Cleaning the roof

CharlieTwo · 07-05-2011, 03:32 PM

I have a 95 Winnebago Brave 27'. I bought it a year ago and it looked like the roof had never been cleaned. I have tried Dawn dish soap, barkeepers friend and car wash soap. Most of the dirt is gone but there is still dirt in the crevices of the roof material. I have scrubbed it with a fingernail brush and it still doesn't want to come off. After a rain there are black streaks down the side of the MH. I honestly don't know how many hours I have been up there but it's a lot. The MH used to winter over in Arizona and was then stored indoors for the summer in Illinois. Any ideas on getting that glued on dirt off? On the spare cover on the rear, I got some dirt out that dripped onto the bumper. I didn't realize it at the time but the next morning it was dried and was like ROCK. It took forever to get it off and that was with barkeepers friend. Very strange dirt.

MickBrennan · 07-05-2011, 05:00 PM

You might try using TSP if you are desperate. Buy it in the paint department. Be very careful because it can etch glass and paint if it sits too long. Mix according to directions, spray on with a garden sprayer then scrub with a mild detergent. Have a friend standing by with a hose and work from the bottom up to avoid clean streaks.

Jackm · 07-06-2011, 03:45 AM

If you really want to minimize black streaks from a dirty roof, you'll need to wax the roof. That way, dirt won't stick to the surface as much. When you clean the roof, before you wax it, don't worry about how it looks. No one can see the roof (but you). The wax will stop future dirt from working its way into the fiberglass. But do be careful. Waxing a roof has its risks.

Jack

CharlieTwo · 07-06-2011, 05:13 AM

I will try the TSP and see how that does. As far a waxing, I've read to use mop and glow. The only thing I can figure on it being hazardous is maybe it gets slippery up there?

Airtool · 07-06-2011, 06:12 AM

EPDM Roofs do not like any cleaners with citrus oils like lemon. Use of any cleaners with any oils in them will damage the membrane. Once it damaged its new roof time.
Use a very mild soap and a soft brush. I use ProtectAll Roof cleaner and roof treatment twice a year. Keeps it clean and sealed.
The oxides used in the EPDM leach out as it reacts to UV.
Dick.

wa8yxm · 07-06-2011, 11:43 AM

On my rubber roof I use the same stuff I'd use in the Kitchen.

Spic & Span
Mop (See note)
Pail
Water

Note: Instead of a mop I use a "Van Wash" brush (long handled car was brush) WIndow Washer brush from Fuller Brush or it's equal should work well too.

On the water part.. Normally in the kitchen I'd mop with cleaner, then "rinse" with a clear water mop.. A garden hose works better on the roof.

FIRE UP · 07-06-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

On my rubber roof I use the same stuff I'd use in the Kitchen.

Spic & Span
Mop (See note)
Pail
Water

Note: Instead of a mop I use a "Van Wash" brush (long handled car was brush) WIndow Washer brush from Fuller Brush or it's equal should work well too.

On the water part.. Normally in the kitchen I'd mop with cleaner, then "rinse" with a clear water mop.. A garden hose works better on the roof.

Never used "Spic and Span" , it's been around for a zillion years. I'll have to try it someday. Anyway, on my Bounder I've used soap and water, cleanser and soap and water, and bleach and water. Now, I diluted the bleach a bit but, it sure did a great job of whitening the roof up. And, NO, it did no damage what so ever.

I just kept the water flowing and it did no damage to the sides of the coach, the window seals, anything. There were spots on it that even some cleanser had a hard time with. Anyway, some good soap, a good brush, and some elbow grease and you should be good to go.
Scott

CharlieTwo · 07-06-2011, 03:52 PM

This is a fiberglass roof. This dirt has been scrubbed by hand with a brush and slowly comes off. Once it is all off, I will wax that thing!

smlranger · 07-07-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieTwo

This is a fiberglass roof. This dirt has been scrubbed by hand with a brush and slowly comes off. Once it is all off, I will wax that thing!

I've seen nothing that cleans the stubborn dirt from my roof better than a few Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They will always get the stuff off that my car wash will not clean.

2fasttoon · 07-07-2011, 10:05 AM

Has anyone tried a product called "ROLL OFF" it works great on Black streaks and general cleaning. The black streaks come off so easy, spray area with water and then spray Roll off and you can sponge the black streaks away.

CharlieTwo · 07-07-2011, 03:55 PM

Great ideas! Maybe I can get rid of those streaks and dirt...... thanks

YC1 · 07-07-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

I've seen nothing that cleans the stubborn dirt from my roof better than a few Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They will always get the stuff off that my car wash will not clean.

Ditto: It takes three or four and when done the roof is white as snow. Then on goes a coat of wax and good for another year.