The Top RV Roof Coatings and Sealants for 2023

As an RV tech for 20 years, I've seen firsthand how important it is to have a quality roof coating that can stand up to the elements and keep your RV protected from leaks and damage. There are many different coatings on the market, each with their own pros and cons. In this post, I'll be discussing some of the top coatings and RV repair materials available for DIYers, and how they stack up against each other. Most of the coatings and sealants do not require a professional and can be done by the average person with little to no experience within a day. 

The Test We Put Them Through

In order to determine the effectiveness of each of these coatings and RV sealants, we put them through a series of tests. We tested each coating for longevity by painting a piece of rubber and leaving it out to dry, subjecting it to cold and heat to see how it held up. We also put each coating through the elongation test by applying it to rubber and stretching it several hundred times, simulating the movement and vibrations experienced when driving an RV. Finally, we tested each coating for durability by applying them to apples and dropping the fruit from 10 ft up to 100 ft. If you want to skip to the results chart below it gives a breakdown of the performance of each one. 

 (Tough Roof RV on stretched Rubber VS Silicone product)

But First lets go through what things you will need to consider when choosing the right products to waterproof and protect your roof.

RV Roof Sealant: When it comes to sealing your RV roof, it's important to use a high-quality product that can stand up to the elements and has recoat able features so repairs can be made in the future. One option that many RVers swear by is Dicor self-leveling lap sealant. This sealant is designed specifically for use on RV roofs, and is one of the most used for sealing around vents, skylights, and other protrusions. It's also easy to apply and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including metal, fiberglass, and TPO. Downfall to Dicor is it does not last often needing to be reapplied each and every year. Alternatives are Geocel proflex sealant our test has shown that Geocel is great for durability and long lasting however the adhesion test it passed but was average leading to often having to apply it. Finally for RV roof sealants we applied Tough Repair RV Sealant from Tough Tech coatings. Our Test showed that this sealant was very very strong and had tremendous flexibility. It was able to withstand the most extreme test that we did, which was a freeze and pull test where we froze a strip of it and stretched it. It passed with flying colors not snapping or cracking and had a psi test of over 1800 tensile strength. To put this in perspective, Dicor had a 150 psi strength test before breaking apart. Its also worth mentioning that Tough Repair RV Sealant comes in a pouch that is 2.5X the amount of RV caulk that a normal caulking tube makes, making it cheaper by the ounce. It has recoat ability meaning you can repair anything by coating right over the old sealant, and can be sealed back up and put on the shelf for storage even under extreme conditions it will last up to 3 years as long as sealed back up. 

RV Roof Patch Material: If you need to repair a small tear or hole in your RV roof, then a patch material can come in handy. One of the best options on the market is EternaBond RV roof seal tape. This tape is made of a high-strength adhesive that can bond to a variety of surfaces, including rubber, metal, and fiberglass. It's also waterproof and weather-resistant, making it a great choice for quick repairs. The downfall of Eternabond is it has a slick top finish on it meaning it can not be coated or sealed over and is always exposed to the sun. We recommend if you're coating your RV roof and want a seamless option look for tapes that have strong adhesion with a fabric top for coatings and sealants to be applied over. This will make for a much longer repair because your tape is hidden to the elements. Tough Tech Coatings has a waterproofing tape specifically designed for this purpose its called Tough Tape. It goes down first ensuring great waterproofing and then gets coated right over the top of it.

Clean and Seal Rubber Roof:

If you have a rubber RV roof, then keeping it clean and well-maintained is essential. One of the best ways to do this is by using a specialized cleaner and sealer, such as ProtectAll Rubber Roof Treatment. This product is designed to clean and condition your rubber roof, helping to prevent damage and extend its lifespan. It also contains UV blockers to protect against sun damage.

Mobile Home Roof Sealant: If you're looking for a sealant that can be used on both RVs and mobile homes, then strong acrylic coating is a great option. Everbond Liquid Rubber is one of the best ones we could find. This coating is designed to be used on a variety of surfaces, including metal, rubber, TPO, Fiberglass, wood, and even concrete. It's also waterproof and UV-resistant, making it a great choice for both hot and rainy climates.

RV Roof Coatings:

If you're looking for a coating that can provide long-lasting protection for your RV roof, then Tough Roof RV from Tough Tech Coating is a great choice. This coating is made of a liquid EPDM rubber that can bond to most surfaces, including rubber, TPO, metal, fiberglass, wood. It also has the highest UV-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures, and tested out at 1800 psi tensile strength  making it a great choice for all types of weather and easy to apply for DIYers.

Test Results Per Brand:

Conclusion:

After conducting these tests, we found that Tough Roof RV coatings performed the best overall however that doesn’t mean it's the right choice for your RV. We recommend knowing your RV surface and what will work the best for that surface. Understanding if your roof is a EPDM Rubber roof if it is loose laid meaning its not glued down you might consider a good Acrylic coating instead because the surfaces can expand and shrink if you use a VOC based product like Tough Roof or RV roof magic. If it's glued down you typically don't see bubbles or shrinkage right away, usually these imperfections go away after the roof cures, leaving you with the strongest waterproofing but it may not look the best right away. 

Do your research and decide what's best for your RV! Good luck and we’ll see you on the road!