Roof Cleaning

Youngbunch
Youngbunch Forum Participant Posts: 54
edited December 2019 in Motorhomes #1

Our MH has been parked in drive under trees with the result being a thick layer of tree/leaf sap and a good mix of bird droppings. this is proving very difficult to shift.

I don’t want to use pressure washer with heat as my concern would be forcing water into joints.

Any suggestions on how to clean this would be appreciated. 

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2019 #2

    I rinsed down, washed with warm water and Fenwicks using a brush, rinsed off and then used Greased Lightening Showroom Shine and a number of damp microfibre cloths to remove the difficult to shift stuff when in a similar situation. Worked a treat.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #3

    We all have our own favourite products and we use Autoglym Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner  with a soft brush which shifts suborn stains  (followed by their Resin Polish twice a year).  Ordinary car shampoo in between trips.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2019 #4

    Usually just use Fenwicks and maybe Bobby Dazzler rinse but in the instance above it was caked on in places

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
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    edited December 2019 #5

    Be aware that Autoglym Resin Polish is just that, a polish which removes paint (as all polishes do) and although according to Autoglym it  does contain some wax to offer protection,  by applying it six monthly you are probably "over-polishing" and also giving yourself extra work. Once you have a clean van it is better to protect by using a wax product only, polishing it only when required which might be every one to  three years depending on storage conditions use etc

    A well applied quality wax such as Colonite will last up to a year and applying wax is slightly less laborious as well. 

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
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    edited December 2019 #6

    You really should have asked Santa for one these easy access devices -

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited December 2019 #7

    I agree over polishing will remove paint, do it once to get all the traffic film off then Colinite 476 wax once a year

  • TonyIshUK
    TonyIshUK Forum Participant Posts: 296
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    edited January 2020 #8

    Fenwicks Mhome cleaner, spray on with a garden spray, or similar.

    let it soak for 3 to 4 minutes then rub with a softish scrubbing brush.

    Rinse of using Fenwick Bobby Dazzler.  

    use a wax to protect the top.

    Check out the “ Clean your Car “. Web site,, all sorts of interesting polishes, waxes, buckets, foamers etc.

    Rgds

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited January 2020 #9

    I reverse up to my flat roof garage, walk onto the motorhome roof then use Fenwicks BUT please take care if you do this and don’t walk on the bit you have just soaped up. Sounds daft advice but it is easy to become distracted and it is extremely slippery!

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited January 2020 #10

    l don't think l would chance walking on the roof in case you disturbed the sealant, l being 14 stone would not recommend it, plus the safety aspect. l am looking at getting the 10 step fiberglass step ladders so l can reach with the extended brush and shamee l bought, doing it off a ladder at the moment. l find if l do it often enough Auto Glymm keeps it spotless. l have a Auto trail Tribute over head cab which is good 10 ft or more to the top need to be careful, never used to bother me when l was younger worked at 90 metres regularly but at 67 now need to take greater care

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited January 2020 #11

    Mine gets a thorough clean and wax in the Spring with occasional wash off with a soft brush and plain water. I think a lot depends on how close you are to trees and the prevailing wind direction as to how often there needs to be significant input.

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited January 2020 #12

    For many years, I've used BioPro/Carapak Wash n Wax for an all over wash. I gave up on polish/wax because they were too much hard work for my physical condition. For the tougher problems and detailing, I use Autoglym Caravan & Motorhome cleaner. Not easy to use on the roof, though unless you are mobile and have space.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited January 2020 #13

    With a little touch of humour   If you can obtain the use of a couple or three 5 year olds in onesies and a couple of harnesses safety no 1, then the worlds your oyster and your roof should shine like the sun on Midsummer's Day.

    There yet another problem solved  wink

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited January 2020 #14

    You’re as young as you feel. I’m a lot older and took up ice skating last year! The roof is robust and the sealant is on the edges where you don’t walk. A ladder is fine but difficult to apply elbow grease that way.