Question:

I see that FlexArmor recommends 187 mil thick on RV roofs. Would your recommend the same thickness, or is less coating required with your Spray Lining and Coatings brand products?

Answer:

One difference between FlexArmor and our Rhino/Line-X Alternative, SL&C, or Diamondback Linings products is the elasticity. Most of our coatings products are designed to provide impact and abrasion resistance and are not “rubbery”. The flexibility is more than ample to accommodate vibration and expansion/contraction due to thermal influences, but are a tough, almost impenetrable coating. You can certainly apply at 187 mil, but far less is required to achieve a tough layer of protection. The more flexible a coating is, the less abrasion resistant it is, and the more difficult to keep clean. Applying a thicker coating always requires more of it (increasing your cost).

We offer a wide variety of coatings which would be suitable for coating your RV roof, and we would be glad to make a few suggestions. Our standard SL&C and Diamondback Ultra product line can be applied with basic spray (hopper spray gun), roller, or brush equipment. Although the specs are not quite as high as our polyurea RLA polyurea product line, they are quite ample to provide lasting protection. These products do take awhile to cure, since they don’t “dry” by evaporation.

The RLA cartridge products are Line-X equivalent polyurea which is dry to the touch in under a minute. These products do require the polyurea cartridge spray gun to spray. They also require significantly higher compressor capabilities than the coatings applied by texture hopper.

We also have coatings which are more flexible (rubbery) which you may want to consider versus FlexArmor. Our Diamondback DB-1081 coating is a slow curing polyurea which can be applied by hopper spray gun, roller, or brush and has elasticity of up to 1,000%. It has various commercial applications, and until recently, we were marketing only to our commercial customers. A newer product we have added which is more UV stable is a 99% solids silicon product which has been thoroughly tested for your specific application.

One note on mil height… Every business who applies coatings talks about a certain mil height. The actual fact is that they refer to the thickest that your coating will be, not the overall thickness. Oftentimes, this thickness (if present at all in the finished work) will only be in the seams or other similar areas. You never get the level of thickness they talk about on the entire surface. If you are concerned about how thick a product is applied, get it in writing if paying someone to spray it for you. The only way to know how thick it is would be to apply it yourself.

As mentioned, the cartridge polyurea products would provide the most lasting protection, and could also be applied to other surfaces which you felt might need protection from the elements or road use. If you need to avoid the extra cost of the spray gun (about $525), or cannot get a compressor loaned with 10 cfm @ 110 psi, the DIY products we offer provide an excellent alternative. These products are still far superior in durability and application control than the competition.

You can see the cartridge products at: Rhino and Line-X Alternative Coatings , and the instructions at: How to Apply RLA Cartridge Polyurea Products . Most of our DIY product instructions can also be downloaded from our Spray Lining Network website as well.

If you have additional questions, feel free to get in touch directly by replying to this email or by entering extension 902 from the main greeting on our support line (1-855-545-4900). Always leave a message if you get voicemail, as we don’t outsource support, and may be busy assisting other customers.

For more information about Diamondback Linings SL&C brand products, you can always get in touch directly with our Contact Spray Lining and Coatings form.