Roof cleaning recommendations

[garry55]

A bit disappointed with the dealer when I discovered that although the van had been washed and valeted on collection, they had not cleaned the roof!
Any suggestions (as long as it does not include power-washing) for removing the black and green mould?

Thanks,
Garry.

 

[suavecarve]

Have you got children/grandchildren who arent scared of heights and need some character building?

I have walked on all our roofs, 12 stone 13 stone ok 13 and 1/2 stone and not had a problem though wouldnt walk on the Luton part.

Soft broom, normal car wash liquid, scrub, park on a slope to rinse off and pay the child £5.00 £2.50. packet of crisps

For the mould I would use a milton solution and leave it for 5 minutes or tell child to put their back into it

 

[garry55]

Take it you don't like kids?
We don't have any kids young enough or daft enough (they would want a risk assessment, working at height permit and scaffolding) but seriously - you walk on your mh roof?

 

[suavecarve]

Take it you don't like kids?
We don't have any kids young enough or daft enough (they would want a risk assessment, working at height permit and scaffolding) but seriously - you walk on your mh roof?

Yep, the last one (roller team 690) I got out of the skylight onto the roof, but the wine and beer has taken its toll so have now bought a ladder that doubles up as scaffolding and can propel a child up from there gain access to the roof.

My theory is that someone had to put the solar panel up there.

 

[BikerGraham]

Yep, the last one (roller team 690) I got out of the skylight onto the roof, but the wine and beer has taken its toll so have now bought a ladder that doubles up as scaffolding and can propel a child up from there gain access to the roof.

My theory is that someone had to put the solar panel up there.

What size (height) ladder / platform do you find works ?

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[Blue Moon]

A bit disappointed with the dealer when I discovered that although the van had been washed and valeted on collection, they had not cleaned the roof!
Any suggestions (as long as it does not include power-washing) for removing the black and green mould?

View attachment 713538
Thanks,
Garry.

To start with, take it back to the dealer and ask them to do a complete job not half a job.
For the future get a decent ladder and long handled car brush, that’s how I’ve previously done mine. I‘m always concerned about it being slippy with all the soap etc up there to walk on it.

 

[ROCHESB]

I have a long telescopic brush which has a tap & hose connector. I use a stepladder to get me high enough. For stubborn spots a large soapy sponge is manoeuvred using the telescopic brush, any dirt & debris is rinsed off by turning on the tap. I usually get soaked cleaning the roof of the van......

 

[stevee2]

A bit disappointed with the dealer when I discovered that although the van had been washed and valeted on collection, they had not cleaned the roof!
Any suggestions (as long as it does not include power-washing) for removing the black and green mould?

View attachment 713538
Thanks,
Garry.

Before I collected my van mid January I asked the dealer do they polish the roof , he said they only wash it as it’s to dangerous for there cleaner to go up there & Polish it , What’s a load of B—- S—- . So when the weather is a bit more favourable get the ladder out & Polish it myself .
Mind you if anything like the job they did on the inside just as well they haven’t bothered with roof .
Picture of the floor cloth from yesterdays cleaning .
The saying is if you want a job done properly do it yourself !!

 

[suavecarve]

What size (height) ladder / platform do you find works ?

We bought this one. NB the amount of rungs (4)
When put into the "scaffold" position so you can walk along it it is about my chest level to the top of the rollerteam 685.

I didnt pay that sort of money for it though. I reckon I paid about 180 2 years ago.

Amazon product ASIN B0974R5QX3

 

[Podney]

Dettoll make a very good mould remover in a spray bottle. Don’t know what chemical is in it,but should be ok if you rinse off well enough. Good luck up there,take care.

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[TinaLes]

I will have do our van roof again very soon as its gone green as usual with all the green tree pollen from the massive Cyprus trees in the area, with loads more to come this coming Spring

Yes! you can walk on our van roof, and many others, I witness this every time I go to our dealers, and the Valette's are up there with their power washing lances.
I start at the front of the van roof on my knee pads,bum facing rear of the van. The van like most is slightly downhill at the front, so I work backwards from there letting the dirty water run off the front. This saves getting my knees wet, or making me work on a slippy wet roof. I dismount when I reach the rear of the roof, and give the roof a good hose off, as I have hopefully scrubbed off all the really black/green areas arround the roof vents. I take my time with the roof vents as they have some awkward bits that only a soft brush can get into.
Bought one of these (see link below), or similar, very soft brush, dip in bucket of soapy water, hose pipe not really needed, its great at getting into the window seals, and edges, great results every time.
I have only ever needed a diluted citrus cleaner in a trigger bottle, or just Autoglym Car wash in a bucket to get the grim off the roof.
The long Awning Casing also needs a good clean which is best done from the side with a ladder, and with the awning slightly rolled out to reveal the inner lower edge that gets mouldy.
I also have one of those Telescopic Ladders, which I haven't used as yet, but will be handy if roof access is needed while away.
LES
Amazon product ASIN B0B93Y79HY

 

[stevee2]

I always used Fenwicks cleaner on my caravans always got the mound off .

 

[stevee2]

Mould

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

When I clean our roof I use a ladder supported against the bungalow wall, get my shorts on, get the hosepipe and bucket up there, and get my non-slip nylon sailing shoes on (as used by windsurfers for excellent grip on wet boards), get physically on the roof and clean then rinse a small section at a time.
That roof of yours is not bad at all.
Quick loosening off with a hose to “ lift” any grit, then a good scrub with a light detergent like car shampoo, rinse and let dry.
Hours job all in.

 

[GAVLAD]

Have you got children/grandchildren who arent scared of heights and need some character building?

I have walked on all our roofs, 12 stone 13 stone ok 13 and 1/2 stone and not had a problem though wouldnt walk on the Luton part.

Soft broom, normal car wash liquid, scrub, park on a slope to rinse off and pay the child £5.00 £2.50. packet of crisps

For the mould I would use a milton solution and leave it for 5 minutes or tell child to put their back into it

Never tried using Milton solution to clean the van - I take it that it works and doesn’t mark?

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[GAVLAD]

Dettoll make a very good mould remover in a spray bottle. Don’t know what chemical is in it,but should be ok if you rinse off well enough. Good luck up there,take care.

Just be careful that it’s not the Detox mould remover with bleach though as it will mark the bodywork when it runs off the roof

 

[Stealaway]

Fit another solar panel and there wouldn't be enough left worth cleaning.
Just like my one --- it's now all panels and roofligths.

 

[EuroTrotters]

A bit disappointed with the dealer when I discovered that although the van had been washed and valeted on collection, they had not cleaned the roof!
Any suggestions (as long as it does not include power-washing) for removing the black and green mould?

View attachment 713538
Thanks,
Garry.

all I can say, from me and fat haggis

Broken Link Removed

 

[suavecarve]

Never tried using Milton solution to clean the van - I take it that it works and doesn’t mark?

As per others, it would need some dilution then washed off properly. Ideal to do it just before a thunderstorm. Let it fester from a spray bottle for about 5 minutes

 

[robnchris]

Get it cleaned and then use a motorhome all over cover like we have the roof never gets seriously dirty anymore, no leaves or bird droppings.

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[GAVLAD]

Get it cleaned and then use a motorhome all over cover like we have the roof never gets seriously dirty anymore, no leaves or bird droppings.

No good if you rely on solar panels though

 

[Verteuil Man]

After we came back from Spain last year the van was covered in very fine silt after the "blood rain" that hit Costa Blanca. My body is no longer capable of attempting getting halfway up a ladder nevermind on top of it to clean the muck off. I got a local mobile valeting chap to come round and clean the whole motor and silicon coat it for £100.00. Not needed cleaning since.

 

[1967bowesj]

garry55 what model Autocruise is it?
They have a slightly dimpled roof so will need a soaking bef you scrub it, they do come up nice though.
I use Demon snow foam from jet wash to cover roof then a soft brush

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Spray with " Brintons " solution a week or so before hand when it's going to be dry. Then wash off. Some spreader boards to stand on are handy. If the roof can be walked without a square of old carpet to stand on will make it safer to work up there.
You can also reach out if the large roof vent standing on some steps inside the can. A coat of ceramic polish on the cleaned roof make it a much easier job the next time it needs doing.
Mike

 

[Lenny HB]

Bonded roofs will normally support 75 kg so I don't have a problem walking on mine.
I use a caravan cleaner without wax I stock up on the Aldi one when they have it it's similar to the Fenwick one. I use a small microfiber towel, brooms/brushes don't do a very good job.

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[Terry242]

I try and clean the roof 1 - 2 times a year and never had any problems walking on it. I always give it a good coating of Muc-Off bike spray, with a heavy soaking on
the worst areas. In the past I would then give it a clean using normal car cleaning products, Simoniz wax shampoo. Laterally i use a snow foam which works well.

Terry

 

[Whiteknight]

A bit disappointed with the dealer when I discovered that although the van had been washed and valeted on collection, they had not cleaned the roof!
Any suggestions (as long as it does not include power-washing) for removing the black and green mould?

View attachment 713538
Thanks,
Garry.

Just bite the bullet and buy a proper ladder for the job, you won’t regret it

 

[Whiteknight]

Henchman ladders

 

[robnchris]

No good if you rely on solar panels though

Point taken, over winter our solar panel never made enough to keep the battery topped up so we just plug into the mains, use a trickle charger to keep the batteries in tip top condition and the Maypole all over cover keeps the motorhome like new.

 

[Masman]

Diluted traffic film remover works well.But will strip any wax polish you have applied. I use it once a year then followed by Autoglym shampoo for the rest of year.