Video · Coatings
Applying a White Acrylic Elastomeric Roof Coating
Watch “Gardner® Sta-Kool Turbo-Dri Elastomeric White Roof Coating” on YouTube (opens in new tab)
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- Metal
- Acrylic-coated
What this video shows
A product video from ICP, the company behind the Gardner brand, for its fast-drying Sta-Kool acrylic elastomeric white coating. Use it to understand how water-based acrylic roof coatings go on and why they're the budget pick for roofs that drain well.
Key points
- Acrylic elastomerics are water-based: easy cleanup, low odor, and they can be recoated with acrylic again down the road.
- They need a dry window to cure. Rain or heavy dew on a fresh coat can wash it off; a fast-dry formula shortens that window but doesn't remove it.
- Two coats beat one heavy coat. Let the first dry before rolling the second.
- Bed polyester fabric into the first coat over seams and cracks.
- Acrylic generally doesn't belong on spots that hold water for days. Fix the drainage or use silicone there.
Products in this video
The products used or shown, or the closest match we could verify. Typical price ranges, not live prices.
Acrylic elastomeric roof coating · $90–$160
Kool SealKool Seal Premium Elastomeric White Roof Coating (10-year)
- Chemistry
- Acrylic
- Size
- 4.75 gal (5-gal pail)
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- Metal
- Spray foam
- Acrylic-coated
A budget-friendly, water-based white coating for roofs that drain well. Cleanup is soap and water, and you can recoat it with acrylic again in a few years, which is why many homeowners start here.
Read the fine print: Acrylics need a dry, warm window to cure. Rain or heavy dew on a fresh coat can wash it off. Acrylic won't bond to silicone, and on asphalt surfaces brown staining can bleed through unless you prime.
Best for: A budget white recoat on a well-draining mod-bit, built-up or metal roof
Check price on Amazon for Kool Seal Premium Elastomeric White Roof Coating (10-year) (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Polyester reinforcing fabric · $15–$35
HenryHenry 296 Polyester Repair Fabric, 4 in. x 150 ft
- Chemistry
- Other
- Size
- 4 in. x 150 ft
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- Metal
- Spray foam
- Acrylic-coated
- Silicone-coated
Thin, stretchy polyester you bed into roof cement or coating to bridge cracks, seams and flashing joints. It's the difference between a patch that splits in a month and one that lasts.
Read the fine print: Fabric goes into a wet base layer and must be fully covered by a top layer. Exposed fabric wicks water and breaks down in the sun.
Best for: Reinforcing patches, seams and flashing transitions
Check price on Amazon for Henry 296 Polyester Repair Fabric, 4 in. x 150 ft (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Roof cleaner / coating prep · $25–$50
Rust-OleumRust-Oleum One-Step Roof Prep Cleaner, 1 gal
- Size
- 1 gal
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- Metal
- Spray foam
- TPO
- EPDM
- Acrylic-coated
- Silicone-coated
A roof-specific cleaner for getting dirt, chalk and mildew off before a coating goes on. Most coating failures trace back to prep, and this is the cheap part of the job.
Read the fine print: Rinse completely and let the roof dry, because cleaner residue blocks adhesion. Follow the label for dilution and protecting plants, and check that your coating maker accepts it as prep.
Best for: Washing a roof before priming or coating
Check price on Amazon for Rust-Oleum One-Step Roof Prep Cleaner, 1 gal (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Roller cover (3/4 in. nap) · $6–$12
WoosterWooster Pro/Doo-Z 3/4 in. Nap Roller Cover, 9 in. (RR644-9)
- Size
- 9 in.
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
- Spray foam
- Metal
- Silicone-coated
- Acrylic-coated
A shed-resistant 3/4-inch nap holds enough thick roof coating to work it into granules and rough surfaces. Buy several, because silicone ruins roller covers and you won't be cleaning them.
Read the fine print: For heavy silicone, some pros step up to a 1-inch nap. Either way, swap the cover when it mats down instead of trying to stretch it.
Best for: Rolling acrylic or silicone coatings and primers
Check price on Amazon for Wooster Pro/Doo-Z 3/4 in. Nap Roller Cover, 9 in. (RR644-9) (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Extension pole · $25–$45
WoosterWooster Sherlock GT Convertible Extension Pole, 4–8 ft (R091)
- Size
- 4–8 ft
- Mod bit
- Built-up
- Rolled
- TPO
- PVC
- EPDM
- Spray foam
- Metal
- Silicone-coated
- Acrylic-coated
Lets you roll coating standing up instead of on your knees, and the locking tip keeps the frame from spinning loose.
Read the fine print: Work backward toward your exit, never toward the roof edge while your eyes are on the roller.
Best for: Rolling coating across a whole roof
Check price on Amazon for Wooster Sherlock GT Convertible Extension Pole, 4–8 ft (R091) (opens in new tab)Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Coverage and specs are the manufacturer's stated figures. Disclosure
Read the full guide
Coatings Silicone vs acrylic roof coating Choose silicone if any part of your flat roof holds water after rain or you need to coat between afternoon storms: it resists ponding, can go on in one thick coat and is often rain-safe within minutes to a few hours. Choose acrylic if the roof drains well and you want the easiest DIY job, a whiter finish and the freedom to recoat with either chemistry later. The catch most people miss is that once a roof is silicone-coated, only silicone will stick to it.Video by ICP Building Solutions, embedded from YouTube. The summary, key points and cautions on this page are our own; ICP Building Solutions doesn't endorse TheFlatRoofPro.com or the products listed. Roofing work for hire generally requires a licensed roofing contractor.