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Bus Kote Job Finished!

Yahoo Message Number: 68721
After reading all the good things about this product from those of you who have applied it to your roofs, we called and ordered the product out of Florida(we are in Apache Junction, AZ). My husband weighs 220 so I have always been the one to do the roof maintenance. My hope is that this product will considerably reduce my time on the roof.
My contact in Florida was Ed Shedlock (941-753-7500)and I asked him if a 68 year old woman could do this job ...he said 'no problem'. So I'm here to tell you I survived and the roof looks wonderful.
Here's a few details for those of you that are interested - ...I spent a day on my hands and knees(knee pads are a must) getting rid of all the little black spots of mildew/lichen. The next day we had it professionally power-washed. The next day I put masking tape all around the edges of the roof (do the fiberglass only) and then applied (with a paint roller) the base primer coat. The following day I applied the first coat of Bus Kote (again, with a paint roller). The next day I applied the 2nd coat of Bus Kote. There were places where I used a brush to get in and around hard to reach areas. I applied Bus Kote to the shower sky light and also the covers of both Fantastic Fans. In retrospect, I'm not sure I'd recommend doing the skylights...the base coat caused some weird streaking and we had to spend a lot of time getting this to look right.
We have a 7 year warranty from the company. I guess time will tell if it truly does reduce the heat 15 degrees and eliminate cleaning off those pesky back spots...plus sound-proofing, water-proofing, super insulating, no more streaking down the sides, etc.
One last comment...Ed took our measurements and recommended a certain amount of product. (4 gallons of primer and 6 gallons of Bus Kote) It was more than enough. We have two gallons of primer and one gallon of Bus Kote left over. The entire project was just under $500 and hopefully it will prove to be a sound investment. If anyone needs more explicit details, e-mail me directly. I'm going to go take a nap!! Sue 51672

2006 Inspire 360
...

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68722

We did ours a about a year ago. Still looks like it was just done. No peeling or any problems so far. Beats the heck out of slopping "stuff" that doesn't last but a few weeks or couple of months if exposed to anything.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68731
Sue,

I did our 2005 Inspire in a similar manner as you did, with Bus KIote. You will notice a significant decrease in temperature in the motorhome. We went one step additionally. we painted the sky light over the shower and have noticed a significant difference. I know we are happy, I am sure you will be.

Stan Inspire 2006 54106

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68732
Since you just finished, I highly recommend putting Bus Kotes clear sealer over the Bus Kote. I think it will last much longer. It is much easier to apply than the Bus Kote. Watery. Will be nice and shiny. I am only 4 months into it so I cannot say how it will last but I hear good things.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68733
Does that make it slippery?
Jack 2003 Intrigue. 11527

Rich rich_barlow@...> wrote:

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68739

Rich:

No, as Rich said it is low viscosity so goes on very thin. It includes the UV protectors the temporary stuff has but lasts many years.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68740

Duh, meant to address that to Jack. Anyway, no it won't make it slippery. It is great stuff and very reasonable when you add up the repeated cost of applying materials that disappear over a short period of time. After one year I see no signs of any kind of deterioration on our roof. It is space age materials developed from the shuttle program.
I am going to put it on the back of my fiberglass Motosat dish. I just had to replace it because the sun was destroying it, the tech had to wear gloves to protect his hands from the fiberglass strands falling of the old dish. I am not sure it would do to put it on the reflective side as I don't know what that would do to the signal - probably nothing but as that side seldom gets direct sunlight it isn't as much of an issue.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68743
Talkin' 'bout girl power...good job, Sue. My hat is off to you.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68748
Thanks for sharing your wonderful job... Takes away my excuses!!!
Was wondering, if those of you with solar panels, removed them first before applying Bus Kote?
I was also wondering perceptions on the cold weather help? Many postings on the temps being lower, but how about the cold weather?

Thanks,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68766
ygrps-yiv-1411801070 v0003a* {} One last bit of info from me. After reading the posts suggesting a final coat of clear sealer, we called Ed from Florida (our product source), and he advised against adding a clear coat finish because the clear coat is a hard finish and subject to cracking due to thermal shock caused by rapid changes in temperature. Bus Kote is flexible and not subject to cracking. Additionally Ed stated that Bus Kote does not have a "chalking" effect. Hope this helps.
Sue 51672

2006 Inspire 360

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68769

The manufacturer claims an insulating quality. I seem to remember a website where a university did some research using a building and found measurable improvement for both cold and heat. If my memory is correct (A dangerous assumption) there is probably still a link on their page - page previously posted I don't have it sorry - just google it.
I take with a grain of salt any claims by someone trying to sell me something but I really like this product. We did the whole deal: primer, Bus-Kote and clear sealer. I think my cost for materials was less than $400 and with what was left unused I could have saved at least $50 of that. Compare that to paint shops or 3-4 time a year applications of other products it sounds like a deal to me. At one time they claimed a 10 year life. They don't now, I think they claim 5 now but I am sure that is to avoid the lawyers of customers who would abuse the heck out of the product and then sue. This is not a new product getting fresh hype. It has been around for a while and is not agressively marketed to the RV community. It does have a track record that appears good - at least. Obviously I can't prove it for a number of reasons including it's only been on my coach for a year or so but I am hopeful, even confident, that my days of streaks running down the sides and leaks are past or postponed for a long time. Only time will tell. For what it cost and the next to zero upkeep to maintain it I fell I've gotten my money's worth already. Any insulating benefits are a bonus to me.
While I paid a fellow to apply it (orders from the boss to stay off the roof) it is one of the easier products to work with. E.g. water clean up.
If you want to save some money you can even buy the ceramic component and mix it into your own base paint. There are instructions. I figured the best performance would be with the materials and methods they recommend and supply.
Finally, no, I do not sell the stuff nor have I even talked to them. I'm just a happy customer. If you follow many of my posts I am very much a skeptic and believer in if it ain't broke don't. My .02.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68797
Who is Ed? That is interesting since BusKote itself sent me their special clear sealer (forget what it is called) for the exact purpose they suggested of putting over the BusKote which was indeed chalking somewhat and that does occur, trust me. I see nothing about cracking from thermal shock on the container of clear sealer. It would be rather useless if it did. I will go check when I have a chance. It has been down to 0F and up to 75 ambient since November. It is pretty tuff stuff and sticks like hell.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68800

Same here - comment makes no sense, why would they sell it. Might be a different product. Mine app is still pristine after sitting outside aobut a year. Seems to be really tough stuff. I sure hope so.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68814
ygrps-yiv-958023083 v0003a* {} Well now I am totally confused. I am going to have to research this some more to find out about this top clear coat. Ed is Ed Shedlock from Nationwide Chemical Coating Manufactures...he is the one who e-mailed us all the information on Bus Kote and answered all my questions...and shipped the product to us. As I recall, we got his name and contact information from the web site for Bus Kote. (not totally sure about this though) We assumed he was some kind of spokesman for them. He is the one who signs all the warranty information guaranteeing the Bus Kote product for seven years. I agree with you, Robert...why would Bus Kote make a product that wasn't good to use? Doesn't make sense. Baffled in AZ!! Sue Shuckhart 51672
2006 Inspire 360

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68815
Is it possible they have changed the formulation of the product and no longer need the clear coat?Leonard97 Magna 5418

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68816

Leonard:

I don't believe they require you use the clear coat, it is an additional application to extend the life of the job. That said I don't believe there is any stated guarantee the clear coat will extend the warranty any particular number of years, it's an option.
We'll see what Sue comes up with. I figured adding it while the job was being done was a minimal cost addition, it definitely looks good. I just read the info on the can and it contains more UV protectors which I can really use in FL while the rig bakes in the sun.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
 

Re: Bus Kote Job Finished!

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68851

Rich, Sue:

Just left home today so cannot check, but I am pretty certain that is not the clear that the Bos-Kote manufacturer recommends or that they sold me.
As to why someone might recommend something that isn't appropriate it wouldn't be the first time a tech forgot to suggest or perfrom the work so they tell me "Well, you didn't want to do that anyway."
Moral: Do your own research and make decisions based on that not what someone who may, I said may, have an agenda says.

www.hytechsales.com
The URL above goes to the folks who manufacture and design these materials. If it isn't sold by them I would not buy it. If you can find the exact same item cheaper elsewhere go for it but unless you know it is the same thing avoid it. Systems that are designed to work together do not usually tolerate changes well.
With all the awards and connections to NASA, etc. I wouldn't use anybody else. Again, just my .02 and where I actually put my money.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178