What are the best products and methods to use for cleaning our grimy roof?

RustyRuss

RustyRuss

Joined
Sep 9, 2019
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Runcorn
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63,956
MH
Autotrail Apache 632
Exp
Since Sept 2019
Hi Funsters, pretty sure this has been asked before but I bet there are lots of newbies out there wondering the same thing. The roof of our coach built Autotrail Apache is covered in nasty green and black algae that is really difficult to clean off and is super slimy when wet, so really dangerous to walk on. There is lots of it under our solar panels and the unused tv/satellite aerial. What cleaning products do you use? How do you access the roof safely? What cleaning tools do you use? Post pictures please, drop in links for cleaning products and cleaning kit if you can/know how, you’ll really help me, but you’ll really help lots of others too!

Cheers!

Russ
 
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Nicholsong pro valet, that’s an interesting idea. Do you mind telling us how much it cost? Where did you take it? A hand car wash? Did you give them any special instructions or do’s & dont’s?

Cheers!

Russ
 
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RustyRuss said:
Nicholsong pro valet, that’s an interesting idea. Do you mind telling us how much it cost? Where did you take it? A hand car wash? Did you give them any special instructions or do’s & dont’s?

Cheers!

Russ
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Remember I am in Poland, so place and cost may not be irrelevant. It was done at our local commercial garage, where they have done the valet before. The boss's writing on the bill is terrible and in Polish. I will try to get my translator to decipher when she wakes up from siesta.

No need for special instructions - I trust them explicitly for 10 years.

There will be another thread from me about the whole makeover I have had done.
 
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Wife!!!👍
IMG_5131.png
 
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RustyRuss said:
Hi Funsters, pretty sure this has been asked before but I bet there are lots of newbies out there wondering the same thing. The roof of our coach built Autotrail Apache is covered in nasty green and black algae that is really difficult to clean off and is super slimy when wet, so really dangerous to walk on. There is lots of it under our solar panels and the unused tv/satellite aerial. What cleaning products do you use? How do you access the roof safely? What cleaning tools do you use? Post pictures please, drop in links for cleaning products and cleaning kit if you can/know how, you’ll really help me, but you’ll really help lots of others too!

Cheers!
Russ
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G101 removes green and grime easily
BUT do use plenty of rinsing water
do not leave to dry out
with sensible use absolutely brilliant
( almost all M/H dealers use it )
 
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Flairy said:
Try Fenwicks works a treat.
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I spent a happy couple of hours on my hands and knees then fully prone for the sloping front panels. I climbed up with a telescopic ladder leaning on a foam car crawling mat to spread the load. Out came their Black Stain remover spray and a microfiber cloth. Followed up with more dry cloths and another spray to get the last dirt off. Nicely done.:giggle:
 
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JockandRita said:
In a pantomime type voice, "OH YES HE WILL." ;)

E-Cloth Cleaning and Dusting Wand | Dunelm

Clean those narrow and hard to reach areas around your home with this cleaning and dusting wand from e-cloth, available to buy online today...
www.dunelm.com

Cheers

Jock. :)
Click to expand...
So I'm guessing that's mostly hollow you could drill some tinyish holes through it, cut the end off the handle & fasten it to a hose pipe.... anybody with me?? 😁

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stuartholmes said:
So I'm guessing that's mostly hollow you could drill some tinyish holes through it, cut the end off the handle & fasten it to a hose pipe.... anybody with me?? 😁
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You'd be guessing wrong then Stuart, as it's not hollow. ;)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
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I refuse to believe anyone has ever had a roof that was dirtier than motorhomes I've had and I've never used anything other than warm soapy water and a used kitchen dishes sponge . And then followed it up with a good polish and wax .
 
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cranky said:
G101. truck cleaner. make sure you follow instructions. strong stuff!
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Another vote from me for G101 from Autosmart.

When I was in UK it was only available by ordering on-line and delivered by reps. I have found it here on-line in Poland. £40 for 5 lts. Needs diluting. I still have the 5lts I bought in UK >12 yrs ago.

We used it on our VW T5 fleet mainly for the suicidal flies on the w/screen - spray on leave 5 mins and they wash off.
 
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JockandRita said:
You'd be guessing wrong then Stuart, as it's not hollow. ;)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
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How sad, I thought I was on the verge of a great device!! But thanks, you saved me trying to find one.
Instead I'll have to try & make something like it that IS hollow..!
Cheers you too!

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Mr B said:
Wife!!!👍View attachment 739776
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I wouldn't dream of standing on the roof of ours. Looking down at the roof from the landing window it looks as though it wouldn't take my weight. :Eeek: It was bad enough 5 weeks ago having almost a foot of snow on it.
I'll stick with my step ladder and long handled brush(y)
 
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I take the van to my sons who does not live on a hill as i do and he gets out his special ladders and cleaner and does a lovely job!
 
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stuartholmes said:
Instead I'll have to try & make something like it that IS hollow..!
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Too much water jetting from a hollow applicator, may affect the electrical connections underneath the panels Stuart. :(
That amount of water wouldn't be about even if driving in torrential rain.

With the wand already wet, then sprayed with whatever cleaner you are using, you can clean under the panels, then rinse with a flat water spray, without compromising any connections. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
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Blaydon said:
Hi all. I got a pot of Autoglem Motorhome cleaner. I used it on an old motorhome that had gone yellow. It was amazing. Two applications and the yellow had gone. It’s not cheap but worth looking at.
Click to expand...

Another vote for AutoGlym Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner. Amazing stuff.
 
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JockandRita said:
Too much water jetting from a hollow applicator, may affect the electrical connections underneath the panels Stuart. :(
That amount of water wouldn't be about even if driving in torrential rain.

With the wand already wet, then sprayed with whatever cleaner you are using, you can clean under the panels, then rinse with a flat water spray, without compromising any connections. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
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Unfortunately, that sounds completely sensible...

Thank you, my wife will be very happy that I can concentrate instead on fixing the swing seat in the garden. 😭

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nicholsong said:
Remember I am in Poland, so place and cost may not be irrelevant. It was done at our local commercial garage, where they have done the valet before. The boss's writing on the bill is terrible and in Polish. I will try to get my translator to decipher when she wakes up from siesta.

No need for special instructions - I trust them explicitly for 10 years.

There will be another thread from me about the whole makeover I have had done.
Click to expand...

The valet cleaning which was excellent and included a wax finish, was the cost of a short £60 for what I calculate as being 65 sq metres

I doubt if that could be done in UK for that price.
 
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Had my motorhome valeted last year and the guy that did it recommended Silky. He said he swore by it. The other tip he gave me was to simply raise motorhome at the front to allow water drainage off the rear. And as previously mentioned he used a variety of detailing brushes including a tooth brush. Superb job.

A26F17DA-D486-45FE-BFEE-53FBD46779D3.jpeg B7B7D668-CBD7-4869-B4B8-BACB9F9123D8.jpeg
 
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nicholsong said:
Another vote from me for G101 from Autosmart.

When I was in UK it was only available by ordering on-line and delivered by reps. I have found it here on-line in Poland. £40 for 5 lts. Needs diluting. I still have the 5lts I bought in UK >12 yrs ago.

We used it on our VW T5 fleet mainly for the suicidal flies on the w/screen - spray on leave 5 mins and they wash off.
Click to expand...
i think i got mine from Amazon about £30 but like you, only used a tenth of it in 2 washes.
 
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Wow Jock you got some serious things going on your roof, you're definitely wired for sound. I wouldn't want to attempt to clean your roof !

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My go to product is Autoglym motorhome cleaner..brilliant stuff. Tried the Fenwicks alternative, found this to be much better and I’ve used it for years. 👍

Ladder up the side of the van and use a long handle telescopic brush and a small hand brush to get into the nooks & crannies.
 
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I haven’t used them but this looks like a very professional valet outfit, near York. expensive but thorough.
www.whyqueuevehiclevaleting.com

Why Queue Vehicle Valeting CARAVAN & MOTORHOME valeting prices

Why Queue Vehicle Valeting are specialist valeters for your Caravan or Motorhome. We only use specific cleaners designed for use on caravan & motorhome surfaces and we have a safe telescopic scaffold platform tower to safely reach your roof. We have a space where you can bring you vehicle to us.
www.whyqueuevehiclevaleting.com www.whyqueuevehiclevaleting.com
 
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I used a “Wet & Forget” product a couple of years ago, but when I had the next habitation service the engineer pointed out that my solar panel had started to lift. I’m not saying that the product had affected the adhesive, but it put me off ever using it again
 
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" TFR " Ultra or High strength from /Jennychem ,based in Medway Kent .Using a " Henchman " four legged platform ladder & extending brush .SAFE !!

DSCF6894.JPG

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dash300 said:
Talking of toothbrush detailing, many moons ago on one of our longer cruises from Plymouth we chugged around the Coast and up the Thames to Henley. The next morning after mooring up we were astounded to see the owner of the boat behind meticulously cleaning around his external window frames with an electric toothbrush:giggle: They are amongst us wherever you go!:LOL:
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RustyRuss said:
Hi Funsters, pretty sure this has been asked before but I bet there are lots of newbies out there wondering the same thing. The roof of our coach built Autotrail Apache is covered in nasty green and black algae that is really difficult to clean off and is super slimy when wet, so really dangerous to walk on. There is lots of it under our solar panels and the unused tv/satellite aerial. What cleaning products do you use? How do you access the roof safely? What cleaning tools do you use? Post pictures please, drop in links for cleaning products and cleaning kit if you can/know how, you’ll really help me, but you’ll really help lots of others too!

Cheers!

Russ
Click to expand...
I take mine to the local truck wash. The guys/gals do a great job .
 
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