Henry's 687 Envirowhite paint really works!

[pmowers]

I had seen someone mention the white elastomeric roof coatings elsewhere on the site, and seen claims that it lowers the temperature inside your trailer by 20 degrees. Could this be true? My trailer hit 131 inside this summer while I was working on it. I decided to do a little research on the web. Henry is a manufacturer who makes a lot of different roofing products and one of them is called Envirowhite. After talking to the product support people at Henrys, I was told that their 687 was their only product approved for over the road use, and is applied at a rate of 2 gallons per 100 sq. feet (2 coats). It is an elastomeric polymer which when cured, is supposed to be able to stretch over 200% and will bond to aluminum. It is also supposed to be able to withstand standing water pooling for more than 24 hours. When it is wet you can clean up with soap and water, when dry, you need paint thinner.

Okay, now that I knew what I think I wanted, lets get it. None of the big box stores in the area carried it, and the shipping was pretty high for the internet. A local Do-it! hardware manager said that they could order it, it comes in a case of 4 cans, and I had to prepay for the case. When I called the local Ace hardware store, the manager said that Ace was having him redo that section of the paint display and if he could substitute, he was willing to give it a try. While we talked on the phone, he was checking the warehouse to see if he could get it, told me its done, and on the way. That was Wednesday, and it arrived in the store on Friday! I for one always have tried to support the local small businesses, When I went to pick it up, there was a guy looking at it, wondering if it would work on his pop-up. we talked and I think he bought the other 2 cans.

This stuff is heavy- I held 1 can of the 687 in one hand, and 3 of the aluminumized roofing coating in the other, and the 687 still felt heavier.

Saturday, it was clear and sunny so I cranked up the jack on the front of my CTC, sprayed the roof down with cleaner, scrubbed it with a foam mop and rinsed the roof off. Once the roof was dry, I masked off the edges of the roof (mine is rounded), and started to lay the stuff down with a roller, going side to side. I then did a second coat rolling front to back. I probably did not put it on as heavy as the instructions say, I may not have had the right roller for the job.

Other commenter's are right, wear sunglasses when you put this stuff down, it is blindingly white- Henry claims that it reflects 80% of the heat.

The quick and dirty test- My CT is not insulated, and when I started the work the day before, I could barely hold my hand to the ceiling inside. I should have taken its temp but I forgot. The outside temp was a high of 72 and it was almost 100 inside with the vent open. This afternoon, about the same time of day, outside temp was 78, my IR thermometer said that the temperature of the aluminum fender was 118,(the fender is usually cooler than the roof) and the ceiling that was uncomfortable to touch was now reading 89 degrees, Trailer temp inside was 87, with the vent closed. A difference of 29 degrees, and the world. I am a believer!


I have a full can left, but I think that if I put on a couple more coats, I will need the space heater to keep it warm enough to use in the summer.
Pat

[campmaster-k]

Its the color of the material that made it cooler. Light color house paint will make yout house cooler also.

[pmowers]

Its the color of the material that made it cooler. Light color house paint will make yout house cooler also.

That is some of what I thought, but I had a glossy white metal sheet with the same sun exposure, and it was hot to the touch, versus just warm.

[roadinspector]

pmowers,

You did more research than I did. I bought what HD had on the shelf which was 287. I only put on 2 coats but it could use 2 more. I put it on back in July 2012 and it is holding up pretty good so far. Not only does it reflect the heat it's composition creates an insulation barrier. It sure made a difference in my CT. If I put on the other 2 coats I'll check out the 687. Thanks for the info.

[Irving]

I am exploring the option of using this as an exterior finish for the roof and side walls of my trailer project. I just sent Henry's an email asking what primers/sealers they would recommend using first. Perhaps this product wouldn't work well on plywood at all. I like the price, so I hope it turns out to be a good option.

[Irving]

For anyone interested in this product as a possible finish coat for your plywood exterior - here is some interesting conversation that I just had with a representative of Henrys through email.

Me -
I have a few questions regarding Henry 4.75-Gal. 687 EnviroWhite Roof
Coating. I am exploring the option of using this to finish the full
exterior (walls and roof) of a small travel trailer that I am
building. The surface is plywood. Can this product be applied to
plywood? Would it require a specific primer or sealer first? Also,
is this product available in any different colors?

Henrys rep -
Thanks for your inquiry. We do not have a product for that application.

Me -
EnviroWhite Roof Coating cannot be applied to ply wood?

Henrys rep -
It will but we don't warrant the product over plywood. With that said, it does get rather good adhesion to wood. I've used it myself many times but we are not supposed to recommend it.

Me -
I understand. Thanks for the further explanation. I fully understand
that you can't recommend it on behalf of the company, and also that if
I apply it to plywood it would have no warranty. But between me and
you, did you personally apply a sealer or primer to your wooden
projects before applying the 687 EnviroWhite Roof Coating? Did said
project spend time outdoors in the elements? How have they held up?
If you can't answer that's ok. Thanks for your time.

Henrys rep -
It is for an exterior application and if you want to get the best waterproofing/adhesion you could apply a base coat of Henry 107 Asphalt Emulsion prior to the application of the 687.

[Playtym]

I haven't posted often on this forum, although I check-in and monitor what is going on fairly often. On this subject I fell I need to offer my two-cents worth.
Henry's 687 is a fantastic product for what it is intended to do. Using it on the roof portion of your project could be a very good thing to do. Using it for the walls that you might want to wash from time to time I'm not so sure.
I definitely would not use Henry's 107 on any surface you intend to come into contact with. I believe it will soften in extreme heat and could cause transfer onto anything that would come into contact with it.
Please read the safety warnings on both of these products before you use them. There are potential Carcinogens and Reproductive risks.

Sorry for the Bummer tone of this post, but I wouldn't want to see a beloved project ruined by the application of the wrong coating(s).

Buff

[pmowers]

i have to agree regarding the use of Henry's on the walls. While I really like the stuff, it is on the roof of my CT, not on the walls. I think that the texture is too rough for the walls, but that may have been my application. To date, it seems to have polymerized and does not appear to soften in the heat.