Cleaning roof and exterior of the RPod
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11481
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Topic: Cleaning roof and exterior of the RPod
Posted By: rawest50
Subject: Cleaning roof and exterior of the RPod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 12:48pm
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I made the mistake of not covering my RPod over the winter and spring. It is dirty but not just dust or tree pollen. It is mold/mildew I guess. Dark gray color. What can I clean it with? Soapy water gets the dirt but not the crap. I am afraid to use a mildew type bathroom cleaner. I did try a spray I use to clean vinyl siding and it help a little. Any products I can buy? ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Replies:
Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 3:37pm
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Borax in water works well as an anti-mildew agent. Use it on my house here in Olympia, WA.
------------- Life is good. |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 5:39pm
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Mix ratios? ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 5:51pm
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I use 1 cup to 1 gal, if mold is severe I add 1 cup of vinegar to the mix, warm water works best. I apply with a long handled carwash brush and rinse. Works well on my roof. I have a 3 gal bucket I use on Pod. At start of season I wax afterward. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:07pm
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BTW - Borax is like 5 bucks at Lowes for 60 some ounces and cleaning vinegar is less than 2 bucks for 60 some ounces. Several applications. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:32pm
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:35pm
| Wonder if a cup of clorox in a bucket of water would work? Probably have to toss your clothing afterwards, and watch your wind drift. A ladder and a long handle brush, and rinse with a gentle stream rather than a spray. |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:39pm
| I read somewhere that a good mix to use for dirty awnings is: 1/4 cup liquid dish soap, 1/4 cup bleach, 5 gal water. Should work on trailer body also. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:50pm
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SH I would say it cleans mildew as it parked outside mildew is hard to prevent without a stronger chemical and I'm not convinced that is way to go.
I use vinegar instead of bleach, works just as well, slightly acidic, it's cheap compared to bleach, there is uses for bleach but I do not apply it to my vehicles. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:54pm
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Awesome Cleaner from the dollar store is what I used..
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Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:56pm
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Did you apply and brush or apply set and rense? ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 7:04pm
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Good reviews on Awesome Cleaner, biodegradable and non toxic, to me just simple to spend 7 bucks and make 3 gals of clean agent numerous times. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 7:06pm
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I apply it with a brush, I let it work and I rinse, stubborn stains I repeat. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 7:11pm
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One last comment - I covered my Pod one year - worst mildew and staining I have yet experienced, so I no longer cover Pod, I clean and wash it. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 7:52pm
I think for those of us who live where "you wear the air".. covering is a waste at best, and an actual mistake most of the time. I mixed the Awesome about 25/75 with tap water, wet pod, sprayed on, scrubbed with wash mit, rinsed. Worked for me. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 9:26pm
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The Awesome Cleaner looks interesting. I'll have to see if I can find it. I have not seen it in my area.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 7:13pm
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Okay I found the solution. Somebody mentioned it earlier. Borax. I used 1 cup 20 mule team Borax, 1 cup bleach to 2.5-3 gallons of water. Worked great. Dipped brush and pretty much just rubbed. Not any hard scubbing. Rinsed and it looks new. The darn 20 mules were tough on the roof. Now I have hoof prints everywhere. 😂 ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 7:25pm
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Thanks for the solution, now to figure out a way to remove those hoof prints . . . .
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Rob R.
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 10:18pm
| I had a friend recommend awesome orange so I picked some up at a store called “dollar tree”. I used it full strength and applied it with a rag, scrubbing the heavy soiled areas on the roof. I also had some build up of pollen on the black fenders and used it there as well. It worked great on the roof and without much scrubbing I found it cleaned quite well. My problem was on the fenders where it stripped the shiny black and left chaulky streaks with white discoloring. I’ve tried to bring the shine back but it’s like the fenders were etched permanently. Have you had anything like this happen on your fenders? Do you use the product full strength? |
Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:33pm
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Just a note, a bleach solution will take care of the mould and mildew for sure, but you should avoid using it on your awning. The bleach can damage the awning material, making it stiffer and ultimately can crack easier. If you have to use it to get rid of heavy mould or mildew, make sure you rinse it well to get rid of the bleach. Also, although those cleaners like awesome may say non-toxic, it doesn't mean they're not strong. If it has to clean, it still has to be aggressive so it can strip some finish (or wax) off. Without the wax or finish, the surface will get dirty easier and not shed the dirt as easily. Has anyone waxed their RPod? is it necessary? and if so, what did you use? Thanks ------------- 2017 RP-178 2021 F150 5.0l "Lead me on a level path" |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:46pm
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I just finished. I use Turtle Wax Ice. It has worked well on all my vehicles, to include the R-Pod.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 9:41pm
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Thanks. Awning is fine. No dirt or mildew. I have tried to keep it clear after each camping trip. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 7:39am
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That's why I recommended vinegar and not bleach. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 5:22pm
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I will try vinegar next time. Thanks. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 7:23am
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Absolutely should wax. And you'll find out just how big the Pod is!! Did it last year in its infancy and plan to again as soon as I get a chance. Used Nufinish. Works good but a pain to get off some of the decals. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 May 2018 at 7:30am
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Local Dollar General has LA - Awesome, so next wash I will try. Just have to figure out proper mix - car wash is 50 to 1 and fiberglass is 10 to 1. Once cleaned I will wax. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GCRicker
Date Posted: 30 May 2018 at 3:25pm
| I saw some posts saying that the decals should not be waxed. Is this true? If so, what should I use on the decals to protect them from peeling? |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 May 2018 at 3:53pm
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On our 7+ year old 2011 we have used both Protect All and MeGuiar's Ultimate Wax. Decals show no sign of fading or peeling. I usually apply 2x/year on the decals.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Marchhall
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 7:37am
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Camco Black Streak Remover from Walmart, RV supplies aisle. Works great along with a 14' ladder to reach roof. Just spray, rub with long handled brush and rinse off. ------------- Outdoorsy Marc 2016 Rpod 179 2017 Kia Sorento SXL |