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VinceB · 10-23-2011, 03:51 PM

Hello,

I have a 2001 Diplomat with the older style ceiling. In the bedroom, there are stains that are in the same spots as the frame members. They are dark and look similar to the stains you get on a rag when you polish aluminum. My buddy has a 2000 Dip with the same stains.

We are guessing that this is aluminum dust from the frame that is created from the vibration of going down the road.

I've tried the bleach/vinegar/soda water concoction recommended in the owner's manual, Hot Shot, straight bleach, straight peroxide (3%), peroxide & baking soda - nothing even gives a hint that it might work. Monaco tech support says they have never seen the problem.

My question is has anyone else had this same problem and what is the cleaning agent to get the stains off?

I'll post pix soon.

Thanks for any suggestions and/or a solution.

timdriver · 10-23-2011, 06:25 PM

I've polished aluminum before and have used plain flour or corn meal to remove black residue from the metal. Maybe these two rubbed on your Dips ceiling might draw in some of this residue

Papa_Jim · 10-23-2011, 09:11 PM

Our coach has steel roof trusses, not aluminum. It has the same ceiling staining that you're talking about. So far I haven't found anything that will touch it.

Some have said that it is diesel soot, caused by the space between the bedroom wall and the rear cap not being sealed properly, allowing diesel smoke from the engine room to leak up into the ceiling. If that's the case, then a good degreaser type of cleaner should be able to clean it. I haven't tried that, but I'm going to.

So, to answer your questions about what this staining is, and how to clean it, I really don't know.

Theberrys · 10-23-2011, 09:30 PM

I have a 1999 Tradewinds and have the same problem. It's in about four of the seams on our ceiling. I've tried many of the recommended cleaners with no results at all. I did manage to cover up most of one with a cieling mod, but cover it up was all I could do. I hope you get a good answer I need it.

Dick

rex · 10-23-2011, 10:01 PM

VinceB the 2001 Diplomat has steel roof members, not aluminum. I have the same problem in the bedroom.

RCLImperial · 10-24-2011, 07:20 AM

Has anyone tried spraying the affected areas with a solution of rug cleaner and then using a wet/dry vacuum to suck up the cleaner? If that works, you could then try one of those rug cleaners (Hoover, etc) that have a hand tool.

Dick Lucas, HR Imperial

Theberrys · 10-24-2011, 09:52 AM

I tried the Hoover Rug cleaner, and no change at all. It seems the black is imbeded clear through the pile of the ceiling.

Dick

VinceB · 10-24-2011, 10:12 AM

Thanks everyone for responding so far.

I tried Resolve carpet cleaner - some improvement - the pile seems clean but the backing is still black. The fumes drove me out to fresh air.

I tried shaving cream - not much improvement so far - I am letting it soak.

I work with a materials engineer who knows how things work on a molecular level. If we have diesel soot, we will never get it to turn white as it is carbon. Getting it out from deep in the pile wil be difficult as soot tends to be a little sticky. He suggested spraying the whole ceiling with white shoe dye.

VinceB · 10-24-2011, 07:16 PM

So far it looks like shaving cream is the winner. It didn't get the stain all out, but you can see where it did lighten it up a lot. It still does not look good enough.

I heard boaters use bug & tar remover to get diesel soot off their hulls. I don't feel I have anything to lose at this point and will buy a bottle. If that doesn't work, I'll think about installing wood "beams" to cover up the stains.

William Willard · 10-25-2011, 06:32 PM

VinceB -- Try "Awsome" - You can buy it at most dollar stores -- It`s the best all around cleaner we`ve found -- It will be in a round plastic bottle, & is yellowish -- Bill Willard

Papa_Jim · 10-25-2011, 08:28 PM

I have thought about spraying the ceiling with white shoe dye. I've wondered if it will leave the ceiling 'soft', or whether it will become stiff to the touch.

I'm getting ready to do some serious redesigning of our front cabinets and TV above the dashboard. The only thing stopping me right now is that the strip of ceiling above the TV cabinet is absolutely pitch black. When I remove that cabinet, we'll be left with an ugly black strip in the ceiling.

Has anybody installed a new vinyl ceiling covering over the old ceiling?

sc3283 · 10-26-2011, 02:50 PM

I had seen that same stain along the frt cabinets above the windshield in a 94 Dynasty. Luckily my 96 has none

Berrys...great ceiling mod!

William Willard · 10-26-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Willard

VinceB -- Try "Awsome" - You can buy it at most dollar stores -- It`s the best all around cleaner we`ve found -- It will be in a round plastic bottle, & is yellowish -- Bill Willard

I spelled the cleaner wrong -- It`s Awesome --