What are the best RV roof cleaners in 2019?
Cleaning the roof of your RV is extremely important because that is the ideal place for mold to grow. If you don’t know which is the best RV roof cleaner and lack the time to do a proper research, maybe this paragraph can make your job a tad easier. After reading several reviews from previous customers and experts, we’ve determined that a great choice of roof cleaner is the Gel-Gloss RV WW-128. Completely biodegradable, the unit not only cleans but also waxes the roof surface at the same time. In addition, it ensures a perfect shine and is ideal for period applications. If the Gel-Gloss RV WW-128 is out of stock, make sure to check the Dicor RP RC 1GL which turned out to be the second item in our search for good RV roof cleaners.
Comparison Table
Our Top Choice
This formula offers you a concentrated 2 in 1 cleaner for your RV’s roof. It’s made using only eco-friendly substances, and it's completely biodegradable, so it doesn’t harm the environment in any way. It’s non-abrasive, so it can be applied regardless of the type of material that your roof is made of. Also, no toxic chemicals such as phosphates have been added, so you can handle this product without worries.
A few customers have complained that the reviews might hype up this item too much, when in fact it’s just a regular cleaner.
The affordable Gel-Gloss is a good idea for those looking to clean and wax in one step.
2nd Best
You can use this cleaner on a wide range of surfaces including rubber because of its chemical composition. It will leave them spotless and ready for waxing, and you don’t need any extra special tools to apply it. All you need to do is to spray this on the roof and then scrub with a brush to make sure all the dirt and debris is removed. Rinse with water and make sure everything is completely dry before going in with the wax.
There have been complaints saying that this unit is perhaps a bit too expensive for the features that it provides, since it is just a cleaner.
This cleaner will make your RV roof spotless in no time, so make sure you at least give it a chance.
The Thetford choice is designed to clean a wide range of materials, including rubber, fiberglass, and aluminum. You can use it without worries regardless of the type of roofing that your RV has. Also, it’s petroleum-free so it can be used multiple times on the same surface without causing any damage. Any stain or debris will be removed in one step, so you don’t have to lose any more time to apply the formula. It comes at an affordable price.
You need to use a sealer after using this cleaner because it has no additives to prevent stains from reappearing afterward.
Try this alternative if you want a biodegradable product that’s a powerful cleaner at the same time.
A short buying guide
Because cleaning the roof of your RV requires attention to some features, we’ve decided to lend you a helping hand. Therefore, we’ve made this short presentation that you can find below. These aspects are mandatory if you want to have a spotless shine RV roof using products available for sale.
Type of Roof
The first thing you need to determine before purchasing the best roof cleaner for RV is what type of roof your vehicle has. Only then you’ll be able to get a product that is suitable for that specific material. Getting a product that is not made for your RF can cause serious damages.
One of the most common types of material found on RV roofs is the rubber. These are more durable and easy to maintain compared to aluminum.
In the case of rubber roofs, you should go with a soft cleaner that is not abrasive. Moreover, you should stay away from anything that has citrus or petroleum solvents in their composition. These ingredients can harm the rubber and can cause crackings, tears, and bubbling. You should use a medium scrub brush and a mild detergent to clean the rubber roof.
Also, pay attention to the rubber type because each rubber requires special maintenance. So make sure to consult the owner’s manual and see how to clean your RV roof.
In addition to rubber, there are fiberglass RV roofs that are bit rare but don’t need special treatment, compared to the rubber. Just make sure to use the same cleaner on the side of the vehicle and add a coat of wax once the cleaning job is done.
Not so popular among RV owners, the aluminum is easy to clean and doesn’t need a specific treatment. You can go with a standard detergent because the surface is durable.
Once you know the type of roof you have, you should be able to do a visual inspection of the surface from time to time. This process is mandatory if you want to avoid certain issues that can affect the roof area.
Buy in bulk
According to the RV roof cleaner reviews, buying products in large quantities is a good investment.
You should consider bulk options because they are less pricey and offer you a lot of detergents that you can use during all seasons. Moreover, you’ll be able to use them anytime the roof needs a good cleaning. Especially during the summer season when you travel a lot, you should have a good RV cleaner at hand.
Extra features
Besides the cleaning purpose, a good product should offer your roof protection from sun heat, rain, and other types of extreme weather. So don’t overlook these features when buying a roof cleaner for your RV.
A good idea is to get a cleaner that can clean a variety of surface because especially if you don’t know what kind of roof your RV has.
Our top picks
Gel-Gloss RV WW-128
This concentrated formula from Gel-Gloss is basically a 2 in 1 cleaner specially designed to clean and wax the roof of your RV in one single step. Moreover, it is made of eco-friendly substances that ensure the product is completely biodegradable.
Safe to use on a variety of roof surfaces, this item is suitable for laminates, marble, granite, solid surfaces, tile, plastics, chrome, rubber, and stainless steel.
Thanks to the nonabrasive characteristic, this cleaner can be applied on rubber roofs without the risk of causing any damages.
Because it has bar soap in its composition, it doesn’t feature toxic chemicals such as phosphates.
If you choose to buy in bulk, this product ensures multiple cleaning sessions without having to worry that you’ll run out RV roof cleaner.
Besides cleaning and waxing, the cleaner ensures a powerful protection and shine due to the carnauba ingredient, which is known for creating a rich and warm glow to all vehicles after application.
Pros
What makes this Gel-Gloss formula stand out from other similar ones is the fact that it performs two jobs at the same time, namely cleaning and waxing the roof in one single step.
Thanks to the eco-friendly substances used in the formula, this product is also biodegradable, which means that you also preserve the environment in the process.
This versatile cleaner can be used on many types of surfaces, including marble, tile, granite, chrome, stainless steel, and plastic ones.
The formula also includes carnauba, an ingredient known for its protective qualities that also creates a rich glow rendering surfaces shiny and great-looking.
Cons
You should know that for very tough spots you may have to reapply the product or find an alternative solution.
The container might leak from the cap if stored on the side, so keep this in mind if you purchase the product and you have pets or kids around the house.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($13.51)
Dicor RP RC 1GL
This RV roof cleaner from Dicor is an excellent choice of a product if you’re in the market for a cleaner that removes all dirt and debris from the top surface of your vehicle.
Safe to use on other surfaces in addition to rubber, this item is easy to use and doesn’t require a special tool for the applying process.
Although tough on dirt and grime, the cleaner is gentle and doesn’t cause damages when used on the surface of your RV roof.
Quite easy to use, all you have to do is to spray-on the wet roof, scrub with a soft or medium bristle brush. Once you’ve covered the entire area rinse off with water. Then let the roof to slowly dry until there’s not a single wet spot.
In addition, you can spray a roof protective product if you want to make sure the roof stays impeccable for a longer period of time.
Pros
This Dicor cleaner is a versatile solution that can be used on more surfaces than just rubber, so you won’t have to spend additional money to clean every part of your RV.
Furthermore, this is an easy-to-use formula that doesn’t require special tools to be applied, so it won’t be difficult to get the job done.
This is a gentle cleaner that protects surfaces, while also being tough on dirt, so you can rest assured that you’ll have a clean vehicle without damaging the finish in the process.
Cleaning the roof might be the most difficult part, but what you need to do to get the desired results is simply let the product dry and then rinse it with water.
Cons
This is a somewhat more expensive alternative compared to other products in its category.
The gentle formula means that you might need to reapply it to get rid of old stains that are tough to remove.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($26.2)
Thetford 96016
This professional cleaning formula from Thetford is a product that can make your RV roof brand new after one single usage.
Specially designed to clean rubber, fiberglass, and aluminum roofs, the item cleans the area but also blocks the sun thanks to the added UV blocker.
There’s no need to worry about causing damages to the roof because this cleaner is petroleum-free and can be used multiple times without harming the roof surface.
Moreover, the product is powerful enough to remove tough stains and bird droppings in one single step.
In addition to not being toxic nor flammable, the product provides a gentle cleaning process including on rubber which is known to be more delicate when it comes to types of cleaners.
The product can be bought in large size ensuring plenty of substance for numerous cleaning sessions. The liquid is totally biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Pros
You should know that this Thetford product is specially made to effectively clean aluminum roofs, rubber, and fiberglass, so it’s a great solution for the entire vehicle.
Thanks to the UV blocker added to the formula, there’s no need to worry about cleaning the RV during the summer months.
Thanks to the fact that this is a petroleum-free formula, there is no need to worry that the roof might be damaged if you clean it often, which means that you can keep the vehicle sparkling all the time.
It’s also important to know that the formula includes eco-friendly ingredients and that it’s biodegradable, so this is something you don’t need to be concerned about.
Cons
This product comes in a large package, so make sure that you are not tempted to use too much when cleaning your RV.
Tough stains might be difficult to remove, and if that’s the case then you will need to reapply it.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($20.08)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to clean your RV’s roof?
Keeping your RV clean is a very important step in the unit’s overall maintenance. Sure, some people like to keep their vehicles clean all the time, while others tend to postpone getting the job done. However, you should know that this is not simply a matter of aspect, as it’s one that allows you to spot in due time any cracks that might need to be sealed.
That’s especially important when it comes to the RV’s roof, given that if water makes its way to the vehicle’s interior, fixing this costs a lot more than simply cleaning the unit 4 times a year and inspecting the roof for any damages. With this in mind, the roof cleaning process is not the easiest one, but it’s not complicated either.
You need to make sure that the necessary safety measures are taken, as a fall can result in serious injury. Once this is done, you should get the right cleaner for the material out of which the roof is made and a brush that is soft enough to protect the finish, but effective in removing stains. Then simply follow the instructions displayed on the product’s label and rinse with water.
Should you use a protectant after cleaning?
In order to determine whether you should use a protectant as well or not, you first need to see what type of roof you need to clean, because there are various approaches for different materials. When it comes to rubber roofs, these don’t necessarily need further protection once you are done cleaning them.
On the other hand, it’s always a good idea to treat the surface if you have the chance, as this will protect it against elements such as UV rays, and it will also make the next washing processes much easier by adding another layer. Fiberglass roofs, however, do require the use of a protectant as well, so that they don’t oxidize.
The oxidation process means that a roof can lose its shine, start to feel rough, and even slough off small elements and white powder after a while. That’s why it’s important to add the right protectant to prevent this from happening and therefore extend its lifespan.
In case there is any slight oxidation already taking place, you should use a cleaner or a restorer that also contains wax, and you might want to apply it working on smaller areas, making circular moves.
How often should you clean the roof?
The general rule says that an RV’s roof should be cleaned a couple of times per year. This can mean around 3 or 4 times, and during this process, you need to inspect its surface and seams to see if any new fresh layer of sealant is required. On the other hand, you need to be aware that there are various types of roofs available for RVs, such as aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass ones.
That’s why it’s very important to read all of the instructions provided by the manufacturer and see what you should do to properly clean and maintain your RV’s roof. Furthermore, failing to do so might result in a void warranty, and this is never a good idea in case anything actually goes wrong.
If you are still new to taking care of such a vehicle, you can always ask the dealer or a specialized shop for advice on choosing the right cleaning products and on how often you should get this done.
Another crucial aspect is making sure that you remain safe when cleaning the roof. This might be something that you only need to do twice a year, but it can still get pretty dangerous in case you slip and fall.
(42 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5)
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