Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-08-2021, 01:46 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 647
What soap to use on a rubber roof?

I understand there are two types of rubber roof membranes and I don't know which one my trailer has. What cleaner/soap is safe for these roofs? I understand Dawn shouldn't be used, is that correct?
__________________
2021 Micro Lite 25FKBS
2021 Ford F-250 XLT CCSB 4wd w/ 6.2l and 6 sp. transmission, 3.73 locking axle
gmacklem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 01:54 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
bob213's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,472
This info for my roof. I would think Dawn is ok.
https://alphallc.us/product-care/
__________________
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality – Ayn Rand
bob213 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 01:57 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 647
Quote:
Originally Posted by bob213 View Post
I would think Dawn is ok.
But Dawn has petroleum distillates in it. I have used it on my old trailers and rinsed thoroughly, but was wondering if there is a "safer" soap to use. Maybe another brand of dish soap?
__________________
2021 Micro Lite 25FKBS
2021 Ford F-250 XLT CCSB 4wd w/ 6.2l and 6 sp. transmission, 3.73 locking axle
gmacklem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 02:05 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,283
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmacklem View Post
But Dawn has petroleum distillates in it. I have used it on my old trailers and rinsed thoroughly, but was wondering if there is a "safer" soap to use. Maybe another brand of dish soap?
Where did you get the info Dawn contains petroleum distillates?

According to it's MSDS sheet the closest relative to petroleum distillates in Dawn is Ethanol and that is only in concentrations of 1-5%.

Might want to recheck your sources. Dawn is safe on just about everything except your eyes. It's even used to clean oil off waterfowl after a spill.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)

"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"

2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change)
TitanMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 02:12 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 647
When I google it, I find articles like the one below that says it does. So I don't know what to believe.

Does Dawn have petroleum distallates?
__________________
2021 Micro Lite 25FKBS
2021 Ford F-250 XLT CCSB 4wd w/ 6.2l and 6 sp. transmission, 3.73 locking axle
gmacklem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 02:59 PM   #6
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
Simple green.
Rinse well.
Go camping!!
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
KyDan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 03:02 PM   #7
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,598
Alpha Systems said Murphys Soap, in the Care and Maintenance sheet.
Don't you have something in your paperwork, from the roof membrane manufacturer? I did on both my trailers.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 03:29 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 71
I've been using Camco roof preserver and cleaner for 15 years without a hitch
boatcat AH6NR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 03:37 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 223
I’ve been using Spic N Span for years. That was a suggested detergent in a manual for one of my camper roofs.
phipps33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 04:25 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 27
I second Spic & Span powder. Just used it yesterday to get all of the tree junk and tent caterpillar waste off. Does a great job.
davidsr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 04:52 PM   #11
StlClay
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 126
I third Spic and Span. Found powder on Amazon. Been using successfully for years. I know Dawn is great for birds but is very bad on car paint surfaces so why take a chance
__________________

2014 MiniLite with
Nissan Frontier
Stlcaly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 05:07 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
primo20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Canada
Posts: 463
Spic and span or Murphy’s. A clean roof also prevents black streaks.
primo20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 05:35 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,283
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmacklem View Post
When I google it, I find articles like the one below that says it does. So I don't know what to believe.

Does Dawn have petroleum distallates?
Read the MSDS sheets. It will show everything but proprietary ingredients which "petroleum distillates" aren't. Unlike information presented by "bloggers" the information in MSDS sheets has to be correct or penaties are steep. First responders and Health Professionals need to know what people are exposed to.

There are a lot of things made from petroleum, including the very materials RV Roofs are made from. Even various items of clothing you are probably wearing.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)

"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"

2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change)
TitanMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 05:57 PM   #14
D W
Senior Member
 
D W's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: ALASKA (World's Biggest Campground)
Posts: 6,628
Spic & Span or Mr. Clean (concentrates). Whatever is on the shelf at the time. Both work well, but Mr. Clean cuts the "stuck on" dirt faster.
__________________
'07 K3500 Silverado LT Crew Duramax (LBZ)
2016 Salem 27RKSS
1984 CHEV SCOTTSDALE K20 2GCGK24J0E1XXXXXX (Chevrolet Legends-Class of 2019)
"...exhaust fluid? We don't need no stinkin' exhaust fluid"
D W is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 06:03 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 8300 Feet - Rocky Mountains
Posts: 2,441
Dicor makes lots of products specifically designed to be safe on your RV roof.

I used this cleaner: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and this sealer:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And while I was up there, I did a careful inspection and found a few snags from tree limbs and sealed them with this stuff:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Had I noticed any cracks in seals around roof penetrations, this stuff would work on those, too.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Dicor created the EPDM membrane roof, so their products are likely to be well suited to maintenance.

For the record, Dawn is safe for lots of things, but my objection to using it is the sudsing and residue when rinsing. Thorough rinsing is fine, but it's hard to be thorough about rinsing runoff from the sides of the rig while you're on the roof.
__________________
Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
jimmoore13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 06:21 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
amblt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SW ONTARIO
Posts: 354
Cleaner for rubber roof

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmacklem View Post
I understand there are two types of rubber roof membranes and I don't know which one my trailer has. What cleaner/soap is safe for these roofs? I understand Dawn shouldn't be used, is that correct?
I like Turtle Wax car wash liquid. Haven't checked for Petroleum Distillates on the label. I will now.

amblt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 07:49 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
beechjet16mf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Fort Peck Lake, MT
Posts: 168
I use the Dicor products, as my roof is made by them, and it's 8 Yeays old with no problems. It still cleans well and looks good.
beechjet16mf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 08:00 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,283
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmoore13 View Post
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Dicor created the EPDM membrane roof, so their products are likely to be well suited to maintenance.
Actually it was Firestone and installed the first EPDM roof on the factory that make it in Prescott Arkansas. Year was 1983.

Was developed to deal with the issues of felt paper and hot-mopped "Tar".
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)

"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"

2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change)
TitanMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2021, 05:35 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 647
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
__________________
2021 Micro Lite 25FKBS
2021 Ford F-250 XLT CCSB 4wd w/ 6.2l and 6 sp. transmission, 3.73 locking axle
gmacklem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2021, 11:36 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 8300 Feet - Rocky Mountains
Posts: 2,441
Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike View Post
Actually it was Firestone and installed the first EPDM roof on the factory that make it in Prescott Arkansas. Year was 1983.

Was developed to deal with the issues of felt paper and hot-mopped "Tar".
Thanks...I Googled (quickly), but the "ad" content was hard to wade thru...to find the history of EPDM. :-)
__________________
Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
jimmoore13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
roo, roof

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:14 AM.