Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: mikerox on January 01, 2022, 02:26:31 pm

Title: Power wash roof
Post by: mikerox on January 01, 2022, 02:26:31 pm
My roof is very dirty from being outside under trees, Any thoughts on using a pressure washer on roof? Thanks.
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: Hans&Marjet on January 01, 2022, 02:29:09 pm
I would not...use BarKeepers and let the chemical clean it up..Follow Directions!
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: Andy 2 on January 01, 2022, 02:35:17 pm
I use dawn and simple green works well for me ^.^d
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: dsd on January 01, 2022, 03:00:14 pm
So my coach had been parked under shade for at least 15 years in Arkansas and was covered in crap. Bird, dirt, mud daubers, wasp nests. It was bad. I did take my old pressure washer up there. I removed most of the filth and was able to blow off the black anti slip material near the ladder. Was a horrible job, but worked well. It also stained the corners of the roof from the old black hose. Chuck mentioned the Barkeepers friend and I ordered a can of it. Works very well. Looks better but still really hasn't been finished. Make sure you remove the black anti slip because it runs much hotter in the sun and cracks the jelcoat. I had several small cracks that iI filled with epoxy that could not be seen prior. No jelcoat was damaged using the pressure washer. I did not use excessive force near any opening thru the roof. 11 horsepower 4000 psi washer.  Be carful for slipping. I had no leaks then or now.
Scott
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: jor on January 01, 2022, 03:28:50 pm
Quote
Any thoughts on using a pressure washer on roof?

That's what they use at Foretravel. I asked the guys what they were using as a cleaner. it was Super Klean from Ace Hardware. (purple gallon jug) That stuff works great.
jor
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: nitehawk on January 01, 2022, 03:35:27 pm
We had pine sap, bird crap, and black algae on the roof of our '89 36' GV.
So I went up on the roof on a cloudy day with a large sponge, a nylon bristle scrub brush, a five gallon water pail, and a can of Comet cleanser. I also rigged up a water hose so I had water whenever I needed it to rinse.
I used either the sponge or nylon brush with Comet, depending on the severity of the crap stuck to the roof. Definitely took all day, but I also waxed the entire roof.

Of course, being 79+, still recovering from hip replacement, I found it easier and safer to work on my knees, as I was about 10.5' off the ground.
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on January 01, 2022, 03:58:55 pm
I use a 3200psi power washer on my roof. I bought an extra length hose for it so I don't have to bring the washer on the roof and I can reach anywhere on the roof without having to go back down the ladder and move the power washer.
I put a concrete disc washer on the end of the power washer wand, works great.
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: Dub on January 01, 2022, 05:52:04 pm
When choosing cleaning products for the roof don't put anything on the roof that you don't want running down the higher gloss finish on the sides because that's where it's going. In short I would rather put in the extra work and use less caustic products because with my luck my great looking roof would come at the cost of  streaked side walls and then a whole new job is created. I would go as far as hiring a second person on the ground flooding the sides with water if I questioned my roof products "leaving tracks" but try to use a cleaning agent that wouldn't leave tracks. Finished Gelcoat is very unforgiving at least in my experience... Jmo that a new owner may want to consider...
Title: Re: Power wash roof
Post by: bbeane on January 01, 2022, 10:38:00 pm
I'm in the no pressure washer club on the coach. Old fashion dawn and bleach and brush works for me on the roof. Brush it on let things sit about 15 min, then apply a good scrubbing with a wash brush.