Exterior Cleaning and Sealing

bickar · 01-01-2013, 10:36 AM

I have a 2011 Zinger 31SB. I spent about 5 hours today washing the exterior. The last time it was washed was nearly a year ago, when I paid north of $200 to have it washed and waxed. I think that I did a more thorough job than the $200 job, but I only washed it so far. The roof was very dirty (it is stored outdoors, without a cover over it, in Florida) and although I got it mostly clean, there are still many small black dots all over the roof that would not scrub off.

I hardly ever see any DETAILS about exterior maintenance anywhere on these forums or in books on RVing. I am hoping that some of you can provide some details...what type of Rubber Roof is on the 2011 31SB? And, what is the material the sides are made of (aluminum or fiberglass)? Should we use some sort of roof treatment? If so...which one? Should we wax the sides? If so, with what type of wax?

We have had this unit nearly 2 years now, and have had our share of leaks...a few weeks ago we had it in for a leak and the dealer said that some exterior lights needed re-sealed with caulking (or whatever you seal these things with) and that it was NOT covered under warranty, that the owner (me) is responsible for maintaining all the seals - which makes sense I suppose, but, why on earth would a sealant fail in less than 2 years? Since we still see some evidence of moisture, I am concerned that I should be re-sealing more vigilantly...however, once again, I do not know the DETAILS...what type of sealant should I use? I am concerned about sealants on the roof around openings for vents and whatnot, as well as the various things on the sides of the RV (lights mostly, but other things as well). Different sealants for the roof versus the sides?

Thank you in advance for your help!

anaro · 01-01-2013, 12:54 PM

You should get on your roof a couple of times a year and check for leaks. You should check all caulking on the trailer and recaulk as necessary. We wash ours 1-2 times a year and have a devil of a time with the black streaks. Waxing should be done yearly with a quality wax

bickar · 01-01-2013, 10:22 PM

Thanks for that...so, when I find that something needs re-caulked - what caulking do I use?

tator447 · 01-02-2013, 12:10 PM

Bickar,
I haven't had to reseal anything yet, but from what I've read, go into a Camping World and look at the products from Dicor, they make the sealants you need. There are postings on here about resealing etc, you just need to know how to search for them. Also, for cleaning your roof, there is a product called "Solvit"...I bought a case last fall and distributed it to some other CR users at a rally in Bloomington. Old Farmer is the one who told us all about it and if you search for that you will find it on here. Solvit is made by a company in Madison, WI and comes in a two pound tub that should give you 50 washes. If you cannot find it let me know and I'll get you all the information you need. Be careful walking on your roof.

Jim

anaro · 01-02-2013, 01:24 PM

Jim will solvit get rod of my black streaks down the sides?

Bickar- i'll have to ask dh what kind of caulk he uses. You will also want to check your slide out seals. We treat with baby powder once a year. Do a search on slide out seals because I forget what the other lubricant you can use on them is. Dry silicone spray maybe but not sure.

tator447 · 01-02-2013, 11:19 PM

I haven't used it yet as the season ended too quickly for us...but I think Lloyd could chime in on that one, he's been using it for quite some time. From the looks of his roof in the pictures he has posted I think perhaps it will. I will be doing my roof in spring and will find out then I guess.

Jim

**Lloyd** · 01-02-2013, 11:51 PM

[QUOTE=anaro]Jim will solvit get rod of my black streaks down the sides?

Yes it will.

happycampers · 01-04-2013, 12:52 AM

the caulking I use is 'proflex-rv'. I go through a couple tubes a year.

Rambleaway · 01-07-2013, 10:52 PM

Happy Campers. A couple of tubes a year seems like a lot of caulking. We've had our 30skp for 3 years now, and although I inspect it regularly, I've yet to find it necessary to re-seal any seams. Are you changing the caulking as a preventative measure, or are you actually having leakage problems?

happycampers · 01-07-2013, 11:18 PM

I have never had a leak yet (that I have found), but I think all of the movement bouncing down the highway cracks the caulking-especially around the underside of the front cap. The slideout seals sticking cause the caulk along the bulb seals to crack. I just try and and stay on top of it and inspect every fall as preventative maintenance.

Rambleaway · 01-07-2013, 11:50 PM

Guess I'll take a closer look in the spring. The "proflex-rv" you mentioned, is it available at most RV dealerships?

happycampers · 01-08-2013, 02:56 AM

I've seen it at all dealerships around here. CW also has it.
-I consider it cheap preventative maintenance.

MAR&JWR · 01-09-2013, 02:54 AM

our repairman recommended DAP Dynaflex 230 found at most if not all home centers... is this similar to the profex-rv?

happycampers · 01-09-2013, 10:46 AM

I'm not familiar with that particular DAP product, but the important thing about the proflex is its 'supposed' to be flexible.

longhauler · 01-18-2013, 10:29 AM

I have used Solvit on the roof and it worked really good, just make sure you wipe down your camper after using it or it will leave white streaks down the side.

To remove black streaks and cleaning I use a product called Fukken wax its a waterless wash and wax it does a great job on removing all black streaks and leaves nice shine look and feeling to your camper when your done. I haven't found anything that works better on the market. It also does a great job on your vehicle.http://www.fukkenwax.com/

albertr · 01-18-2013, 10:39 AM

Has anyone used GE SCS 2000 caulk? That is what my dealer used and recommended. Al

**Lloyd** · 01-18-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhauler

I have used Solvit on the roof and it worked really good, just make sure you wipe down your camper after using it or it will leave white streaks down the side.

I have used solvit for many years and have never experienced any streaking on the sides. I think the thing to do, is when you are washing the roof, make sure you are rinsing it thoroughly.
You will be taking some of old the chalking off the roof when you wash it and if it hasn't been cleaned very often there will be a lot of "white" water running down the sides. Rinsing thoroughly during the roof cleaning process should take care of the problem you encountered.

longhauler · 01-18-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Farmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhauler

I have used Solvit on the roof and it worked really good, just make sure you wipe down your camper after using it or it will leave white streaks down the side.

I have used solvit for many years and have never experienced any streaking on the sides. I think the thing to do, is when you are washing the roof, make sure you are rinsing it thoroughly.
You will be taking some of old the chalking off the roof when you wash it and if it hasn't been cleaned very often there will be a lot of "white" water running down the sides. Rinsing thoroughly during the roof cleaning process should take care of the problem you encountered.

Old Farmer,

Thanks, that makes sense because I'm the second owner of my 5ver and I think I was the first to clean the roof because there was alot of white colored dirty water running off the roof, but I'll rinse it down a lot more the next time I clean the roof.

You may also like: