Community Forums

RovinOn · 04-19-2009, 10:47 AM

With the purchase of my 05 Southwind I'm looking for new ideas to make it faster and do a nicer job in keeping the Coach looking good.
I was using the top brand RV wash and wax on my Bounder, using a soft,,, very soft long handled brush. I also used a leading 3M wax and buffer to bring out the shine,,, which didn't last.... Since the Southwind is full body paint and gel coated I want to maintain it as well as possible!
What are you using to wash and how are you preventing water spots ?

Regards,
RovinOn..............

Jim Stewart · 04-19-2009, 10:54 AM

There is a professional mobile service here, I pay them to wash it every three months and to wax it every other time. They use a liquid dish soap and soft brushes. They say using the dish soap is the best soap because it is formulated to not spot on dishes. I can't remember what brand it was, but it should say on the bottle if it reduces water spots.

They start on the roof with the slideouts out, then move to the sidewalls and front and rear caps. They then dry the windows first and then the rest of the coach if they are not waxing. If they are waxing, they do the windows and let the rest air dry and then wax.

Elkhartjim · 04-19-2009, 11:40 AM

Just be advised, if you use dish washing liquid, it will remove the wax on your RV. Test it. Wax a cookie sheet and then wash it...the wax will come off.

Gary RVRoamer · 04-20-2009, 10:48 AM

Yeah, dish detergent is great as long as you don't care about the wax. To preserve the was, use a wash formulated for cars or RVs. I use a car wash - everything that says "RV" is too expensive!

I use Protect-All for a wax - it's one of the easiest to use as long as the surface is in good condition and mostly just needs a new shine. It's not great for removing haze or tar, though. Any car polish rated for clear coat will work fine, though.

By the way, if your rig has full body paint, no "gel coat" is exposed. The paint covers the fiberglass and a clear coat covers the paint.

skiphen · 04-22-2009, 02:00 PM

I have been told to try baby shampoo. Has anyone ever used it.

Elkhartjim · 04-22-2009, 02:05 PM

yep..on my baby's hair. Just use a car wash with wax added. You can buy a gallon that will probably dillute to 100 gallons for about 5 bucks. It would probably take about 25 gallons of baby shampoo to do the same but on the other hand...it wouldn't burn your eyes.

GaryKD · 04-22-2009, 02:42 PM

Hi RovinOn,
I use Griot's Garage products. They have an extensive pedigree with classic cars (the real expensive ones). Go to http://www.griotsgarage.com/ to see their products. My coach is almost 4 years old. It has never been washed. It stays outside in the south Florida sun. It looks better than the day I drove it off the dealer's lot.

They sell a lot of car care products. Start by looking at Speed Shine at http://www.griotsgarage.com/p2p/sear...rrivals&page=1 and Spray-On Wax at http://www.griotsgarage.com/p2p/sear...rrivals&page=1

RVDude · 04-22-2009, 02:59 PM

Baby wash won't leave any film on your rig. Darker colors benefit greatly using baby wash.

Wingnut57 · 04-23-2009, 06:28 AM

Sorry I can't resist [QUOTE] How Do You Clean Your RV? [QUOTE]
Very carefully!

offshore · 04-23-2009, 10:32 AM

I'm not sure what my wife uses....ha ha ha.

SideRoads · 04-23-2009, 08:06 PM

For 3 years I have only used a California Duster and Protect-All,,,,No soap,,,,No Water.....MH Still has the like new showroom shine.

Today,,,tried Protect-All quick and easy wash rinse for the first time after running out of proctect-all......This is a no rinse product.,,,,,Added a couple caps to a bucket of water,,,,,,,,Protect-All Wash on,,,,,dry rag,,,,Protect-All Wash off,,,,,,eazzzzy.

I was skeptical about how it would work,,,,,,,Was I surprised,,,,,,and impressed as to how well it worked.

Amazing product,,,,,,,,easy to use,,,,,No soap has or will touch MH.

The KISS concept works for me........And,,,,I sure like easy.

Disclaimer:::::I do not have any fudiciary or other interest in Protect-all,,,,,,,matter of fact,,,,found out about Protect-all on one of the forums years ago.....Whoever suggested it then,,,,thanks.

justimagination · 04-23-2009, 10:42 PM

Don't forget "BLUE CORAL", it's been around for a long time. It was started by Cadillac, if you can remember when Dealer's had nice car's in the showroom downtown (before they all left the downtown area for the burb's ) in the early 50's. I used to set in them as a young boy and imagine I was driving. The Cadillacs were always shined the best.

Sorry to get off subject, brings back a lot of good memories, but give the BLUE CORAL a try, and you can even buy it in WALLY WORLD @ a really good price.
David G.

RovinOn · 05-22-2009, 08:32 AM

Thanks all!, a lot of good ideas!

What are you all using to keep your roof clean and not causing any streakage down the sides from doing it? My roof is crusty but not terrible. Next washing I want to use something a little more than the standard wash and wax stuff. Anyone try using a low powered pressure washer?
As for waxing I just picked up some Maguires Clean and Wax for my Vette, Goes on real easy and comes of the same, so I guess I'll be using that on the MH.

RVDude · 05-22-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RovinOn

just picked up some Maguires Clean and Wax

Give MeGuires NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 a try. OMG, it is truly an innovation in wax technology. Lasts well over a year on the full paint clear coat moho, easy on/off, and the look can't be beat. Not cheap at some $17/bottle but it simply can not be beat.
Meguiar's Direct NXT Generation® Tech Wax® 2.0