Coating vs. rejuvenator
These two get mixed up a lot. They work in very different ways.
| Item | Roof coating | Rejuvenator (APEX-1132) |
|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Forms a layer on top | Soaks into the shingle |
| What it does | Covers the surface | Reacts with the asphalt to restore it |
| Look when dry | A visible film | Darker shingles, no film |
| Roof types | Often flat, metal or low-slope roofs | Asphalt shingles only |
| Can it peel? | A film can wear and peel over time | No film to peel |
Why soaking in matters on a shingle roof
Asphalt shingles age because the oils in the asphalt break down. Heat and UV do that work year after year, and the shingle dries and stiffens. A film on top can't reach the aged asphalt underneath.
A rejuvenator goes where the aging happens. On SoyLei's data sheet, treated shingles passed a pliability test at 55°F that untreated shingles failed. That test checks whether a cool shingle can bend without cracking. More in our lab results breakdown and on the soy roof treatment page.
Where sealant fits in
Sealant is a different tool for a different spot. During the tune-up, we re-seal flashings where the roof meets a chimney, a wall or a vent. That's spot work at the joints. The rejuvenator goes over the shingles themselves.
Here's how the two jobs split:
- Sealant: flashings at chimneys, walls and vents, done during the tune-up
- Rejuvenator: the shingles across the whole roof, sprayed after the tune-up
So a Roof Armor job uses both, each where it belongs. Read more on roof flashing resealing.
APEX-1132 works by reacting with asphalt, so it's for asphalt shingle roofs only. It isn't for metal, tile, slate, flat or membrane roofs.
More questions
Will rejuvenation leave my roof shiny?
No. It soaks in and leaves no film, so there's no gloss. Treated shingles usually just look a bit darker and richer. See will rejuvenation change my roof color.
Is rejuvenation the same as a roof sealer?
No. Products sold as roof sealers usually form a layer on the surface, much like a coating. APEX-1132 is made to be absorbed. Ask any company which kind of product they use, and ask for its data sheet.