How to clean surface for Eternabond tape on EPDM ???

[Karlos]

I need to patch a few small screw holes in my roof from an antenna I removed. I have purchase a short roll of 6" wide Eternabond tape and will cut a 6" square and round the corners a bit. This should cover the whole area well.

The patch area is very dirty and has globs of old caulk. I plan of cutting off most of the big chunks of caulk to get back to a level roof. The clean the roof area well before patching.

The question is how to clean patch area??

I had planned to first wash the area with some type of water-based cleaner (Dawn, 409, maybe even TSP). That will get the dirt off. Then rinse well and dry. Then follow with some type of solvent cleaner to remove any soap residue and prep the surface.

I want a reasonably aggressive solvent, but not too aggressive that the EPDM is damaged. I've searched the forums and there is no consistent solvent used. Some use isopropyl alchohol, some use mineral spirits, some use acetone.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated guys ....

Karl

[RV Wizard]

Wash the area with a Rubber Roof Cleaner and then rinse the area well. Let dry and in stall tape.

[JeffAZ]

I believe mineral spirits are definitely contra-indicated on a EPDM roof.

Eternabond will sell you a spraycan of cleaner to use right before you apply the tape, but I believe it is mostly acetone.

[KIX]

Maybe I don't understand your problem but washing and rinsing is going to get water in the screw holes I would think. If it were me I would clean with mineral spirits on a rag then wipe any residue off with alcohol.

Hmmmmm the post just above this one says to not use mineral spirits. I still wouldn't use water.

[JeffAZ]

"Some products sold for RV maintenance contain petroleum distillates and citric ingredients. These chemicals will damage your roof membrane and shorten its life"

This is a quote from Rudy at Dicor Products. Mineral spirits are petroleum distillates. I would go to Dicor's website and look at their roof cleaning products.

[HicksRA]

I used Acetone on my Brite Tek roof which is one recommended by Eternabond, but not sure how it would affect your EPDM roof.

[az bound]

Acetone, denatured alcohol, or mineral spirits are all good for cleaning and will not harm EPDM or TPO.
Rudy at Dicor is WRONG. There are no petroliun distillates in mineral spirits.
Avoid any products with petroliun or citric acid.

[Lac]

Originally Posted by az bound

Acetone, denatured alcohol, or mineral spirits are all good for cleaning and will not harm EPDM or TPO.
Rudy at Dicor is WRONG. There are no petroliun distillates in mineral spirits.
Avoid any products with petroliun or citric acid.

Did a quick search on the web here is what I found in part....


Petroleum Distillates General Information
• Petroleum distillates is the term commonly used to refer to aliphatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons can actually be divided into two groups: petroleum distillates and synthetic paraffinic hydrocarbons. We use petroleum distillates to mean both types of products.
• Petroleum distillates include mineral spirits, kerosene, white spirits, naphtha, and Stoddard solvent. These products may contain trace amounts of benzene and other aromatics.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Rudy at Dicor is WRONG. There are no petroliun distillates in mineral spirits.

Rudy is right - it is 100% petroleum.

However, shortly after cautioning about petroleum products, Rudy also states this:

- Cleaning lap sealant used around roof mounted accessories and railings: If soap and water do not clean the seal to your satisfaction, use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to wipe away dirt build-up on the seal.

[Red highlighting is mine]

That is taken directly from this page on the Dicor site:
https://dicorproducts.com/catalog/ro...-roofing/#care

[MuckSavage]

I used rubbing alchohol

[scep]

Acrysol is what most rv repair shops use.

[az bound]

Originally Posted by Lac

Did a quick search on the web here is what I found in part....


Petroleum Distillates General Information
• Petroleum distillates is the term commonly used to refer to aliphatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons can actually be divided into two groups: petroleum distillates and synthetic paraffinic hydrocarbons. We use petroleum distillates to mean both types of products.
• Petroleum distillates include mineral spirits, kerosene, white spirits, naphtha, and Stoddard solvent. These products may contain trace amounts of benzene and other aromatics.

The trace amounts of benzene and aromatics is 40 parts per 1,000,000 in mineral spirits and is one of many products recommended to clean TPO and EPDM.

[rsha]

Actone then use the eternal primer.

[JeffAZ]

So Karlos, are you now more confused, or less confused?!