Painting the roof of your rig is an important step in protecting the interior contents that you put so much work into remodeling. This blog details the product we purchased to paint our roof, why we purchased it, how it’s holding up after 2+ years, and how we applied it.
Are you going deep into the rabbit hole on
- How to paint your skoolie exterior
- Best Exterior Skoolie Paint
- Skoolie supply list to build a rig like ours
- 6 Charming Exterior Skoolie Paint Schemes
Comprehensive Answers to Common Skoolie Myths
We aim to bust the common myths you read about school bus conversions by providing solid resources and research from the
Public Poll on Skoolie Roof Paint Used
It’s worth noting that there are a number of ways that you can protect your skoolie roof, and this was how we did it.
I created a poll in the Skoolie Girls forum asking what products they used on their roof, and the majority used Henry’s Tropicool.
If you did yours differently, please comment below what product(s) you used, how it’s holding up, and why you went with it.
White Elastomeric Paint for our Skoolie Roof
Henry’s Tropicool
Our home base is in Florida, which has heavy rainstorms and high temperatures. We purchased a product that is well-rated for these conditions following feedback from others within the skoolie and mobile home communities.
We settled on a white elastomeric paint called Henry’s Tropicool. It helps to seal cracks and it also reflects heat and high temperatures with the white finish.
The paint dries to a tacky texture, so just be aware of that. If you need to do any touch-up paint, it doesn’t sand all that easily. With that being said, I feel safer with the tacky texture when I have to be up on the roof because I feel like it grips my feet better than normal paint would.
How to Paint A Skoolie Roof
Prep a Skoolie Roof for Paint
Patch Any Holes
This is kind of a no-brainer. Patch any holes from light fixtures that have been removed before you can properly seal your house.
If your body is a stainless steel construction, you can buy new or reuse stainless steel sheets from your conversion to patch holes. We used an automotive grade caulk to seal small patches, like a sandwich. We went around the exterior seams of those patches with Henry’s Tropicool caulk.
If a larger area needs to be sealed, then you may need to use a rivet gun with rivets, or a welding kit with solder to complete the job.
Caulk the Seams
We used two products to caulk the seams on the roof of our rig. The first was a product made by Henry’s Tropicool, and we put that in all the exterior seams and edges where there would be movement. On areas where we had patches or had drilled through the interior to the exterior like when we installed our solar panels or roof-mount fans, we used an automotive sealant to create a strong bond.
Sand the Roof
We weren’t so concerned about a smooth finish on a roof, since no one would see it. You can sand earlier in the prep process or just before rolling the paint. We used an orbital sander with 80 to 120-grit sandpaper to lightly scuff the existing top coat. We did this so the new product would have better adhesion.
Do not sand heavily and take off the paint down to the metal.
Wash and Scrub
You’ll want to be very careful when you do this step since water on a slick metal surface can be slippery! My best practice was to scrub the surface on my hands and knees with a household scrubby brush.
The cleaning product I used was Evergreen. After you scrub the surface with a detergent of some kind, then rinse the roof two or three times and make sure there is no debris collecting in the drip rails (lip on the edge of the roof), so that way you have a clean service to paint.
Paint the Skoolie Roof
Once your surface is completely dry, you’ll use a paint roller with a thick nap on an extendable pole to roll your product while on the roof. If you’re not sure what nap to use, check to see what the product manufacturer or your paint supply store recommends.
We applied two coats for an even finish. On the hard-to-reach places, I used a regular brush to apply.
Safety Tips
When painting the drip edge of the bus, I climbed on a ladder from the ground so I didn’t have to lean over the edge from the roof.
This product is not like most paints I’ve worked with. It has a rubbery texture and doesn’t wash off easily like latex paint does. I would highly recommend protecting yourself by wearing gloves and protective goggles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Paint My Skoolie RV Roof White?
It’s widely known that white surfaces reflect sunlight and heat much better than darker surfaces. Reflecting the heat reduces the inside temperatures of the bus, making it more comfortable for passengers and more energy-efficient for powering the A/C.
In temperate climates like Florida, anything we can do to reflect the sun’s harsh rays is a win for us and the internal temperature of our mobile home!
There is science behind it, specific to the bus community.
Ten years ago, the Transport for London introduced a programme for the installation of white panels atop the capital’s trademark red buses in the framework of further climate-adaptation plans. More specifically, white panels reflect the rays of the summer sun, thus keeping the vehicles cooler. After 10 years, 98.5 percent of the fleet of 8,700 has white roofs, thus improving the overall conditions for passengers and drivers as well as reducing fuel consumption for air conditioning systems.
Bus & Coach
How often should I repaint or recaulk the seams on my skoolie roof?
Depending on the conditions where you live, manufacturer recommendations, and how you store your rig, you may need to repaint a
We store our rig in an uncovered location in Florida year-round. In our scenario, we need to recaulk the roof seams every one to two years and repaint the entire roof in five years.
We recommend inspecting your interior and exterior for leaks every three to six months, depending on usage and storage.
How much skoolie roof paint do I need?
I recommend buying one to two gallons, depending on your rig size. We purchased a 5-gallon container of Henry’s Tropicool for our 37-foot rig. I used about two gallons over two coats and gave the rest away to a friend!
For details on the paint we purchased for our
How do I calculate how much paint I need for my Skoolie roof?
We recommend using a paint calculator to determine how much primer and paint enamel you will need to paint your school bus conversion.
Sherwin Williams has a paint calculator and I’ve linked that below.
Conclusion
What products did you use to paint your
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