Sticky Ceiling

[dachele]

Just bought a 1986 Airstream that is in near perfect condition except for the ceiling, it is sticky front to back and regular detergent or something like mean green, 409 or spray 9 wont touch it. Has anybody got a fix on this problem.

[barts]

We found that a good degreaser works well; I had Oil-Eater from Costco and that took care of the problem. Use gloves, of course, and don't inhale the spray mist.

- Bart

[Mike Leary]

Trader Joe's has a organic cleaner with sage & pine we use all the time. Great stuff!

[RickDavis]

I have had success, both with Greased Lightning, and also with Coleman Lantern fuel.
Always try to test any cleaner somewhere where it won't show first.

[2airishuman]

greetings dachele and welcome.

there are 100s of threads here on this very common topic below are a few really useful 1s.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/sear...archid=2012423

short answer is that this is largely a characteristic of older VINYLs...

and cleaning (beyond the basics) if pointless.

any chemical that REALLY would remove the tackiness will dry/damage the vinyl.
__________

1. try an auto detailing product for dashes or vinyl,

this will make the surface NOT sticky and add gloss.

or

2. try future vinyl FLOOR WAX which will do the same thing,

but may last longer.

expect to reapply 1-3 times a year depending on heat and use.

cheers
2air'

[Splitrock]

I use Westley's whitewall tire cleaner with a Scotchbrite sponge, wearing rubber gloves. I wipe it with a dry cotton towel after scrubbing.

[69AirDream]

I had the same problem and found several people on the forum recommend Krud Kutter. I tried it and it worked. Available at Lowe's.

[jdalrymple]

We have used Super Clean degreaser. We found it at Wal-Mart in the automotive section. Just sprayed it on full strength, and wiped with a wet rag several times to rinse.

Best Regards,

[Wabbiteer]

I tried everything in the book and have quit playing with small solvents or special cleansers - Hot Spic'n Span and a coarse nylon bristle scrub brush makes it like new and makes an even appearance from panel to panel.

It is messy and you'll remember muscles you had forgotten plus you'll have to have a dozen wiper towels and change them often but it simply works, on old nasty trailers some places will need two or three treatments. I used a bucket but you could use a small sprayer or blot it on with a sponge - scrub till the surface brightens - wipe it off with dry towel, repeat if necessary - then a clean damp towel wipe down to rinse the detergents off.