Community Forums

slackercrust · 08-09-2011, 08:51 AM

Heki escape hatch / skylight is a hot box heater over my TC cab. 150 degree heat on the inside shade in only 85 degree heat outside. Can't use reflectix, it can warp the top of the skylight.

Plan to paint the exterior of the skylight brown then white latex. Block as much light, then cool it down.

Have any of you ever painted a skylight? If so, should the plastic be scuffed up with fine sandpaper or just painted and not sanded?

I did paint the plastic vent lid to a TT, brown latex. It was starting to get powdery after only 2 years. Paint really helped it. Lasted 3 years longer, until I hit it with a snow scraper.

nosticks · 08-09-2011, 09:18 AM

Can't imagine wanting to paint it, but if you do, there are spray paints formulated for plastic as they retain some elasticity when dry. Home Depot has them. I've used them on other plastic items, I just used a liquid sander product to clean and prime the plastic.

CJ7ole · 08-09-2011, 09:18 AM

Try the Krylon rattle can, they make a version that adheres to plastic and meant for outdoor exposure, like plastic chairs and tables. I would stay away from latex.

njs42 · 08-09-2011, 09:34 AM

You could paint something else and stick it up there during warm weather a retrieve it when it is cold when maybe some refective heat would feel good?

Or perhaps apply some refective material that could be removed---painting seems so permanent-----otherwise----sure scuff it a bit paint adheres better that way, make sure it is clean and spray paint would be a good approach.

Larry & Rita · 08-09-2011, 10:22 AM

My Pace Arrow has a two piece skylight over the shower, so I just remove the inside piece and put aluminim foil from the kitchen, I cover it while it's on the floor so I can make a good fit and trim the excess, lots of Scotch tape holds it long enough to get it back into the outside piece, and get the screws back in, the foil is shiney on one side and that goes to the outside. When the heat is over, I can remove it, but my DW likes it as dark as possible in the room so it stays up most of the time.

Tincup · 08-09-2011, 01:08 PM

Yes, I painted mine. I put a 3" strip of masking tape around the bottom edge, painted the rest with white paint used to seal trailer roofs, don't remember the name but it's sold in all hardware stores, then removed the tape. It's been painted for 2 years and have been in temps up to 115F with no damage whatsoever. It cut the inside temperature in the bathroom drastically, I didn't use a thermometer but I'm guessing the inside temps were cut 80%.