Forum Discussion

mikemc53's avatar
mikemc53
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2021

Roof and Slide Topper Cleaning

Well I just got to my place in Michigan (from Florida) with our new Gulf Stream Class C and pulled into the yard early this week. Now, my "yard" is really just an opening in the woods. Very heavy oak and pine area with no shelter, other than the trees. The trees are apparently in the midst of some very heavy dropping of very small seeds/pellets and they are everywhere. I can't recall this issue in previous years and I have had other RVs in my yard that didn't get anywhere near this messy but when I climbed up on the roof this morning I was stunned at the mess these seeds have made.


I swept the roof off but the staining is horrible and the slide topper is even worse as the water build up, from some rain, has made a mud type mixture that will not sweep off. I have never has this type of mess on a roof and my experience with rubber roofs is extremely limited so I am stuck on the best way to clean, both the roof and the topper. Obviously one of my concerns is that I don't want to damage either surface by scrubbing but I can't see how to get these stains off without using some elbow grease.


Thoughts?
Seeking Advice
  • Barothy's avatar
    Barothy
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2021
    Certain parts of Michigan are in a midst of a Gypsy Moth invasion. The "pellets" you see are the waste product of the Gypsy Moth caterpillar feeding in the tree. There are many area's where the tree leaves have all been eaten and the tree is bare. Huge area's have trees looking like it is January. Pay attention to the road as you go through these area's. Tree's that are being eaten and overhang the road will have a red hue to the road from the staining from the waste. I would certainly move my rig to an open area if this is happening in your area.

    https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/gypsy-moth-outbreaks-in-michigan
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jul 05, 2021
    I know what you mean. I just recoated my roof with 2 coats of Rustoleum acrylic coating. After drying. stuff from my cedar trees fell on it and stained the new coating. After a month or so I got tired of looking at the stains so I got up on the roof and put car wash and warm water in a bucket and brushed the roof, let it set for 20 mins and then hosed it off. I usually put bleach in the water along with Ajax but because the coating was new I just used soap and water. I had to use a 1700 psi power washer to remove most of the stains and dirt, the hose did not do a good job. I wish I had another place to park it away from the trees.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jul 04, 2021
    Just cleaned a RV roof for the first time a couple weeks ago.
    I’m sure there are plenty of home brew combos that work great, but I just bought a jug of roof cleaner/conditioner. Put it on with a little pump up weed sprayer. Then pressure washed the roof off. Worked well.
  • mr_andyj's avatar
    mr_andyj
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2021
    There is a nasty product for cleaning gutters, not the leafs, but the paint, as gutter paint gets the same stain for overflowing water that is ugly from the same decomposing water.

    It might give you cancer before your roof stains again so wear a haz-mat suit and a respirator.

    It will clean your roof like new.
    I think any good hardware store will have this, just ask an employee.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2021
    Don’t believe in pressure washers as mostly they are not needed. If you have a garden sprayer, mix up a batch of water, Dawn dish washing liquid ( a couple of really really good squirts) , and a cup of bleach per gallon of water. Go up on roof and spray the mixture on the roof and slide toppers, brush with a medium brush, let it set for about 15 minutes for the bleach to work, and then rinse liberally. If there are any spots left repeat on those areas.

    Next, build a carport for the RV. (Include a power plug of at least 30 amps).
  • grizz272's avatar
    grizz272
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2021
    Over here in Wisconsin the seeds , pollen, bud caps, everything trees related have been horrible this year.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2021
    About the only things I would use would be my 1,600 psi electric pressure washer with the lowest pressure tip. But first I would try my RV brush. It's a brush with handle that attaches to a hose. Clean and rinse at the same time.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2021
    Have you tried a mild dish soap solution with soft brush? Remember that RVs roofs don’t need to be pretty.

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