Forum Discussion
- RayChezExplorerFirst I just wash it, then I use the Blue Coral wash and wax mix. I use my high pressure washer to do all this. The Blue Coral is a way of applying a wax to the roof so that it does not get damaged with UV rays. So far at ten years looks like new.
- deandecExplorer
Wanderoo wrote:
Indeed, it is ugly. The finish may very well indeed be Gel Coat -- I don't know what Roadtrek uses to finish the fiberglass roof. Would I need to sand it all down to a smooth finish and then re-Gel Coat it again? It's not smooth at all the way it is now -- very rough and "patchy." Try Bartender's Friend to see if I can get it smooth enough to have it Gel Coated again? I'd like to do part of the work myself, if that's possible.
Thanks.
Call Roadtrek for info and guidance. If that is not adequate, then post a picture in a new thread to get the really good free advice here. ;) - Shot-N-AzExplorerIf you have patience and don't need immediate results, I can recommend a product called "Wet and Forget".
I clean my fiberglass roof 2X year, in the spring and late fall. My motorhome's roof has a molded-in nonskid surface that loves to hold water and breed mold and mildew. It takes elbow grease and hours to get that nonskid clean.
Last fall I used my power washer on its easiest setting and cleaned the top. Then I sprayed the Wet and Forget on it. The mold and mildew did not return. This spring I reapplied it and the roof still looks brand new. I'm a fan now.
The only drawback to the product that I can see is you cannot do a first time application today and expect miraculous results overnight. It takes awhile for the product to do what it does, but it absolutely performs as advertised. - FIRE_UPExplorerWanderloo,
Nothing. The compound I used was simply a cutting/polishing compound and, it basically turned out as you see it. The wax, which was simply "Kit" car wax, is just used to preserve that finish. Contrary to popular belief, NO WAX LASTS! They all don't live much past about 30-45 days. Now, here's the deal. Dirt is dirt. It can be washed off with soap and water and, maybe a tad bit of scrubbing. What was left on that roof was, black, tiny, what I'd call "mold" spots--- a zillion of them. And, the real pain in the a$$ part, the air heads who installed some of the components up there, like the Kingdome and maybe the regular TV antenna, dropped globs of silicone and smeared it in multiple places all over that roof.
I had to scrape them off, literally with a 1 1/2" wide steel, stiff bladed putty knife. Then, when all that was done, I turned the buffer loose on it. I'd do about a 2' x 2' section at a time. Sometimes it took two or three times in the same area to get it all clean, down to the nice, shiny white roof. Other areas were not too bad and I kind of zoomed through them. I didn't even have to be careful around the caulking around all the vents, sky lights etc. That buffing wheel/pad is not that strong, it wouldn't have any effect on that caulking.
But, no doubt about it, it took work, and, like stated, a couple of days, on and off. But, the good part is, it's like that now forever. All I need to do is, about once a month, take up pail of water and a towel, and wipe it down. And, about every three months, give it another coat of wax. That whole process takes me about two to three hours, start to finish. I don't mind, it's not hard. I put on some music and, take my time. The rain water and dust, just slides right off now. Not many folks like messing around on their roof, much less doing that kind of work. But, it's pride thing.
Scott - WanderooExplorerOh, wow, that looks absolutely beautiful!!!! After you buffed it with the rubbing/cutting compound, what did you do next (prior to waxing)?
- FIRE_UPExplorerWanderloo,
A fiberglass roof is just as tough as a boat, a corvette or anything else that's made of it. It's not "toilet paper" you won't damage it by looking at it like some will advise. It's FIBERGLASS! Wash it good with soap and water, and, some barkeepers friend and then, you might need to do what I did. Once mine was clean, I broke out the Dewalt buffer, (the kind used for rubbing out paint jobs, not waxing them) and, some rubbing/cutting compound and went to work.
I did this, on and off, (took lots of breaks) for about 2 days. When it's all said and done, it looks like the pictures below. It will last for quite some time if you wax it when done.
Scott - WanderooExplorerIndeed, it is ugly. The finish may very well indeed be Gel Coat -- I don't know what Roadtrek uses to finish the fiberglass roof. Would I need to sand it all down to a smooth finish and then re-Gel Coat it again? It's not smooth at all the way it is now -- very rough and "patchy." Try Bartender's Friend to see if I can get it smooth enough to have it Gel Coated again? I'd like to do part of the work myself, if that's possible.
Thanks. - deandecExplorerAre you sure the roof was painted?
It could be gel coat over fiberglass. Fiberglass is ugly looking. Gel Coat is the pretty,smooth coating on the surface of fiberglass boats and can be colored.
Treating the gel coat roof could be done by buying some marine products designed for that purpose.
Or - I would and have used Bartenders Friend to remove the oxidation on a boat. Then I treated it a couple times a year with Formula 303 UV protection.
I use the 303 on my tires, my spa cover, and the gel coat roof of my MH. - WanderooExplorerI've been reading the posts on how to remove oxidation from a fiberglass roof, but I am still at a loss about how to resolve my particular situation. I have a 2004 Roadtrek that I purchased used last year. The roof is badly oxidized, and in some places, there is no paint left at all -- just the fiberglass. It does not leak.
Has anyone had experience removing all the oxidized paint from the roof and re-painting it? Would it hurt to leave it the way it is?
Thanks,
Beth - JAXFLExplorer
Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
JAXFL wrote:
WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
Do not mop yourself into a corner and have to walk on the wet washed RV roof....it is a long way to the ground from the top of the RV. Just saying be carefull it can get really slick.
Go easy on that kind of advice. . . You'll put a lot of paramedics out of work if everyone takes it. :B
Don't ask how I know this...:B
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