Ugly Black Streaks on Your RV? Discover the Best Remover

Hey, RVers! There is an epidemic of ugly black streaks on campers! Maybe you’ve noticed my fifth-wheel at the campground is the shiny one…just kidding; I’m guilty of letting the grime build up! Discover the best rv black streak remover and help end this epidemic!

Do you hate ugly black streaks on your camper? I do, too! Funny enough, Sara says she doesn’t notice, but I do, and they drive me nuts. My goal was to find the best black streak remover that is readily available without breaking the bank! 

Whether you’ve been an RV owner for years or a total newbie owner, keeping your RV’s white walls spotless, especially from those stubborn black streaks, feels like a never-ending job!

Next thing you know, you’re frustrated and trying every product under the sun to get the sides of your RV back to a clean, shiny state. Don’t worry; that’s what this article is for. I’ll walk you through the best black streak cleaner for your RV and how to protect the finish on your RVs exterior walls!

TL;DR: Best RV Black Streak Remover Guide

If black streaks are ruining your RV’s shine, here’s a quick guide to restoring those white walls with ease.

• Quick Steps: Clean the roof, spot clean black streaks, then wash & wax to protect the finish.
• Products We Tested: Camco Pro-Strength, Star Brite, Simple Green, and Purple Power.
• Top Pick: Star Brite Black Streak Remover – simple to use and left no residue.

Want the full breakdown? Keep reading for step-by-step instructions and product comparisons!

What is an RV Black Streak Remover?

RV black streak remover products are specialized RV cleaning solutions designed to tackle the unsightly streaks caused by rainwater carrying dirt, debris, and grime down the sides of your RV. Over time, your RV roof collects dust, road grime, pollen, bird droppings and all sorts of other nasty things. Rainwater rinses this grime from the roof and down the sides of your camper, allowing ugly black streaks to build on the surface of your RV!

As these streaks dry, they settle into the RV’s finish, making them tough to clean. A good RV black streak remover helps break down these stubborn stains without damaging the finish.

I’m going to share my real world test of different products on my quest to find the best cleaners to easily get rid of ugly black streaks and keep my fifth-wheel looking spotless!

Why Should You Care About Choosing the Right Black Streak Remover?

Cleaning your RV is an investment in its longevity and appearance. A quality RV black streak remover:

• Saves you time and effort with minimal scrubbing
• Protects the RV’s finish from harmful chemicals or over-scrubbing
• Helps maintain the value of your RV by keeping it in great shape
• Ensures you don’t spend more than necessary on professional cleaning

Comparing Different RV Black Streak Removers

My goal is to find a great product that is available anywhere (e.g., Walmart, Amazon, Tractor Supply, etc.), has minimal impact to the RV finish, and required very little effort or elbow grease to remove ugly black streaks! 

I found the best way to identify great rv cleaners was quick research on Google. I identified 5 black streak removers that I wanted to try.

Pro Tip: Before we start, this is just how I did it. Follow the manufactures directions as written on the package. Wear protective equipment (latex gloves, eye protection, etc.). If your camper is covered in aluminum siding, follow the instructions very closely to avoid stripping your paint!

Camco Pro-Strength Black Streak Remover

I bought the Camco Pro-Strength Black Streak Remover to tackle some stubborn stains and black streaks on our RV. The directions were simple:

1. Wet the surface.
2. Spray on the product and let it sit for 30-60 seconds.
3. If necessary, scrub with a soft cloth or brush (but don’t let it sit on painted or varnished surfaces).
4. Rinse off with water, and repeat if needed.

The ingredients can be harsh to skin, eyes, etc. so take a moment and wear your PPE! These products are designed to remove black streaks, bugs, tar, grease, and more so naturally they will be strong.

At only $6 for a 32 ounce spray bottle, I wanted to see how well it handled the tough black streaks. After applying it to some of the worst spots on the sides and rear of our fifth-wheel camper, I was impressed with how well it worked—it removed the grime with minimal effort.

Camco’s Pro-Strength Black Streak Remover is available at Wal-Mart, Amazon, and other retailers. We found the best price at Wal-Mart!

Pro Tip: This product works best with a soft brush and some light scrubbing. Just be sure to have plenty of hose on hand for rinsing, and avoid letting it sit too long on delicate surfaces.

Star Brite Black Streak Remover: A Better Alternative

After reading the mixed reviews about Bio-Kleen, we tried Star Brite Black Streak Remover. This product claims to remove black streaks and tough stains without leaving any dull residue. The application process is similar to other black streak removers, and we found the steps straightforward:

1. Spray on the product and let it sit for 30-60 seconds. 
2. Scrub gently with a brush or cloth if necessary. I used a soft cloth.
3. Rinse off immediately with water.

I sprayed directly to the surface which I thought was unusual normally the surface needs to be wet! But, Star Brite worked really well!

Star Brite has a reputation for making reliable marine and RV products, so we were optimistic. Here’s what we liked about it:

• Ease of use: The spray bottle design made it easy to apply, and the instructions were simple to follow.
• Effectiveness: Star Brite did an amazing job on the black streaks. It tackled some of the toughest streaks on the sides of our camper without requiring much elbow grease.
• No dull residue: Star Brite left the surface of our RV clean and shiny, eliminating the need for an additional waxing step. However, since this is a harsh chemical, I washed our camper with a McGuire’s Wash & Wax immediately after we cleaned the black streaks.

We were pleased with Star Brite’s performance and would recommend giving it a try, especially if you’ve had mixed results with other products. Always keep a long water hose handy when cleaning your RV to reach all areas easily.

Pro Tip: You can check out the entire cleaning process in our YouTube video where we review Star Brite and show it in action on our RV. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips!

Warning: The directions say to wear rubber gloves when handling. I did for the first half of my application, then my glove tore and I was too lazy to replace it. I felt the chemical stinging my skin a bit. A day later my skin looks and feels fine. But, I would not want long term exposure directly to my skin with this product. 

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

The second product I tested was Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. This concentrated cleaner offers flexibility for different cleaning strengths:

• For heavy-duty cleaning: Mix 1 oz of Simple Green with 1 oz of water.
• For general cleaning: Mix 1 oz of Simple Green with 10 oz of water.
• For light cleaning: Mix 1 oz of Simple Green with 30 oz of water.

As an added bonus, the spray bottle of Simple Green I purchased is concentrated, so I can mix the strength for my job. I chose to dilute to the general cleaning level of 1 ounce Simple Green with 10 ounces of water. Next mix the solution in a spray bottle.

I tested Simple Green on a small patch of black streaks to compare it with Camco’s Pro-Strength Black Streak Remover. Here’s the process:

1. Wet the surface.
2. Apply the Simple Green.
3. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
4. Scrub if necessary with a soft cloth or brush.
5. Rinse off with a clean towel or water.

The ingredients are mostly non-toxic and biodegradable, making it a great option for environmentally-conscious RVers. I used the Simple Green solution in a couple of places, but this product required a fair bit of scrubbing and effort to remove stubborn black streaks. The Camco and Star Brite products made removing black streaks much easier.

I liked this because the ingredients are non-toxic and safer than some of the more harsh products.

Purple Power: The Final Contender

I also gave Purple Power Cleaner a shot. This cleaner is known for its industrial-strength formula. It’s readily available at Walmart, Amazon, and hardware stores, making it a convenient choice. It’s tough on grease, grime, and black streaks, but make sure to dilute it according to the instructions to avoid damaging your RV’s finish.

Pro Tip: Always test a small area before going all-in on your RV, and be sure to have plenty of hose to rinse it off!

This cleaner is super strong and harsh. I diluted it to 5:1 based on the recommendations for fiberglass. Considering how strong and harsh Purple Power is I would NOT use it again. I would go with Simple Green over Purple Power. 

WD-40

WD-40 is a handy product that displaces water and helps remove bugs, black streaks, stickers, road grime, dirt, and more! I used some on my black streaks in the spring and had good results. After 6 months, I don’t see any negative side effects. 

Sometimes in the mornings while waiting on breakfast I’ll grab the WD-40 and hit a few black streaks that are bothering me. Maybe my counselor is right that I have some OCD tendencies! 

Chances are you have a can of WD-40 in your storage bay too!

Bio-Kleen Black Streak Remover: Mixed Reviews

When researching the Bio-Kleen Black Streak Remover, I came across several mixed reviews, particularly on Amazon. While some users had positive experiences, others mentioned that the product didn’t live up to its claims. Here are some of the key issues noted:

• Did not remove black streaks: A few users reported that despite following the instructions closely, the Bio-Kleen product didn’t effectively remove black streaks from their RV. This left them disappointed, as they expected better results for the price.
• Left the camper dull: Some RV owners also noted that the product left their camper’s surface looking dull after use. In several cases, this required them to wax the entire RV afterward, which was an unexpected extra step.

Given these mixed reviews, it’s important to approach this product with caution. If you’re considering Bio-Kleen, be prepared for the possibility that it might not perform as well as other black streak removers like Camco or Simple Green.

Pro Tip: Always test any new product on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire RV surface to avoid unwanted dullness or damage.

Homemade Black Streak Cleaners

Vinegar and Water

Vinegar is a powerful, natural, and non-toxic cleaner that works well to remove RV Black streaks. 

A vinegar and water mixture of 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar will work to safely clean the black streaks off. Check out this handy dilution calculator. I’ll give this method a try next time I clean the streaks!

Preventing RV Black Streaks

Pro Tip: Fall is the perfect time to tackle black streaks and prep your RV for winter storage. A thorough wash and wax, paired with black streak removal, ensures your RV stays in top shape through the colder months.

Washing and Waxing

After cleaning and conditioning the rv roof and curing the epidemic of black streaks from our Cougar camper, I take a few minutes to wash and wax. I like to use a wash and wax product to speed up the process. I also use my power washer to really give the camper a great foam bath! This helps all the rest of the dirt and grime come right off! I do this because I only spot-treat the black streaks. The chemicals are harsh and I want to protect our campers finish!

Keep Your RV Roof Clean

Since, road grime and dirt build up on your RV’s rubber roof over time, it’s important to clean and condition the RV roof at least once a year.

Cleaning and conditioning the RV roof is fairly simple. Here are the steps I followed when I cleaned the roof this summer:

1. Mix a gentle cleaning solution. I used some Dawn dish soap and water
2. Carefully climb on the roof with your cleaning solution, hose, sponge or mop, etc.
3. Starting in the front of the RV, I wet the roof with my hose and then began applying my soapy water solution
4. I worked in small areas so the cleaning solution did not dry on the roof
5. Apply a rubber roof conditioner. This helps keep the rubber protected from harmful UV rays. Think of it like sunscreen for your RV’s roof!

Prior to my summer cleaning I had not cleaned my RV roof in a couple of years.

Updated Roof Cleaning

Before I cleaned the black streaks, I cleaned the roof. And this time I applied my brain and made it so much easier AND safer! What did I do?

This time I changed up my tool set slightly. I used my Zero G water hose, a soft brush on an extendable poll, and Camco Pro Strenght Roof Cleaner + Conditioner. I applied some water to a small section, sprayed the Camco cleaner allowed the product to work in and then gently scrubbed with the brush and sprayed the roof clean. All in this method took less than 1 hour and was easier on my knees and safer!

Pro Tip: Wear non-slip shoes! The roof gets really slippery! Use caution because you will be at least 10 feet off the ground. If heights terrify you, I understand, call in a professional to take care of it. A clean RV roof is not useful if you break your back in a fall!

Key Takeaways: The Best Black Streak Removers for RVs

If you’re dealing with stubborn black streaks, these three cleaners—Camco Pro-Strength, Simple Green, and Purple Power—are all excellent choices. Each one has its pros and cons, but they all get the job done, leaving your RV looking refreshed and ready for the road.

Ready to see these products in action? Check out my YouTube video, where I compare each product and show you the best techniques to get those unsightly black streaks off your RV for good!

About Us

We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!

Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!