Community Forums

Enokie · 01-18-2014, 07:16 PM

Hello,
Given a couple of days of warm weather (Chinook blew in) I have had a chance to take a good look at my 5er, it will need a good spring cleaning on the outside!

Duragloss has come to my attention, anyone have experience with this product or can recommend one that will clean and hopefully shine up my rig?
If I do need to wax after, please advise which is best.

I shall heed any and all advice offered. Thanks

if this has been covered point me in the right direction.

Tomtall · 01-18-2014, 08:29 PM

Without knowing how dirty you aluminum is it depends on the cleaning process. We used this none acid aluminum cleaner when I was in the marina business. It works wonders. There are some u tube videos that show its use. I have always had good luck with a follow up coat of "Turtle Wax" paste to make a good shine and keep the bugs from sticking as bad. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.jjvsbest.com/index.php/products/aluminum

Note: USED ON BARE ALUMINUM ONLY. NOT FOR POLISHED OR ANODIZED ALUMINUM.

VanDiemen23 · 01-19-2014, 12:06 AM

valco aluminum brightener

RV Wizard · 01-19-2014, 03:00 AM

Airstream recommends Pledge on the aluminum.

Argosy · 01-19-2014, 04:51 AM

Bare metal, polished, anodized, painted?

Gary RVRoamer · 01-19-2014, 03:23 PM

Most aluminum skin RV are either clear-coated, painted or anodized. You would clean clear-coat or painted surfaces just like you clean your car - it is just paint. If anodized, mostly just wash it with a detergent. If it is still visibly dirty, use one of the pilishes made especially for anodized aluminum, e.g. Flitz Metal Polish.

Enokie · 01-19-2014, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argosy

Bare metal, polished, anodized, painted?

Well it is an aluminum 5 er and I have not the foggiest if it is painted, but it is not bare as for anodized I don't know what that is either...

Here is the outside, are they not all the same??

mojoracing · 01-19-2014, 07:29 PM

Its painted. Treat it just like you would your car. If you have black streaks you can use a commercially available blackstreak remover available at rv stores or walmart. I also discovered that lysol basin, tub and tile cleaner removes them like magic. I would think scrubbing bubbles would work fine too. The easiest way is to use your normal car wash soap and rub the area with a mr. clean magic eraser sponge. The stuff comes off with extremely little effort.

mojoracing · 01-19-2014, 07:33 PM

Do not use anything other than car wash soap and water on anodized aluminum. Even stuff like like simple green will fade and dull them. Flitz will remove the colored anodized finish in a heartbeat. If its bare aluminum, Flitz will polish it to a chrome mirror finish.

Enokie · 01-19-2014, 11:34 PM

Thanks for the info, I found the 'care' manual and it said to use lukewarm water and mild soap. Rinse with clear water, dry, wax, polish to preserve gloss.

turtle wax has been suggested, is this the stuff they use on cars? (I personally use Mothers wax, is this the same??

I have used turtle wax (paste) is this what is needed on this unit?

BTW I see the decal is sort of peeling on one side, is there a way to glue it down and maybe varethane or polyurethane it to hold it down?

I have no idea where to get a new decal for this as Peke are not making them anymore, (I think Fleetwood bought them out) if I could get a protector on the decal now I might be able to save it, it's not too bad yet. (1997) the one on the other side looks fine but I would like to protect it before it starts to 'peel'

Thanks for the help fellas, I really don't know a lot about the 'products' needed, I just know I need some...