Opinions on Kool-Seal type roof coatings

[Samsdad]

I've got a 78 aluminum skin roof Starcraft Venture that has hail damage and I suspect leaking seams....I'm planning to put a coat of Kool Seal on it...Years ago, I put it on a mobile home and it helped a lot with keeping it cooler.....Anyone done this to a popup?

[mike4947]

Well IIRC from the last time we used it the directions said to repair and gaps/leaks/etc before coating. It also said the product while it may "fix" roof problems it was not designed to do that. It mentions seams should be cleaned and recaulked if there are any leaks before coating.
All the times we've used it or a similar roof coating it applied/covered easily and looked very good after application.
It is very reflective, but doesn't provide any insulating value. So any "gain" in reducing heating comes from the difference in relectivity between the original roof and the coating.
We use MairineTex to fill any hail damage holes/dents. It is an epoxy putty compound that stick to most anything, sands easily, is waterproof unlike polyester putties. You can even "grain' it before it hardens so repairs virtually disappear.
 
Just had another thought: One application Kool Seal roof coating does work well to repair is if the roof aluminum has a lot of electrolysis pitting/tiny holes. Acid rain in our part of the country can make the aluminum look like a elf with a tiny pin punched a tiny hole in every low spot in the texture.
 
As always make sure the interior/core of the roof is dry. ANY moisture that gets trapped by repairs and/or coating will just continue to cause more and more damage over time.

[Samsdad]

Thanks Mike, I'm going to use a compatible caulk to reseal the seams...I like your advise on the hail dents...and this skin seems to be courroded in small areas near the edges.

[Gone-Camping]

If you visit their website (koolseal.com) you'll see that they recommend you use patching cement or patch tape to do repairs with. Kool Seal is simply a thick elastomeric paint, good for creating reflective coating to reduce heat with. I just painted the roof of my Bus Conversion with this stuff. There is actually something out there that is suppose to be even better (Bus Kote) but cost about 4 times as much...