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-   -   What's this black thing on the roof of Commercial Vehicles? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles/103022-whats-black-thing-roof-commercial-vehicles.html)

I have come across many buses/tempos/trucks with the top blackened.

I've even seen the Tempo Travellers and some Sumos with such roofs. Someone said that's to prevent leaks, some said that is to ensure the body absorbs very little heat.

What exactly is it composed of and what purpose does it serve?

PICS : 1 bus had a generous helping; the other none.

AFAIK, it is a bitumen sheet which is used for waterproofing the roof, it is placed on the roof and then heated for adhesiveness.

That's the Roof Coating you are referring to. Flexes like rubber and is mostly used as a sealant. They say this lowers the interior temperature in the bus too. Have seen the ePOXYSHIELD can's being sold which is solely for this purpose.

These black sheets are available in rolls at hardware shops too (haven't seen in Bangalore though). Actually, during the monsoons, for leaking roofs, folks use it as an additional layer on asbestos sheets/tiles/even concrete roofs.