Dicor Roof Sealant. Do I need to use the Part 1 Cleaner?

[Brockc]

Hello. I need to seal my TT roof. I never used the Dicor cleaner in the past. Just Dawn detergent and water.

The "Dicor System" calls for the part 1 cleaner so the sealant will work correctly, etc..

Should I actually use this, or can I just give it a good cleaning with some detergent and water?
Thanks

[SJ-Chris]

Second, I wrapped the entire trailer with the very thin plastic sheeting as Dicor says the activator/cleaner can stain the sides of the unit.

I'm sure there are many of you who have used the Step 1 activator and I'm hoping to hear some feedback from you...

The wrapping the RV with plastic seems like a time-consuming step. If needed, fine. But if not really needed, that would be good to know also.

If I'm cleaning the roof with the activator and then I'm immediately cleaning the sides with soap and water and a brush, is the plastic really necessary?

Have any of you NOT used the plastic all around the sides and you ended up with stains/etc?

I'd love to hear from people who have actually used the product.

Thanks!
Chris

[spoon059]

ajriding wrote:
no, Lap sealant is so sticky and gooey that as long as there is no obvious dirt, or a layer of skum it will stick. if you are happy with your soap and water cleaning job then you most likely have cleaned it good enough. I have never prepped a surface with special cleaners, maybe rubbing alcohol, but usually just car wash soap or just windex and it always seals.

He's not talking about lap sealant, he is putting some protectant layer over his whole roof.

OP, most of us have never wasted our time with anything like that. The Dicor roofing material lasts longer than your RV will. The only thing that NEEDS maintenance is your lap sealant/caulked seams. Anything else is just to make yourself feel better.

[ajriding]

no, Lap sealant is so sticky and gooey that as long as there is no obvious dirt, or a layer of skum it will stick. if you are happy with your soap and water cleaning job then you most likely have cleaned it good enough. I have never prepped a surface with special cleaners, maybe rubbing alcohol, but usually just car wash soap or just windex and it always seals.

[Brockc]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll get the materials and plan for a day.

[aguablanco]

Brockc wrote:
Hello. I need to seal my TT roof. I never used the Dicor cleaner in the past. Just Dawn detergent and water.

The "Dicor System" calls for the part 1 cleaner so the sealant will work correctly, etc..

Should I actually use this, or can I just give it a good cleaning with some detergent and water?
Thanks

I used this product last spring with great success. First, it is imperative to use the cleaner as it also acts as an activator for the sealer. Second, I wrapped the entire trailer with the very thin plastic sheeting as Dicor says the activator/cleaner can stain the sides of the unit. Don't forget to take off the AC shroud, reefer shroud and anything else you don't want the sealer on. After cleaning the roof I removed the plastic immediately. I went around all of the openings with a brush at least twice. Finally rolled the entire roof 3 times with the proper amount of time between coats. Also went around the edge of the roof where I couldn't roll with a brush 2 or 3 times. Took an entire day with almost no help after putting the plastic on. Roof looked great then and still does after ~16 months in the AZ sun. Don't try to cheat, do it once, do it right and move on to something else.
RichH

[Brockc]

I want to clean and apply a roll on sealant/coating to the entire roof.

[Super_Dave]

Can you be a little more specific in what you are actually sealing? Vents, seams, entire roof? I would have told you that denatured alcohol is what I clean my rubber roof with before sealing. As for outside edges near the siding, I use some green painters tape.

[Brockc]

Another question.... watching video on the Dicor cleaning/application system, it suggests wrapping the RV in plastic prior to applying the cleaner.
Is this really necessary?
This plastic wrapping is the reason I haven't done the Dicor system before.

Thanks

[Brockc]

OK..good enough for me. I'll order the cleaner today. Thanks

[gbopp]

Use the cleaner. Do it once, do it right.

[cavie]

Cleaner. Same when using Eternabond tape.

[DancinCampers]

Use the cleaner IMHO