serious cleaning and polishing the roof today

[Pogo]

Today was nice out, so I got up on the roof of our 36' MH. I used a power buffer, and removed the oxidation and dirt on the roof. I used a bucket of water and a rag to rinse off the residue because I didn't want it to run down the sides. The power cord knocked a bottle of oxidation remover off of the roof, and it busted. Oh well...
I also cleaned the antenna, vents, etc. It was a LOT OF WORK, but it looks nice and shiny clean. (Next time, I will get a pair of knee pads first.) The sides don't look nearly as bad and I will get to them next.
I see the ads from "detailers" that charged $12 a ft. for an RV, and I used to think that was way too much money. Now, I can see that it is not, because there is a lot of hard work involved. I wonder if some of the cheaper price quotes are for skipping the roof.
I am thankful that am able to do my own, (I am 65), and I am fussy. I like doing it, but now I know I wouldn't do anybody else's RV for less than $12 a foot, if at all. I would help someone and get them started though.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo I would help someone and get them started though.

You're like the insurance company, "Like a Good Neighbor!"

I use a deep pile soft nylon brush on a telepole and I use a commercial product to clean the roof. Using lots of water will help with the streaks but the cleaner will still run off and some dripping is often realized. When I finish I need sun glasses because the fiberglass is just too white.

[Pusherman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo Today was nice out, so I got up on the roof of our 36' MH. I used a power buffer, and removed the oxidation and dirt on the roof. I used a bucket of water and a rag to rinse off the residue because I didn't want it to run down the sides. The power cord knocked a bottle of oxidation remover off of the roof, and it busted. Oh well... I also cleaned the antenna, vents, etc. It was a LOT OF WORK, but it looks nice and shiny clean. (Next time, I will get a pair of knee pads first.) The sides don't look nearly as bad and I will get to them next. I see the ads from "detailers" that charged $12 a ft. for an RV, and I used to think that was way too much money. Now, I can see that it is not, because there is a lot of hard work involved. I wonder if some of the cheaper price quotes are for skipping the roof. I am thankful that am able to do my own, (I am 65), and I am fussy. I like doing it, but now I know I wouldn't do anybody else's RV for less than $12 a foot, if at all. I would help someone and get them started though.

I bet your fuel mileage just went up!!

[Pogo]

You are probably right. With the body being slick, there has to be less drag. But, I'm not sure if it would be very much.

[fxdave]

what professional cleaner do you use driver ?

[mk34_techrep]

Hey, Let's see some pics of the finished product and all that hard work...

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxdave what professional cleaner do you use driver ?

I use a lot of Gel-Gloss products.

In referrence to the just too white comment, that's basically normal. When the roof is clean in bright sunlight it reflects a lot of sunlight. I will use sunglasses, it helps with the glare.

[David K]

I also use the Gel-Gloss product for my roof ---- it is both a cleaner and polish --- as I clean, I use a car polisher to really bring out the shine on the roof. The cleaner/polisher has wax in it.

[fxdave]

when you use that gel gloss product do you wash the roof first ? ive got a white chalky film on top just curious ? thanks i was going to use mop an glo

[David K]

I will wet down the roof as I go (heavy dirt -- I would wash off first) and then apply the Gel-Gloss product with a damp towel (I use bar towels which are larger than wash cloths but manageable). I will use circular motions and you will see the "chalky white stuff" come off on the towel. I then use a dry towel to dry the area. The first time I cleaned my roof (I purchased the MH used), it took about two days and a lot of towels. After getting the roof cleaned and towel polished, that is when I will go to the buffer and really shine it up. The first time that I polished the roof I think was the first time it had been cleaned as it had old pine tar droppings and other "sticky stuff" up there. I now do the roof twice a year -- once in the Spring and once in the Fall -- it does not take nearly as long to do now as the wax (caranaba wax) in the product helps to protect the fiberglass roof. Also, when I wash the MH, I use a wash solution that contains caranaba wax in it.

[Pogo]

when you use that gel gloss product do you wash the roof first ? ive got a white chalky film on top just curious ? thanks i was going to use mop an glo

First, you need to remove the chalky oxidation. There are several very mild abrasives available. I use one with a random orbital polishing machine that I bought from griotsgarage.com Then, once you have that off, you can use any of a number of polishes on it. I choose a waterless acrylic coating polish from ultralustra.com. It is very easy to use and chemically bonds to the acrylic paints being used now. Enamel and lacquer are gone. I don't use wax anymore, but I did for MANY years. That's old technology that is not as hard as acrylic polish.

[David K]

The Gel-Gloss product will remove the oxidation ---- The full product name (I am now in the basement where it is stored) is "Gel-Gloss Heavyduty Exterior RV Cleaner and Wax ---- it has Carnauba wax in it. It is good for the entire exterior of my RV.

[Wayne M]

As posted in a previous thread, I send DW up on the roof to clean it.

[Superslif]

I'll 2nd the Gel-Gloss products.. been using them for years.....do my trailer about 3 times a year, a section at a time......After each wash I'll do about 30 minutes of waxing.....