Any ideas on cleaning the roof??

smlranger wrote:
I'm not a great fan of using pressure washers on the motorhome, especially the roof.

The coach we just got also had some sort of sticky little round deposits on the fiberglass roof. I could not really scrub them off. So, I had one of those metal floor scrapers on a long handle (like you would use to scrape chewing gum off a floor). I used Turtle Wax Zip Wash. I wet the roof, used the scraper to loosen the deposits, then scrubbed the area with a long handled stiff brush. It cleaned up really well.

I use 303 Protectant on the roof after washing it.

Wouldn't use a pressure washer but used a metal scraper? I think I'm just the opposite. I use the pressure washer on my fiberglass roof at least once a year but I don't think I'd be up there with a metal scraper on the fiberglass. The thing you need to be careful about with the pressure washer is hitting sealant and the various plastic parts up there. But mine has not damaged the fiberglass at all that I can tell.

Mean Green Mildew Destroyer - different that the plain Mean Green. It can be purchased at some Dollar General Stores, but not all carry it. One of our campers just recommended it for the rubber trim piece that runs around the motorhome that had mildew/mold on it. Worked great -- discovered it also worked great on the black streaks that were starting again.

Use a solution of Pinesol and water. A medium brush will help remove those pesky spots. Use plenty of rinse water as you scrub with the solution.

I get something similar from the oak trees around my property and have found WD-40 works well to remove the spots easily. Just rinse well after.

I forgot, but I have used Kerosene to clean stuff off like that as well.

Thanks for the replies. I put a couple of them to use today. My 2400 psi power washer had a long enough pressure hose that I didn't need to (nor would I have tried) to put the washer on the roof. It did a good job of washing the roof and getting rid of the black spots.

However, there were brown stains left where the black spots were. I then poured a little bleach and spread it around with a sponge mop and let it set for a while. Then a little more scrubbing with the sponge mob and a rinse off with the pressure washer and things were much, much cleaner.

This forum is a great resource-----------thanks again for the responses.

I use black streak remover on the whole motorhome. If it sits for a bit, it usually cleans stuff off. I did do the ZEP thing. One thing I have found is it lays down an incredibly hard surface. This means the dirt does not get absorbed into the paint or gelcoat. It makes it tons easier to clean, once ZEP is applied. Last Christmas I drove down a muddy, salty, dirt road. Covered the whole bottom half the coach. Being that it froze afterward, there was no way to wash it off. Since it was already on there for several months, I never took the time to clean it. Over Memorial Day, we drove through some incredible storms. 95% of it came off without washing it. I was very surprised. Really the only places it didn't come off, were areas that did not get hit by the water.

If you were to choose to just ZEP the roof, you have to pick a line where to stop, such as a drip rail. It leaves an edge were you stop, so you need something to hide the transition.

J-Rooster wrote:
Hi Mark, I use a power washer on the roof of my 35-U! I use Simple Green straight 1.1, when I use the power washer I keep the stream of water off of all the roof seams. I also use a couple of bungee cords to tie the power washer down so it doesn't vibrate off the roof. If your awning or slide out awning toppers are extended out, when washing keep the power washer on the lowest setting or it will damage the awning. I wet everything down, fill the bucket half full, then use a bristle deck brush to scrub everything except the seams, then rinse. I've never used any wax or polish on my roof it's slippery enough up there!

Must be fun getting the power washer up on the roof.

Mine's a gas unit and would be tough to put up there!

Hi Mark, I use a power washer on the roof of my 35-U! I use Simple Green straight 1.1, when I use the power washer I keep the stream of water off of all the roof seams. I also use a couple of bungee cords to tie the power washer down so it doesn't vibrate off the roof. If your awning or slide out awning toppers are extended out, when washing keep the power washer on the lowest setting or it will damage the awning. I wet everything down, fill the bucket half full, then use a bristle deck brush to scrub everything except the seams, then rinse. I've never used any wax or polish on my roof it's slippery enough up there!

I also believe it is mold and I get the same thing.

I use a strong solution of Dawn dish soap and a brush on a long handle about three times a year.