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Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

The white runoff from our roof was extremely irritating to say the least.  Any time it rained, or the air-conditioner condensate would run off the roof, it would leave white streaks all the way down the sides of our coach.  I understand the roof can be coated with a product similar to a rino liner, which eliminates this problem, but necessitates a trip to Texas and costs in excess of $1,400.00.  In preparation for our latest trip, (we are currently in Nashville, after being in St. Louis and Memphis), I thoroughly power-washed the entire roof very maliciously.  I used a 2100 psi 2.3 GPM gasoline powered power-washer w/a 25 degree tip.  Obviously, being careful not to get too close, maybe 3 or 4 inches away, until no more milky white substance came off the roof.  This took 2 attack modes and took approx. 1 hr.  It was unbelievable how much milk came off the roof, and revealed a snow white underneath.  I think I would be hesitant to use what some manufacturers refer to as a turbo nozzle, as this directs the pressure to a pin point, and spins it in a circle to enhance cleaning ability.  This might eat the fiberglass surface.  So far, we have not experienced any substantial rain, but all 3 air conditioners are cranking as it has been in the upper 90's.  So far, runoff from condensation, etc., is crystal clear.  I love it when a save big money.

Gregory S
2003 Designer

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #1 –
Quote from: GregoryS –
The white runoff from our roof was extremely irritating to say the least.  Any time it rained, or the air-conditioner condensate would run off the roof, it would leave white streaks all the way down the sides of our coach.  I understand the roof can be coated with a product similar to a rino liner, which eliminates this problem, but necessitates a trip to Texas and costs in excess of $1,400.00.  In preparation for our latest trip, (we are currently in Nashville, after being in St. Louis and Memphis), I thoroughly power-washed the entire roof very maliciously.  I used a 2100 psi 2.3 GPM gasoline powered power-washer w/a 25 degree tip.  Obviously, being careful not to get too close, maybe 3 or 4 inches away, until no more milky white substance came off the roof.  This took 2 attack modes and took approx. 1 hr.  It was unbelievable how much milk came off the roof, and revealed a snow white underneath.  I think I would be hesitant to use what some manufacturers refer to as a turbo nozzle, as this directs the pressure to a pin point, and spins it in a circle to enhance cleaning ability.  This might eat the fiberglass surface.  So far, we have not experienced any substantial rain, but all 3 air conditioners are cranking as it has been in the upper 90's.  So far, runoff from condensation, etc., is crystal clear.  I love it when a save big money.

Gregory S
2003 Designer
Greg,
Barry & Cindy wrote some good roof cleaning instructions.
Until I saw her roof that reflected my image I would not have known it should look like the sides of my coach.
But the amount of work involved in maintaining it and after just seeing Steve & Michelle's roof, I think I may have to go with the paint option.  :(

"I don't think there is any way to remove years of oxidation buildup without buffing first with a compound, then polishing with a sealant. The fiberglass Gel Coat has different requirements from a painted coach or coaches with other types of finishes. Gel Coat really needs to be sealed, rather than waxed."

maintaining_your_rv_fiberglass_roof
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #2 –
I did the rubbing compound temporary fix in Corpus Christi in 2009. What a tedious job that was.
In 2010 we had Xtreme Paint & Graphics paint the roof.  Now I just occasionally wash it with the same soft brush I use on coach. I prefer the low maintenance so much better.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #3 –
GregoryS. I got tired of the "white streaks" also. I finally had my roof painted with a urethane product with "non-skid" sand between the layers. Works, so far. I have talked with Justin Lindsey, I think his name is, the head man in the body shop at FOT and they are recommending the bed-liner type finis, now.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #4 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
I did the rubbing compound temporary fix in Corpus Christi in 2009. What a tedious job that was.
In 2010 we had Xtreme Paint & Graphics paint the roof.  Now I just occasionally wash it with the same soft brush I use on coach. I prefer the low maintenance so much better.

Do you know what kind of paint they used?

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #5 –
Horace,
I realize it will vary for several reasons, but would you be willing to tell the cost of painting your roof at FOT?

Quote
I finally had my roof painted with a urethane product with "non-skid" sand between the layers. Works, so far. I have talked with Justin Lindsey, I think his name is, the head man in the body shop at FOT and they are recommending the bed-liner type finis, now.

2003 U 320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #6 –
Gregory, time saving and money saving tips are always appreciated. Your post got me thinking about what I would recommend to newer coach owners that are tired of the chalking roof.

Chalking - The white milky runoff from the roof. Chalking is a normal occurrence for gel coated fiberglass. Most of the chalking is due to UV attack but some chalking will occur just from aging even in protected storage. Mechanical agitation such as scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush or even better buffing with a polishing compound is the best way to remove the chalking but a strong pressure wash like Gregory suggested will help if done on a pretty regular basis. I wouldn't wast my time waxing or sealing the roof without first buffing it out. Once the roof has been buffed, a good coat of UV blocking sealant, which is the fancy name for polymer wax, will delay the need to redo the removal process. Buffing and waxing will need to be done every year or two with a gel coated coach roof over 10 years old.

Paint - I'm pretty sure Xtreme Paint and Graphics still uses a very high quality automotive HDI urethane paint. UV resistant automotive type urethane is the best paint for outdoor exposure. They include a non-skid additive for safety when working on the roof. A very impact and abrasion resistant coating like the Rhino linings is not needed. Unlike a truck bed the roof is very seldom exposed to impact, scraping or abrasion. The Rhino linings are a urethane but a lower quality of urethane. Their MDI urethane's UV resistance is from pigment and opaque fillers rather than being inherently UV resistant like HDI urethane. Over time these products will deteriorate faster than HDI urethanes. Rhino Linings product is typically applied at much greater thickness to obtain adequate cohesive strength. This adds unnecessary additional weight to the coach. Rhino type coatings are also more likely to blister in high heat direct sunlight IMHO.

Any local body shop with a paint booth large enough for a motor home should be able to do a very adequate job of painting your roof. I had mine done at Xtreme because I was already in Nac and they were very willing to accommodate my schedule.  FOT was too busy. After working with the Xtreme guys I found they are very knowledgeable about fiberglass and working on motorhomes is their specialty. They know how to protect the rest of the coach from over spray and have the facility for baking the finish in their paint booth. I considered the price very reasonable and so far I am very happy with the painted roof.

If one can get to Nac, I would have Xtreme paint the roof. I consider it a very good investment to reduce a nagging maintenance problem.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #7 –
When we were in Nac in February I cleaned the roof after FOT installed our Winegard Traveller.  It was a mess, with lots of black streaks from the installation and of course the chalking was bad.  So I got some Ajax cleaner and used a stiff brush with water pressure from a normal hose.  I think I went through two cans of Ajax. This cleaned up the roof quickly and effectively, but there is probably a white ring in the FOT parking lot where all the chalk and Ajax landed.  Although it took some effort with the Ajax and brush (with long handle), it was not a big deal.  When we got to Raleigh, NC a few weeks later I applied a coat of some West Marine boat polish (meant for gel coat) and it has been good ever since.  Again, this did not take a lot of effort.  I was thinking about getting one of the Stallings coatings, but maybe not. 
The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #8 –
George, My solution is to have the wash boys at our place in FL do the roof in addition to washing the coach.  Coach wash is 75 bucks with an additional 20 bucks to do the roof specially.  They use a stiff brush and Soft Scrub, I tried this once, never again, I quit hard work a long time ago.

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #9 –
Quote
Horace,
I realize it will vary for several reasons, but would you be willing to tell the cost of painting your roof at FOT?

Quote
I finally had my roof painted with a urethane product with "non-skid" sand between the layers. Works, so far. I have talked with Justin Lindsey, I think his name is, the head man in the body shop at FOT and they are recommending the bed-liner type finis, now.

2003 U 320


Yes, the cleaning and the paint job plus repairing some cracks was right at $4000. I had estimates from FOT, from Xtreme, from TN RV and from Parliament all were identical except for the cost of the labor: $120, $120, $110 and $125 respectively. It was $80/hr here at a huge auto/truck body shop with a BIG oven. This was over a year ago, suspect all of this is higher, now.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #10 –
Kent,

I really appreciate your knowledge of paints, caulks, fiberglass and most things chemical.  Thank you for sharing them.  You are a great resource for the Forum.  But, apparently there is some deficit when it comes to handling sewer hoses.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Duane Budd –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
I did the rubbing compound temporary fix in Corpus Christi in 2009. What a tedious job that was.
In 2010 we had Xtreme Paint & Graphics paint the roof.  Now I just occasionally wash it with the same soft brush I use on coach. I prefer the low maintenance so much better.

Do you know what kind of paint they used?

Duane:

I do not know, but I sent a message to James and asked him.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #12 –
James uses the following paint:

BASF GLASURIT. SINGLE STAGE URETHANE W/GROUND GLASS ADDITIVE

We are sitting in his office..

Almost done with the upgrades on our new "to us" coach.  New back-up camera and monitor and we can get the heck out of the Texas heat and head to Leadville, Co.  68 degrees all week....98 degrees here in Nac-been that since we got here 2+weeks ago.  Sure was a fun move and getting coaches ready.
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #13 –
To keep a gel coat roof from chalking the roof needs to be compounded with heavy grit, which leaves the roof cloudy. Fine grit polish brings back the shine. Sealing the pores keeps the gelcoat from chalking. Cindy and others have compounded one time and then it is just a matter of keeping it sealed. Cindy has a white-paper on how she kept our coach sides & roof looking like new for 10 years. We never power washed and don't think it is a good idea.

We think white shiny paint with anti-skid fine glass grit is the best way to 'paint' a roof. This is different than 'bed-liner' types of material which often is rolled on instead of sprayed on like paint.

Xtreme / James Stallings charges $1,350 to paint roof with fine anti-skid grit added to paint, which is sprayed on. Looks good, easy to keep clean and is not slippery. We spent a lot of time on our painted roof installing our solar panels and it continues to look like new.

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #14 –
Question:  What is advantage and outcome differences in the Xtreme roof coating with some type of paint/coating with crushed glass for the roof versus the FOT application of something they say is similar to a truck bedliner?  There is a price difference but in listening about each product, there seems scant detail of the technical advantages or pros/cons; I am not sure which is best.  Is there a difference in durability?  Is there any insulation value to either?  Is there a difference in cleaning?  The sellers say their products stop the roof oxidation and the resultant white streaks of the original roof, and supposedly the rubber liner type helps seal or prevent any fiberglass cracks later.  Ideas, guidance will be appreciated.  Mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #15 –
My question to FOT is what are they putting on the roof of new coaches? If its paint, you have your answer.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #16 –
Xtreme does both types of roof coating.

Our painted roof with 'fine particles of glass shine and clean up great and is our choice.
I hear the only advantage of the other is some coach years had fine gelcoat cracks which the roll-on will seal.

Re: Roof Cleaning - Saving More BIG MONEY

Reply #17 –
Thanks to you and Dave.  Got my answer!
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches