Community Forums

Socaltoolguy · 08-26-2014, 10:19 AM

I'm sure this subject has been discussed before but, honestly, I just don't have time to research it before leaving on a long vacation. On our 01 Southwind, the rubber roof is in good shape but it "bleeds" white stuff all over the windshield and sides. I am putting a rain gutter above the windshield but I was wondering what is considered to be the best way to clean the roof. I have a guy coming this weekend to wash the whole thing for me. I am not able to do it myself anymore. I was going to supply him with whatever is the best cleaner to use on the roof. I was thinking either TSP or Spin N Span. What are your thoughts on this and can anybody give me any other suggetions that would be better? Thanks so much for your help. I know I waited until the last minute to do this, but that seems to be my modis operandi lately.

Ray

Skip426 · 08-26-2014, 10:28 AM

I've always used , Camco, rubber roof cleaner, some products just should not be used on a rubber roof.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-26-2014, 11:56 AM

Any good detergent + bleach will clean it well if coupled with a medium bristle brush for scrubbing. The two you named are fine.

You can slow down the chalking and messy run-off with a coat of floor wax, but it only helps for a few months. They make RV-specific products for this, but they don't work any better, in my opinion. They just cost more.

You can also paint on a new rubber coating, e.g. Dicor Acrylic, and it will probably be a few years before the chalking gets bad again.

Socaltoolguy · 08-26-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Any good detergent + bleach will clean it well if coupled with a medium bristle brush for scrubbing. The two you named are fine.

You can slow down the chalking and messy run-off with a coat of floor wax, but it only helps for a few months. They make RV-specific products for this, but they don't work any better, in my opinion. They just cost more.

You can also paint on a new rubber coating, e.g. Dicor Acrylic, and it will probably be a few years before the chalking gets bad again.

Can you give me any idea of how much detergent/bleach is a good mix? I don't want to use so much that it might affect the sides as it runs down. And, I'm really surprised at using bleach. That stuff scares me. I've ruined too many shirts by splashing bleach on them. I know, I'm clumsy.

R

wildtoad · 08-26-2014, 02:04 PM

I use a 2 gallon yard sprayer. About a cup of dish washing liquid, half gallon of bleach, the rest water. Spray on and let set for a 10 - 15 minutes and hose off with a strong spray making sure to rinse thoroughly. I do not recommend using a brush as it could damage something. You may need to spot treat areas. This works well for my awning too. I will hand wipe with a car washing mitt all the things on the roof.

And as you indicated wear old clothes.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-29-2014, 04:18 PM

It doesn't take much to bleach a shirt - I've got plenty to prove it. The fiberglass or paint on the sides is a lot more rugged. A strong bleach solution, say 1.0-1.5 cups per gallon, won't hurt it a bit.

But you will have to thoroughly wash the sidewalls and as soon as possible. You are going to loosen a lot of chalky, dirty, residue that will make a mess, and you want to avoid letting that crud dry on the sides, cause it will leave even worse streaks that you now have. Keep rinsing the sides as you wash the roof, and wash the sides as soon as you finish.