Exterior Cleaning

[DLane]

I am looking for advice on how people clean the outside of their RVs including the windshield and what tools are best.

[DLane]

I am looking for advice on how people clean the outside of their RVs including the windshield and what tools are best.

[Shaun and Amy]

I try to get our's polished 3 times a year. This helps alot in keeping it clean. I use Race Glaze polish. Other then that I just wash it. I think polishing helps keep it clean because stuff doesn't stick to it as easy.

[GaryKD]

Hi DLane,
I clean the roof twice a year with 303. This includes all the "stuff" on top of the roof (HVAC covers, Sat Dome, power vents, refer vent and antennas).

The coach is waxed about 8 times a year with these products; go here for Speed Shine and here for Spray on Wax.

The windows are cleaned with this product, go here to see the product.

Tires are cleand and dressed (about 4 times a year) with these products, go here for the tire cleaner and go here for the tire dressing.

For the interior, I use this for leather care. After cleaning with 303, I use this to dress vinyl and rubber.

303 and the above mentioned rubber dressing product is also used on the slideout seals.

I use Griot's Garage products because of their very high quality and their products have won many awards at classic car shows. I began using the products on my Vette and was so impressed, I quit using other brand products.

My coach is 39 months old and 44K miles. It has never been washed. It looks just like or better than the day I took delivery.

The windows are cleaned with micro fiber cloths. All other cleaning is done only with terry cloth towels.

[DLane]

GaryKD,

Thanks for the good information. One of the things I was trying to determine is how do you wash and wax the upper reaches of the sides and front window? In other words how do you get up there? Do you use a ladder or a sponge and squeegy on a pole? Same goes for the top of the front windshield. Do you use the glass cleaner on the inside of the windshield and does it keep the inside of the windshield from streaking?

Thanks.

[GaryKD]

For the exterior, I use a ladder to reach the top. A ladder for the front window and the small painted surface above the windshield.

Glass cleaner and micro fiber cloths are used on the outside and inside glass. For me, there are no streaks.

The products in my previous post are all spray and wipe. Do not spray and let the product dry. Spray and wipe, spray and wipe. Small areas at a time and before you know it the coach is done.

[Shaun and Amy]

Gary is lucky to be able to do all that waxing. Sure wish I could. I've tried, but on those late afternoons in March in the Northeast the wax goes on, but just doesn't want to come off. Oh well. I'm sure your coach looks beautiful. I do try. I use the Quick Waz as well. also it's the same that I don't very often "wash" the camper unless it's reall dirty from driving in the rain. Just comes out better using wax. I like to use Rain-X on the windows. have you tried that? What do you think of it?

This may be my favorite topic! LOL

[Gary RVRoamer]

Shaun,
Try Protect-All - it sprays on and wipes off without a lot of rubbing. Even in cool weather. If your finish is in good shape and just needs light cleaning and surface protection, you don't need a heavy duty wax or a product high in carnuba, both of which are hard to polish off and tough to use in cold weather.

There are probably more durable finishes than Protect-All, but a wax that's still in the can because it is too hard to apply doesn't do the coach any good at all. We've used it for 10 years now and apply it twice a year.

A ladder is a necessity for an RVer - get one you can carry with you.

[NLOVNIT]

Gary,

Will that rubber cleaner do a good job on the rock guard that hangs below the back of a coach? Ours really looks bad & no amount of scrubbing on my part seems to get it looking new again. It's so dirty with road grime, I'm ashamed to have it back there.

I recommend Rain-X for the windshield. Sure helps the rain bead off & keeps those bug splats from being a PITA to get off.

We also use Jet-Dry in final rinse water after washing the coach, because we have hard water. Put it in a mix sprayer (like the kind that house/deck wash comes in) that attaches to the hose. Sure keeps the water spots off.

Lori-

[Shaun and Amy]

Hey RVRoamer,

Thanks a bunch for the advice. I was actually making a little joke though. We live in MASS and in March at probable 10 degrees I'm really not out there trying to wax our coach. LOL

BUT.....I have tried Protect All. It works nicely like a Quick Wax. The Race Glaze Polish I do use all the time works great though. It's a liquid and does a great job. A lot of the high end body shops I've talked to use it. It's really good for clear coat finishes.

[Gary RVRoamer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Will that rubber cleaner do a good job on the rock guard that hangs below the back of a coach? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not sure which "rubber cleaner" you are referring to. I was talking about the Protect-All polish, which is for fiberglass, glass & metal surfaces. They also make an EPDM "rubber roof treatment", but that would be of no value on the hard rubber of a Rock Guard. Maybe a black vinyl restoration product like Mother's Back To Black would help? Never tried it, cause I never worried about the black part. Have polished the chrome "vanity" part with my coach brand name on it, though. Used a regular automotive metal cleaner/polish on that part.

[GaryKD]

Hi Lori,
The back rubber splash guard could be cleaned with the rubber cleaner. That is the first step. To put the black back into the look, try this. I use the product and it works great. Be careful when applying. Do not get the product on any chrome. If you do, wipe it off immediately.

After cleaning, another product for you to consider is this. This product is more forgiving if one gets it on chrome. However, it does not last as long as the first product mentioned.

[cwg]

Gary,

I use quite an assortment of Grigot's products and you are correct at their quality. Then sometimes I use 303 on vinyl, etc., but since Michelin has become such a stickler for their non-silicone tire dressing, I have begun to use the Michelin proprietary tire cleaner and dressing.

[GaryKD]

There is no silicone in Griot's tire care products.