By Gail Marsh
You love your RV, but what are those terrible dark streaks? More importantly, how can you remove them? If you discover dark streaks on your RV, these tips are for you!
How did this happen?
Many RVers are bewildered. Just what causes those dark streaks, anyway? One potential cause comes from natural elements. When it rains, dirt, dust, mold, and pollutants from your RV’s roof wash down onto the side panels, often leaving behind a nasty, dark streak. If left unattended for a while, the streak becomes very difficult to remove.
Another cause of the dreaded dark streak may be man-made. A friend of ours noticed that the previous owner of his RV installed new seals on the slide-outs. Not waiting for the adhesive to fully cure, the guy retracted the slides. This caused adhesive contamination on the sides of the slide.
What to do?
First, determine what caused the dark streaks on your RV in the first place. If water from the roof is the cause, you may find a simple, yet effective and economical cleaner at Dollar Tree. Yes, there are many RV-specific cleaners on the market, but watch the video below and see for yourself. This inexpensive cleaner is very impressive and effective!
If the dark streaks are due to adhesive, don’t despair. Our friend used numerous cleaners in an attempt to clean the dark streaks (rubbing alcohol, etc.), to no avail. Finally, WD-40 did the trick. It removes the dark streaks just like it works to dissolve residue from masking, electrical, and duct tape. Applying the WD-40 on the surface of the entire slide ensured consistency. The cleaning process was then followed up using Sprayway Glass Cleaner. (Dawn dish detergent and warm water also work to remove the WD-40.)
Note: Always test any cleaning agent in an unobtrusive spot to make sure it’s safe for your RV’s surface.
RV dark streak prevention
Unless you wash your RV frequently or store it inside where it’s protected from the weather, you’ll most likely have dark streaks on your rig. What’s more, the longer you allow those dark streaks to stay on your RV, the more difficult it will be to remove them!
So, wash your rig frequently. Watch for streaks and remove them ASAP. When reapplying seals, allow adequate time for the seal to fully cure before retracting the slide. Remove any tape residue as soon as you notice it. (We’ve requested that our RV repair shop refrain from taping our name and job number to the RV. Now they tape it to the hitch instead.)
How do you remove those dreaded dark streaks? Tell me in the comments.
RELATED
- Video: How to get rid of and prevent black streaks on an RV
- Chalking running down RV’s sidewall plus decals fading. What can I do?
- What can I do to restore faded fiberglass and damaged RV decals?
RVDT2950
On my last RV that was metal, I used that awesome and it took the paint right off. Now with the new RV, 2024 Forest River Sandpiper, I use Liquishine black streak remover. It is the best product out there. I spray it on and you can actually watch the black streaks disappear. Wipe it down and they are gone! Then I go over that with the Liquishine wash and wax.
I put a tarp over my RV last winter and this summer, I have those black streaks. So far, Bar Tenders Friend in Liquid form is getting them off but I worry that it will take the paint with it. So far no. But I will try some of the Black streak removers mentioned here made for RV’s. Thanks for the article.
Every time I wash my RV, which is a few times a year, I start with the roof. Keeping the roof clean not only mitigates filth from it flowing down the sidewalls, but gives me the opportunity to inspect all the sealants.
I have not experienced black streaks by faithfully keeping my roof clean.
I virtually eliminated them from my class A, 34′ by installing the plastic stick on gutters and extensions at each end. The gutters are flexible and come in a roll – easy to install. Very seldom do streaks appear anymore. My gutters have been on for over 10 years! Also, it is important to wash the roof of dust and general pollution. The few streaks I have had I removed with a wet sponge and a little “Simple Green”. I have minimal painted surfaces so you might want to check safety on that and decals before use.
Thank you for the discussion and suggestions, Gail. What Mikal said, we wash the RV three or four times annually that we begin with the roof. Additionally, I tend to use Wash Wax All to clean and wax it two or three additional times. Have a great day and safe travels!