More Canvas Roof Questions

[Jim Marshall]

I am interested in the canvas roof also. We don't have a tear now, we sold ours a few years back because we just couldn't get in and out of the little camper very well. We do have a small camper and it is needing a new roof. I really don't want to go back with EPDM so I am thinking about installing 1/4 plywood over the old EPDM then waterproof with canvas. One question is how flexible will the canvas be once the paint is dried. Could a rubber base paint be used or should an oil base or Latex be used.

Does anyone see problems with this type install except for weight?

Jim

[kirkman]

If it is leaking you could just go over it with this. If there's not any real structural damage or rot.
http://www.epdmcoatings.com/index.html
Or maybe this.I would call them first if you decide to go this root. If you do replace the roof I would go with this on the plywood. They say it will last 50 years!
http://www.gacoretail.com/gacoroof.html

[chartle]

I really don't want to go back with EPDM

Why don't you want to use something that is exactly designed for your what you want to do? In other words why not use the right product for the right job instead of something that might work.

[Jim Marshall]

I don't want to go back with EPDM for a couple of reasons, firs of all the only size I can get is 1 2/3 the size I need and that is way too much waste and not enough to re roof if I needed to later. Another reason is acid rain is bad in this area and a few of our friends with new roofs on new campers are getting pin holes and the dealers are saying it is from the acid rain. I don't want to go through all the trouble and expense and it not hold up.

[Jim Marshall]

Thanks Kirk, I plan to use the Gaco roof coating http://www.gacoretail.com/gacoroof.html but I plan to go an extra step. I am going to paint three coats of good paint on the plywood incorporating the untreated unshrunk canvas in the paint. After that dries I will put two coats of the white Gaco roof coating over all of that. I am installing an aluminum drip edge glued down with Butyl caulk which is about as good as it gets for water proofing caulk. I think this roof will last a long time.

I started tearing the roof off and it is in much worse shape than I thought. I will be replacing several ceiling joists, new insulation and ceiling inside also.