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Rookie RVer · 09-14-2014, 11:58 AM

Hi folks, another rookie question for ya. I've got a 2002 Southwind with what I believe to be a TPO roof. It is original roof. I have been told the roof is starting to deteriorate and the white from the roof is bleeding down the RV. So, I have heard of "Dicor" system to treat the roof and bring it back to life or rather extend the life. Do any of you know this system or have experience with other systems to extend the life of the roof? Thanks for the valuable info!! Sandy

**CLIFFTALL** · 09-14-2014, 12:01 PM

Welcone to IRV 2. Sounds like you have a rubber roof . What makes you think its TPO. 2002 was about the time FW started using TPO so it could be but the white streaks sounds like a rubber roof.

Rookie RVer · 09-14-2014, 12:47 PM

The only way I read to determine the roof was that an EPDM roof had a black backing while a TPO roof has a white background with possibly a felt backing. mine does have a felt backing and is a white backing. But other than that I have no idea if it is EPDM or TPO.

Rookie RVer · 09-14-2014, 12:49 PM

Oh, and yes, it is rubber...or at least it is not fiberglass or a hard surface.

**CLIFFTALL** · 09-14-2014, 12:51 PM

Is it a textured surface or smooth? The TPO is textured.

Rookie RVer · 09-14-2014, 01:09 PM

Yep, the surface is textured.

**CLIFFTALL** · 09-14-2014, 01:30 PM

Well it sounds like a TPO roof now. I've never heard of a TPO roof doing what yours is doing. Hopefully someone else will jump in here to assist.

Rookie RVer · 09-14-2014, 03:54 PM

Well let me ask another question that relates to this...is there maintenance that should be done to a TPO roof that I should be doing? I am a preventive maintenance nut.

**CLIFFTALL** · 09-14-2014, 03:59 PM

The mfg recommends washing it with Murphy's Oil Soap ( I threw a little Dawn in for good measure ).You should also check all seams that are most likely sealed with Dicor and repair any that are cracked or separated. That's all I ever did and my 08 looked new when I sold it last year.

Jim2 · 09-14-2014, 04:09 PM

TPO roofing does not usually "bleed", white or black. TPO is like a plastic, over age it may get thin, shrink and crack, but not bleed.
The 2002 Fleetwood Southwind specs say your roof is Royal Tuff-Ply™ Roof, which I believe was the initial transition from EDPM to TPO

Gary RVRoamer · 09-14-2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Is it a textured surface or smooth? The TPO is textured.

I'm not sop sure about that, Cliftall. I had a TPO roof and it was smooth and shiny. And that's how other sources describe it too.

Dicor says the only way to be sure is to look at the backing. EPDM has a black backing for the top color layer, while TPO will be the same color all the way through, but may have a fleece (felt) backing as well.

http://www.dicorproducts.com/ultrase...very_Guide.pdf

**CLIFFTALL** · 09-15-2014, 02:19 AM

I've not heard of a TPO roof being shinny before ( on this forum , it had always been referred to as textured ). I must say , yours is a first for me. The link you provided doesn't mention texture and it refers to roofs mfg after 2010 and 2011.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-15-2014, 05:46 PM

The TPO roof coach I had was a 2002 National RV product. Smooth and shiny. Some further reading suggests that Alpha's TPO product has a slight texture, whereas Dicor's Britek TPO does not, but I wouldn't swear to that without better evidence than internet babble.

This video is pretty clear. As you note, it doesn't mention "texture", which I believe indicates texture is NOT a reliable indicator.