Painting a rubber roof is a bit different from painting, say, the exterior of your house. Standard latex or oil-based paints are not designed for rubber roofing and won't adhere properly. A rubber roof also ages and gets dirty over time, so it must be properly cleaned before painting begins.
Cleaning
Many rubber roofing locations are flat, and can collect moss, twigs, leaves, dirt and other debris over time. Sweep and hose off any debris before attempting to paint a rubber roof. Use a pressure washer if it's been a while since the roof was cleaned. A clean surface will allow for better adhesion of the paint to the rubber. Without cleaning, the paint will stick to the dirt and debris rather than the roof itself.
Proper Paint for Rubber
The paint used for rubber roofing is essentially liquid rubber. It's also referred to as EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer. EPDM is also available in sheet form and is used as a roofing material. EPDM coating can be rolled, sprayed or brushed onto rubber roofing. Depending on the brand, it may take one to three coats for ideal coverage.
House or Motor Home
Paint companies that provide rubber paints often recommend different products, depending on your intended application. The paint coating for a motor home roof, for instance, is not the same as the paint coating for a rubber house or business roof. Consult the paint manufacturer's specifications list to determine which rubber paint product is best for your application.
Special Considerations
Some paint manufacturers do not recommend painting areas of roofing subject to foot traffic. The paint is designed to seal but is not intended to be a rooftop floor surface. Rubber roofing material also varies and is not always made of the same substances. Consult your roofing supplier and the paint manufacturer's recommendations for the ideal paint for your specific roof.
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