Community Forums

TriMoot · 05-21-2014, 12:17 PM

So, I'm 'thinking' I might need to re-seal the roof as I see white stuff on my windshield after a rain storm the next day when things dry off.

So.....where do I begin?

I'm not even sure what kind of room I have...fiber glass is my best guess but I don't know and not sure where to go to find out for sure.

Do I need to power wash the roof and sides? I see some small spots that must be mold?????

What's the best procedure for addressing the roof?

Thanks in advance.
Tri

Gocoffeer · 05-21-2014, 12:50 PM

From you description..."white stuff"...I do think you are looking at a rubber roof, EPDM. Step 1. Get up there and clean the roof (Comet for the stained areas, mild dishwashing detergent and a soft bristled scrub brush).
Step 2. Determine if the roof needs a repair (Use a lap seal type calking and Roof repair tape)
Step 3. If the roof needs coating (EPDM roofs are designed to age as you have described, they actually and naturally oxidize) Order enough Liquid Roof to do the coat.
Step 4. Set up a day to get the job done....you might need to wash the roof again and let it dry just before coating. It takes about 3 days for the new rubber skin to cure then you can walk on it and inspect. Go over and touch up spots that were missed or poorly coated.

Been there once and coated my 34'er.... it goes faster than you think.

NO POWER WASHING.... if the material is salvageable you can tear it with the water pressure. (But I must admit I have seen several YOUTUBE videos where the person washed his rubber roof using a power washer...I would not use that tool on mine)

TriMoot · 05-22-2014, 08:14 AM

I guess that's the big issue is figuring out what kind of roof I have. Think I'll climb up there tonight and really give it a looksey. I don't think there are any major issues, just re-coating it I think.

Bobb.25 · 05-22-2014, 08:22 AM

M 2003 Rexhall Rexair has a fiberglass roof. Confirmed when removed/replaced the vent fans. Some previous owner had put a roof coating on it so it is rough with brush marks, and holds the dirt, it is not fun to clean. It does cause white-gray streaks on the sides.
Bob

Planocat · 05-22-2014, 06:26 PM

You have a fiberglass roof that requires little maintenance. However, you do want to keep a good seal at the front and rear cap line. You have a twin to mine which I sold in Fall of 2012. It generated white streaks the entire time I owned it from 1997 until 2013.

TriMoot · 05-23-2014, 08:48 AM

THANK YOU Bob and Planocat! That's JUST what I needed (and thought). Whew..So...here comes the questions:

1. On a fiberglass roof can I / should I, power wash the roof?
2. If not, what's the best way to get the mold off (it's not excessive, but it bugs me, see attached photo)
3. What do I use to reseal, refresh, whatever, the roof to stop prevent the white stuff from streaking the windows?
4. And in regards to the front and back joints, what do I use to ensure they stay sealed?

Thanks in advance folks!

Bobb.25 · 05-24-2014, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriMoot

THANK YOU Bob and Planocat! That's JUST what I needed (and thought). Whew..So...here comes the questions:

1. On a fiberglass roof can I / should I, power wash the roof?
2. If not, what's the best way to get the mold off (it's not excessive, but it bugs me, see attached photo)
3. What do I use to reseal, refresh, whatever, the roof to stop prevent the white stuff from streaking the windows?
4. And in regards to the front and back joints, what do I use to ensure they stay sealed?

Thanks in advance folks!

I have watched professional crews power wash RVs, including the roofs, so it's do-able. However if I were to do it I would avoid areas with seals, the end cap seals, roof penetration seals,...skylight, fridge vent, fan vents, etc... I may power rinse it next time simply to reduce how much water the process uses.

I prefer to use a soft brush with a long handle, and a bucket with car wash solution. I use a spray bottle with some oxy clean for tough spots. This gives me time to get up close and personal with all of the caulking to check for cracks, etc..

The white stuff that runs down the sides is simply atmospheric dirt that has settled on the nice big flat roof and gets washed down by rain. If some yahoo hadn't put a coating on the roof that is fairly rough, I would probably wax it to make it more slippery for the rain to wash off the roof stuff. I may try mop and glow this year, I've heard good things about it.

I put a white tape called eternal-bond on the front cap joint last year to see how well it worked and held up. I am satisfied and will do the rear cap this year.

My best unasked for advice is to carefully inspect the caulking around all of the roof penetrations. I got my first leak around the fan in the bathroom, and can't get the stains out of the ceiling.

Lionheart · 05-24-2014, 10:21 AM

Just sold my 2002 Rexhall Gas to get diesel pusher
loved the coach had same issue
White stuff is oxidation from fiberglass roof
I had a detailer rub out front of roof then
apply heavy wax job it worked for a while

Suggest you consider a call to factory
in Lancaster ca. they are still in business
for solution and to verify the type of roof
on the coach. They are great folks ask
for service

Brockx · 05-24-2014, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobb.25

................. I got my first leak around the fan in the bathroom, and can't get the stains out of the ceiling.

50/50 water and peroxide in a spray bottle often works miracles on fabric stains. Let it dry repeat as needed.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-24-2014, 12:32 PM

The fiberglass roof is probably painted - mine is (not a Rexhall) and eventually the paint begins to chalk. I was scrubbing and waxing mine all the time to reduce the chalk runoff, so finally re-painted it with Dicor Fiberglass Roof Coat. I just scrubbed the roof again with detergent, bleach and a medium bristle brush to get rid of chalk, dirt and mold. Then I wiped on a liquid deglosser to prep it and painted with the Dicor. No special technique - it's just paint. Now my roof is briiliant white again and no chalky residue.

I think a marine deck paint or even a good porch & deck paint would have done as well, but the Dicor was no more than a top quality deck paint.

A floor wax will temporarily stop the chalking. One coat of Mop & Glo or similar is good for 2-3 weeks and multiple coats probably longer. Only takes 30 minutes to wax, but you have to wash it well first or it's a waste of time.

Planocat · 05-24-2014, 03:12 PM

Tri:

Bob covered it all very accurately.

Here's a couple of additions and observations if your coach is like the one I had:
1. Your roof is not painted. It is the color gel coat they used.
2. Probably not textured by the previous owner. RexAir was smooth on the edges and wrapped up and over to a textured fiberglass on top.
3. Dicor is your friend. Become acquainted with it and don't be afraid to use it!
4. Fiberglass ( or any roof surface for that matter ) becomes an ice rink when you apply water and any cleaning solution. My neighbor at the lake died from a fractured skull when he fell while power washing his roof. At that point I hung up my ice skates and pay someone else to do mine.
5. White streaks will be a way of life...... Just as will black streaks from the rubber window gaskets. Consider them the junction of RV meets Outdoors. You will be able to keep them to a minimum with considerable effort, but they will not be completely eliminated.
6. Sealing as Bob mentioned is the most important factor of roof maintenance. Take it very seriously. As for the cosmetic aspect, who can see it?

Use it and enjoy it....... Our RexAir produced many great memories. It is a very functional floor plan. I still miss the storage capacity!

Planocat

Gary RVRoamer · 05-25-2014, 11:10 AM

An unpainted fiberglass surface, or even gel coat, will eventually chalk too. You can still stop that with some prep work and a quality paint. Or even seal it with a clear coat of some type once the chalky surface is cleaned up.

TriMoot · 05-27-2014, 10:07 AM

Awesome guys! Thanks for all this input! Especially the one about the skating rink. I've been watching a lot of YouTube video's of people washing their roofs and shudder as they are walking on soapy slick roofs, YIKES! One slip and it's a life changing moment.

Everything you guys said makes sense and now I understand what's going on. The white stuff is coming from the front cap as the front windows and windshield have the white streaks. I wondered why and now I know.

Wow, looked at the Dicor video, MAN that's a ton of work! Obviously worth it but yikes, I'm going to need a couple of weeks to get it all done and done right and then another couple to recover! Here's one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDPX...7Rji9fuP_qFFLQ

Well thanks again folks, you guys are awesome, and if you're ever in Spokane feel free to drop by, but I'll warn you...I MIGHT put you to work! ;-)

scoutmstr · 05-28-2014, 03:35 PM

All Rexhalls have a fiberglass roof. Bill Rex does not believe in rubber etc roofs for longevity. My last coach had a 1 1/2 low spot where the AC caused the roof to sag (wooden trusses in roof and wooden framing). It was an old coach. Sealed the roof with elastometric coating used on houses after cleaning roof. In a rain water would pool in low spot and come off roof when moving MH. Never leaked in the 5 years it was on roof and didn't when I sold it with 125K miles