Wildcat5
Centerburg, Ohio
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Joined: 09/26/2004
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Hello RVers,
Anyone have any solutions to removing pine tree sap from rv rubber roof?
I have a few spots from a NC camping trip that needs some immediate attention.
Thanks
2005 F-350 PSD/DRW/4X4/LariatCC, all options
2006 Holiday Rambler Presidential Model 36SKQ
Pullrite 20.5K Super 5th with Super Rails
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grey`eagle
N31° 55’ W95° 30’ ----- ESE of One Tree, TX
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Joined: 07/06/2004
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WD-40 will take it off and safely. If it's very thick, you may want to let it sit for a minute or so. Pine sap contains a resin that's very similiar to some of the glues that you find in the stores.
But apply the WD-40 in circles of no more than about 2.5 or 3.0 feet in diameter. Be sure and wash the area off with a mild soap such as Dawn dish washing soap. One cap full of soap to a 5 gal bucket is plenty.
That will also disolve any bugs that might be sticking.
I also use WD-40 to remove fresh road tar from my truck. I spray the WD-40 on a paper shop towel and rub very gently making sure there are no small rocks or abrasives in the tar.
The tar comes off in a heartbeat, the pine sap may take a few more seconds to disolve enough to remove.
'04 F-250 PSD TV
'04 CF28CK Cruiser
Now enjoying mother earth at ground level and one mile per minute.
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DSR
AZ
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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My wife has used hand lotion to remove sap from our awning.
2500HD D/A CC 4X4
FR TT
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Pgettler
Hollis, NH USA
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Joined: 11/11/2002
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Alcohol based hand cleaners work well also.
2002 GMC 2500HD D/A 4X4 EC SB
Reese 16K Sliding Hitch
Prodigy Brake Controller
2003 Cardinal 29TS LX
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retired4fun2002
Bracey,VA,USA
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Joined: 07/22/2003
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Like the others have said WD-40 is the weapon of choice.....but I would look at the "Do's & Don'ts'" of using on a rubber roof. There seems to be a lot of restrictions on stuff used. Hope WD is okay, but I would check before I'd try to use it. Good luck, Ron
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johnnyo4
NJ
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Joined: 06/07/2003
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Quote:Like the others have said WD-40 is the weapon of choice.....but I would look at the "Do's & Don'ts'" of using on a rubber roof. There seems to be a lot of restrictions on stuff used. Hope WD is okay, but I would check before I'd try to use it. Good luck, Ron
I second what Ron wrote. WD-40 is petroleum based and that is not recommended for rubber roofs. It does work excellent on the other parts as mentioned.
Johnny O
2003 Silverado 2500HD D/A 4x4 CC SB
2004 Coachman Chaparral 281BHS
Pullrite 24K Superglide
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Truth Justice
Texas
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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Here is a broadcast for Rubber Roofs. I wouldn't use WD40 on a roof.
PROPER CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUBBER ROOF
Subject: EPDM Roofs Service Announcement
THE TRUTH ABOUT EPDM RUBBER ROOFS
Approximately 75% of all Recreational Vehicles now manufactured have EPDM Rubber Roofs. Because of the advent of 'rubber roof treatment' products in the last few years, the tremendous amount of misinformation and lack of understanding about this material and it's proper maintenance, 303 Products,
Inc. and Dicor Corporation (a leading supplier of EPDM roofing material) have recently published a public service announcement which details the facts...important information RVers need to know.
RV RUBBER ROOFS
THE TRUTH ABOUT EPDM RUBBER ROOFS
EPDM RUBBER: What it is and why it lasts so long.
PROPER CARE: What manufacturers actually recommend.
WATCH OUT! For RV products that can damage EPDM rubber and void your warranty!
How to keep your EPDM rubber roof clean and looking like new.
Overview
EPDM is one of the most versatile and long lasting materials ever manufactured for outdoor exposure.
Most RV industry experts consider EPDM rubber roofing membrane the most dependable, most cost effective and easiest to maintain roofing material there is. Yet today's average RVer is deluged with information, a great deal of it misinformation, about rubber roofs. Consequently, RVers are spending millions on unneeded products, many of which may be harmful to EPDM rubber roofs.
This Public Service Announcement details the truth about EPDM and reprints manufacturer's guidelines on cleaning and maintaining the EPDM rubber roofing membrane on your RV. If you have questions after reviewing the material, please contact Dicor Corporation, the RV industry's largest supplier of EPDM rubber roofing. Dicor’s address and phone numbers are provided.
Misinformation, Mistakes & Money
EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. Engineering specifications describe EPDM as "ideal for outdoor applications because of its excellent resistance to ultra-violet light, ozone, oxidants, and severe weather conditions."
EPDM rubber roofing membrane is made to last 20 years or longer and has a 10 to 12 year guarantee depending on the brand. The guarantee does not require the use of any protective `roof treatment' or 'roof protector' product and recommends only cleaning. Unlike natural rubber (latex) or rubber blends (tires & wiper blades), EPDM does not require periodic applications of any product to protect it from ultra-violet light or ozone.
The statement or implication that you should purchase and apply a product to "protect" your rubber roofing from the elements is misinformation. Buying and using such a product can be a mistake and may even damage the EPDM membrane.
Petroleum distillates - Not For EPDM
Petroleum distillates are incompatible and should never be used on a number of plastics...vinyl, most rubbers and particularly EPDM. Engineering specifications for EPDM rate its solvent and oil resistance as "POOR". Dicor's Care & Maintenance instructions warn: "CAUTION: DO NOT use cleaners or conditioners containing petroleum solvents, harsh abrasives, or citric based cleaners. You may cause irreparable damage to your roof".
One of the mildest of solvents is mineral spirits, and DICOR even warns against this: "DO NOT use mineral spirits in a large area or allow it to soak into the membrane.
Laboratory tests conducted in July of 1996 evaluated the effect of a leading RV "roof treatment" product on EPDM roofing membrane using standard sunlamp and immersion testing procedures. The "roof treatment", which contained petroleum distillates, caused a 630% mass change (swelling). In the summary/recommendations portion of the lab test the scientist noted they would not recommend the "roof treatment" and perhaps more tellingly noted, "Per the MSDS, this product contains petroleum distillates, a substance that is known to be incompatible with….EPDM sheeting".
For your rubber roof, for the EPDM seals around slide-outs / pop-ups, in the baggage compartments or for the EPDM door and trunk seals in your car, petroleum distillates are a huge "No No". And don't be fooled by names such as "organic solvent", "hydrocarbon carrier", etc Petroleum distillates by any other name should NEVER be applied to EPDM. If you aren't sure about a product, contact the manufacturer and have them send you a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Look under the section entitled "HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS". If it lists any petroleum distillates, do not use it on EPDM.
The FAQ's:
Q: Is it necessary to protect my rubber roof against UV light?
A: No.
Q: What do I need to do to care for my rubber roof?
A: Periodic cleaning (See DICOR Care 8 Maintenance instructions).
Q: One manufacturer told me their roof treatment product had only a minor percentage of petroleum distillates, something like 20 or 30 percent. Does the percentage matter?
A: Usually percentages given are based on weight. Since petroleum distillates are significantly lighter than water, in reality 30 percent by weight might be 40% or more by volume. But it really doesn't matter.
THERE IS NO LEVEL OF PETROLEUM DISTILLATES THAT IS RECOMMENDED.
Q: If I use a roof treatment product containing petroleum distillates on my rubber roof, can that void my warranty?
A: Yes.
Q: If I'm going to buy a used RV and it has a rubber roof, how can I tell
if the previous owner used petroleum distillates and damaged the rubber roof? What would the damage look like?
A: Two things: First, swelling. Uneven thicknesses of material. Second, loose areas. Petroleum distillates soak in and cause the adhesive to loosen and the membrane to balloon. Then, when the swelling goes down and the membrane flattens out again, it may never again adhere properly or completely.
Q: Dicor’s Care & Maintenance instructions says you can use mineral spirits on stubborn stains. isn't mineral spirits a petroleum distillate?
A: Yes. But note the instructions say to use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and then only to remove a stubborn stain; to never use a petroleum distillate (even a solvent as mild as mineral spirits) directly on the membrane, in a large area or allow it to soak in. In no way is "treating" the roof membrane with a product containing petroleum distillates recommended or condoned.
Q: Oxidation: My roof seems to oxidize and run down the sides when it rains. What's going on?
A: First, EPDM roofing membrane does oxidize slowly, it's supposed to. In a dozen years it may oxidize 10% of its thickness. This is normal. Cleaning as recommended will help greatly. At least four times a year, more often if your local conditions and experience warrant.
Q: The rubber roofing wraps over slightly on both sides of my RV and you can see it from the ground. It gets dirty and doesn't look good. What can
I do about this?
A: Clean the area and treat it with a product that will repel soiling and is safe for EPDM. One product that performs and lasts well, is safe for EPDM and is commonly available at RV stores is 303 Protectant"
DicorTM Corporation
Brite-Ply Roof Care and Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance of your recreational vehicle, including your Brite-Ply roof is important for trouble-free performance. Normal maintenance is simple, easy, and requires no special material.
(1) Keep your roof clean. Clean your roof at least four (4) times annually. For normal cleaning:
Use RC100 or a mild laundry detergent. (See CAUTION below.)
Rinse complete roof with clean water to remove any loose dirt or debris.
'Using a medium bristle brush, along with the cleaner mixed with water, scrub the entire roof. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to avoid residue build-up on the roof or sidewalls of the vehicle.
For more difficult stains, you may use RC100, mentioned above, in a more concentrated mixture.
For stubborn stains, use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. DO NOT use mineral spirits in a large area or allow it to soak into the membrane. Household bleach can also be used (fully concentrated) and allowed to soak in stubborn stain areas, then scrubbed with a medium bristle brush or a cloth. Rinse thoroughly.
Recommended cleaner: RC100 Dicer Synthetic Roof & General Purpose Cleaner.
Caution: DO NOT use cleaners or conditioners containing petroleum solvents, harsh abrasives, or citric based cleaners. You may cause irreparable damage to your roof,
Use caution when working on top of your vehicle. The wet Brite-Ply membrane may be extremely slippery
(2) Beware of areas where fruit or tree sap or harsh environmental fall-out may stay on the roof for an extended period of time. These conditions may result in unremovable stains. If you are in these conditions, you may have to increase the frequency of your cleaning or premature deterioration may occur.
COPYRIGHT 1997 by Dicer Corporation, Elkhart, Indiana 46515
This Public Service Announcement is provided as a public service by:
DICOR CORP. 303 PRODUCTS, INC.
PO Box 1806 PO Box 966
Elkhart, IN 46515 Pale Cedro, CA 96073 (219) 264-2699 (916) 549-5617 http://www.303-products.com
2005 SunnyBrook Titan 31BWKS, MorRyde SE Suspension, King Dome Satellite. Direcway Internet Access.
2005 Dodge 3500 SLT,Cummins,Quad Cab,L/B,SRW,48RE Auto w/Tow/Haul,Line-X,Chrome Step Bars,Prodigy Controller,15.5K PullRite Hitch,Cowboy Creations V-gate.
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