Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Skier1985 on August 04, 2019, 07:35:17 pm
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Hello, So we bought TNCanuks 2004 2350. It is in very good condition and he did some great modifications. That my previous RV has a rubber roof, I learned about what happens when a roof is neglected. I am going to touch up the sealant on the seam where the front cap meets roof. But I don't know much about the fiberglass roof. I already did a search. Do any of you ever use things like Dicor fiberglass roof coating? Or is just waxing it OK? Being a 2004 I want to be on top of things. Thanks for any suggestions. The RV is not garaged, but winter storage is in a covered parking spot. The rest of the time it is in high altitude sun.
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I can only speak for my procedures on fiberglass roofs.
I have had 1 truck camper (rubber roof) and 3 RV's. The first had a fiberglass roof, the 2nd a rubber roof and my current (PC 2551) is fiberglass.
My first fiberglass roofed RV I bought new and used for 9 years. This one (the PC) I have had for 4 1/2 years.
Both are/were stored outdoors in Colorado, both at about 5,000 foot elevation. I have done nothing to either fiberglass roof except clean it with denatured alcohol when I had a seam that needed recaulked. Never had a roof leak, never saw any cracks or delaminations, etc. One a year, I would wash the roof with just car wash.
Never waxed, never used a coating. I would think waxing would be bad as wax is difficult to remove if you have to recaulk.
The rubber roofs needed much more maintenance. I never coated either rubber roof, but with the RV rubber roof, after about 6 years, it was due for a good recoat job. It had become dulled and scrubbing got a white powder off it.
So.. Just my opinion... Just clean it real well where you are going to recaulk, wash it once a year, and you are done.
Obviously, if a leak develops or you see an issue while washing... Take care of that. Otherwise.. Leave it alone.
Your Mileage may Vary.
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Thanks for sharing the experience Donc13!
My roof is wearing, and I was wondering how they did hold up. After washing and drying, In the sun, you can see the fiberglass 'hairs' in the FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) roof material. I was told this is a wear indicator, and that a protective coat would be a good idea.
I was considering a good topside paint in white. Maybe some grit thrown in for traction.
Do either of you have those shiny 'hairs' visible? Is it a concern?
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No I don't have those hairs showing. But my roof is 9 years younger than your's is.
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No I don't have those hairs showing. But my roof is 9 years younger than your's is.
tymote tymote
See what Skier 1985 says...his has 2 years head start on mine. (exactly)
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Thanks for the input. It’s in storage about an hr away. I will check for the hairs and get back to you.
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Ok, so now i have the cruiser here. Yes i can see the shiny threads. They are smooth. Except I forgot to wear a long sleeve shirt when leaning on the stuff and now I have fiberglass arm.
I looked at the seam on the roof where the cap meets the roof. Some of the caulking is old and cracked. I can actually peel it up and see under that rubber/plastic strip that covers the metal strip and screws. All the metal looks good and shiny. No crud. There is no evidence of leakage. But I can actually see the edge of the fiberglass and it is not under any metal or anything. I dont know if I should use Dicor caulking or Eternabond. Any suggestions?? I dont like how I can actually see and move (slightly) the actually fiberglass. At least we dont get much rain where I am. Thanks for any help you have to offer.
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Pictures? :-D and you must have a demon in your autocorrect. roflol
I would be somewhat anxious in your position also. I communicated on FB with someone that had a similar problem.
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Dicor works fine for me, anytime I see cracks I clean and caulk with Dicor.
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Thanks, I have tried to post pics but failed. I need to figure out how to shrink my file size when using my iPad.
SO, I cleaned with denatured alcohol then used dicor. We’ll see how it holds up. The roof is pretty sunbaked. By the time I was finished my pants and me were covered with tiny fiberglass fibers. Ya.... thats pleasant. Once the dicor is all cured I will give the roof a good wash.
Next, i will try and figure out how to post pics. We are looking forward to taking a good trip with our new to us Rv later next week. It will be so nice not to crawl out of an overhead bunk.
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Thanks, I have tried to post pics but failed. I need to figure out how to shrink my file size when using my iPad.
SO, I cleaned with denatured alcohol then used dicor. We’ll see how it holds up. The roof is pretty sunbaked. By the time I was finished my pants and me were covered with tiny fiberglass fibers. Ya.... thats pleasant. Once the dicor is all cured I will give the roof a good wash.
Next, i will try and figure out how to post pics. We are looking forward to taking a good trip with our new to us Rv later next week. It will be so nice not to crawl out of an overhead bunk.
Kinda off topic, but I cant tell how many times I have tried to post pictures and got the notice that "they" were too large.
Cheers :)(:
Barry T
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Yo Skier1985 -
You on FB? Rob Dalton on the PC page there shared a video of his roof seam, sounds like your problem.
EDIT - LUCKY YOU! He is a member here also. Said he may post some of the pics . They are eye-opening. :beg
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Hey Thanks! I would love to see the pics.. Funny , when people look at older Rvs they always ask “hows it run?” the big engines in these things are usually the least of concern. ITS THE ROOF!!!! What a hard life it has if it is not garaged or covered. Oh, yes I am on facebook