What fiberglass roof clean and protect products do you use?

[gnvrvin]

Originally Posted by CamJam1

Be careful on the roof if you use 303. That stuff is slippery!

I have not had an issue with 303 aerospace being slippery..even after application
Odd....even use it on tires and trims after polishing and those are not greasy or slick once applied and dried

Greg

[Doug427]

Thanks to all of you for the great advice.

[doublechevy]

found it on amazon 1 gallon container 303 Aerospace protectant
much cheaper than buying small spray bottle

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Well Doug,
There's lots of opinions on this and here's mine. In short, it's a fiberglass roof. To *coat* it with just about ANYTHING, is in my opinion, not the best route for these roofs. It's a choice thing. You do what you feel is right for you and your roof. On mine, It wasn't in too bad of shape when we took the coach over, about 10+ years ago. It's an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP. So, I've done quite a bit of paint "Cut-n-buff" operations and my roof was in need of something similar.

So, I got up there and first thing was to wash it thoroughly with good soap and water and some cleanser to rid it of oxidation. Then, I had to scrape off the blobs of Silicone that the folks that did the King Dome install, got all over the place. Once that was done, out came my 100' extension cord, my Dewalt professional buffer (not a random orbital but, a real buffer) and some 3M polishing compound.

It took me two days, start to finish which included a wax job with Kit car wax when done. The results you see below. I myself, will never put any product on that roof. It doesn't need it. The pics of what you see, were taken several years ago when I first did it. It has dulled quite a bit but, still has a great finish with ZERO streaking whenever it rains, or I wash the roof off. I'm due for another couple days up there and to that process again.

Yep, it's work, no doubt about it. But, when you're done, the fiberglass surface is in seriously better shape than just putting a coating on it. Anyway, again, it's a choice thing. Oh, yes, for those worry warts that yell and scream "it's gonna be real slippery" when it's wet up there. Duuuhhhhh, OF COURSE it's gonna be slippery when wet. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that. Nobody said to get up there and square dance when it's raining!!!
Scott

P.S. Some will comment on why do that much work when no one will see it. First off, I WILL SEE IT. Second, that roof is now PRESERVED.

Scott,
Beautiful job! I did the same with mine although much smaller than yours and I used Mequiar's Marine products. I am curious, does your rig stay outdoors under that cover all the time and if so how long did the shine stay? I did mine in August but mine lives indoors when not travelling so I am hoping to go a year or two between waxing.

[echristley]

Originally Posted by Doug427

The question is, what are you guys using to wash and protect your fiberglass roofs?

I painted on a couple layers of TropiCool roof coating.

[DebbieJ]

I’m wondering too whether to clean then use wax or a UV protectant or both. We have a 2018 Tiffin Phaeton and volunteer on the Santa Cruz, CA beach three straight months every summer. It gets morning moisture and blazing sun no shade. Any suggestions to best maintain the fiberglass roof? The roof (gel coat?) seems to be breaking down as a chalky substance comes off on your hand when you gently rub it. My husband has kept it waxed. We’ve seen other protective products online such as 303 Touchless Sealant UV Protection (spray on) and Dicor Roof Coating (roll on). Our experienced Tiffin repair shop in northern Calif recommends just wax it don't use a protectant. Another RV service service/detail shop suggests using one of the UV protective products but it didn’t sound like he'd had much experience with it. I do wonder if the Dicor could become a mess if it breaks down/starts peeling, etc.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[DebbieJ]

I’m wondering too whether to clean then use wax or a UV protectant or both. We have a 2018 Tiffin Phaeton and volunteer on the Santa Cruz, CA beach three straight months every summer. It gets morning moisture and blazing sun no shade. Any suggestions to best maintain the fiberglass roof? The roof (gel coat?) seems to be breaking down as a chalky substance comes off on your hand when you gently rub it. My husband has kept it waxed. We’ve seen other protective products online such as 303 Touchless Sealant UV Protection (spray on) and Dicor Roof Coating (roll on). Our experienced Tiffin repair shop in northern Calif recommends just wax it don't use a protectant. Another RV service service/detail shop suggests using one of the UV protective products but it didn’t sound like he'd had much experience with it. Sounds like at least one person here uses was then 303. I do wonder if the Dicor could become a mess if it breaks down/starts peeling, etc.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[macnut]

303 works great if used regularly.