Forum Discussion

Jerrybo66's avatar
Jerrybo66
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015

Stains in vinyl

I've been getting these "stains" in the vinyl floor of my toy hauler every Summer when we don't go camping. It can't be cleaned off the surface. Bleach injected under the vinyl doesn't affect it. The only thing that will fade it is two to three weeks of direct sunlight. I put a 4x8 sheet of Styrofoam on the ramp thinking it's heat related. No change. Here are before & after pics of the effect of sunlight after a Summer of storage. Any farther than what you can see is unaffected. The 6" wide change of color was caused by a 2x6 I carry to put under the ramp when it's down. This had occurred for the past 4/5 years. Stain in the Summer, fade in the Winter sunlight. We're headed into another Summer.... HELP...

Seeking Advice
  • Jerrybo66's avatar
    Jerrybo66
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    I know I messed this up.. Here's the before pictures.. Hopefully..

  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 31, 2015
    Is there any chance the wood under that area is getting wet from underneath? Like maybe when driving in the rain or through standing water?
  • Jerrybo66's avatar
    Jerrybo66
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    ScottG wrote:
    Is there any chance the wood under that area is getting wet from underneath? Like maybe when driving in the rain or through standing water?

    Good thought but the bottom is sealed and we haven't had it out for over a year because of my wife's mobility problems..
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Apr 01, 2015
    Not enough rain in Az to do that, lol. That sure is odd. The only stains I have is from movement of the tires on the Prowler. Where in Az are you? I am on the west side of the valley.
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Apr 01, 2015
    Looks like the red dust from up north. If your ramp is not sealing well. That stuff is very difficult to remove if it gets even damp. I have had it seep through the floor if I drive on the forest roads a lot. I learned years ago to sweep it out every day I'm up there. very strange since you haven't been out in a while. Could it be coming in from the wheel wells if you have an open hauler?
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    Sheet vimyl is made of three layers, the paper backing. the photo-gravature vinyl layer with the pattern, and a clear vinyl top layer. My guess is that you are getting something between the top layer and the pattern layer or that the pattern color is not stable underneath. Is the trailer parked with the door facing South in the Summer? Maybe the heat buildup is causing the stains. It's a weird one, for sure.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Apr 01, 2015
    Not sure about THs - do they possibly glue some of the sheet flooring down? If so, it could be the adhesive reacting with the flooring material. Can you lift it up in a spot around the perimeter somewhere or remove one of the tie-downs? Maybe try a flooring forum like this one.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    This is an easy one as I had the exact same reddish staining with our kitchen flooring ... it's not staining, not the result of excessive moisture, not "red dust", but simply natural deterioration of the material itself. According to your SIG you've got a 12 yr old TH and you can bet this is simply a chemical reaction within the flooring material which is aging and drying out, and as you've noted varies in intensity according to it's exposure to the sun. Your flooring is done, the only solution is to remove and replace it, just as I did in our kitchen.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    SoundGuy wrote:
    This is an easy one as I had the exact same reddish staining with our kitchen flooring ... it's not staining, not the result of excessive moisture, not "red dust", but simply natural deterioration of the material itself. According to your SIG you've got a 12 yr old TH and you can bet this is simply a chemical reaction within the flooring material which is aging and drying out, and as you've noted varies in intensity according to it's exposure to the sun. Your flooring is done, the only solution is to remove and replace it, just as I did in our kitchen.
    But...the intensity of the staining is inversely proportional to exposure to daylight.Is that similar to your kitchen vinyl?
  • tuna_fisher's avatar
    tuna_fisher
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2015
    I know this is a old post but it's exactly what has happened to my camper. I just loaded it after 3 months off the truck. The turnbuckles were on the floor, when I picked them up there was a perfect red spot where they layed, It looks like someone traced around them. Any suggestions? Reason it happened?

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,102 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025