> > > Winning the Battle With Motorhome Rooftop Mold and MildewMay 1, 2010 Filed under Many high-end coach manufacturers use one-piece fiberglass roofs, which are a major upgrade over lower-cost rubber roofs. One of the advantages of glass roofs is a long, maintenance-free life, but they still require some cleaning to keep them looking their Many owners assume that because the roof is fiberglass it will be immune to mold or mildew, but that’s only partially true. While the dense fiberglass itself will not support mold growth, the roof will eventually get dirty and that dirty layer consists of bio-matter such as dirt and pollen that will eventually create a surface thick enough to allow unsightly mold and mildew to grow on it. The good news is that fiberglass is very easy to clean because of its durable nature, and this allows you to utilize a wide variety of cleaners to make your fiberglass roof look new. There are a few cautions about working on

the wet roof of a motorhome that you should be aware of before you begin. The first one isWhile cleaning the roof you are going to be working on a wet and soapy surface that is not only smooth and difficult to walk on, but also 12.5 feet off the ground. aren’t comfortable working in this environment, you should leave this job to the localbest carpet cleaners brooklyn detail shop (most  Campingdry cleaning for carpets singapore World  Service Centers offer motorhome detailing). carpet cleaning melbourne price listIt’s also a good idea tobest steam cleaner for bird cages

have a second person on the ground in the event there is an accident, or to help toss up your cleaning supplies when needed. The next area of concern is the paint on the motorhome. As you clean the roof, all those chemicals and mold will run down the side of your coach. Because you and your water source will be on the roof, it’s difficult to ensure that thepool vacuum hose reel dirty water won’t dry on the paint. pool cleaning austin texasIt helps to have a second person on the ground with a separate water hose to help rinse the sides of the rig. Depending on the amount of direct sunlight and the temperature, this may not be required. Working in the shade in moderate temperatures (less than 80 degrees), we did not encounter a problem with dirty rinse waterHowever, if you are working in direct sunlight and it is 90 degrees or

hotter, you need to be very careful and maintain a good flow of water while rinsing or else paint damage could occur. Many of the chemicals used are caustic and if they are allowed to dry on the paint they may cause permanent streaks. A good flow of rinse water will ensure that the dirt and chemicals are completely removed. In order to clean the roof of a full-size coach, expect to spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the initial condition andYou’ll need about two 32-ounce bottles of pre-mixed cleaner or 1 quart ofIn order to tackle our long-overdue roof cleaning project, we used Simple Green, Thetford Premium RV Black Streak and Bug Remover, and Camco Full Timer’s Choice Black Streak Remover. Since the roof is fiberglass just like a typical shower stall, there are other brands and types of cleaners that will also work well. Just remember most of them are not made to be used on painted vehicles so be careful if you use these types of products.

products tested did an equal job of cleaning. You will need a short, stiff bristle brush as well as one mounted to an extension pole for easier cleaning on large areas. product that we found extremely helpful is Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. We suggest you buy a box or two for those really tough stains. You’ll also need a water hose long enough to reach around the entire motorhome as well as a ladder or other way of accessing the roof. STEP 1: First, walk around the entire motorhome and wet it down withThis will help prevent soap and other contaminants from sticking to the paint when rinsed off the roof. STEP 2: Next, gather up your cleaning supplies and safely make your way onto the roof. If your roof is covered with leaves or other debris, remove them before you begin. STEP 3: Thoroughly wet the fiberglass roof using a hose end nozzle and spray a small area with the cleaner of your choice. long-handle scrub brush, begin working the brush and soapy water on the surface.

on the condition of the roof it could take one, two or even three attempts to fully removeThen rinse fully, ensuring that there is sufficient water to carry the dirt and grime off the rooftop and down the side of the coach. STEP 4: If you encounter areas that are very difficult to clean you may have to resort to using the short-handle brush or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. When using the Mr. Clean product we noted that even the most stubborn stains disappeared by using only light pressure. work on small areas at a time for best results. We found that keeping the sections to 3-foot or 4-foot squares worked best. STEP 5: Another area that can be difficult to clean is the sealant used around roof openings such as skylights and roofAvoid using a brush on this semisoft sealant and instead use the Mr. Clean MagicOne or two passes with one and the sealant will look bright and white just likePlus the Eraser foam pads prevent any chance of damaging the sealant.

6: While you’re on the roof, clean the exposed sections of the slide covers if your coach is so equipped. If you suspect that the entire slide cover is dirty you can plan ahead by opening them up (extend slide) before you begin the project and do a thoroughAgain, we found Mr. Clean Magic Erasers worked best on this soft material. STEP 7: After you finish cleaning one large section, it’s easy to see how much better it looks than before. The cleaner and generous use of the scrub brush simply dissolve the grime, which easily rinses off. STEP 8: Continue the process one section at a time over and over until completed. We found it best to start cleaning at the front of the coach at the opposite end that you use for climbing on and off the roof. This prevents you from walking on the clean surface as you make progress. 9: This is also a good time to clean the various covers and skylights on the roof. They are likely dirty and in need of a good cleaning as well.