Fiber/powder coming out roof seams

[Kdmegali]

A weird fiber type residue coming out of roof edges and seems with rain. Any ideas what this is?

[Bill]

I'm not sure what is in the first picture. Is that a ripped bag seal? Where in the TM was this picture taken? What is the black cruddy stuff, as opposed to the white residue on the finger tip?

The second and third pics appear to be rotated 90 degrees CCW. Is the first picture also rotated? On my computer, I am seeing the white stripe in the first picture as horizontal, small end pointed left.

By any chance have you pressure-washed the TM?

Bill

[Shane826]

Bill- I think the white line on the first pic is Eternabond tape over the center seam on one roof and the other two white lines are the original center seam trim on the other roof?

Kdmegali- I have no idea what that stuff might be.

[commodor47]

Shane - I think the first photo shows the wear strip on the inner shell roof running from curb to street side. The white line is evidence of wear due to a misalignment of the upper shell, where it rests on the inner shell when closed down - effectively missing the wear strip.
Dick

[Kdmegali]

No I haven’t power washed.

[Bill]

Dick -

Your thought is helping me picture what may be going on. What do you think of this idea?

As you suggested, the "white line" in the first picture is where the ceiling wear strip (the wide white surface beside the white line) isn't aligned with the opposing surface. The color of the line is not actually white, but silver, meaning that the ceiling paint is gone and the bare aluminum under it is exposed. If this is correct, the rubbing needs to be stopped before the aluminum wears through.

Cathy, can you tell us whether the color of the "white strip" is actually white, or the silvery color of bare metal?

It looks like the pressure and the rubbing are severe enough that the wear extends onto the strip at the edge of the ceiling.

It also looks like there is some kind of thin black sealant layer (rubber? something fibrous similar to tar paper?) between the edge of the roof and the white aluminum ceiling itself. The pressure and the rubbing have been severe enough to squeeze out the black sealant, which has been shredded by the movement. Destruction of the seal material could lead to water leaks - also a problem if I recall another post.

Cathy, can you tell us more about the black shreddy stuff?

Finally, if my mental picture is valid, shouldn't there be visible marks on the opposing surface, the one that is doing the rubbing?

Cathy, can you tell us if there are any such marks?

I would check all this on my TM, but it is closed up in the garage and not accessible at the moment. But I look forward to your comments. If this idea doesn't make sense, I will delete this post to prevent future confusion.

Bill

[commodor47]

Bill,

The "black sealant layer" is actually another small "wear strip" that wraps around the molding covering the wall - ceiling joint. I believe the black substance seen in the first photo of original post could be the same as the white powdery substance. It may simply be dirty due to exposure. I do think the aluminum skin is being eroded due to the upper shell misalignment when closed and believe it to be caused by bag seal abrasion. The white powdery substance reminds me of particles shed when one cuts vinyl molding.
Dick