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Old 08-20-2015, 09:04 PM   #1
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1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners , Georgia
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Airstream Pattern Baldness Mold/Mildew

So the roof of the 'Stream has this black colored mold or mildew on it. Elbow grease gets a lot of it off, but not all. What has anybody used to get rid of this stuff??????

Obviously, the clear-coat is failing as with most of this vintage ('73). The mold seems to sorta take hold in the minor pitted areas. The TT is parked outside year round (our only option). So dirt and other organic matter accumulates on the roof. Perfect breeding ground for mold/mildew.

The clear-coat on the sides of the trailer is still in pretty good shape so I want to try and get this off the roof area without damaging the sides.

There are several products on the market that claim they are safe for "all" metals. But that doesn't account for the clear-coat further down the camper. My fear, of course, is that I'll kill the mold, but the product will run off down the sides and streak the still intact clear-coat. The two that I'm most familiar with are Moldex and Wet-n-Forget. Have used both inside and outside the house (our home, not the camper) with great results.

Thoughts, Suggestions?

Pics to follow in a few, forgot that part.

Jim
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Old 08-20-2015, 09:24 PM   #2
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1973 27' Overlander
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This kinda stuff.
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Old 08-21-2015, 10:50 AM   #3
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1969 23' Safari
1974 Argosy 22
1964 24' Tradewind
Victoria , British Columbia
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Try a glue remover, my bet is that it is sticky residue that has grabbed dirt and is holding on for dear life. I used rapid remover on mine, it's a citrus based adhesive remover that I use at work. My roof looks brand new now, spray on wait 30 seconds wipe off...
and it didn't touch my clear coat on my 69
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Old 08-21-2015, 04:30 PM   #4
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Thanks. Rapid Remover is a brand name?


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Old 08-21-2015, 04:34 PM   #5
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Biloxi , Mississippi
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I used liquid car soap and a soft brush recently to my top a scrub down. Need to repaint the roof, need come up with an affordable product to use.
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Old 08-21-2015, 07:19 PM   #6
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1969 23' Safari
1974 Argosy 22
1964 24' Tradewind
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Yes it is a brand name :-) generally sold industrially to sign shops. But found online to, you could probably walk into your neighbourhood sign shop with a jar and ask to buy a small amount to try. I used it everywhere. Takes off old vulcem sealant, glue residues, sap, tar, I even de-stickified my AS's vinyl walls with it to :-)
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Old 08-21-2015, 07:54 PM   #7
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Thanks! I took at a look at it on line tonight after I got home from work. Don't tell anybody, but they also have a product that claims to remove silicone. I'm sure there are a couple folks 'round here that will want to try that! Here's the link:
Wax Grease & Silicone Remover | Rapid Prep | Pre Cleaner | Surface Prep | Rapid Tac Inc.

What I'm looking for is a product that will kill the mold and remove the mold stains. The Wet & Forget product looks like it will fill the bill. Link: Bleach-Free, No Scrub Mold & Mildew, Moss & Algae Cleaner | Wet & Forget

This stuff looks like the perfect product. It can be used on just about any surface. RV's are specifically mentioned on their site. So are cars, painted surfaces and plastics. Perfectly Bio-friendly as well. I'm gonna go get a bottle and try it on a small area of the roof. I'll let y'all know how it comes out.

Jim
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Old 08-22-2015, 12:18 PM   #8
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1966 24' Tradewind
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The older trailers were coated with clear lacquer finish from the factory , not clear coat
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Old 08-22-2015, 02:07 PM   #9
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1969 31' Sovereign
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I just discovered that my 68 Overlander still has most of the "clear" Lacquer on it. Told my nephew I would pay him to polish it after he took off the clear coat. He used some type of paint remover and used up a few hundred dollars polishing. No results and he just gave up. Now I have the trailer in a friends barn and discovered that the nephew never even got the clear coat or lacquer off. Lucky no money spent on labor, just food!
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Old 08-22-2015, 02:53 PM   #10
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I will offer my experience after completing a CC removal, buffing and polishing 87 and 97 Excellas with Ready Strip (Minard's 24.95/gal Biodegradable) and Wizard Metal Renew and Power Seal. Any way you look at it this is a labor of love!
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Old 08-23-2015, 07:03 PM   #11
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LaVale , Maryland
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We just used Dawn in warm water and terry covered window cleaner pole with a squeegee on the other side, did very well for us.
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Old 09-04-2015, 10:18 PM   #12
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1976 Argosy 28
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My Argosy has sat with the black and green growing steadily. When reading questions of cleaning it, I too brought out the dawn.. When it was raining the other day I took advantage of the rain. I took my Dawn/water mix and attacked my trailer. While it did not get it all, there was an obvious line where the Dawn and water stopped. No black or green. In truth I had cleaned the back and a part of the right side. Not perfect, but willing to invest another rain storm and my current plan is to use some McGuires auto wash.
The issue in my mind is that there is probably silicone in the wash.. May not use it as paint will have to be done and silicone and paint-- Not good.
It has been sitting for 3 years after my buying it and it was already there from the previous owner.

Another question if I can? I need a source of the plastic rivets for the interior ceiling.. I have a major dent where the trailer was backed into something and will most likely have to remove the rivets.. Mine is a 72 Argosy 28foot.
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Old 09-04-2015, 10:25 PM   #13
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I find the Mr Clean magic erasers do wonders on mold and mildew. With any decent car soap...... . Easily found in any grocery store.
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Old 09-05-2015, 02:05 PM   #14
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Kitchener , Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by antiqbob View Post
Another question if I can? I need a source of the plastic rivets for the interior ceiling.. I have a major dent where the trailer was backed into something and will most likely have to remove the rivets.. Mine is a 72 Argosy 28foot.
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Plastic rivets???? My interior skins are held on with regular aluminum pop rivets. Just be sure to get the ones that are all aluminum (mandrel too).
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Old 09-05-2015, 03:12 PM   #15
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1969 23' Safari
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I think antiqbob what you are referring to are the ivory coloured rivets. You get those at inland RV.
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Old 09-05-2015, 07:08 PM   #16
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I saw on the forums here, once-upon-a-time, a member who bought regular silver rivets and painted them with a little spray paint. IIRC, she poked them into a Styrofoam block, cleaned the heads with a little alcohol (or maybe acetone, very flammable), then sprayed with color matching paint. Me thought that was perrty clever. Gotta be cheaper than buying them already painted.

Jim
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Old 09-05-2015, 07:29 PM   #17
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1973 27' Overlander
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So I bought some of the Wet-n-Forget (Exterior version) and decided to give it a go. Remember, the goal is KILL the mold and mildew colonies, as well as eliminate the black and green stains. The product claims to do that. It also is a slow acting product--read, don't expect immediate results. It also is persistent, it hangs around for a while to keep the mold/mildew from coming back. If you have that ugly black streaking on the roof of your house, you can use it there. In theory, it will kill all the bad stuff and keep it away for a year or two before you have to reapply.

Pics to follow.

Jim
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Old 09-05-2015, 07:34 PM   #18
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Here's what I started with. The area above that old green rag was sprayed on the aluminum roof area and the side of the Air conditioning cover (and yes, I know, the AC cover needs repair--again).

Jim
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Old 09-05-2015, 07:41 PM   #19
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Here we are at about 10 days after application. It's doing sumpin'.

Jim
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Old 09-05-2015, 07:42 PM   #20
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Time will tell........I hope.

Jim
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