Community Forums

chuckbear · 01-12-2020, 09:28 AM

It appears that a previous owner of our coach used paint, probably latex, on the roof. Every time I wash the roof it flakes off in tiny pieces and is all over the sides and on the ground. I want to recoat it but need to remove the paint first so the new coating doesn't peel off. The roof is in good shape with no leaks etc. I have tried to sand it off but it is really stuck and will not sand easily. But the next time I clean it the flakes appear again. I would appreciate any suggestions to get this stuff off. Chuck

Waiter21 · 01-12-2020, 09:30 AM

pressure wash?

chuckbear · 01-12-2020, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

pressure wash?

Tried it. While it did remove some, lots more started flaking again later. Chuck

swampdog2 · 01-12-2020, 09:49 AM

who makes a coating for that type of roof? I'm thinking you would be time and money ahead to replace the roof with new

one !

chuckbear · 01-12-2020, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampdog2

who makes a coating for that type of roof? I'm thinking you would be time and money ahead to replace the roof with new

one !

Absolutely no reason to replace the roof. I need suggestions on how to remove the paint. Chuck

Reacher · 01-12-2020, 10:10 AM

Some say rubbing alcohol but I would check with Dicor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OQBKL7Z_dQ

https://dicorproducts.com/product/ep...oating-system/

chuckbear · 01-12-2020, 10:42 AM

Thanks. But while I have and use the Dicor cleaner, it does great to clean the roof but nothing to remove latex paint. My issue is not cleaning. It's paint removal. I tried mineral spirits and a number of other solvents in spots but they don't touch the dried paint. Too much will damage the roof. Chuck

lancslad · 01-12-2020, 09:16 PM

try Goof Off from Home Depot

Bobby F · 01-12-2020, 09:49 PM

Are you sure about the paint idea? I once helped apply Dicor to a roof, and it turned out that one of the gallon cans had been frozen, or over heated, or . . . something. It was faulty.

When it finally cured, it looked like a bad latex paint job - it cracked up and started flaking off. We ended up brushing as much off as we could over a few days, and then we hit it again with the Diclor cleaner/catalyst and a pressure washer and re-coated it with another thick layer of Dicor to encapsulate the flaky stuff.

It held up, at least for the remaining four years my friend owned that rig.

We looked at ways to remove the bad coat, but anything that might touch it was also going to run down the side of the rig, or compromise the EDPM. Mechanical removal was the only option we could think of.

chuckbear · 01-13-2020, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancslad

try Goof Off from Home Depot

Tried it. No Joy. Bobby, yes I'm sure this is paint. It's way too thin for any other kind of coating. There is a layer of some type of coating, perhaps Dicor, under the paint but it is very stained and nasty looking. That's why I want to put another coating on. But the paint flakes all over the ground around the coach and all over the sides are very annoying. Chuck

153stars · 01-13-2020, 10:16 AM

Dry ice or walnut shell or other media blasting may remove it. None are cheap option. We rent dry ice blasting at work it cleans things and areas that seem impossible otherwise especially in the time frame . Some of material/mess is soft and gooey same material will get rock hard right next to it. Without damaging concrete or good paint if your carful. It does this introducing more hazards and hazardous waste or more material, solvents.or water. Then we can sweep or vacuum just what was removed.
Rubber is pretty much impervious to even sand blasting.

Reacher · 01-13-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby F

Are you sure about the paint idea? I once helped apply Dicor to a roof, and it turned out that one of the gallon cans had been frozen, or over heated, or . . . something. It was faulty.

When it finally cured, it looked like a bad latex paint job - it cracked up and started flaking off. We ended up brushing as much off as we could over a few days, and then we hit it again with the Diclor cleaner/catalyst and a pressure washer and re-coated it with another thick layer of Dicor to encapsulate the flaky stuff.

It held up, at least for the remaining four years my friend owned that rig.

We looked at ways to remove the bad coat, but anything that might touch it was also going to run down the side of the rig, or compromise the EDPM. Mechanical removal was the only option we could think of.

Seems the logical way to handle it. First apply plastic to protect the coach then carefully keep pressure washing until all the loose material is removed. Next apply the 2 part dicor system as outlined in the video for epdm and tpo roofing. Do not sand or use abrasives, or petroleum based products such as goof-off or mineral spirits as that will affect the roofing adhesive and or penetrate it causing bubbling and leaks. You should be left with a roof that will provide many more years of service.