Community Forums

Monkey Run · 10-26-2013, 04:57 PM

Good evening friends!

I have a rubber roof on my 1999 Allegro Bus which is the original. The flat surface on top appears to be in good condition, however, the part which rolls around the radius on the sides looks to have creases or "bubbles" in some areas. I plan on coating the roof but want to ensure everything is addressed prior to doing so.

You can see from the pictures, the previous owner had it patched in a few spots, told me he got tangled up in a tree limb.

My question is this. Should I neatly cut and remove the area on the radius that looks to be wrinkled, apply some EternaBond from stem to stern and then coat or just coat over it the way it stands?

Thank you in advance for helping, I know very little about rubber roofing except what I have been able to find on the net.

jesilvas · 10-26-2013, 08:21 PM

To do it right, I would pull off a section of roof edge trim where needed, clean the roof VERY well, get a wide piece of patch (Dicor makes a 12" wide tape) and over lay in once piece where needed (best would have it screwed down under the front, back, and side trim) and then seal the exposed edges.

Monkey Run · 10-27-2013, 11:45 AM

That is what I was thinking but was uncertain how serious those wrinkles. Probably last a long time if I do it the way you suggest and then coat the entire thing.

TdogKing · 10-27-2013, 12:06 PM

My Bounder has same wrinkles on the radius corners . I don't think it's a big deal up just reseal the roof in whatever manor you choose and apply right over the wrinkles. I myself wouldn't cut out the wrinkles and create just another place to leak

Monkey Run · 10-27-2013, 03:03 PM

Would the wrinkles be a factory installed option

or something which developed over time, perhaps from a sloppy install?

TdogKing · 10-27-2013, 07:23 PM

I think over time it's the expanding and contraction of all the materials.

jesilvas · 10-27-2013, 07:24 PM

Bad factory install. Remove all the side trim, pull it tight, staple it down, put a 12" wide patch front to back under the front and rear seam, and then under the side trim, and it would be pretty good.
Why do you want to coat it all?

Monkey Run · 10-27-2013, 07:29 PM

I can see the white color wearing thin, not badly, however, I would like to preserve the roof so I believe coating will do that. I was given a price at the dealer of 8k for replacement, seems high to me. They told me it has 2-3 years left in it assuming nothing is done to stop degradation. If I coat it myself, it's probably a grand including the patch materials.

jesilvas · 10-27-2013, 07:52 PM

I would think around 6k but give or take.

If you wash and treat it like it should be, then it should have plenty of time. Are any spots showing black?

I don't see it being 1k to DIY.

Myssdragn · 10-27-2013, 08:02 PM

I just replaced the roof on my coach at a cost of $3800 including new underpayment on top of the old luan. The roof had leaked at the front and rear end caps. My rig is 36 feet long and the roof caulk had been neglected by the prior owner which I negotiated into the purchase price when I bought it last year. I budgeted 5K but found a collision shop that repairs RV's and did a first class job for less.

Monkey Run · 10-28-2013, 04:58 AM

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate them! No black showing through, it pretty much all looks in color what you see in the picture.

The 1K for "do it myself" is for purchasing the patch material if I were to cut the sides and the cost of the roof coating. Thinking back when I priced the materials for an entire tear-off and replace "do it myself" it was closer to $2500.

jesilvas · 10-28-2013, 05:49 AM

If it's all white, I wouldn't coat. Just keep it maintained.

Monkey Run · 10-28-2013, 06:08 AM

Ok, well, I figured the coating would add longevity. I plan on heading out on a trip in March, too late this year to do anything with it other than clean it. My son will be doing the cleaning this weekend and also applying a "preservative" I purchased at the motorhome dealership. I'll do that, then calk all penetrations. Next summer take a look at coating as I am willing to spend 1k if it prolongs the life of the rubber.