Moss and Black Streaks on an RV: 2006 Weekend Warrior in Vancouver, WA
Exterior and roof cleaning
Before and after
Tap any one to zoom in.
BeforeAfter
This 2006 Weekend Warrior fifth wheel lives outside all year, and it showed: moss, tree debris and set in dirt on the roof, and black streaks running down the front cap. We cleaned the whole exterior on site in Vancouver, Washington, in about six hours, panel by panel, with the pressure washer set to suit each surface, and finished with the wheels.
What we did
A very large RV parked outside in sun, rain and road dust. The roof carried moss, tree debris and dirt that had set into the surface. Black streaks ran down the front cap, and the dirt there had been sitting so long that neither chemicals nor a brush would move it.
Every panel was cleaned by hand, one at a time, with the pressure washer adjusted to the surface in front of us. The roof came first, including the vent covers and the rooftop dome.
The front cap was the hardest part. Chemicals did not break down that dirt and a brush did nothing to it, so it came off with the pressure washer.
An RV this size is a lot of surface, and on one that lives outside each section takes two or three times as long as it would on a vehicle that is kept clean. That is where the six hours went.
The wheels and tires were cleaned last.
Why we recommend a deep clean once a year
For an RV that is stored outside.
- Moss left to grow can damage parts on the roof.
- Grime baked on by sun and rain leads to cracks in the paint over time.
- Dirt left sitting on metal parts invites rust.
- A neglected exterior lowers what the RV is worth.
Result
- Roof cleaned end to end, including the vent covers and the rooftop dome.
- Black streaks removed from the front cap.
- Siding cleaned panel by panel.
- Wheels and tires cleaned.
Dirt, moss and streaks come off, as the photos show. A wash does not repair anything underneath them. Faded or chalky fiberglass, cracked sealant and damaged roof material stay as they were, because that is repair work, not cleaning. We do not machine polish, so we do not restore faded finishes either.
About six hours, on site in Vancouver.
Finished
How it looked when we packed up, plus one shot from halfway through.
Questions people ask about jobs like this
Yes. On this fifth wheel we cleaned the full roof, including the vent covers and the rooftop dome, along with the sides and the front cap.
Yes. The front cap on this RV was covered in them and came back clean. Streaks that have sat for a long time may need the pressure washer rather than a brush.
This one took about six hours. A large RV that lives outside takes two to three times longer per section than a vehicle that is kept clean.
We recommend a deep clean at least once a year, so moss and grime do not get the chance to damage the roof, the paint or metal parts.
Off the vehicle itself. Text us a few photos and where it is parked, and we will give you a starting number.
