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webwrangler's avatar
webwrangler
Explorer
Jan 30, 2018

Cleaning dirt off cured Proflex

A couple of years ago, I sealed all my TT's side seams, window edges, and side vent opening edgess with Proflex RV clear. It sealed great, but attracted dust and dirt to the point that a lot of areas are now almost black.

Today I accidentally discovered that a rag moistened with kerosene will take the dirt off easily. I hadn't thought of trying to clean the dirty areas, but the dirt came off so easily I might do it if I didn't think I was damaging the seal.

Has anyone used a solvent like kerosene or paint thinner to clean cured Proflex? I did notice that the cleaned area is still tacky a few hours after I wiped it, so I'm thinking maybe the kerosene isn't such a good idea. The Proflex website is silent on the issue.
  • Have you tried LA Awesome yet?

    Just don't let it sit too long. 30 secs is a long time for it and not all colors are colorfast, but anything that smears (on ours it is the blue on the graphics) can be wiped off with a clean rag and when it dries it is stuck back to the graphic again ;)

    Some petroleum products can have a number of ill-effects on things like rubber, seals, sealants, paint, etc.
  • DiskDoctr wrote:
    Have you tried LA Awesome yet?

    Just don't let it sit too long. 30 secs is a long time for it and not all colors are colorfast, but anything that smears (on ours it is the blue on the graphics) can be wiped off with a clean rag and when it dries it is stuck back to the graphic again ;)

    Some petroleum products can have a number of ill-effects on things like rubber, seals, sealants, paint, etc.


    Never even heard of it...I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!
  • Thats why we changed all of our caulk to black, no visable dirt.
  • I use Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (first aid kind) on my ProFlex caulk to clean it, a quick wipe just like new.
  • Jim-Linda wrote:
    Thats why we changed all of our caulk to black, no visable dirt.


    Proflex clear turns black whenever water gets underneath it and therefore makes it easy to spot, unlike with black.
  • Itinerant1 wrote:
    I use Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (first aid kind) on my ProFlex caulk to clean it, a quick wipe just like new.

    I happen to have some rubbing alcohol around, so I'm going to try that first. Thanks!
  • White gas (camping gas) can be used to soften Proflex when trying to remove it. If other solvents do nothing, maybe try a little white gas. Our factory original clear caulking has discolored everywhere right through it plus some of it has a white-ish coating on it (not black anywhere). Not sure if it's Proflex or something else. I can't clean if off as it's not surface dirt. I did a little re-caulking with new clear Proflex a couple of seasons ago and it has stayed clear in comparison. Removing existing caulking is not fun if you need to...
  • Acetone works very well on both old and new Proflex. Haven't seen any negatives on the gel coat, but watch out for any "painted" stuff!! Nail polish remover (acetone!!) works just as well and smells nice!!!!
  • webwrangler wrote:
    DiskDoctr wrote:
    Have you tried LA Awesome yet?

    Just don't let it sit too long. 30 secs is a long time for it and not all colors are colorfast, but anything that smears (on ours it is the blue on the graphics) can be wiped off with a clean rag and when it dries it is stuck back to the graphic again ;)

    Some petroleum products can have a number of ill-effects on things like rubber, seals, sealants, paint, etc.


    Never even heard of it...I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!



    Old thread, I know, but I finally tried LA Awesome. That stuff lives up to its name...it's awesome! Works better than any of the other stuff, including white gas, kerosene, and rubbing alcohol.

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