Roof Cleaning Advice Needed

[currymaster]

I've just been cleaning our caravan and am really struggling with the roof.

I usually use Fenwicks caravan cleaner, with a brush and it comes up fine, but not this time! I even tried a spot test with neat Fenwicks on a cloth, and that didn't make much impact.

Not wanting to use anything abrasive I used Silky cream on a patch, which works but takes a huge amount of effort.

I have added a couple of photos showing the problem and would welcome any advice/suggestions.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Have you tried Wet & Forget?

 

[toad a caravan]

I've used a product called blaze,I get it from a vehicle refinishing (auto paint supplies), it's useful for the removal of grease to general light cleaning dependant on it's dilution ratio,I used it 5/95 water.I will attempt to put some images on..your correct in not using abrasive products, there's not an abundance of paint applied in the first place..Gary

 

[toad a caravan]

Images of my roof

 

[borderbilly]

Ive used bleach with hot water applied with a spray mist bottle, worked okay

 

[currymaster]

Have you tried Wet & Forget?

No I haven't, have you had success with it?

 

[currymaster]

I've used a product called blaze,I get it from a vehicle refinishing (auto paint supplies), it's useful for the removal of grease to general light cleaning dependant on it's dilution ratio,I used it 5/95 water.I will attempt to put some images on..your correct in not using abrasive products, there's not an abundance of paint applied in the first place..Gary

Thanks for that Gary. It looks to have made a great job.

 

[currymaster]

Ive used bleach with hot water applied with a spray mist bottle, worked okay

Hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

 

[borderbilly]

Hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

Try a small patch 1st, let it soak about 5 minutes then agitate with a small green/yellow washing up pad. Brought my roof up like new.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

No I haven't, have you had success with it?

Yes it's pretty effective.

 

[Beachball]

I would give this one a try Autoglym Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner like you i have use Fenwicks caravan cleaner and Silky cream when i had my caravan .

 

[otherclive]

Always used Fenwicks caravan ckeaner. But from autumn the van would be sprayed with Fenwicks Overwintering fluid which when washed off in spring made cleaning the roof much easier.

 

[izzy]

I have used Autoglym caravan and motor home cleaner to great effect for years but this time on the large panels I have tried Pro-Kleen waterless wax and found it excellent and easy to use although I still use the Autglym for nooks and crannies with the toothbrush (works inside as well)
I have always found Silky ineffective and far too labour intensive.
I have heard good things about Greased lightning and may try that next, bit pricy though.

Our old van is kept gleaming but to be fair it is stored at the side of the house with plenty of room around it so not too much of a task really

 

[Buckman]

We used Meguirs 3 step on a previous caravan and it was brilliant. Kept the caravan shiny for a few years afterwards.

 

[Hutch]

I Would rather have a waxy top to the caravan like Fenwick over wintering, it helps to seal the edges of any strips. Why wash all that waxy. Sealing stuff away.
Waxoyl works well.

 

[otherclive]

The only problem with using Fenwicks Overwintering fluid or similar is that it can attract muck if you use it in winter. But come spring when you wash it off you then see the benefits.

 

[Hutch]

The only problem with using Fenwicks Overwintering fluid or similar is that it can attract muck if you use it in winter. But come spring when you wash it off you then see the benefits.

As I say, why wash off the Fenwicks or Waxoyl , leave it on, you cannot see the roof, .

 

[River]

I have just come across this thread when searching for ways to clean the roof of my caravan. Lots of ideas of products, thank you! Are any best for dealing with bird poo and sap (with dust sticking into the sap) off trees for a roof that needs cleaning frequently? My caravan is pitched (seasonal pitch) under a tree and it gets filthy (photo of current state). I did pay someone to pressure wash it off (around 6 weeks ago), but that was costly and I see some of the sealant around one of the windows has now become loose, so I am hesitant to get this done again. I've seen ladder with plenty of foam to protect the side of the caravan to help me get up there and am thinking knock the twigs, etc. off with a soft bristle broom and then use a sponge type floor mop or microfibre cloths wrapped round the head of the mop? I don't want to scratch the dirt into the paint. I have arthritis, so can't manage a method that requires a lot of elbow grease.

 

[otherclive]

Mines not quite as bad as you describe yours. 😂 But seriously it’s an elbow grease job. If you would find it difficult perhaps get someone in to do it. I would wash it first with plenty of shampoo and water. That should remove dirt and mould. Then either use isopropyl alcohol to soften the sap or buy a proprietary caravan/car sap remover. Works like tar spot remover. Test a small area first. When it’s all clean I would use something like Autoglym polish, or equivalent to give a surface that is less prone to sap sticking to it.

 

[River]

Thanks for replying so quickly otherclive. Thanks for the tips about the isopropol alcohol and then a polish (I had been thinking how to try to protect it a bit once it's done and increase the times between cleaning). Would a generic car shampoo do the trick for step 1? I think you are right, I probably will need to pay someone to get it done again now, but ideally will try to manage something myself to extend the time between getting it done by someone more mobile than I am.

Looks like you have a nice caravan: good luck with your cleaning!

 

[otherclive]

Thanks for replying so quickly otherclive. Thanks for the tips about the isopropol alcohol and then a polish (I had been thinking how to try to protect it a bit once it's done and increase the times between cleaning). Would a generic car shampoo do the trick for step 1? I think you are right, I probably will need to pay someone to get it done again now, but ideally will try to manage something myself to extend the time between getting it done by someone more mobile than I am.

Looks like you have a nice caravan: good luck with your cleaning!

Yes any good car shampoo or something like Fenwicks Caravan Cleaner aid removing dirt, grit and mould. Perhaps try Fenwicks. I’ve used their stuff for years.

 

[Hutch]

The trouble with getting anyone to pressure was a caravan, is that dirt sticks to the sealant that is used, they try and pressure wash it off and damage the sealants.
I am a great believer in, if your under trees , clean the roof and then re apply Fenwicks over wintering or Waxol, to keep the dropping from eating into the paint. Let's face it you don't clean the underside of your caravan.

 

[River]

The trouble with getting anyone to pressure was a caravan, is that dirt sticks to the sealant that is used, they try and pressure wash it off and damage the sealants.
I am a great believer in, if your under trees , clean the roof and then re apply Fenwicks over wintering or Waxol, to keep the dropping from eating into the paint. Let's face it you don't clean the underside of your caravan.

Thanks Hutch, Yes, I think pressure wash was a bad decision on my part. Definitely I need to protect the roof and hope a pitch that is not under a tree becomes available soon!

 

[Hutch]

Thanks Hutch, Yes, I think pressure wash was a bad decision on my part. Definitely I need to protect the roof and hope a pitch that is not under a tree becomes available soon!

I think we have all been there, I have a covered pitch in a Barn, pigeons used to roost above the van . A real mess, my air gun would have sorted it for a time, but decided that 4 helium balloons tied together kept the feathered friends away, silvered ones with an old Shiny cd disc tied underneath just at the height of the cross beam of the barn.