What does fresh epdm look like?
Spring is here and I took the first opportunity to use some Dicor rubber roof cleaner that the previous owner of my trailer threw in last summer. Well, it worked really well at taking all that icky...
Forum Discussion
74alex wrote:
You mentioned the use of acetone on your roof. Acetone will dissolve rubber. It is unfortunate that you have used this. Maybe it has dissolved part of the roof layer, and caused the discoloration.
Alex
HOGWASH, where do you come up with this BAD & HIGHLY MISLEADING INFORMATION. All the compatibility charts show "A-Excellent" material compatibility for EPDM and Acetone whiich is what we are talking about here Cole-Parmer Compatibility Chart. I guess you think you know more than the experts:S :h The issue with some or all of the petro based solvents is the permeability of the EPDM allowing the solvent to release the glue holding the EPDM down. The two BEST CLEANERS for spot cleaning EPDM are Lacquer Thinner followed closely by Acetone, but you have to use them properly .... i.e. with a wet rag, rubbing quickly and wiping up any excess immediately. Never pour them directly on the EPDM and let them set for more than a couple of seconds .... in fact never pour them direcly onto EPDM to begin with.
With all that said there is no real reason to clean an EPDM roof to begin with except to miniminze the dreaded "black streaks", but there are far more effective solutions (as close to 100% as possible) to prevent that issue IMO. I'm in the anti roof cleaning camp and feel that it in fact reduces the life of the roof from just the scubbing and washing away the caulky layer and natural "dirt" that can provide a little extra protection for the roof to begin with.
Larry
