How to Clean RV Roof?
A clean RV roof is the top part of the RV vehicle, mainly made of three materials. The RF roofs can be made of fiberglass, aluminum, and rubber. Depending on its material, you should adjust the cleaning products and methods.
Having an RV requires constant care and maintenance of the vehicle since it is your second “portable” home. If you wonder how to clean RV roof, you should determine its material first.
Regular Clean RV roof will extend its lifespan and save you from replacing it with a new roof in a short period. Regardless of its material, you should practice cleaning every three months.
Let’s look at the cleaning process and the necessary products you will need.
RV Roof CLEANING: The Easy Way | RV Living
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Preparing to Clean
Having all the necessities by hand before the cleaning process simplifies the entire work. The preparation process requires gathering the tools and cleaning products, ensuring safety since you have to get on the clean RV roof, and inspecting the roof’s condition.
Before starting with the cleaning process, it is important to remove the loose dirt and inspect if there is any damage. If there is, fix it before the water and cleaning chemicals enter and worsen the cracks.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
Some of the needed tools and solutions are things you can find in your household. For example, you will need a broom, a cleaning brush, a hose, a bucket of water, and a sponge. You already have all these things at home, which are part of your everyday cleaning routine.
However, you might have to purchase a couple of supplies for clean RV roof. Here is a list of necessary cleaning solutions and detergents:
- An all-purpose non-corrosive cleaner (or a special one for clean RV roof)
- Mildew cleaning product (if needed)
- Roof treatment solution with UV protection
- Oxidation remover and color restorer solution (mainly for fiberglass surfaces)
- RV roof wax
- Sealant and protective coating (for roof protection).
Ensure Safety
To clean the RV roof, you have to climb on the vehicle. The climbing moment is dangerous itself, but the cleaning process might make it even more difficult since the cleaning solutions might make the surface slippery.
We advise you to wear non-slippery shoes or rubber rain boots to prevent slipping and falling from the RV roof. Also, ensure the ladder is safely placed and secure against the RV.
Another good safety tip is to put all necessary products and tools in a bucket and tie it with a rope, so you can easily pull it up once you climb onto the RV roof.
Remove Any Debris
Once you get onto the roof, sweep the loose dirt, leaves, and debris from the surface. That way, you will easily detect damage, mold, or rust.
Check for breakage and leaks and fix the damage (if any) before continuing the cleaning process.
Cleaning the Roof
Start with a Pressure Washer
Once you eliminate the loose dirt, you should wet the surface using medium-pressure water. That way, you will remove the dirt stuck on the surface and soften the stains accumulated through the months.
The high water pressure might cause more harm than good because it might damage the seals and the roof membrane.
A wet surface is better for the cleaning solution to act and remove the stains and dirt easily.
Use Cleaning Solutions
The next step is to clean the surface with a solution. Choose the one that seems best to you. Consider the solution’s type and purpose based on your RV roof type.
You can also use an all-purpose cleaning solution if you can not find a special RV cleaner. However, ensure the cleaning solution you will use is non-abrasive so that you can safely clean the RV roof without damaging the surface and metal parts.
In case you have spotted mold, mildew, or rust, try to clean them with a special solution. Use a mop, sponge, or damp cloth to clean the roof with the solution.
Scrub Away Stains
If you notice stubborn stains and dirt that do not come off with the mop or cloth, you can try to scrub them with a soft cleaning brush. I advise using a soft telescopic handle brush because that way, you can clean the roof much faster and safer.
Never use a hard brush or put in a lot of effort and pressure while scrubbing the stains. All of this might damage the roof’s shine and color and lead to much bigger damage in the future.
Rinse the Roof
Once you’re done with the cleaning step, rinse the surface from the cleaning solutions and ensure there is no foam on the RV roof. Consider using low to medium-pressure water for rinsing to avoid damaging the roof and seals we’ve mentioned before.
Protecting the Roof
After cleaning the RV roof, you should continue to the protecting step.
I know that the top of the vehicle is exposed to numerous weathered and environmental conditions, especially the sun’s harmful UV rays. It is recommended to apply RV roof treatment with UV protection after cleaning and protective waxes (depending on the RV roof’s material).
Apply a Sealant
Applying sealant is recommended if you spot damage on the roof’s surface. If you spot holes or peels on the roof, necessarily apply sealant. It will prevent the damage from spreading and extend the lifespan of the RV roof.
Consider adding non-sag sealant on the vertical surface and self-leveling sealant on the horizontal surface.
Apply a Protective Coating
The protective coating is the final step you should take to keep the TV roof protected and long-lasting. These coats contain chemicals that protect the RV roof’s surface, making it resistant to animal and tree droppings, dirt, and harmful UV rays.
This website offers excellent camping equipment and RV maintenance solutions that might help keep your RV clean and protected from environmental conditions. However, you can always find something on Amazon and other (online) vehicle cosmetic stores.
Conclusion
I hope this guide has helped you learn how to clean RV roof. Choose good cleaning solutions and practice cleaning the roof at least four times yearly. This will save you from buying a new roof in the next 20 years.
Thank us later.
Resources for further reading
- https://blog.campersinn.com/blog/top-10-tips-to-successfully-maintain-your-rv
- https://rvlife.com/rv-maintenance-big-deal/
- 3.https://blog.campingworld.com/at-the-campsite/10-basic-rv-maintenance-tips-to-keep-your-rv-in-great-shape/
