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07-03-2016, 09:56 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 812
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Cleaning the roof?
Thought about climbing up topside and washing the roof of our 2013 Wildcat 5th wheel.
I have a soft bristle brush on a pole, but what is the best product to use in washing the roof that does a good job and has no negative side effects.
Share your knowledge with me if you would please,
Thanks in advance,
__________________
2018 Berkshire XL 40B
Past RVs: National Pacifica 40', Kenworth T300 Toterhome, Jayco Class C 32'. American Eagle 40',
American Eagle 40', Bounder 38' tag axle
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07-03-2016, 10:05 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
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The literature in the owners manual for my brand roof says "Spic and Span". I suggest checking the manual or going online to the roof material manufacturer and getting their recommendation as my 5er may have a different roof. Most say to never use anything with a petroleum distillate.
__________________
2001 Ford F250 7.3l converted to F350 specs
2014 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2006 model year Border Collie
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07-04-2016, 09:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 138
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Spic n span works great if you can find it. I Went to 4 different stores and no one had it. Definitely no product with petro distil. In it. I used a bleach n water combo the other day on mine. Just water it down to proper amount. Or go to local rv store and buy a roof specific cleaner if your super concerned.
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07-04-2016, 12:02 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,502
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Dawn with a splash of bleach in a 5 gallon bucket of water. Applied with a medium bristle brush and rinsed with a garden hose-no pressure washer.
I've heard that simple green contains a petroleum based solvent, 2-Butoxyethanol, and if that is accurate, should not be used. This ingredient in simple green regardless is hazardous and causes cancer in animals and the Army banned its use for cleaning aircraft 20+ years ago. It was probably banned because it can cause corrosion of soft metals such as aluminum which is what my solar panel mounts/frame are made of.
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07-04-2016, 12:06 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 138
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Carefull with the dawn. Most of the new ones are not compatible with bleach. Says right on the bottle...Do not mix with bleach...for the ones that are not compatible.
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07-04-2016, 12:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikele
Carefull with the dawn. Most of the new ones are not compatible with bleach. Says right on the bottle...Do not mix with bleach...for the ones that are not compatible.
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Thanks for warning. I never noticed any dichloramine gas smell because it was mixed and used outside where it is always windy. I'm assuming Dawn has ammonia in it?
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07-04-2016, 12:21 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 298
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I use Murphy's oil soap on our roof. It doesn't get the roof snow white but it cleans it good enough for me and it doesn't have harsh chemicals in it. Lots of forum members use Dawn dish detergent but I would caution against that because it's strips the wax off your finish as you rinse it off. Many will dispute that fact, stating they've used it for years, but just google it and you'll have plenty of reading about it from numerous sources. Good luck jonrjen, and be careful up there!
__________________
Kevin & Janine
2019 F350 Lariat DRW
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 36KPTS
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07-04-2016, 12:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
Thanks for warning. I never noticed any dichloramine gas smell because it was mixed and used outside where it is always windy. I'm assuming Dawn has ammonia in it?
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Not sure about the ammonia. Something with this new oxiginated stuff. I read a long chemistry article the other day, but it was way over my head..lol..I use to do dawn an bleach myself.
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07-04-2016, 12:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonrjen
Thought about climbing up topside and washing the roof of our 2013 Wildcat 5th wheel.
I have a soft bristle brush on a pole, but what is the best product to use in washing the roof that does a good job and has no negative side effects.
Share your knowledge with me if you would please,
Thanks in advance,
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I buy the roof cleaner from (hate to say) Camping World. buy it by the gal will wash my roof clean and white again. But any mild soap will work with a soft bristle brush. Depending on the size like mine 32' it will do last for 2 or 3 times...
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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07-05-2016, 05:13 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slide5r4fun
I use Murphy's oil soap on our roof. It doesn't get the roof snow white but it cleans it good enough for me and it doesn't have harsh chemicals in it. Lots of forum members use Dawn dish detergent but I would caution against that because it's strips the wax off your finish as you rinse it off. Many will dispute that fact, stating they've used it for years, but just google it and you'll have plenty of reading about it from numerous sources. Good luck jonrjen, and be careful up there!
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This is correct in fact Dawn dish soap is recommended when detailing a vehicle to remove any old or residual wax or sealant prior to re-waxing or sealing. I suspect Dawn would be ok on the roof itself, but the problem comes in when it runs off on the sides, front cap and rear which is typically waxed or sealed.
__________________
Regards, Bruce
Current TT: Northwood Snow River 246RKS
2015 Ram 3500 DRW Cummins Diesel w/AISIN Tranny
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07-05-2016, 06:38 PM
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#11
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King of the Road
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 556
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikele
Spic n span works great if you can find it. I Went to 4 different stores and no one had it. Definitely no product with petro distil. In it. I used a bleach n water combo the other day on mine. Just water it down to proper amount. Or go to local rv store and buy a roof specific cleaner if your super concerned.
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Dollar tree has this often
__________________
2016 Crusader Lite
Single slide
2013 Ram 2500 Crew Cab Tow Vehicle
2016 days camped = 91, 2017 days camped = 109
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07-12-2016, 01:15 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 77
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Best thing I ever used was the grand kids....
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Flagstaff Classic 8321 KBS Ram 3500 Dually
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