Forum Discussion

D_and_A_plus_6's avatar
Mar 19, 2014

Spring Cleaning

I'm wanting to get thing together so when it gets warm I can clean up my TT after being stored inside all winter for this summer. Here is my game plan, first wash rubber roof and sides with car wash soap and water, then protect the rubber roof with Rubber Roof Protector. Then rinse sides again. Use 303 protector on vinyl decals, awning, tires and plastic covers on roof and LP tanks. then wax the aluminum siding, extra coats on the front.
What am I forgetting except warm weather and elbow grease?
The Rubber Roof Protector is from Therford and have bought Nu Finish wax. Seen several ideas on those two items, I can switch if too many of you think I went wrong. TT is only 1 yr. old, trying to keep it up the best I can.
Thanks for any info,
  • I would like to at least wax my aluminum sides at least once, I know it's going to be a job with all the grooves and stems.
  • I just received my roll of Eternabond tape and proflex caulk today. I also cant wait to get up on the roof.

    For polish I use NuFinish on fiberglass applied by hand. I use dawn dish soap to maintain all surfaces including the roof. I do not use rubber roof conditioner as I believe it is not necessary and the roof manufacturer only recommends mild soap (no conditioners recommended).
  • Thanks for the info.

    Question for you mosseater, is Zip Wax kinda like the Wash and Wax products you had to water and apply with sponge or brush then rinse off? If so I use the ArmorAll Ultra Shine Wash and Wax.

    I'll look over all my seals also.
  • X2 with regards to what "the rink" posted and get some rv caulking or sealant to do around running lights, windows, doors, etc. etc. as water can get in to these places and cause damage and delamination if your unit is fiberglass sided. I can't wait for all the snow to go here so I can get going on ours.....as it stands our Solaire still has a whack of snow on it.:(

    Lou
  • After you clean everything up, do yourself a favor and pick up a tube of dicor self leveling rv caulk for roof and a tube of dicor rv lap sealant and go over every inch of caulk areas and apply where needed.
    There is always several spots where old caulk has dried up or cracked and a welcoming site for leaks. This is the most important preventative maintenance that a lot of folks overlook.
  • I don't have the time or interst in staying on top of total care that some do, so I commend you on your ambition. I keep after it, but try to be efficient and reasonable about it.

    I wash the roof with Spic-N-Span twice a year, and the same for the sides with Zip Wax and Reliable RV cleaner on the black streaks. Check the mechanicals thoroughly, and the roof caulking (had a small leak last year). After the basics are taken care of, I get into the running gear. In PA, we have to pull two wheels every year for brake checks at State Inspection stations, so those two wheels I go over after I get it back, just to be sure (no, I don't have full confidence in their work). My local garage works with me to alternate every year, so I stay on top of all four wheels on an every-other-year basis. The two I don't pull, I push some fresh grease in the inner bearing through the super lube fitting, and in the outer bearing carefully with a grease needle, and check them for funcion, noise, play and free rolling.

    Throughout the season I do frequent walk-arounds to look for trouble. I have enough to do otherwise, so I don't obsess as much as some. Year six is showing some age, but overall, she still looks pretty good. The decals will go first, especially the side that takes most of the sun in storage. The ones on the rear shielded by the garage are still pristine, so it isn't the Zip Wax making them peel. I'm chomping at the bit to get out there. Should only have a week or two to wait for un-winterize!

    Don't forget to sanitize your water system!