covers

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Jim,
I think you’re right. On the 19 we installed rain gutters over the opening windows and the black streaks stopped.
Merry Christmas to you and Noelia
Iowa Dave

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Mine are the older slider windows. I don't get black streaks at all, unless the roof is dirty. I've never thought of them as anything more than dirt being washed down the sides of the trailer. Never used any special cleaner, just washed the trailer they were gone.

[cpaharley2008]

We are going camping next week to celebrate Christmas and New Years.....give Rita and Jake a hug, stay warm.

[Bakes99]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I was wondering the same thing, with the frameless there are no black streaks.....

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The reason you maybe getting dirt on the front is because it is installed like the conventional sliders, with butyl tape underneath the frame. The butyl tape attracts dirt and when it rains there are streaks. There is not any exposed frame with the frameless windows so dirt accumulation is kept at a minimum.

I do believe you are more on the right track. Not entirely convinced it’s from road dirt or air quality for us, at least.
Although we do have the awning thermal windows. Our trailer has basically done a short ride from the factory to home and been there ever since. Trailer still pretty spotless from factory, but we’ve had a ton of rain. The streaks are an every other day occurrence and will not come off with water and a rag. Starbrite streak removal wipes it right off though.

[Greg A]

Have the sliders and got light streaks when we first got the trailer, but haven’t had any since. Probably due to waxing twice a year, not much sticks or shows anymore and you can clean the trailer with just a rinse now.
The streaks when we originally did have them didn’t seem to have anything to do with the windows.

[float5]

The windows can become very dirty so a lot of dirt may be washed off of them. The same is true of the lights but they are much smaller. On the roof, you have the vents and the whole roof getting dirty, the same way that the top parts of the windows do. The roof dirt washes down onto the tops and the rest of the windows and the lights, so that is double dirt! So it may seem as though the windows are the worst but they and lights are also collecting dirt from the roof.

[Ruthe]

All of a sudden we've got black streaks on a trailer which I fastidiously cleaned in the fall. I cleaned the ROOF for the first time! This is the first time that we've left it uncovered in the winter but it certainly has been rained upon plenty in the past when uncovered.

I saw someone suggested a product called Starbrite. I don't know if that is a Canadian product or just one I've never seen. Any other suggestions?

[gbaglo]

Here's their website. Lots of other products that do the same. I'd use whatever was easy to obtain.

Star Brite Provides RV Cleaning Products at a High Quality

[cpaharley2008]

Dollar Store's LA Totally Awesome, Windex, "303" protectorate all will remove these streaks easily.

[Eggscape]

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but Escape as of Feb 5th has a link to the cover they offer on their web page.

[thiggins]

You're probably right about the Calmark cover. We have one for our nearly-gone Casita 17'. At first we were motivated to put it on, but after wrestling with it, and cussing at it, we pretty much stopped using it. That prompted us to build a pole barn to park it under. Much easier, but the Calmark is a good cover and very durable. These days my goal is less work, not more, and more convenience.

[gbaglo]

I've never seen anybody discussing how they clean their cover, or how they keep it clean. I know that all the green stuff and dirt and debris that's on top of my trailer will be a lot easier to wash off the gelcoat than from fabric.

[thiggins]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I've never seen anybody discussing how they clean their cover, or how they keep it clean. I know that all the green stuff and dirt and debris that's on top of my trailer will be a lot easier to wash off the gelcoat than from fabric.

It's never been an issue, in all the years we've used the Calmark. The water beads and just bounces off of it, we've never had mold or mildew on it to clean off.

[gbaglo]

My trailer spends the winter under a cedar tree. Before and after photos.

[cpaharley2008]

That tree keeps your son in law busy, doesn't it, Glenn?

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

That tree keeps your son in law busy, doesn't it, Glenn?

That it does, but I've got to wash it Monday if weather cooperates. Supposed to be 60F and sunny.

[Ruthe]

Terry and a friend put the cover on this year but didn't tie the cords underneath the trailer and it blew off in a wind. Partly because our driveway is narrow and partly because we're not tall enough we do find it to be a pain to get it on. Anyway I went out to help him put it back on, one of us let go when it was halfway on, the cover fell off and we said forget it. I put my face close to it, got a whiff of a musty smell and decided that maybe I didn't want it on anyway. But I'll be unhappy if the black streaks don't come off. I've taken a few wipes at them and they faded but not enough. I'm waiting for a nice day to really go at it.

[gbaglo]

I've used Turtle Wax Bug and Tar with success.
Easy.

[Donna D.]

Black streaks are pretty common where I live... about 4 miles from the Portland International Airport, lots of 'crap' in the air. What's worked for me, is a soft (toddler) toothbrush dipped directly in wash soap and then scrub. No water until I'm done and it seems to work well. Doesn't strip the wax and (for me) that's important. Be careful of some of the 'solutions,' the wax goes with it....