Who makes it
APEX-1132 comes from SoyLei Innovative Products in Ames, Iowa. The company was founded on soy-based asphalt research that started in 2008. They also make soy products for asphalt pavement, the kind used by transportation agencies on roads.
SoyLei says APEX-1132 was created by researchers from Iowa State University, and that the same team still develops and makes it. The technology is covered by an issued U.S. patent licensed to SoyLei, and it has a peer-reviewed research paper behind it.
That's a big part of why we chose it. Our owner is a numbers and data guy. He wanted a product built by scientists who publish their results, not a mystery jug with a nice label. You can read his story and why he started Roof Armor.
Why soybean oil works on old asphalt
An asphalt shingle is a fiberglass mat soaked in asphalt, with colored granules pressed into the top. The asphalt is the glue and the waterproofing. When it's new, it holds oils that keep it soft enough to flex.
Sun and heat slowly bake those oils out. That's why an old shingle feels stiff and snaps when you bend it. The granules lose their grip and wash into the gutters.
APEX-1132 is made from a modified soybean oil that SoyLei calls SESO, short for semi-epoxidized soybean oil. It's built to soak in and work with the aged asphalt instead of coating the surface. In plain words, it gives the asphalt back some of the give it lost. On a roof, that shows up as:
- Shingles that flex in the wind instead of cracking
- Granules that stay put instead of ending up in the gutter
- Seal strips that hold, so shingles stay stuck down
That last point comes from SoyLei, which says the treatment helps reactivate the asphalt in each shingle's seal strip.
The product, by the numbers
These come from SoyLei's product data sheet.
| Item | Data sheet says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Biobased content | 96%, USDA BioPreferred certified | Almost all of it comes from renewable, plant-based material |
| Biodegradable | Yes | It breaks down naturally over time |
| pH | Neutral | Not acidic and not caustic |
| Flash point | None | The liquid itself doesn't burn |
| Odor | No or minimal | You may barely notice it on treatment day |
| Appearance | White liquid | Goes on milky, then soaks in and clears |
| Mix | 5 parts water to 1 part concentrate | Sprayed on at about 200 square feet per gallon of mix |
| Freezing point | 32°F | Applied only in mild, dry weather |
Around kids, pets and plants
This is often the first thing people ask about, and it's a fair question. The treatment starts as soybean oil. It breaks down naturally, it's pH neutral, and the USDA BioPreferred program puts it at 96% certified biobased content.
Still, it's a roof treatment, and fresh spray isn't something for pets or kids to walk through. SoyLei's own guidance is common sense, and we follow it:
- Keep pets and people away from the work area until the roof is dry
- Protect delicate plants near the house while we spray
- Rinse any overspray off plants, windows and cars with water
On a warm day the roof is dry to the touch in about 30 minutes. For more on this, see is roof rejuvenation safe for pets and plants.
APEX-1132 isn't paint, a sealant or a roof coating. It leaves no film on the surface to peel later. It goes into the shingle and does its work there.
What it won't do
A good product on the wrong roof is still a waste of money. Here's where APEX-1132 isn't the answer:
- Other roof types. It's for asphalt shingles only. Not metal, tile, slate, flat or membrane roofs.
- Algae and moss. It doesn't kill them. Those black streaks need cleaning first.
- Damage. It won't fix leaks, missing shingles or soft decking.
- Worn-out roofs. It can't bring back a shingle whose granules and asphalt are already gone.
Color is the other thing to know. Treated shingles often look darker, but this isn't a dye or a stain. Don't expect a brand-new color. More on that in faded, sun-bleached shingles.
Common questions
Is soybean oil roof treatment the same as spraying vegetable oil?
No. SoyLei says APEX-1132 uses a modified soybean oil called SESO, short for semi-epoxidized soybean oil. It's engineered to work with aged asphalt, which is a different thing from plain cooking oil or biodiesel-type blends. Please don't try the kitchen version on your roof.
Is APEX-1132 a coating or a sealant?
Neither. It's a penetrating treatment. It goes on as a milky liquid, soaks into the shingle, and leaves no film on top. That's why there's nothing to peel or flake off later. See is roof rejuvenation a coating for the longer answer.
Why does roof treatment look white when it's sprayed?
APEX-1132 is a white liquid, so it looks milky for a few minutes when it hits the shingles. That's normal. It soaks in and the white fades as it dries. On a warm day it's tack free in about 30 minutes, and you won't see a white film left behind.
Where is APEX-1132 made?
SoyLei Innovative Products is based in Ames, Iowa, the home of Iowa State University. SoyLei says the product was created by Iowa State researchers, and the company grew out of soy-based asphalt research that started in 2008.
Can I see the test results for APEX-1132?
Yes. We walk through every number from SoyLei's data sheet on our lab results page. That includes where it beat a leading competitor by a wide margin and the one test where the two tied.