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sertech's avatar
sertech
Explorer
Apr 09, 2026

Removing Eternabond residue

I purchased a 2007 Trail Cruiser about 3 years ago and it is time for some roof maintenance, although I see no leaks. The previous owner had the edges of the roof taped with 4" sealing tape; Eternabond or some other brand. Then the entire roof was coated with acrylic sealer. The tape job done was rather sloppy and it is coming loose in places and the sealer is peeling in a few spots.  A dealer states that sealing tape is meant to be temporary and suggested self leveling sealer at the joints after removing the tape.                                                                          My question is: after removing the tape (with a bit of heat applied) and gently scraping the adhesive underneath, what kind of solvent to remove the remainder of the adhesive without damaging the rubber roof underneath? A number of solvents will cut this sticky adhesive, but I don't want to compromise the EPDM roof. Thanks all!

3 Replies

  • Removal jobs like this are always trickier than expected! Whether it's residue, old materials, or general junk buildup, the cleanup phase of any project takes way more time than people plan for. Good luck with it!

    • sertech's avatar
      sertech
      Explorer

      Thanks for replying. I actually found out what I needed to do by contacting a friend who works for a commercial roofing company. They deal with rubber roofs and directed me to a roofing supply company where I bought a gallon of Carlisle Weathered Membrane Cleaner which contains naphtha. It is safe to use on EPDM and TPO without causing damage.  Lots of white shop rags - not red!  While it works, it still requires some elbow grease to get a clean surface.

      • caseyhunt's avatar
        caseyhunt
        Explorer II

        Thanks for sharing that! Good to know about the Carlisle Weathered Membrane Cleaner, that's a useful tip for anyone dealing with rubber roofs.

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