pma4x4
AKA Yankeeroad
Down here in Arizona during the summer you do what you can to keep from spontaneously bursting into flames. When we buy a vehicle we ask if the A/C works before does it have tires?
I found out about this little trick a couple years ago through one of the guys on the Offroadpassport forum that has been doing this to vehicle tops for years. It's the exact stuff you paint on flat roofs on houses. I did this on my 96 cherokee two years ago and never regretted it. I will mention this as to how effective it is.
When I did my Cherokee roof I had two bolts that went thru the roof so I could mount a CB on my ceiling. During the summers these bolts would transfer the heat through to the CB bracket and you could dang near burn yourself on it. AFTER I cool coated the roof I could touch the CB bracket and mounting bolts and they were at interior temperature (cool to the touch).
Advantages:
Drops interior temp
Keeps Sun from damaging roof
Will also seal
Flexes with metal warping due to temperature changes
Ok, the project
Supplies:
1 Gallon Henrys 587 Roof top coating White ($27.97 at my locla Home depot)
(2) 1" paint brushes
(2) 3" paint brushes
2" wide painters tape
Small disposable paint tray
Try and do this in the shade when the body is not hot to the touch. This will give you more work time.
I used two of each brushes switching mid process as the paint does dry easily and starts gumming up the brush. I opted to change out to keep a nice smooth finish.
First wash and degrease your roof. It needs to be clean like you are getting ready to do regualr paint. Tape off where you want the edge of the cool coat to end. This is strictly personal preference I chose to follow existing body lines. It also helps to keep a straight line when taping.
(Sorry the blue tape blends in with the paint).
Now take either a green scotchbrite or some 320 automotive sandpaper and scuff up the surface. Once thats done take a damp towel and wipe off the sanding dust.
When you open the paint make sure you mix it will it may have seperated while sitting on the shelf. Once mixed it will have a consistency of Chocolate pudding.
Typically it will take 3 coats to get good coverage.
First coat
Second coat, change direction 90 degress and go against the first coat's grain. This helps evening and sealing.
3rd and finally coat, again change brushing 90*. I started front to back then side to side then finished front to back.
Being that we hit 100* today already I only had to wait about 15 minutes between coats and about 2 hours for full cure.
When you go to remove the tape you almost need to pull it directly back on its self. this helps "cut" the paint and keeps a clean line.
Finished!
Now enjoy nice cooler summer days in your vehicle. This will also help when you leave it parked in the sun all day it wont be as bad when you first get into it. You won't have to worry about redoing this for years to come.
I found out about this little trick a couple years ago through one of the guys on the Offroadpassport forum that has been doing this to vehicle tops for years. It's the exact stuff you paint on flat roofs on houses. I did this on my 96 cherokee two years ago and never regretted it. I will mention this as to how effective it is.
When I did my Cherokee roof I had two bolts that went thru the roof so I could mount a CB on my ceiling. During the summers these bolts would transfer the heat through to the CB bracket and you could dang near burn yourself on it. AFTER I cool coated the roof I could touch the CB bracket and mounting bolts and they were at interior temperature (cool to the touch).
Advantages:
Drops interior temp
Keeps Sun from damaging roof
Will also seal
Flexes with metal warping due to temperature changes
Ok, the project
Supplies:
1 Gallon Henrys 587 Roof top coating White ($27.97 at my locla Home depot)
(2) 1" paint brushes
(2) 3" paint brushes
2" wide painters tape
Small disposable paint tray
Try and do this in the shade when the body is not hot to the touch. This will give you more work time.
I used two of each brushes switching mid process as the paint does dry easily and starts gumming up the brush. I opted to change out to keep a nice smooth finish.
First wash and degrease your roof. It needs to be clean like you are getting ready to do regualr paint. Tape off where you want the edge of the cool coat to end. This is strictly personal preference I chose to follow existing body lines. It also helps to keep a straight line when taping.
(Sorry the blue tape blends in with the paint).
Now take either a green scotchbrite or some 320 automotive sandpaper and scuff up the surface. Once thats done take a damp towel and wipe off the sanding dust.
When you open the paint make sure you mix it will it may have seperated while sitting on the shelf. Once mixed it will have a consistency of Chocolate pudding.
Typically it will take 3 coats to get good coverage.
First coat
Second coat, change direction 90 degress and go against the first coat's grain. This helps evening and sealing.
3rd and finally coat, again change brushing 90*. I started front to back then side to side then finished front to back.
Being that we hit 100* today already I only had to wait about 15 minutes between coats and about 2 hours for full cure.
When you go to remove the tape you almost need to pull it directly back on its self. this helps "cut" the paint and keeps a clean line.
Finished!
Now enjoy nice cooler summer days in your vehicle. This will also help when you leave it parked in the sun all day it wont be as bad when you first get into it. You won't have to worry about redoing this for years to come.
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