"Chrome" roof

[MrNoodly]

Compared to a dark color, the white of your basic work van is pretty good at not absorbing heat. If that's your goal (rather than wanting to soak up as much heat as possible in a cold climate) then chrome reflects even more sunlight. So "chroming" the roof might be a good idea. <br><br>The high-budget way would be to have chrome vinyl wrap installed. It kind of blows the stealth thing, though.<br><br>A cheaper alternative for when, say, you're camped for a long period and not driving, would be to tape mylar sheets to the roof, or hold it on with magnets. You could even do the same thing to the south-facing side of the van.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I hear white works great, but im gonna opt for shading my roof with plywood.

 

[peacetara]

or perhaps a big shade tarp using the van as the one of mount points. &nbsp;You could do one for the south side and one for the door side, as a porch <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>I have seen it, but haven't managed to acquire all the stuff I need to make that happen yet.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[MrNoodly]

The shade thing reminds me of a time I was making a CA-to-NC schlog and stopped in Holbrook AZ to pee and take a nap. It was hellishly hot and I wanted to find some shade. It was as if shade had been banished from the town. I finally found a not-very-leafy sapling at the edge of a parking lot to block a little sun. Sheesh.

 

[Vern M]

Solar panels would help. They mount an inch or so above the roof. Mine, just in the back within the luggage rails, afford some cooling, I've noticed. Mylar, or any temporary surface cover, unless held down with rare earth magnets, would be blown off in minutes anywhere west of Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc. eastern state lines, for sure.

 

[MrNoodly]

Mylar, or any temporary surface cover, unless held down with rare earth magnets, would be blown off in minutes anywhere west of Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc. eastern state lines, for sure.

<br><br>Duct tape all around the edges.

 

[Ballenxj]

Vern M, The solar panel thing sounds good. I have thought about using them mounted on the roof. I also thought they might be good for offering some shade as well as electricity.&nbsp;<br>Thinking custom roof rack here. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[Les H]

painting the roof of my bus white lowered the inside temp by 15* on the hottest days in.Tn and Ala.

 

[wrcsixeight]

While silver/chrome reflects a lot of heat, it also has poor emmissivity, meaning it does not radiate stored heat very well. &nbsp;Stick a shiny wrench out in the sun for a few hours, and it can burn you. &nbsp;A black one would be hot, a white one, cool, the shiniest one,chrome, the &nbsp;hottest by far.<br><br>One reason radiators are painted black.<br><br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissivity

 

[Ballenxj]

wrcsixeight, That's quite interesting. Thanks. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[bpeck]

My van is dark green with all of the windows tinted pretty dark, so it's generally quite dark. &nbsp;I've been considering painting the high top white, but I'm not sure what kind of paint would be the best at reflecting heat while not breaking the bank. &nbsp;Anybody have suggestions?

 

[wrcsixeight]

Interlux premium yacht enamel, and its longevity is directly proportional to surface prep, and the condition of your roof gutters.<br><br> &nbsp;You can save a little with Rustoleum Yacht enamel. &nbsp;<br><br>Do not paint it in direct sunlight and you can get a decent result with a roller&nbsp;

 

[Terry]

Get that white elastomeric roof coating from the building supply. It's relatively cheap and acts as a sealant as well as reflective coating. Do some prep work but you don't need to do much. Mostly cleaning.

 

[Ballenxj]

Terry, I would think that the <span id="post_message_1276292866">elastomeric roof coating would also add a small degree of insulation? <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="bbc_img"><br>I wonder how it would look though? <br>-Bruce<br></span>