Roof material/cleaning?

[Kegan36604]

Looking at cleaners for my 2001 240TD I see some specifically say not to use certain cleaners on rubber roofs, use something specific for vinyl, etc. so, what are Hi-Lo roofs made of and any suggestions on the best cleaner?

 

[RCREYES]

Looking at cleaners for my 2001 240TD I see some specifically say not to use certain cleaners on rubber roofs, use something specific for vinyl, etc. so, what are Hi-Lo roofs made of and any suggestions on the best cleaner?

I'm guessing by your year model that you most likely have a rubber roof. This is also available at Walmart.

Search - rubber roof cleaner - Camping World

 

[JackandJanet]

Ruben's given you good advice. If the roof is NOT rubber, it will be aluminum over plywood. Aluminum will be painted white, it will have "seams" running crosswise over the roof, it will feel "hard", as opposed to "resilient", and will likely have a "pebbly" surface.

Aluminum roofs can be cleaned with any detergent you'd use on an automobile. Don't "pressure wash" your trailer regardless of the roof construction though.

- Jack

 

[sam-HILO]

Rubber roof cleaner

We have a rubber roof and just purchased a product at Walmart. It is a rubber roof cleaner and UV protector. Can't remember what it paid,but it was reasonable. DH liked how it went on and was easy to use. Just follow the directions.My bottle is a Camco..Pro strength Rubber roof cleaner and conditioner. Gets rid of tree sap,oxidation and road grime. Deep cleans and conditions. In the camping isle..a blue bottle. Amazingly this product is made in the USA.

 

[Epoweredrc]

My roof is metel, aluminum im sure, I've not cleaned mine yet I cleaned the outside with soap and water it cleaned up well. I've been Calking mine around the seems on the top sides. i not seen water inside but wanna be safe

 

[Doug Allen]

Glad you posted Kegan. I was wondering about my 1999 21 TD roof. I see that it is quite dirty after lowering it for the first time after the previous owner towed it to my yard. My original 1999 manual says, "Almost the entire outside surface of your TowLite consists of prefinished fiberglass that will keep its finish permanently if given the proper care. Mild soap and water will help retain the natural gloss. Clean top section first in lowered position, then raise and clean the bottom section"
I think the manual is wrong because the roof is more like to Jack's description, "If the roof is NOT rubber, it will be aluminum over plywood. Aluminum will be painted white, it will have "seams" running crosswise over the roof, it will feel "hard", as opposed to "resilient", and will likely have a "pebbly" surface." It's whit, feels hard and has the seams the width of the roof. However, I can push the roof surface down an eighth of an inch or little more in most places before it hits something hard. I spent 2+ hours with soapy water and a stiff brush and got most of the dirt off the 50% of the roof I can reach without climbing on it. Is climbing safe? I also spray painted a small test section with Rustoleum 2X Ultracover Paint and Primer, and it looks pretty good, covering what was left of the dirt I couldn't scrub away in a reasonable amount of time. If there's a quicker way to clean the dirty roof, I'll do it before doing some preventive caulking and then more painting.

 

[sam-HILO]

Roof cleaning

Some members have used simple green or awesome to clean the roof. Awesome is found at the dollar store for a dollar. The next step after cleaning and when it is dry. Buy the proper elastomeric coating for aluminum roofs. This will give your roof a fresh white coating. Please no more spray paint. Then you can go ahead and lap seal or caulk as needed. If I have gotten the sequence wrong for repairs then correct me. Dicor makes a good lap seal that is self leveling. Lexel caulk is recomended for repairs. It can be found at Ace Hardware,Lowes or on line. This is premium caulk and worth every penny. Roofs are very expensive to replace and time consuming for the DIY. Time maintaining your roof is time well spent.

 

[cva34]

Some members have used simple green or awesome to clean the roof. Awesome is found at the dollar store for a dollar. The next step after cleaning and when it is dry. Buy the proper elastomeric coating for aluminum roofs. This will give your roof a fresh white coating. Please no more spray paint. Then you can go ahead and lap seal or caulk as needed. If I have gotten the sequence wrong for repairs then correct me. Dicor makes a good lap seal that is self leveling. Lexel caulk is recomended for repairs. It can be found at Ace Hardware,Lowes or on line. This is premium caulk and worth every penny. Roofs are very expensive to replace and time consuming for the DIY. Time maintaining your roof is time well spent.

Dollar general..around here has Mean Green in Q spray and in 1G bottle...its really great..I think its a form of simple green..Its my fav do it all cleaner..wife a big fan too..