| Author | Message | ||
| Jerry Liebler (165.121.35.52)
Rating: N/A |
Has any one tried ceramic roof coatings, of any brand. I'm considering 'Supertherm' as it claims to be equivalent to R19, with some rather convincing documentation and testimonials. If it works as claimed it might make my bus comfortable till I get to insulating it. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Pete (152.163.252.199)
Rating: N/A |
Jerry, no roof coating has an "r" value..it reflects the sun and uv rays making it cooler but reguardless what anyone says..it just aint so. Seems to me you might have run into Aztec coating or ICC. when you insulate your house you insulate the living areas from the inside and the living areas only. The R value is in the retention of the heat from the inside. The ceramic coatings would be the equivelent of a bright white roof. the deck dosnt heat up, it stays cool, therefor the house remains at the set temp cause of the inside insulation. Any coating will help, bright white is the only way to go. Go for the ceramic coating if you want, but there is no "r" value to any coating. Most roofing supply companies will have access to an industrial elastomeric roof coating.just stay away from the cheapest discount brands like at some RV stores Pete | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.244.148) Rating: N/A |
I dunno about "r" factors, but I know that an RV with a rubber membrane roof covering is warmer, cooler and quieter than the same RV with it's conventional original Fiberglas roof. Makes the sound of rain change from marbles on a tin roof, to marbles on a soft mattress. | ||
| Jerry Crown Campbell (69.59.209.156)
Rating: N/A |
I just finished 3 coats of Bus Kote micro ceramic roof paint and 1 clear coat. Before the paint you could feel the ceiling panels between the roof supports and it was cool but on the strips where the ceiling panels attached to the roof supports were very hot. Now it is nice and cool to the touch. I have an area where a ceiling panel has been removed so you can touch the roof skin. In the sun it was VERY hot, now you can feel a very tiny bit of warmth. Literally, VERY cool stuff. www.hitechsales.com Read their info. As far as I can tell their telling the truth. Jerry | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Jerry, what kind of base coat did you have to do under the Bus Kote? Gary | ||
| Jerry Liebler (165.121.35.161)
Rating: N/A |
Pete, Do a Google search on Supertherm. They have test data on an experiment with a 150W light bulb heating a plywood box, bare, with foam insulation, with fiberglass and with Supertherm paint. The Supertherm outperforms the R19 fiberglass in rate of temperature rise inside the box. There are other documented experiments and identified data that demonstrate that the stuff seems to work as a conduction barrier in addition to being a reflection/radiation barrier. There is also data that shows surface temperature under bright sunlight being significantly lower than other surfaces including polished aluminum and brilliant white paint, indicating it is a better thermal reflector. | ||
| pete (152.163.252.199)
Rating: N/A |
jerry... i do industrial roof coatings for a living..im a roofer of 27 years and am currently running the industrial coating company of 15 years and work the entire east coast.. its a no brainer that the more reflective it is the cooler the deck will be..however no coating, roof shingle,tile,slate,cedar..whatever..unless there is insulation under the coatings..it does not hold an "R" value..it just aint so | ||
| sCool busnut (65.40.179.149) Rating: N/A |
The roof coating seems to work on the principal that it lessens the amount of heat penetration from the radiant 'infrared' suns rays. In otherwords, no, it wont do any good as far as holding ambient temperature increases or decreases, but reflecting the suns rays BACK instead of absorbing them is easy to comprehend. Park one bus in direct sunlight. Park another one next to it - in the shade of a large tree. Same AMBIENT temperature outside, but the bus in the shade will definately be cooler on the inside! my two cents mark 636D | ||
| jerry Crown Campbell (69.59.209.14)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Gary, I just sanded and washed the paint on the roof of the bus and rolled it on. I can tell you from the mistakes I made that it is a rubber coating and it WILL not come off. Jerry | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.51.159)
Rating: N/A |
I agree w/Pete. The stuff has no r factor value. Period. I have yet to see any manufacturer of this "smoke and mirrors" crap back it up with Independant lab testing results. Not to mention, who the hell wants a stucco finished bus? Stuff looks like crap, stains, and is near impossible to remove without damage to the surface material. It does seem to offer some sealing value against moisture intrusion. Put some high-gloss white paint on the top. You'll get the same reflective results, better appearance, repairability, and a whole lot cheaper. | ||
| Jerry Liebler (165.121.36.5)
Rating: N/A |
James, I'm glad you know everything. You have no need to look at http://members.shaw.ca/supertherm/. not to mention that a clear coat over it produces a smooth glossy finish. The standards for r factor testing REQUIRE a 1" thickness which makes coatings untestable but equivalant thermal performance to other insulation systems can be and has been verified by independent testing labs. In my opinion there is nothing more stupid than a closed mind. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.191.176) Rating: N/A |
"In my opinion there is nothing more stupid than a closed mind." That's NOT what P.T.Barnum thought. FAST FRED | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A |
"Hi Gary, I just sanded and washed the paint on the roof..." Thanks Jerry, We're taking the rest of the bus to bare metal, and using Epoxy Primer, but I'm dreading the roof. I'm thinking how nice a quick scuffjob and "roll it on" sounds. Besides, that is work I can allocate to the conscripts (Wife, Daughter, Daughter's BF) Gary | ||
| Niles (24.73.65.124) Rating: N/A |
As a home builder in Florida (sunshine state)where 90% or more of the heat gain comes from attic/roof , I have used radiant barrier sheathing on more than one roof and have found it to lower the ambient attic temperature as much as 30 degrees over standard sheathing and therefore reduce the demand for cooling in the home by as much as 40% - have not tried any ceramic products - but I do know its a great insulator - problem with buses - is no 'attic' providing a natural thermal break - and the heat merely transfers from one material to other - BTW the best design I've found for (stationary) housing is 1) Radiant barrier sheathing 2) lightest color fiberglass shingles possible (not white) 3) greatest roof pitch designable 4) high volume ridge vents along entire ridge 5) highest volume perforated soffit available eave to plate along entire perimeter 6) maximum amount of blown in attic insulation (cellulose in dry climates and rock wool or fiberglass in humid ones) - this is relatively low tech and low cost , but provides for a most financially efficient way to save on HVAC bills without resorting to high cost gadgetry Niles | ||
| pete (152.163.252.199)
Rating: N/A |
jerry what do i know..i have only done this for a living for 27 years.. closed mind?...people believe anything they read..but hell..practial experience never is worth more then a good book | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A |
OK, guys, as much as I enjoy a good pissing contest, I'm interested in the topic and I'd like to sort out the points of view: Jerry L. mentions SuperTherm, a somewhat magical substance that claims R19, in a "Coating" that for want of a better term could be called a paint (For want of a better term). He later gives us a website that SuperTherm appears to have spent at least ten dollars on. The Website sites a great deal of information that, if accurate, we all better go buy stock in this company. Pete says no dice. No R value in a coating. Jerry C has used "Bus Kote" and has definible positive results, HOWEVER, in my opinion they could all be attributed to reflective properties. Supertherm specifically mentions the distinction between reflection and insulation, and maintains they are an insulator, Not only for heat, but for sound as well. How cool (or quiet) is that? Mark thinks it's really talking about Infrared reflection (And that's what I thought too) but Mark--Go read again. They specifically talk about heat conduction (Third Compound), which is Insulation properties. Jmaxwell sides with Pete, but as Jerry L is quick to mention jmaxwell does, in fact, know everything. FF thinks there's a sucker born every minute. Niles has had very good luck with Radiant coatings, again definable results, but also again, Pete's point is "R-Value". Now, aside from the semantic difference in insulating properties versus reflective properties, I think Pete will agree that a good reflector will keep solar heat out of da bus. Looking back at the site though, they are specifically citing insulation properties of combining acrylics and urethanes along with four seperate types of insulating media that are the actual insulators. It seems possible that Pete may be operating from a fairly narrow viewpoint and not interested in newfangleed methods, likely having seen numerous products introduced and all turned out to be snake oil. I can certainly see how he would view it that way. However, when reading carefully on the link supplied by Jerry L, It seems plausible to me. It bothers me that such a miraculous product has such a crappy website, this doesn't provide a lot of credibility. They show a lot of case history, including painting directly over 3-tab. which, predictibly, looks like crap. I think we need someone from supertherm to 'splain how all this works, either that or one of us has to use it and let everyone else know how it went. Gary | ||
| Niles (4.4.112.82) Rating: N/A |
Okay I finally went to the site in question , and having written many an advertisement , lets look at the wording - unlike all other "reflective" coatings - true "insulating" coating and not just a reflective paint - comparative R19 equivalent - controlling heat transfer - reduction of BTU conduction - insulative ceramics - stopping or slowing "heat conduction" rather than mere radiant heat reflection , and most importantly at the top of the web page under their name is "R value enhancement" - I think we can see they are creatively marketing their product - but it does work for a variety of uses - and in their defense much of the public is knowledgable of "R" values and the use of comparitive R values is readily understandable by the general public - also visit www.designcommunity.com/discussion/29801.html - tells more of the story Niles | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.173)
Rating: N/A |
Gary....aside from the personal digs....a good post. Thought provoking and a good summary. I agree with you generally and appreciate your remarks./////Most of them  Somebodoy...please 'splain....Thanx RCB | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A |
Niles--In the statement in the opening paragraph: "SUPERTHERM is designed with four separate ceramic compounds for insulation from radiant heat, reflection, conduction and convection. " They are not mincing words. I've written some copy myself and one of two conditions exist: 1) This stuff is a modern Miracle 2) They lie like dogs RCB Digs? Who me? OK they were gentle though... I understand Pete's point of view, as a professional, he has to stick with proven stuff. Either this stuff is a breakthrough, or it's snakeoil. one or the other. I don't see a third option. Enquiring minds want to know. Gary | ||
| Don KS/TX (66.82.9.70)
Rating: N/A |
Snakeoil? One of the worlds leading maker of VERY expensive sailboats uses ceramic bead paint on its cabin tops. It is used regularly in Arizona on petroleum storage tanks and grocery cold storage warehouses. It is very cost effective - if you expect to sit in the sun. It takes very little work or ambition to do as I did, just try it on something! I had it on my bus, did several more as well, and nobody who came around them ever called it snakeoil. If you paint half the bus with it while stripped inside, you will find in the sun you cannot keep your hand on the unpainted side, it feels cool on the side you painted. In simple terms, the heat is kept out of the bus when parked in the sun. In the shade or in cloudy times, it does nothing in my estimation. | ||
| cjm (65.132.122.192) Rating: N/A |
Fred Hobe and I put Thermal Coat on the INSIDE of my MCI-8. Fred didn't think it would work and thought I was wasting my money on it. I didn't measure the temperature of the skin but you couldn't hold your hand on the outside for more than 5 seconds. The inside was barely warm after sitting in the Florida sun all day. I was able to cool the bus with 1 Carrier Air V heat pump. I have double glazed Pennisula windows and a dark grey paint job. I don't know anything about r-values but I know the stuff works. It is expensive; I spent about $3800 on the paint and no one will ever see it. Its inside the walls. If anyone wants to check it out, their website is www.capstonemfg.com. John | ||
| Don KS/TX (66.82.9.30)
Rating: N/A |
Interesting CJM, I never tried it on the inside. For those with inquiring minds, if you go to www.google.com and enter "ceramic bead insulating paint" you will come up with 16,300 listings to educate yourself about ceramic bead paints. | ||
| Stan (68.150.152.113) Rating: N/A |
I don't think there is any argument that a light colored surface reflects more heat than a dark surface. That has nothing to do with "R" value unless you use terms like 'equivalent to' when sitting in the sun. To measure the "R-19" make two identical boxes. Paint one with ceramic paint and line the inside of the other one with six inches of fibreglas insulation. Let them sit at room temperature until the inside temperature is stable and then put them in a walk-in freezer in the dark. If they both have R-19 the inside temperaure will decrease at the same rate in both boxes. My personal opinion is that it would not pass this test. | ||
| Niles (4.4.112.82) Rating: N/A |
I may have not been clear - let me see if I can redeem myself - ceramics (nonmetallic solids) are insulators of conductives , such as electricity - ceramics are not insulators of ambient heat (as others have pointed out above) but certain types of ceramics are insulators of ultra high radiant and conductive heat (don't know about ceramics that provide any large measurable radiant barrier at the temps found on bus roofs)- R values and protection against ambient heat loss/gain is attained most popularly by providing layers of and/or encapsulation of trapped 'dead air'- I have not used ceramics as a radiant barrier so I am unsure of its usefulness in that application - but if the product we are discussing were black , do you think it would work as well? - I think not , so the jury is still out on that as far as I'm concerned - Let me recap, IMHO , 1) radiant barriers work , 2) ceramics are 'conductive insulators' for sure , 3) The best insulation smorgasboard would be the combination of the best radiant barrier , provision for as much and as many thermal breaks (insulation for conductive heat) as possible , and the maximum ambient insulation (measured in R values) - I think if you look at your conversion insulation plans in these 3 seperate areas you can provide for the maximum protection against heat gain/loss (no sense in spending big $$$ on state of the art foam insulation if your conducting large amounts of heat through your roof ribs) - Hope this has been some help Niles | ||
| John the busboy (12.72.236.39)
Rating: N/A |
One of the neighbors has a small leak in his aluminum fishing boat. The guy at the boat store recomended using Henry's roof (kool) seal to stop the leak. Just thought I'd throw this into the fray. I bought the kool seal from him for use on our Bluebird. I think he's hoping I will get a tig welder and fix it proper. So has anyone done a before and after test of the ceiling with their handy IR thermometer? This is what we are going to do......but first I must finish replacing the coolant hoses. John the busboy | ||
| Jerry Liebler (165.121.33.220)
Rating: N/A |
All, Gary, thanks for an excelent summary. When I started this thread I was thinking "This is either great stuff or a bald lie". http://www.supertherm.net/request/proving1.pdf was one of the sites I'd looked at. I was hoping someone else had tried it on a bus. Supertherm sites even talk of r28 equivalancy by coating both sides of a substrate. Stan's proposed test is very similar to one described on one of the Supertherm sites, the difference being they heated the interior of the box. Niles, my definition of ceramics excludes organic (carbon containing) materials and requires a high temperature 'firing'. Among ceramics as I've defined them there are many thermal insulators including the heat shields on the space shuttles and the fire brick in most natural fireplaces. Could it be that Niles's goal of many 'thermal breaks' in his 'ideal insulation smorgasboard' may be achieved by tiny ceramic beads in a coating? We won't know till somebody, we'll believe, tries it and shares their results. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| FAST FRED (4.247.13.17) Rating: N/A |
I used Insuladd , a dry ceramic powder thats added to any paint. Complete failure as the textured surface (about 100 sandpaper) with 2 or 3 coats was a huge dirt magnet. Dirt is dark , at least the stuff that collected on my coach was . ( in Canada or on the Left coast , who knows?) The coach was hotter with the creamic paint than with the old white smooth roof. Solution, to top coat with Intl Toplac , in Medeteranian WHITE , vastly smoother & EZ to clean after one coat. Color counts more than anything else , if you want to keep cool. Although the BEST is still the remote sites , under a big old tree! FAST FRED | ||
| Stan (68.150.152.113) Rating: N/A |
Does anyone know how to contact the manufacturers of Supertherm? I live in the great white north and plan to paint the outside of my house, which should reduce my winter heating bills to almost zero. | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.185.65.225) Rating: N/A |
I understand everything except the guy that spent 3800....that stuff isn't that expencive is it ??? | ||
| Niles (24.73.65.124) Rating: N/A |
Jerry , The high temp radiant and conductive insulators I was refering to were precisely as you speak - used in the space shuttle and certain industrial uses - but i think you will find that the 'thermal insulators' used on the space shuttle are hybrid tiles which are manufactured by a process where air bubbles are formed within the tiles (providing dead air space and lighter weight) to provide the thermal insulation . They use ceramics because this process combines the radiant , conductive and thermal insulation in one product . Now an interesting item to read can be found at www.nss.org/news/releases/release01.html - If this is true they are designing 4' X 8' ceramic blankets for the new shuttle design - can you picture a 40' bus with a roof design that incorporates 10 of these sheets placed transversely and sealed at each joint with a rubber expansion joint - the external (upside)face would be have a hot fired glazing which would be totaly and permanenetly sealed from weather and corrosion (never need roof seal or paint ever) , would not dent or deflect (no problem with low branches and roof top access when watching the races) , would provide for your radiant/conductive/thermal insulation in 1 system , and would be maintenance free for the life of your bus - now the cost ........ might be prohibitive ........ but that would be something revolutionary - What do you think? Niles | ||
| Stan (68.150.152.113) Rating: N/A |
Niles: The Florida Space Center used to give demonstrations using the exterior insulation on the space shuttle. The impressive thing is that they can heat it with a flame until it glows red and almost immediately pick it up with bare hands. I got the impression that its function was to dissipate heat rather than insulate. I picked up a piece of the material and it is obviously all vacant space (extremely light weight) and is composed of a fine granular material. | ||
| niles (24.73.65.124) Rating: N/A |
Stan , I'm sure that dissipation is one of the properties of the tiles , amongst others - but this truly is 'rocket science' and I couldn't fathom the R & D involved in the design and fabriction of these tiles - LOL Niles | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A |
In the marine world, we use Epoxy for everything, adhesive, filler, etc... West System http://www.westsystem.com/ is probably the most widely known of these epoxies. They make a variety of filler material, like a thickeng agent, that will turn the Epoxy, which is like thick paint, into a filler like Bondo. One of the fillers is called "Microballons" they are tiny sphere that are in fact hollow. I'm not sure if this is a similar product to the SuperTherm ingredient, but I did want to mantion that such things do exist. I've got a growing list of questions for SuperTherm: one thing--Can you paint it? What DOES happen when you paint it a dark color? What is the surface appearance (I don't want a stucco roof either) And...Oh yeah, the small matter of cost. If this stuff is everyting it claims to be, I'll not only use it on da bus but also on my 56' boat. Gary | ||
| pete (205.188.116.136)
Rating: N/A |
a dark color will retain heat..the darker the color...the hotter it will get. if you did the outside of the bus white..it would reflect the sun and uv rays..keeping the aluminum cooler. no r value..just reflective properties..coating the inside..i dont get.. as long as it is reflective it will be cool. reflective is not "r" value...28? i have installed 4 inch isopolysyanurate to a roof deck and the "R " value on that was 22.. if this stuff did what jerry said..we would be able to solve the worlds energy problems..think about it | ||
| TWO DOGS (65.179.209.102) Rating: N/A |
yep...ya' don't want anything but white...anybody got a price per gallon ,or 5 gallon...60 SQ. FT. per gallon...5 should do it.. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A |
Actually, pete, not exactly. Color does not "Retain" heat. Darker colors "Absorb" heat. However the end result may be the same, but There is a distinction. We are thinking about it, exactly. This as you say, would go a long way towards saving energy. they give quite a bit of Data on the site and I maintain, either this stuff is a miracle, or they are prolific liars. Two Dogs, actually I DO want something other than white. Whether or not it makes sense is a different matter. I am actually thinking about silver. Gary | ||
| Niles (24.73.65.124) Rating: N/A |
Pete , it actually does make sense to put it on the inside as it is a conductive insulator - The white paint on the roof being the radiant or 'reflective' (your term - but mostly used for reference to optical condition) insulator - ceramic coating applied under the roof and along ribs to prevent the transfer of roof heat to insulation , ceiling panels , the fasteners (usually metal) , and any components attached or in contact with roof system - finally your ambient insulation (the 'R' stuff) - Okay now I'll shut up - Love the conversation though - Niles | ||
| Don KS/TX (66.82.9.20)
Rating: N/A |
The stuff I used, Hydro-Therm, is like a white base for mixing, you can put any color you choose in it. Since my bus was white from the floor line up, I wanted it to match and blend in. Cost has always been around $100 per 5 gallon pail, a 5 gal pail does a 40ft bus usually. It is much faster and cheaper than trying to use conventional paints on the roof (which probably needs painting anyway), and it becomes a sort of foamy film of rubbery stuff, NEVER lets there be a leak. It takes almost no surface prep, and mine is still looking like the day I put it on, been almost eight years now, still looks white and bright, unlike Freds experience. I never had mine around his area either, could be smog or something there. I did NOT use the clear sealer on mine, but recommend you do. I suspect part of the "insulating" value is in that foamy texture as well as the microspheres full of air. Oh yeah, I grew to love the texture, makes it look like a fancy car with a vinyl top AND the increased surface probably adds to the total reflective area as well. With most buses, it is impossible to see the roof surface anyhow unless you flip it on its side. I don't recommend that either. | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.108) Rating: N/A |
I wonder if you can compare a SILVER PAINT to the ALUMINUM ROOF found on RVs? The old RV had a aluminum roof before I coated it with KOOL SEAL and with the sun beating on it, the aluminum was HOT HOT to touch. The inside of the RV was also HOT inside. As the KOOL SEAL was applied, the roof cooled and the inside was noticable cooler. This same effect was noticed on the bus WHITE roof, the WHITE roof was HOT before the application of KOOLSEAL. Same result inside, the temperature was noticably cool and the roof metal was cool to touch. KoolSeal is not an insulator, just a sealer with a highly reflective color. If a vinyl top sealer is applied, it resists getting dirty from weather. Read an article about colors and refectivity and such one time. They were refering to roof shingle colors. I always thought WHITE shingles would be coolest but the test said that BLUE shingles were more reflective and kept the space cooler. It has been years since I read that article but I remembered the comparison. Just my Two Cents TwoDogs "Imagine" cd | ||
| H3Jim (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
I just talked to a building contractor in Pheonix who installs SuperTherm. He has been using it for a little over a year. It costs $500 for a 5 gal bucket, plus shipping. He says it works better than anything else he has tried. He has a really expensive imaging infrared camera that uses as part of his tests. He is certified in the building industry to perform Energy Star tests for compliance in Energy conservation audits. He says he sprayed teh exterior of the walls of his house, and the underside of the roof rafters. He claims his utiltie bills were reduced by 30%, and all his room are comfortable without the hot spots there used to be. He syas hsi air conditioner cycles on and off, and hsas not trouble keep the temp while it usd to just run full time. While he used to be able to image the warm studs, and even the hot nails in the walls, now they all just show an even cool blue. He says that there are 4 types of ceramic in the coating, and they actually provide a thermal barrier much the way the space shuttle tiles do. He says the coating will last 25 years, and is glossy, so it won't attract accumulate dirt. He suggests using the test of preparing different surfaces and using a heat lamp etc to test, and for several of us to go in and buy a pail and test it ourselves, like one of these threads suggested. If there is anyone else in the San Diego area that wants to try several products, I'm game as I am at the stage where I am thinking about insulation. jim dot stewart at cox dot net | ||
| North Florida Bus Conversion (67.72.98.51)
Rating: N/A |
I was one off those that thought it was a joke. But was made a believer when i did the inside of a coach before it was foamed. You could hold your hand on the side on the inside were it was and it was just warm on the bare side you could not hold your hand for more than a second. I then painted my exaust pipe on the gen. set let it drie fired it up for twenty minutes and you could hold it for a long time were the paint was touch the unpainted part and you were blistered. SURE DID MAKE A BELIEVER OUT of me. I think I was listing to fast Fred for two long. | ||
| madbrit (67.136.94.210) Rating: N/A |
You can fool some of the people, some of the time............... Don't forget that most of these "wonder" products need an airgap and foaming straight on top may not be a good move. We have to keep the radiant and convected heat issues seperate and that's where a lot of the confusion arises. On the touch thing, if you wore a leather or wool glove, you could get good insulation from that too, should we knit a cover for our buses?..... LOL. Jus' kiddin'. Just not convinced on this product, sorry. Peter. | ||
| C Fred (67.72.98.57)
Rating: N/A |
Because there are some that still are not believer. I run a test this AM. I run my gen set for 15 minutes. With a heat gun I read the bare pipe on the exaust it read 210 degres then I read the pipe that I painted the ceramic coating on two year ago. here are the results bare pipe 210 degrees four inches on the ceramic coat 136 degrees big difference. Because of the cost to do a coach I would not put it on my own coach, Cost 3K to do the one that I did. But it does work and all you need to do is test it on a hot object like a exaust pipe. I no nothing will covince those that are douters. But then again that is why I put 4 inches off foam in the roof of the coaches that I build and insolate the front after I take all the skin off.And put two inches of insolation under the floor. One air conditoner will keep them cool when driving in the heat of Florida. Fred north Florida Bus Conversion | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.244.229) Rating: N/A |
Not to be argumentive, but it should be noted: www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/techinfo.asp?openlist= D%2CE%2CC&htmlfile=IRTherms_faq.htm&Title=Infrared %2BTemperature%2BMeasurement "Emissivity is the ability of an object to emit or absorb energy. Perfect emitters have an emissivity of 1, emitting 100% of incident energy. An object with an emissivity of 0.8 will absorb 80% and reflect 20% of the incident energy. Emissivity may vary with temperature and spectral response (wavelength). Infrared thermometers will have difficulty taking accurate temperature measurements of shiny metal surfaces unless they can adjust for emissivity." and here: http://www.siue.edu/CCRU/InfraredThermometer.doc "Infrared (IR) thermometer determines the surface temperature of an object without any physical contact with it. The IR thermometer measures the infrared wavelengths emitted by the object, this energy is directly related to the object?s temperature. The principle of IR thermometers resembles that of the human eye. In general, a wavelength as it passed through the eye will be interpreted as a color. In some instances, color can be used to determine temperature. An example of this is when steel is heated to be tempered or re-tempered As the steel is being heated, when it gives off a dull red color, the steel will be about 550°C. Steel heated to yellow hot color would be at about 1150°C. Steel heated to a white hot color would be about 1500°C. Thus, the wavelength from the steel as interpreted by the eye as a color gives the approximate temperature of the steel. " That shiny paint might not be giving you as accurate reading as the black surface of that tailpipe. | ||
| C Fred (65.130.6.168)
Rating: N/A |
Thats true, But you can lay your hand on the white serfice for a long time. At 200 plus you can't keep it there very long on the dark pipe.So the reading may not be right but my hand can tell me a lot. Fred | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.147) Rating: N/A |
Cape Canaveral is just around the corner from us. With all the technology we see coming from NASA, a paint that can add an insulating factor to any other material, doesn't shock me. It doesn't matter what the "old school" taught anyone about "R" factors; if it works, it works. | ||
| H3Jim (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
See also Coach Conversion Central, they sell the stuff for half of what Supertherm sells for. While I dont have any before, or without data, a friend aroudn teh corner that converted an MCI7, sprayed his bus inside and the roof outside, he does not have a lot of windows, and he also foamed it. His coach is extremely efficient in the hot sun or the really cold weather. If it works, its worth spending the $ on it. |