roof

[jacbigred]

my first 5th wheel want to clean roof as stated from manuel what advice and product would you use for this 2013 3402RL and what wax for sides need help thanks

[JandC]

I don't really have an opinion on what to wash the roof with, I just use an RV wash/wax product to wash roof, sides, and everything. It seems to help a little with hard water spots. I like NuFinish wax because it goes on easy and comes off easy. It only lasts about 4 or 5 months but I try to wax the exterior twice a year so that is okay with me. I am sure others will have other recommendations.

[Rondo]

I just use the Blue Dawn on the roof as I do the rest of the unit when washing it down. I do go up and soak it down some before using the soapy water combination. I used to get down on my hands and knees and scrub it with a medium bristle brush a small section at a time. I thin rinse it good and if needed I hit it a second time. Since we have an older unit, I don't get up and wash it as much as I should. I do recommend washing or at least rinsing the sides down right away then so the soap and dirt from the roof don't dry on the sides.

[Overlord]

DO NOT use citrus "flavored" soaps like lemon or orange scented, critters will eat through the rubber roof material. ....ask me how I know.

[TAKPAK]

Oddly enough, in a somewhat recent issue of the Trailer Life magazine, there was an article about cleaning/washing the roof. The product they recommended using, was of all things...Murphy's Oil Soap. Standard cleaning solution for around the house, and who knew. The technician said it worked really good. Just make sure you are stable and have good non-skid shoes (sneakers) on so you don't slip as easy. Actually, he said it was preferable to do it from a ladder, if you can.

[jacbigred]

thanks for the help

[jimcol]

I use the blue dawn on the roof as others have stated. For the sides I use Turtle Zip wash and wax. It cleans good and leaves the surface pretty shinny. Even though the product recommends you wipe it down with a rag after washing I never have. That is all I used for the first 7 years we owned the rig. Finally broke down last fall and applied a paste wax. Hope it's another few years before I get to do that again. As a disclaimer I must add that my unit was stored inside the first 6.5 years we owned it but was outside in the elements for about 500 days of that time. Jim

[nosticks]

Another vote for Blue Dawn dish detergent. Zip wax to wash the rest. Good paste wax on front cap.

[1retired06]

We also use blue dawn on the roof, and Nu Finish Polish on the sides.

[DougnDawn]

Spic & Span with Murphy Oil for the roof, rinse well, then wash the sides with a good car soap solution. Then I wax, once sometimes twice a year, with Gel-Gloss, easy on, easy off.

[kdeiss]

Dawn on the roof Turtle Wax Zip Wax on the unit in 12 years never waxed!!! and never will!
Looks good

[Avofarmer66]

Here is the web site for our rubber roof. Care and long life

https://dicorproducts.com/

[tweber502]

For the roof I use a mixture of Spick and Span and Murphy's oil soap. To wash the rest of the camper I use RV wash and Wax from camping world. Have been using this system for over 12 years now with great success. Also when washing the roof I always inspect all caulking for cracking and degradation. Tim

[steelpony5555]

I used Spic and Span on the roof too....I use Blue Corral or Mcguirers Wash and Wax and always comes up shiny even after I scrub the black off which leaves a dull finish. Never have waxed it with regular auto wax, just the wash and wax stuff and keeps a shine even in the Texas sun.

[bigskyjimmy]

for the Roof AND Awning I use a Home Depot Husky 1700 p.s.i. electric power washer for the last 10 years takes about a easy 45 min to heck with back breaking scrubbing with detergent ,roof cleaner running over the sides... ,I know everybody will say your going to strip the caulking off Blah Blah blah I am not using a 2500+ gas powered washer that would be a problem, 1700 P.S.I. electric works just right and is Quiet and now I got all my neighbors doing the same thing, for the sides,back and front cap I just use Rain X wash+wax car wash with a soft brush and long handle, my last 2 Montana's have always stayed looking great doing this, EASY PEEZZEEE

[MDL]

Not knowing any better, I used the rubber roof care products from camping world (cleaner and then a conditioner of some sort). It really did a great job. I did notice that there was slight white tint coming off in the water, but never noticed any black coming through or any thin spots. I just used a stiff broom to move the chemical around. Prior to washing the roof, I waxed the sides of the RV so the dirty roof water would come off the exterior easier. Since we're weekend campers still (OK, sometimes two whole weeks in a row!!!), I wax the nose cap regularly to help improve the bugs coming off, and that seems to help with the black streaks I used to get on the SOB 5ver also. I found a great wax that I love for this as it doesn't leave any residue behind, McGuire's Ultimate Liquid Wax. It's expensive, but does a heck of a job.

[MDL]

Jimmy, do you take the pressure washer up on the roof, or did you get a hose extension? Curious if the hose extension reduces the pressure a great deal and might be easier than taking the motor up on the room???

quote:Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

for the Roof AND Awning I use a Home Depot Husky 1700 p.s.i. electric power washer for the last 10 years takes about a easy 45 min to heck with back breaking scrubbing with detergent ,roof cleaner running over the sides... ,I know everybody will say your going to strip the caulking off Blah Blah blah I am not using a 2500+ gas powered washer that would be a problem, 1700 P.S.I. electric works just right and is Quiet and now I got all my neighbors doing the same thing, for the sides,back and front cap I just use Rain X wash+wax car wash with a soft brush and long handle, my last 2 Montana's have always stayed looking great doing this, EASY PEEZZEEE

[bigskyjimmy]

Yes Mark I bought the 25 ft hose extension Extra at Home depot although I cannot remember what it cost(not much) because the hose that comes with it is only 25 ft ,I can leave the pressure washer on the ground and just walk up the ladder with the wand and Get busy Also it is cool just to have a little pressure washer around they are great for doing your Driveway, roof on your house,my scooters after riding on the beach etc... and they are only about 90 bucks

[snowbirds R us]

I was kind of curious myself as to which products to use on the roof and sides. At the marina where I have had my sailboat for over 20 years, everyone goes through the yearly ritual of cleaning and waxing. The rule of thumb has always been to use a wax on the hull, which is a gel coat, the same as what most Montana’s have. If you listen to the boating industry, they encourage the use of products specifically designed for the harsh/marine conditions. Boats rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to sit in the shade for any length of time. Thus the marine conditions would relatively be the same as our RV’s in my opinion. Maybe a marine style wax may be preferable. Wondering if anyone might feel the same and/or if anyone has used the gel coat waxes? Planning on waxing mine for the first time since I never had a chance to last year.

[twindman]

To those using something like NuFinish on the sides, do you apply it by hand? Or use a power sprayer? The hand work would take a while and I am lazy!