Mould on sealant

[Oldgustaf]

2011 Dethleffs coach-built... the white sealant used to seal the join between the cab to the habitation, is 'mouldy', as in it has lots of black/grey staining. Is there a way to freshen this up without damaging the bodywork or the sealant? Also, l'm guessing this sealant eventually loses its flexibility. Is it common practice to strip it out and reseal?

 

[Robert Clark]

I use traffic film remover in a spray bottle

Power Maxed Tfr5000 Concentrate Traffic Film Remover, 5 Liters Amazon product ASIN B00U23B3VA

Spray it on
Then agitate with a stiff brush
Rinse completely

Been using it for a couple of years now
It’s the only thing I’ve found that really cleans dirty silicone

 

[mike mcglynn]

I have used white spirit in the past but test a small area first

 

[Nixdorfer]

Got the same problem on a 2007 Autocruise, tried various things.

So far I've tried Autoglym MH cleaner, cillit bang mould remover, t-cut, toothbrush, brake cleaner. Toothbrush with cillit worked best but still left some stains. Reckon I'll ultimately end up replacing it on ours

 

[Oldgustaf]

Lots of 'solutions' (ha, ha) here. Thanks very much. Just worried that something like Cillit would damage the cab paintwork. There's a Dettol mould spray too but that also could damage the paintwork maybe???

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[BobtheBass]

Hagesan do a mould remover that works incredibly well on bathroom sealant but I’ve never tried it on a vehicle. I tried everything a while back to clean deep black mould from around a bath but this stuff was genius and left the sealant looking like new again.

 

[M-J]

It will be road/traffic dirt rather than mould. As Robert Clark said above TFR should shift it.

 

[Silver-Fox]

If you use TFR be careful how you use it and mind your eyes and skin.

It is super acidic and designed to clean curtain side trailers ?

 

[Oldgustaf]

TFR won't strip off the cab paint?

 

[tony_g]

Aldi black streak cleaner and a toothbrush work for me. Spray some on to run down, leave it a few minutes, then reapply and brush quite hard with a wet toothbrush. Do it quite often to stop difficult ingraining. It's about the only cleaning I do when on the road, apart from the windscreen. Saves major grief later! ?

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[Silver-Fox]

TFR won't strip off the cab paint?

No but any protection on the vehicle will be stripped.

Just be carefull with it ?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Aldi black streak cleaner and a toothbrush work for me. Spray some on to run down, leave it a few minutes, then reapply and brush quite hard with a wet toothbrush. Do it quite often to stop difficult ingraining. It's about the only cleaning I do when on the road, apart from the windscreen. Saves major grief later! ?

Is this stuff acidic as well.
I was told about some stuff from Lidl or Aldi that removed black streaks.

Had a look on the bottle then decided not to but it ?

 

[tony_g]

Is this stuff acidic as well.
I was told about some stuff from Lidl or Aldi that removed black streaks.

Had a look on the bottle then decided not to but it ?

Not as far as I am aware. Just seems to be a strong detergent. Probably the same basic stuff as their caravan cleaner in a stronger dilution. Seems to have the same basic ingredients as all detergents. Washing up liquid, shampoo, handwash etc. I have used the caravan cleaner on occasion for this job but had to scrub harder/longer. Also, I have tried applying Autoglym super resin polish once the sealant is clean and dry in the hope it would provide a barrier layer but only moderately effective.

 

[Robert Clark]

TFR won't strip off the cab paint?

The one we use is safe on bodywork, but I always wear gloves and glasses as I do when using any spray cleaner

 

[Robert Clark]

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[Two on Tour]

I use Actiwash Citrus Blitz and it's the best thing I have found for removing splattered on bugs as well.

I've just been out and cleaned this small section with a toothbrush and rinsed off.

 

[Oldgustaf]

That's exactly the kind of problem I have. Citrus Blitz looks great - and probably smells nice too . Thanks!

 

[Oldgustaf]

I think there is mould. I also don't like the way the sealant appears to have dried out. We've only had the van a month. Doesn't look like the sealant has ever been cleaned.

 

[Mark McG]

I used astonish mould cleaner as recommended by Charlie. Worked a treat

https://www.motorhomefunll

Lp.co.uk/forum/threads/cleaning-black-marks-from-sealant.150625/#post-3378542

 

[tony_g]

Have just seen the posts from Two on Tour and Oldgustaf and have to say that does look like mould. More like you might find round a shower. The cleaning I spoke about earlier was really only roadgrot. Brake dust, diesel exhaust etc, especially lower down in line with the front wheels.

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[M-J]

Seems odd to have mould, maybe parked in a shaded spot for long periods.

A mould and mildew spray would do it but you would need to wipe it off the paint as you apply to the seal. Play it safe and apply with a small paint brush for more control.

 

[dochiley]

If one decides to replace mouldy sealant what is the "best stuff" to use?

 

[Nixdorfer]

I was planning to use sikaflex 512 when I get round to ours. But be interesting to see if there is anything better

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

I was planning to use sikaflex 512 when I get round to ours. But be interesting to see if there is anything better

Sikaflex 512 is great stuff for sticking things down . It does though ...go yellowish after a while!
Soudal RV 61 is now being used in most caravan and motorhome repair shops. It does not fade or yellow

Kev

 

[MisterB]

If one decides to replace mouldy sealant what is the "best stuff" to use?

i would be wary about removing any sealant around exterior joints/bodywork. if its not leaking or damaging the sealant, then your problem really is just aesthetics, perhaps someone will know whether its safe just to apply a new silicon bead over the top of the old, if it will adhere?

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[Shrimp]

Personally if it was mine I would want it stripped out and new sealant, sooner or later it’s going to allow damp in!

 

[Freo]

Anyone know what effect (if any) that the products mentioned above might have on the skin of fibreglass or GRP wall panels?

 

[Beemobile]

A spray all over with 'wet n forget' will keep it away for quite a long time. I used this on my old MH worked a treat.

 

[TheBig1]

NEVER use silicone sealant on a motorhome, only urethane sealants

 

[ambulancekidd]

I've used TFR rather brutally in the past, bear with me, I use it neat from a spray bottle but only doing a tiny bit at a time then rinsing with copious amounts of water.
The TFR needs to be the caustic type, not the feeble ordinary stuff the snowflakes want us to use.
Gloves are required & the whole vehicle will need a polish or wax treatment as the TFR strips it back very quickly.
The good news is that it only takes 30 seconds per area, leave it on for about 15 seconds then rinse & it only needs doing once every couple of years.

I have an aversion to yellowing sealant or external plastic work on caravans or motorhomes & bought a Bessacarr caravan a number of years ago which was in a shocking state & had it looking like new in no time. Sadly I do not have before & after photo's but I'm sure you'll agree that it works.
I've been doing this for many years but, you must remember to rinse thoroughly.

I know this post will boggle the minds of the purists on here but, if you don't want to try it that is of course your decision.

Oh I meant to say, that I bought this caravan really cheaply due to the state of it, I had it for two years, never had to retreat it & sold it on for a £3k profit.

When using this stuff it can be alarming as the yellowing runs off in a one go & you can actually see it running down the van.
Its also brilliant at cleaning plastic garden chairs, or white plastic drain pipes on your house, brings them up like new.

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