TPO roof cleaning

[Nvr_lost]

What products do you recommend to clean a TPO roof? My first time cleaning my trailer roof that is 2 years old.

[SoundGuy]

campigloo wrote:
A clean roof also means fewer black streaks. Much fewer.

Trailers with rubber roof membrane show black streaks much more not because the roof is dirty but because EPDM chalks whereas TPO does not. I've owned both and would choose TPO hands down over EPDM as a roof membrane.

[kellem]

I clean my roof several times a year and have used Murphy's, simply green,dish liquid and various car wash products using canuba and it all looks the same.
The main thing is to reseal before leaking occurs.

[Nvr_lost]

campigloo wrote:
A clean roof also means fewer black streaks. Much fewer.

My trailer has gutters and drip extensions on the corners. I don't get black streaks.

[campigloo]

A clean roof also means fewer black streaks. Much fewer.

[RinconVTR]

Tvov wrote:

RinconVTR wrote:


But I would NEVER use dish soap, I don't care what manual says its ok. Its more aggressive than any simple car wash solution and will take the wax (and shine) right off the sides of your RV.

The vast majority of car wash products use petroleum distillates

I cannot find any current car wash soap that contains petroleum distillates. Wash n' Wax product may be used to? Dunno...but that's a big statement to make with nothing backing it up.

All I know, is its a well known fact that dish soap removes wax and can dull glossy finishes. Why purposely do that to all 4 sides of your camper? You're just creating more work for yourself.

[GrandpaKip]

Well, I can't see my roof, so the aesthetics are of no concern. However, with a clean roof, it is easier to see any problems with with caulk, seams, etc.

[Nvr_lost]

I am very pleased with the results after using the Soft Scrub and the Turtle Wax Zip Wash. Using rotary strokes with a hand brush, then rinsing off the roof, things turned remarkably white by the next day.

[Nvr_lost]

Thanks for your comments. I will do the job tomorrow using a combination of Turtle Wax's "Zip Wash" car wash solution and a little "Soft Scrub". The documentation said to use something that has a granulated content, like Spic and Span. Could not find Spic and Span in granulation form. Did find Comet though, but I have that.

[Community Alumni]

seaeagle2 wrote:
I'm just going to throw this out, TPO besides being used on RV's is used on warehouses and other buildings, ever see anyone clean a warehouse roof ?

Yep. There's plenty of roof cleaning contractors out there. One of the advantages to the single ply roofs that you see on warehouses and retail stores is that they reflect heat. The dirtier it gets, the lower the performance. It's not very efficient when it's covered in mold and dirt. It also makes inspections a lot more difficult. All this isn't so important for our little couple hundred square foot roofs, but it a different story on a several thousand square foot roof. We RVers mostly wash ours for aesthetics because you know, people like to look at clean things.

[harold1946]

Both Dicor and Alpha advise not to use anything containing petroleum distillates or citric acid.

[Tvov]

RinconVTR wrote:
My new TT is the first I've ever had with a "rubber/plastic" roof, TPO.

I was under the impression TPO did not need to be cleaned, I guess I should look into this more. There must be one or two threads on interest about this, eh? LOL

But I would NEVER use dish soap, I don't care what manual says its ok. Its more aggressive than any simple car wash solution and will take the wax (and shine) right off the sides of your RV.

My TT's instruction manual, which is a 2003, says it is not actually necessary to clean the roof, but just brush off leaves and dirt. I have washed and "treated" the roof a couple times, using something similar to what DutchmenSport uses (might be the same product). I do it mostly because the roof does get so dirty, and it makes it easier to see if there are any other maintenance issues -- But...

If you want to clean the roof, I have read here and other places to NOT use car wash. The vast majority of car wash products use petroleum distillates, which supposedly will degrade the roofing material of campers. As is said on the internet -- YMMV (Your mileage may vary - or it might work fine for you)

[harold1946]

seaeagle2 wrote:
I'm just going to throw this out, TPO besides being used on RV's is used on warehouses and other buildings, ever see anyone clean a warehouse roof ?

Yes I have. As a matter of fact there are 5 businesses locally that do roof cleaning on commercial buildings.

[K-9_HANDLER]

I have never cleaned mine.

[K-9_HANDLER]

I have never cleaned mine.