How to Remove RV Black Streaks
- Just CAMP Wait
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Some of the most common struggles in RV ownership are the dreaded black streaks that appear on the otherwise pristine sidewalls of an RV. The longer you look, the worse they get. With every passing rain shower they become darker and more difficult to remove, but there is a solution to this issue. It's simple, cost effective, and often overlooked for the dozens of abrasive chemical cleaner cocktails you find tucked away across social media. You know, the ones that also come with the occasional "I let it sit too long and now my finish is ruined, how do I fix it?"
First, let's talk about what black streaks are and why they are so hard to remove. The dirt and grime on your roof are the first component of those black streaks. All the contaminants, debris, and dirt that settles on the roof will be washed off and end up on both your gutters and your sidewalls. If that was all that was in the runoff from your roof, it wouldn't be too awful to clean but there's more to the mixture. Rubber and EPDM roofs oxidize over time creating a residue that adds to the mixture. Even worse, sealants suffer the same fate. That's right, the sticky and purposefully hard to remove sealant on your RV roof and gutters is also slowly breaking down and adding to the mixture of dirt, grime, and oxidization residue that's coming off your roof. The result is a hard to clean streak of this dark colored concoction glued to the side of your RV. It's an unavoidable result of the normal wear and tear of an RV. That's why it is so prevalent an issue across all RVs.
The easiest way to get these streaks off of the side of your RV is to use a cleaner wax or polish. Cleaner waxes differ from standard waxes and sealants in that they contain mild chemical cleaners and/or mild micro abrasives that are designed to clean and shine a finish without damaging it. I prefer the Nu Finish Polish and Sealant for this task because it's cost effective, forgiving, and easy to use. Not only are you cleaning the black streaks off, but you're also adding a protective sealant on to the finish to keep them from coming back.
To clean the black streaks on your RV, start by washing the RV with a standard RV wash such as Thetford Premium RV Wash and Wax. This will remove all the loose dirt and grime and leave behind only the areas that will need more work. Once dry, grab a Microfiber Cleaning Towel and your Nu Finish Polish and Sealant. Put a small amount of the polish on the towel and begin rubbing the streak in a circular motion with gentle pressure. The streak will start to come out and you work the product in to the finish. The amount of effort required depends on how long the streaks have built-up and if you have a base layer of wax underneath. Once you've worked the streak out of the finish, grab another Microfiber Cleaning Towel and gently buff the surface to a shine. With the black streak gone, you also now have the benefit of a sealant over the area that you cleaned which will prevent future streaks from forming and make it easier to clean off those that do form over time.
Beyond simply cleaning the black streaks, it is also advisable to take measures to prevent them from forming in the first place. The two easiest ways to prevent black streaks is to clean your roof regularly and to keep a coating of wax on your RV to prevent stains from setting in and sticking to your finish.
Cleaning your roof is relatively easy and straight forward. The biggest misconception is that you need expensive cleaners and specialized equipment to get it done right. Surprisingly, several RV roof manufacturers recommend simply using classic blue Dawn Dish Soap as a cleaner for the roof since it's mild and safe for most materials. (Be sure to only use the classic dish soap as some newer versions such as "Power Wash" types have additional cleaners that may not be material-safe) I'm also a fan of Bio-Kleen RV Roof Cleaner in situations where the roof is exceptionally dirty. Add in a simple bucket and a bristle brush and you're ready to clean. I find that deck brushes such as the Star-Brite Deck Brush seem to work the best. Mix your cleaner in your bucket with some water and scrub away at the roof and then rinse clean. I do this every time I wash the RV to keep the roof clean and free of residues.
Adding a coat of wax to your RV every 3-6 months, depending on exposure, will keep black streaks from sticking to the finish and make them much easier to clean if they do appear. A coat of wax will also help keep UV damage that fades decals and damages seals and finishes to a minimum by providing a layer of protection. Marine grade waxes are great for RVs for their enhanced UV protection and water-wash-off resistance. My preference for a wax is Meguiar's Marine Wax due to its long-lasting UV protection. You can also use the Nu Finish Polish as well, but I will say that I find that the Meguiar's product does seem to provide better fade protection.
There is no way to completely stop black streaks on an RV, but keeping the roof clean and the RV waxed will help slow the formation of them. When they do show up, go the safe route and use a cleaner wax to get them safely off the finish and keep your RV looking showroom new.
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