What do you clean Dicor Lap Sealent with?

[Mvlawn]

Hello All
What is everyone using to clean there Lap Sealent with? Mine is chalky grey and then runs down the side of the rig. I was thinking of Ajax, I have tried denatured alcohol and that works so so. What are your thoughts?

[Ray,IN]

To me, that is the natural color of Dicor lap sealant after it has experienced a few summers.I've never experienced runny sealant after it has cured. Perhaps I just do not understand your questions though. If you want to remove the top "layer" of sealant to make it look like it was just applied, try gently wiping it with a rag dampened with turpentine. This will soften and remove some of the sealant. I discovered that while attempting to completely remove(which BTW was completely successful) some excess sealant during a re-caulking project.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Mineral spirits, but it is just going to chalk up again. If its old enough to chalk, I would be thinking of stripping it off and replacing it.

Are you sure it is the sealant that is chalking? Usually it is the EPDM roofing, not the Dicor.

[Mvlawn]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

To me, that is the natural color of Dicor lap sealant after it has experienced a few summers.I've never experienced runny sealant after it has cured. Perhaps I just do not understand your questions though. If you want to remove the top "layer" of sealant to make it look like it was just applied, try gently wiping it with a rag dampened with turpentine. This will soften and remove some of the sealant. I discovered that while attempting to completely remove(which BTW was completely successful) some excess sealant during a re-caulking project.

Ray its still hard/ply able not runny. I will try the turpentine.

[Mvlawn]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Mineral spirits, but it is just going to chalk up again. If its old enough to chalk, I would be thinking of stripping it off and replacing it.

Are you sure it is the sealant that is chalking? Usually it is the EPDM roofing, not the Dicor.

I have a fiberglass roof so its definitely the sealant. I was hoping to skip out on replacing it all and just cleaning it. Thanks for the reply.

[pigroaster]

My dealer told me to remove any Dicor to use Coleman camping fuel on a cloth. He says it will not hurt fibreglass siding. Very flammable and be careful of disposing your cloth. I burn mine in shop furnace. It removes dark water marks around and below windows instantly!!

[pigroaster]

I would not use Coleman fuel on a EPDM roof. Sides only!! Sorry if I misled you!

[Chuck 1935]

Originally Posted by pigroaster

My dealer told me to remove any Dicor to use Coleman camping fuel on a cloth. He says it will not hurt fibreglass siding. Very flammable and be careful of disposing your cloth. I burn mine in shop furnace. It removes dark water marks around and below windows instantly!!

Coleman camping fuel = unleaded gasoline !

[Ray,IN]

Mineral spirits is a distillation fraction of petroleum. Turpentine is a distillation from pine tree sap(no petroleum involved). Where are Ken and Rusty when you need them_.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I figured somebody would say "OMG" when I mentioned mineral spirits. Both mineral spirits and turpentine work fine and are not a problem to any roof as long as you don't pour it on. You just use a dampened cloth.

In this case the roof is fiberglass, so even pouring it on is not an issue.

[Mvlawn]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I figured somebody would say "OMG" when I mentioned mineral spirits. Both mineral spirits and turpentine work fine and are not a problem to any roof as long as you don't pour it on. You just use a dampened cloth.

In this case the roof is fiberglass, so even pouring it on is not an issue.

I use mineral spirits to take the steaks and water spots off before I wax.

[Lincolnboy2]

Roof Maintenance read this article. It should help. Manufacturer suggests borax or dawn. NO petroleum distillates.

Quote: The percentage of petroleum distillates doesn’t matter. THERE IS NO LEVEL OF PETROLEUM DISTILLATES THAT IS RECOMMENDED. Laboratory tests conducted in July of 1996 evaluated the effect of a leading RV ‘roof treatment’ product on EPDM roofing membrane using standard sunlamp and immersion testing procedures. The ‘roof treatment’, which contained petroleum distillates, caused a 63% mass change (swelling). Petroleum distillates soak in and cause the adhesive to loosen and the membrane to balloon. Then, when the ballooning goes down, the rubber roof may never again adhere properly or completely. Don’t be fooled by names such as “organic solvent”, “hydrocarbon carrier”, etc. Petroleum distillates by any name should NEVER be applied to EPDM. If you aren’t sure about a product, contact the manufacturer and request a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Look under the section entitled “Hazardous Ingredients”. If it lists any petroleum distillates, do not use it on EPDM

[late starter]

Simple Green works great for me to remove the black streaks, 50-50 solution. Just start at the top and work down!

Ray, thanks for the footnote. I agree.

[REWahoo]

Originally Posted by Mvlawn

I use mineral spirits to take the steaks and water spots off before I wax.

Let me know the next time you get ready to wax. I'll fire up the grill and remove the steaks for you...