RV Roof Waxing / Conditioning

[Derby6]

I see a local mobile RV wash company (Las Vegas) advertising Roof Waxing / Conditioning.
Curious if anyone has any insight or experience with this. Good investment or waste of money?
I had my trailer washed a few weeks ago in St George and am happy—still looks really good. But I failed to ask them to also wash roof as it’s pretty dusty/dirty from being in storage.
So I plan to have it redone in next couple of weeks or months and saw this Roof Waxing / Conditioning and it intrigued me. I am sure they will tell me it’s the best and will extend roof life? But figured I ask here if anyone is familiar or has insight with this.

 

[Gizmo1137]

Personally I would pass as there is no real benefit. Do wash the roof once or twice a year and then call it good.

 

[Kirk]

saw this Roof Waxing / Conditioning and it intrigued me. I am sure they will tell me it’s the best and will extend roof life?

Washing the roof is something that should be done as needed. As to the waxing and conditioning, both of those depend on what your roof is made of. If it is EDPM or TPO or similar there are conditioners that help to extend the life somewhat and can be a good thing but I have never heard of waxing one. If they roof is metal or fiberglass, then it probably would not need conditioning, but wax might be a good idea, especially for fiberglass.

 

[Boat Bum]

Newmar suggests using baby shampoo on my BriteTEK roof. I suspect waxing any non-hardened surface would be diminished return.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I've considered waxing my fiberglass roof on my last rig and the current one. Both times I concluded that the last thing I want on the roof when I'm up there to wash it, remove leaves, etc. is a slippery surface. I use Mop n Glo on it though at the beginning of the season after a good washing off of winter dirt. The MG gives the roof a shiny look without a slippery surface adding some benefits to an easier cleaning roof next wash.

 

[Derby6]

My roof is TPO I think. Maybe EDPM. if there are real conditioners that help maybe I’ll do it. Will see what others have to say and call and get quote next week sometime. And see what they say about products and applications, etc….

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Floor wax works as well as any "RV roof" product. It helps a little to inhibit oxidation and sheds dirt better. Oxidation of the roof (EPDM or fiberglass) is what causes the ugly "white streaks" on the sides of the RV, so from that perspective it helps.

I'm skeptical that any "conditioner" helps extend the life of the roof. If you are in an area where acid rain falls or you park under oak & pine trees, nothing you wipe on the roof is gonna help much. Besides, most roof problems are at the seams and openings (vents, etc), not failures of the membrane (EPDM, TPO, PVC) or sheeting (fiberglass or metal).

 

[Professor David]

I wash my roof and entire rv with a wash/wax combo cleaner. Can’t hurt and seems to shed water months after an application.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I use a wash and wax, usually whatever I find at Walmart like Turtle Wax Wash and Wax before each trip our rig leaves the driveway. On extended trips, I bring my washing supplies with me and a 5-gallon bucket to wash as needed. The rig always has a nice clean shine, but I attribute that more to the Meguires Seal 21 or Nu Finish "wax" job the rig gets every year, not so much the Turtle Wax or other products. The roof only gets one good cleaning every Spring/Early Summer.

 

[John From Detroit]

When I washed the roof I was walking around 12 feet up in the air.. and last thing I wanted to do was slip off a waxed roof and go SPLAT.. In fact I highly recommend you not slip off a waxed roof (or even a non waxed roof) and go Splat... Not done it from 12 feet.. But done it from 16 a couple times when I was younger.. OUCH (Broke back once and wrist once)

 

[Professor David]

When I washed the roof I was walking around 12 feet up in the air.. and last thing I wanted to do was slip off a waxed roof and go SPLAT.. In fact I highly recommend you not slip off a waxed roof (or even a non waxed roof) and go Splat... Not done it from 12 feet.. But done it from 16 a couple times when I was younger.. OUCH (Broke back once and wrist once)

Good point. The roof does get slick after the wash and wax.

 

[gwinger]

I wash mine with Blue Dawn dish soap. Then apply a coat of 303. Follow the instructions for the 303. You need to apply it and then wipe off any excess.
PS, it works great on window and door seals.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The roof does get slick after the wash and wax.

That's why you use a floor wax rather than furniture or car polish. Most all floor waxes are formulated to be safe to walk on, even when wet. That wasn't always the case, but liability lawsuits against floor wax products have made it so.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

303. You need to apply it and then wipe off any excess.
PS, it works great on window and door seals.

I have been using 303 since the late 80's and my boating days. It was a little cheaper back then too!

Today, as gwinger stated I use 303 on all of the door seals, the slide-out seals, on my slide-out awning (not the main awning, getting new material), tires (great UV protection and recommended by many tire experts and shops), and the front Diamond Shield coating on the rig that gets blasted by bugs and often take a strong cleaner or dryer sheets to remove. Also, I will use 303 on the plastic dash material and dash area.

The stuff is truly remarkable.

 

[Derby6]

Called today. I think he said they use Dicor on the TPO roof. Roll it on. $2 a foot. About $75. Hmmmmm
Be around $300+ Roof wash, roof treatment, and RV wash. 37 1/2 fiver.
Storing under cover 8-10 months a year. Roof treatment probably not needed but thinking about it. It’s 3 years old.
Standing by for thoughts. I don’t think there is a wrong answer. Or is there. Lol