As much as I enjoy my Bigfoot, I am befuddled by dirty water streaks coming off the roof, running down the sides and over the windows. On the walls it is just aesthetics but they also flow over the windows leaving a less than appealing dirty window to enjoy the views from. This doesn't just happen in rainy weather either. Often just the morning condensation is enough to cause this water to start dripping down the sides.My thought has been to purchase some foam tape on a roll and run on the top of the roof just before it arcs toward the side in the hope of directing the water to roll into the corners of the roof and minimize the streaks. The issue with this idea is I doubt there is any foam tape that will have enough stickiness to stay on after any meaningful time. Eternabond tape could be a solution but not sure I want to have something that sticky either. Guess I'm goldilocks...Has anyone else encountered this issue and come up with a decent solution that doesn't involve washing windows every morning?

We all encounter it. We just live with the fact we have dirty air, caused by the diesel trucks, coal powered electric plants and other caustic things we humans are use t using. If you rinse off early/often enough, you won't need a grinder to remove it later.

Search "rubber gutter for rv", I recently added this above my windows. Trim-Lok calls it a drip rail .. So far, haven't noticed the windows getting streaky or dirty. Material is nice to work with if you let the sun get it hot, easier to bend.

The gutters on my current TT have eliminated this issue.

CW sells a spray on streak remover, other vendors may do as well :) …I’ve used it with some success on my former enclosed trailer and it’s not too very harsh…3 tons

Rainx on the windows will reduce the streaking. Or there are options for gutters, including stick on ones.

Bigfoot dirty water streaks down sides from roof, solutions?

bigfootgrey
Explorer
Aug 28, 2022

I bought a 25’ roll on Amazon for $38.86 the model number is DRB-25. Make sure the area is cleaned with isopropyl alcohol before installing. Lay the drip rail in the sun for awhile so it becomes pliable. Once installed, rub the rail with an old toothbrush handle to heat activate the tape.
adamis
Nomad II
Aug 28, 2022
bigfootgrey wrote:

I’ve been contemplating installing rain gutters for awhile. Finally put Trim Loc over all the windows. The weather has been hot enough lately to soften the material to make it easier to work with and allow a good bond for the 3-m tape

Do you have a part number for what you used? I'd like to do the same.
bigfootgrey
Explorer
Aug 25, 2022

I’ve been contemplating installing rain gutters for awhile. Finally put Trim Loc over all the windows. The weather has been hot enough lately to soften the material to make it easier to work with and allow a good bond for the 3-m tape
adamis
Nomad II
Aug 16, 2022
JIMNLIN wrote:
My current 32' 5er didn't come with a drip channel or awning rail.
I ordered enough EZE RV Rain Gutter system for the roof edge and down the corners about a foot.
Its a stick on type. That was in 2000 and its still stuck tight and drains the water to the end corners and down. No sidewall streaks.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely be looking into this.
computermonkey
Explorer
Aug 16, 2022
Rubber roofs degrade especially after 5 years in the sun.

The toy hauler we used to have showed black streaks bad after 10 years. I cleaned the rubber and used a white coating (do not remember the brand now just that it is not made any longer). After calling round I found out Henry silicone roof coating tropical white. After the process no more rubber roof degrading and streaking on the sides.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
May 29, 2022
Grit dog wrote:

Curious, what do you use to strip it off?

Zep makes floor wax stripper. If you want to strip regular auto paste wax, you can also use dilute ammonia.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
May 29, 2022
My current 32' 5er didn't come with a drip channel or awning rail.
I ordered enough EZE RV Rain Gutter system for the roof edge and down the corners about a foot.
Its a stick on type. That was in 2000 and its still stuck tight and drains the water to the end corners and down. No sidewall streaks.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
May 29, 2022
Anyone used Wet & Forget on a RV? I've used it on the rubber roofs of the previous Montana and the TPO roof of the Landmark.
I had a Classic Industries cover on the Bigfoot for quite a while. It developed a light mildew. The area between the back of the A/C and the rear skylight had more mildew and **** on it. It's a pretty tight area to access and I've been thinking about spraying Wet & Forget in there and maybe the entire roof.
Grit_dog
Navigator
May 23, 2022
JimK-NY wrote:
TxGearhead wrote:

I have heard that it yellows and peels off in pieces. Difficult to completely remove. Your experience?

Mine has been on the RV for several years with no peeling, no flaking, no yellowing. I typical do a Spring cleanup with a soap and water and then apply another thin coat of Zep by wiping with a dampened rag.

A couple of years ago I did have an issue with bug splatters that had dried on for months. I had to strip the nose of the RV and apply several thin coats of Zep.

There is a major issue and that is surface prep. Zep is not going to do well when applied over dirt, old paste wax or on an old, oxidized surface. I used wax stripper, then swabbed again with a pretty stiff ammonia solution. Finally I hand scrubbed the entire RV with a 3M scotch pad and Bar Keepers Friend. That sounds like lots of work but really that was not much more than it would take to hand apply a paste wax finish. After prep, I used a rag dampened with Zep to apply thin coats. It takes a minimum of two coats to get a decent shine and a couple more to build up the finish so it will last. I can say for sure it does last, year after year.

Zep also stops oxidation and bleaching of surface due to sunshine. The acrylics in Zep block UV light.

Prep being the key, I'm sure. It's basically a poor mans clearcoat (not to read anything into it).
One of these days, when I have time, the top cap on my snomachine trailer (it's red, so oxidation shows) is oxidized. Side panels are as shiny as they were in 2005 when it was made. I'm excited to use the Zep polish on this area.

Curious, what do you use to strip it off?
bigfootford
Nomad II
May 23, 2022
Yep, black streaks are a problem with a BF...hahahaaa.
When I wash my BF I get up on the roof and wash it first...
I mounted my solar panels high enough to get my brush under them...
I use a good wax once a year and wax as you dry every time I wash but only on the sides.

Reddog1 put a trim piece along the top edges to reduce the black streaks. It worked but It sure did look ugly...

Jim