Cleaning rubber roof with bleach

[ridesabout]

Does anyone use bleach to clean the rubber roof on an RV. When I asked an RV technician about the best product to clean a rubber roof, he told me he uses laundry bleach. Mixes it with water in a 50-50 mixture or 2 parts water to 1 part bleach. I believe it would clean well but would it damage roof?

[cpaulsen]

Use Spic and Span(liquid) with a few shots of Dawn dish washing liquid in a bucket of warm water....stiff brush and it comes clean, Just did it this last weekend.

[2012Coleman]

You can use the liquid version of Spic & Span diluted in a bucket of warm water. Don't think that you going to get the rubber roof sparkling white - not going to happen. You should also be able to find info in your manuals on cleaning the roof or go to the manufacturers web site.

[LaParamedic1998]

wny_pat wrote:

ridesabout wrote:
I did a search and read posts I found. None addressed bleach issue. All thoughts are appreciated. We have recently been using Mister Clean Outdoor Magic Eraser on bug spatters and it works like a miracle. Just not sure it would be safe for a rubber roof.

Don't use the Magic Eraser on gelcoat or clearcoat. It will remove it along with the paint if your not careful!!!

For the rubber roof - Spic n Span powder and a long handled brush.

I have yet to find the spic and span powder in my area but I have found Bon Ami (the one with the little chicken on it).....their slogan is "hasn't scratched yet"....does anyone know if this would be as safe as the spic and span

[batman99]

.

Exactly what kind of roof?

If solid fibreglass and one wants to get the tough stains out, then sure. One might want to use diluted bleach. For Fibreglass roofs, I'd recommend a much safer degreaser (bought at home hardware stores) and use some $1 store rubber gloves as well.

For EDPM / TPO (rubber roofs), I'd use $1 store Spic&Span liquid and some good clean $1 store shop rags as well. Low cost, its safe on bare hands and best of all, no harsh chemicals on the rubber. If $1 store Spic&Span doesn't work for those really rough spots, then use Protect-All EDPM Rubber Roof cleaner. Its expensive but I find its great on those really tough roof stains.

When using Spic&Span and some rags, simply Scrub on / Scrub off - while on one's hands/knees as if washing a kitchen floor the old fashion method. And when on all 4s, I wear soft padded knee pads as well - also available at the larger $1 stores. Do this in-depth cleaning 1 time per year - in the fall (after tree stains and summer time dirty rains. And if it needs cleaning in the spring (after winter storage), simply use Spic&Span with a large sponge on a long handle. re: Easy clean method - to get the light dust off / before it locks in during the summer months.

This works for me….

[ol_Bombero-JC]

ridesabout wrote:
I did a search and read posts I found. None addressed bleach issue. All thoughts are appreciated. We have recently been using Mister Clean Outdoor Magic Eraser on bug spatters and it works like a miracle. Just not sure it would be safe for a rubber roof.

Congrats on using "search"!!..:C

Often posters reply, suggesting someone use the search feature - as the same subject has been on here many, many times..;)
Others will chastise them for not answering the question directly..:(

Of course, "NO" is pretty direct, LOL!

But nonetheless you done good!

Expand on your search and use the archives (search over 12 months old).
Genuine plethora of info available.

BTW - IMO - skip the bleach and try a "milder approach" first..:W

.

[Ski_Pro_3]

When you rinse off, wouldn't that bleach streak down the sides and windows? I'd be a bit worried the slop is going to run down the sides and cause fade issues with decals and etching windows.

[Gale_Hawkins]

Folks just to not take guests up to see the roof. They are made to keep the RV dry and not for show. As noted wash them from time to time with mild soap and get off of them and get to camping, visiting family/friends in rest homes, etc that are not mobile, or anything besides bleaching the roof. 🙂

[mdcamping]

Okie1 wrote:
Chlorine in water turns to salt so rinse lawn or shrubs near RV. I think that you need to brush up on your chemistry. And the answer is "NO" to using a strong bleach solution anywhere on your camper. It is way too harsh and actually bleach does not "clean" anything, it bleaches it out. One thing I have found that works extremely well is "Mean Green" from Dollar General, you can use it full strength if needed and won't harm any of the other finishes on your camper.

I DO agree, but I happen to have an exception on that, my first trailer had the white rubber trim that would start to turn black by the end of the summer, my solution was a marine product called Star brite (bleach product), I would spray it on and with a tooth brush would work it in...after a couple of times around the camper my moldings would look factory white...would be careful to rinse 🙂

Mike

[Terryallan]

As mentioned. Remember anything you put on top runs down the side. I used Awsome. Cleaned the roof great, but faded the decals on the back, so no more Awsome on the roof.

[Okie1]

Chlorine in water turns to salt so rinse lawn or shrubs near RV. I think that you need to brush up on your chemistry. And the answer is "NO" to using a strong bleach solution anywhere on your camper. It is way too harsh and actually bleach does not "clean" anything, it bleaches it out. One thing I have found that works extremely well is "Mean Green" from Dollar General, you can use it full strength if needed and won't harm any of the other finishes on your camper.

[mdcamping]

This is what I've used on the rubber roof on my last 2 trailers the past 13 yrs, cleans easy with little elbow grease...never had any issues. Just follow the directions
http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Rubber-Roof-Cleaners-Protectants-p/38-8961.htm

Mike

[therink]

Dawn dishsoap and a soft brush. Every once and a while I use Clorox cleanup spray where there is mildew or stains. Works well and I can control where I apply bleach cleaner. I park my rig near trees at home and mildew develops if I don't stay on top of it. That mildew causes black streaking on the sides.
Steve (aka Mr Clean)

[winniman]

I bought a rv roof cleaner at Canadian Tire. Cost me 20 bucks. Worked great. Why take a chance for 20 bucks.

[wny_pat1]

ridesabout wrote:
I did a search and read posts I found. None addressed bleach issue. All thoughts are appreciated. We have recently been using Mister Clean Outdoor Magic Eraser on bug spatters and it works like a miracle. Just not sure it would be safe for a rubber roof.

Don't use the Magic Eraser on gelcoat or clearcoat. It will remove it along with the paint if your not careful!!!

For the rubber roof - Spic n Span powder and a long handled brush.