bed spray on/roll on liner. It comes in colors so you can add graphics visable from the air as well as a non-skid surface. I haven't used it myself (really thinking HARD about it) but have been on the roof of a couple S&S units that had something close and was impressed. HTH
Dale MC8

[oldmansax]

I have a neighbor who used to do entertainer conversions. He said he always painted the top of the coach after the break white for heat rejection. When I started to pull reefers, the tops were all silver. They soon turned black from diesel smoke. We started painting the tops white and were amazed at how much easier it was to keep the cargo at temperature. If you paint it after the roof breaks, the white cannot be seen from the side. Of course, airplanes will see the white roof. You could still do the bed liner thing, just make it white.

Have fun!

PS: Sorry I mis-spelled "reefers". One of these days I'll learn to proof-read.

[gus]

Oldman is 100% correct.

Never could understand why anyone would paint a roof silver. It is a very hot color and turns even darker after it ages a while.

White is so much cooler it is no contest. Just place your hand on the top surface of a silver car and then on a white car in a parking lot in bright sunshine sometime. Be careful though, the silver may cause you some pain from the heat.

[belfert]

I suspect the reason people paint the roofs some color other than white is because they think the non-matching color will be noticeable from ground level.  My bus has gold/green on the sides and the roof is white and it is very hard to tell the roof is a different color from the ground.

Brian Elfert

[RJ]

Chaz -

First question:  Why do you think you need to seal the roof?  Didn't GMC do a good enough job?

Second question:  Do you want the roof to absorb  heat, or reflect  it?

Just helping with your homework!

[Chaz]

Russ,
  I was wanting silver to not only match my color scheme that I have in mind to paint it, but I was under the impression that it would also reflect. I have seen plenty of other situations where they use silver to reflect. Probably more silver is used to reflect than white!! Even the mobile home stuff is silver.
  I also seen at the Hot Rod Nationals in Louisville that someone had a silver coating that they even put on a hot plate and showed its insulating value. I would have contacted them, but I did not have my bus or know I would be needing something like that. I thought someone from here might be able to steer me in the right direction.
And yes, my roof has a leak(s). I am going to hit all the seams with seam sealer after I wire brush them with a 4 1/2" right angle grinder. Then I want to recoat the whole thing with something that will do the BEST job.
  I hope I am not aggrevating you with my questions. I am very skilled at doing many things -especially automotive- but I am also one who is willing to ask questions and learn from people who have "been there, done that". In the hot rods I build, I put the insulation on the inside and paint the outside as anyone would a car/truck. But this is different so I was looking for people with experience to lend a hand.
  I hope that all came out with all due respect. I mean no disrespect. But I can see how all of my questions may wear on someone and they think I have little or no skills in this area. I am just lacking the knowledge that you all have from being in this cool hobby for so long. I am learning and appreciating it. I hope to be able to contribute some knowledge in the future. By the way, I carry tools in my vehicles mainly to help others.

  Have a great one!!
    Chaz

  p.s. The way I want to do it, you will see the top color from the ground. I dunno, maybe that is wrong. (?)

[H3Jim]

With all due respect to your very talented self.  the topic of roof color/ sealer / insulator is a regular one on these boards.  Much experience has been gained and shared, and the strong consensus is that white is the best roof top color, even though it may seem that silver might reflect more.  Try it yourself and see.

As an aside, I am very impressed with the work you have done, you are obviously very sharp and have a lot of creative talent.  I, like others,  can't wait to see what you do with your bus!

[Chaz]

Thanx Jim,
I hope I don't disappoint ya!!    But after what I have been finding out about what it costs to do the stuff I want to do, I am going to be doing the mechanical and essentials first! (as would make sense ) But I am "chomping at the bit" to start "tricking it out".    Especially since I found the wall covering I want to use.
I just got done talking with Bill Glenn and he was a TON of help!!!!!! I hope I don't wear him out, but we seem to be on the same wave length. 
  I may go with the white as it seems to be what the general consensous is. But I will be looking for that stuff I seen at the "Nats." to find out what it is and how it works. I'll let you all know when I do. At least I will be giving something back!
  Take care,
    Chaz

[RJ]

Chaz -

Nah, I don't mind all the questions at all - how else are you going to learn?

And I wasn't trying to be a smarta** by asking you questions back, I was just trying to help you think thru your motivation, and to then share your reasons with us, so that we can give you more intelligent answers!

If you haven't already, a search of the archives not only here, but over on the BNO BBS will bring up a lot of "cuss & discuss" about roof sealants.  (www.busnut.com)

Mechanicals are a good thing to have in "tip-top" shape first, before the "tricking out" begins!  A failure at Oh Dark Thirty ten miles outside Cantua Creek is not fun!   

FWIW & HTH. . .

[gus]

Once again, silver PAINT does not reflect heat, it absorbs heat. Silver (Real silver) as in a mirror does reflect heat.

White, even dull white, is the best heat reflective color for any purpose.

[Dallas]

Chaz,
Just for fun,
Try taking a piece of bare aluminum and allow it to sit in the sun fo a bit. Next, take that same piece of Aluminum and paint it with silver seal and let it sit in the sun for the same amount of time.. After that paint it with plain ol' white paint, letting it also sit for the specified period.

Now, before and after every test, take a thermometer or infrared temperature gun and check the under side of the aluminum. You will be thoroughly surprised at the results of your nonscientific tests.

We had a 20° temperature drop inside our bus, before we changed the insulation, just by painting the roof with white paint.

Also, consider, most silver paint isn't silver, but actually gray.

IHTH
Dallas

[Dreamscape]

I agree with WHITE. All of the school buses here in So Cal have white roofs. Seems like the homework is already done.
Like I said, after painting mine it made a big dfferance on the inside temp. Any other color absorbes heat, white reflects it.

Just my two cents,

Paul

[Chaz]

Looks like white is ahead in the election by all of the polls.    (the election is starting to fry my brain!) 
I still want to find out what that stuff was I seen at the Nats. and talk with those people first. It was some VERY impressive stuff.
  I was talking with a fellow busnut Paul and his wife from Cincy who stopped by to see my baby and he was thinking it may be something he heard of with ceramic in it. That may be the case. But just as he thought, it would be WAAAAAAAAAAAY expensive.
I use ceramic wool in my forge and the insulation value is incredible. 2600 degrees in the forge and I can put my finger on the other side of the wool that is 1 1/2" thick.
  Anyway, thanx for all the info! It looks like white may be the answer.

   Chaz