STP SuperSilverShield
An aluminium-pigmented bituminous topcoat that reflects heat and stops the sun from ageing your waterproofing membrane.
What is it?
A single-pack, air-drying aluminium-pigmented bituminous liquid coating that brushes, rolls or sprays onto exposed roofs and steelwork.
Where is it used?
Over torch-applied and self-adhesive bitumen membranes, tar-based finishes, and general steelwork on flat and low-slope roofs.
Why use it?
It deflects UV and reflects solar heat, so the underlying membrane ages slower and the roof runs cooler.
How is it applied?
Clean the surface, stir well, then apply one or two brush/roller/spray coats with overnight drying between them – no primer needed.
About STP SuperSilverShield
STP SuperSilverShield is a ready-to-use aluminium-pigmented bituminous coating – a silver-lustre liquid that combines the water resistance of oxidised bitumen with the reflectivity of fine aluminium flake. It is not a membrane and not a structural waterproofer in its own right; it is the sacrificial, good-looking finish that goes on top of one. On most Indian roofs the waterproofing layer is a bitumen membrane or a tar-based coat, and the single thing that shortens its life fastest is direct sun. SuperSilverShield sits over that layer as a UV screen and heat reflector, taking the punishment so the membrane below does not.
For engineers and applicators the appeal is how little fuss it involves. It arrives in a 20 litre drum, needs no priming, and can even be laid over old painted or coated surfaces provided they are sound and not flaking. Because it is cold-applied by brush, roller or spray, there is no torch, no gas cylinder and no hot bitumen on site – a genuine advantage when the roof is occupied or access is tight. The aluminium flake floats to the surface as it dries, leaving a bright reflective skin that both looks finished and measurably lowers the roof’s surface temperature.
The technical insight
The coating works on two fronts at once. The oxidised-bitumen binder is inherently hydrophobic, so the dried film adds a supplementary water-shedding layer over whatever it covers. Suspended in that binder is leafing aluminium pigment: as the solvent flashes off, the flat aluminium platelets orient parallel to the surface and overlap like fish scales, forming a near-continuous metallic mirror at the top of the film. That mirror does the real work – it reflects a large share of incoming solar radiation before it can be absorbed as heat, and it blocks the ultraviolet wavelengths that break down bitumen’s molecular chains and make membranes go brittle and craze. The result is a cooler substrate and a membrane that stays flexible for longer. Because the pigment must leaf correctly, application technique matters: the film is laid in one direction only, never criss-crossed, and kept thin (30 to 40 micron dry per coat) so the platelets settle flat and the solvent escapes cleanly rather than being trapped under too heavy a layer.
Where it is used
- UV-protective topcoat over torch-applied and self-adhesive bitumen waterproofing membranes
- Reflective finish over tar and bitumen-based roof coatings to slow sunlight degradation
- Solar-reflective coating on exposed flat and low-slope roof slabs to cut heat gain
- Protective and decorative finish on general structural steelwork for better heat reflectivity
- Refresh coat over sound, non-flaking old painted or coated surfaces
- Anti-corrosive protective coat on iron and steel members exposed to weather
- Reflective treatment on brick masonry and concrete parapets and surfaces
- Periodic maintenance recoat to restore reflectivity on ageing bituminous roofs
Key advantages
- Deflects UV and slows the sunlight-driven ageing of the membrane underneath
- Bright, highly reflective aluminium finish that lowers roof surface temperature
- Cold-applied by brush, roller or spray – no torch, gas or hot work on site
- Goes on directly without a primer or undercoat, saving a step and a day
- Bitumen binder adds its own supplementary water resistance to the film
- Can be applied over sound old painted surfaces without burning off or scraping
- Single-pack and ready to use – just stir and apply
- Practical 20 L drum sizing suits both small repairs and larger roof areas
Limitations & considerations
- It is a protective topcoat, not a standalone waterproofing membrane – it must go over a sound waterproofing system
- Not a heat-resistant finish and cannot withstand high-temperature service
- Must never be applied to roofs that act as catchments for drinking water
- Cannot be over-coated with emulsion paint, and must not be used on permanently submerged surfaces
- Flammable during application (flash point 35 degC) – needs good ventilation and no ignition sources
- Reflectivity fades with weathering; a maintenance recoat is needed every 2 to 3 years
Selection & best practice
Start with a genuinely clean, dry surface: jet or dry-air off all dust, flakes, oil and grease, and confirm substrate moisture is below 5%. Work only when both substrate and air temperature sit between +10 degC and +40 degC. Because the aluminium pigment settles fast in the drum, stir thoroughly with a flat paddle to an even consistency before and during use – under-stirred material loses its reflectivity. Apply one or two thin coats by brush, roller or spray, always in a single direction and never criss-cross, allowing overnight drying between coats. Resist the urge to lay it thick; excessive film retards drying and stops the aluminium leafing properly. Keep it off drinking-water catchment roofs and any surface that will stay submerged. Plan a maintenance recoat every 2 to 3 years to keep the reflective performance up, and clean all tools with STP Thinner immediately after use before the material hardens.
Specifications
| Form and colour | Aluminium-coloured liquid with silver lustre |
| Touch drying time | 5 +/- 0.5 hours at 25 degC, 50% RH |
| Recommended DFT per coat | 30 to 40 micron |
| Spreading rate | 9-11 m2/L (metal/old); 7-9 m2/L (bituminous); 5-7 m2/L (brick/masonry/concrete) |
| Solid content | 43 +/- 2% by weight; 34 +/- 2% by volume |
| Specific gravity | 0.97 +/- 0.02 |
| Flash point | 35 degC |
| Application temperature | +10 degC min to +40 degC max (substrate and ambient); substrate moisture < 5% |
| Packaging and shelf life | 20 L drum; 12 months sealed, away from heat and sunlight |
Industry use cases
Commercial and industrial roofing
Reflective topcoat over bitumen-membrane roofs on warehouses and factories to cut internal heat gain and extend membrane life across large exposed areas.
Residential and housing societies
Silver finish over existing tar or membrane terraces to reflect the summer sun and refresh tired, sun-baked waterproofing without a full re-lay.
Steel structures and sheds
Anti-corrosive, heat-reflective coat on exposed structural steelwork, gantries and metal roofing where a cooler, protected surface is wanted.
Roof renovation and maintenance
Overlay coat on sound, non-flaking old bituminous or painted roofs to restore reflectivity and buy years of extra service before re-membraning.
Rooftop solar and services
Reflective base finish on roofs carrying solar arrays or plant, lowering deck temperature around equipment without any hot-work near installations.
Frequently asked questions
Is SuperSilverShield a waterproofing membrane on its own?
How much roof will one drum cover?
Do I need a primer before applying it?
How many coats, and how long between them?
Can I use it on a roof that collects drinking water?
How often does it need re-coating?
How we position STP SuperSilverShield
SuperSilverShield is the finishing layer in an STP roof build-up, so it is best specified alongside the waterproofing it protects. On new work it sits naturally over STP’s bitumen membranes – the SuperThermoLay APP torch-applied range and STP’s self-adhesive membranes – where it becomes the UV screen that lets those membranes reach their full service life; pair them on any exposed flat or low-slope roof. For liquid-applied waterproofing under it, STP’s acrylic and polyurethane roof coatings are the logical companions. Where a specifier instead needs a below-ground bitumen protective coat rather than a topside reflective finish, that is a different job entirely – look to a buried-structure product such as Fosroc Nitocote EB83 from our Fosroc range, which protects foundations and tanks rather than exposed roofs. Space Arc supplies the full STP line together with Fosroc, Dr. Fixit and other brands across Delhi NCR and Pan-India, so the membrane, the primer and this reflective topcoat can all be sourced and specified as one compatible system.
Related Waterproofing products
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