Peeling and bubbling usually come down to surface prep and moisture, like you mentioned. I’ve seen a few attics where folks rushed the job—decking wasn’t fully dry, or they skipped primer—and the coating started lifting after a year or two. Higher-end coatings seem less prone, but even those can have issues if the wood’s damp underneath. If you’re ever redoing it, I’d check moisture with a meter first and let things dry out, even if it means waiting for a stretch of dry weather. Makes a big difference in the long run.
Honestly, I’ve seen guys slap coatings on plywood that was just barely dry to the touch, thinking it’d be fine. Never is. Even the pricier coatings won’t save you if there’s hidden moisture or dust left behind. It’s wild how much a $30 moisture meter can save you in headaches down the line... I’d argue prep is 80% of the battle—coating’s just the final layer.
I’ll admit, I used to think a fancy coating would cover a multitude of sins. Turns out, nope. Last summer I rushed through patching a spot on my shed roof—figured the wood felt dry enough, slapped the stuff on, and called it good. Fast forward two months and the coating bubbled like a pancake. Had to scrape it all off and start over. Now I’m religious about checking for moisture... but I still don’t fully trust those cheap meters either. Sometimes it’s just gut feeling and patience, which isn’t easy when you’re staring at rain in the forecast.
Had a similar mess with my garage roof a couple years back—thought I could outsmart the weather and rushed the primer on damp plywood. Ended up with peeling and soft spots. Now I use a combo of meter, back-of-hand, and just waiting longer than feels reasonable. Those coatings really trap any hidden moisture... patience is key, even if it means tarping for a week.
That’s the thing—most folks don’t realize how unforgiving those coatings are if there’s even a hint of moisture left. I’ve seen it go sideways on both DIY and pro jobs. Honestly, I think a lot of these “miracle” coatings are oversold, especially on older roofs or questionable substrates. If you’re not 100% sure it’s bone dry, you’re just sealing in problems. I’m a big fan of breathable membranes for that reason... they let trapped moisture escape instead of locking it in. It’s not always the cheapest route, but long-term it saves a ton of headaches.