Washing Motorhomes

[WeatherTodd]

I would not trust any of those washes as they use HIGH ALKALINE chemicals to do the work of a sponge. Tried a local truck wash... and I had to tackle the guy as I saw he was using a pressure washer with a chemical feed. Took me 2 hours to remove the haze the idiot caused. The owner of the wash was a bigger moron as he didnt even know what chemicals he was using. Ended up calling the city on them since they were letting these caustic chemicals leech into the ground/sewer. They are shut down now.

[CJ7ole]

I use the Mr. Clean system, but it is almost impossible to find the softeners filters anymore at a reasonable price, too bad they discontimued it.

[Raining Star]

Originally Posted by CJ7ole

I use the Mr. Clean system, but it is almost impossible to find the softeners filters anymore at a reasonable price, too bad they discontimued it.

The refills never were very reasonably priced. It was a good system so I was willing to pay the price, but I wasn't surprised to see they dropped the line.

[Steve N Sal]

I've always washed our motorhomes myself. I have a painters extend a pole with a washing brush attached. Makes that pretty easy. I use a squeegee on an extend a pole to dry but never use the squeegee head without draping a micro fibre towel over it. I've found this to be the best method for me. I use Blue Coral Wash and Wax for soap. For the paint protection I use Nufinish for polish and Mothers Syn wax to complete the job.
I've seen quite a few units that have been washed at the Blue Beacon Truck wash centers and I must say they do a nice job. I may try them sometime down the road.

[phinneyj]

Originally Posted by njs42

Personally I have not found washing by hand to be that big of a job. Long handled brushes, wet, soap rinse, dry. I go basically in panels do one area then move to the next. I have a routine I developed over the years and just go by the numbers. One thing that helps, because you need to get the unit dry to avoid water spots, is a floor squeegee to remove most of the standing water, Then a quick follow up with a towel draped over the squeegee and it is done. I suppose it helps that my rig is mostly off white, a darker color may be more difficult.

I vote for hand washing, if you are counting.

Thats the basic method we used at the Airport Fire Station on the big Crash rigs. Works great, and glad you reminded me of it.

[reubenray]

I read somewhere that special (sheepskin I think) brushes will need to be used on the full body paint rigs to keep from scratching the paint. I have a soft bristle brush setup with an extendable pole, but I do not want to scratch the paint on my new rig.

Is this correct?

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by CJ7ole

I use the Mr. Clean system, but it is almost impossible to find the softeners filters anymore at a reasonable price, too bad they discontimued it.

Originally Posted by Raining Star

The refills never were very reasonably priced. It was a good system so I was willing to pay the price, but I wasn't surprised to see they dropped the line.

I only have two unused filters left. I recently searched for the soap and 1 bottle was advertised for $94 (yep ninety-four). One key is the polymer based soap. I recently found some at Walmart that had the polymer ingredients. It worked well. The other key is the filter and fine rinse. I would suspect that a soft water system would accomplish the same rinse.

Originally Posted by reubenray

I read somewhere that special (sheepskin I think) brushes will need to be used on the full body paint rigs to keep from scratching the paint. I have a soft bristle brush setup with an extendable pole, but I do not want to scratch the paint on my new rig.

Is this correct?

Using brushes will show brush marks, its inevitable. I use fine microfiber mitts and cloths. No signs of swirls.

[TdogKing]

I too used Mr Clean Auto Dry until they discontinued it . I found and use a Water Softener/De Ionizer from WaterSticks.com. You wash your coach with whatever soap you wish and rinse completely with regular hard water and then rinse with the De Ionizer and never have to hand dry. Once you learn to be thrifty with the rinse you'll find its worth every penny by the time it saves you. I've owned mine for a couple years now with no regrets.

[capecodbob]

Do u have a self car wash that u can get the RV into? Use the wand first to try and get off the dust before using the brush as the dust will really scratch up the clearcoat and when it dries you will notice it.
I've seen a lot a RV that had that scratchy look and seen people wash theiers with out concern for the finish.

[doublechevy]

I would never use a brush of any kind on RV or regular driver. use microfiber wash pad on a pole sponge with a lot of soapy water and hand dry with microfiber towel and a ladder i do not trust anybody to wash my vehicles including daily drivers, scratches are hard to keep off finish and some people do not take the same care as we do of our motorhomes

[phinneyj]

The one thing I learned from this thread is that some people are more anal than others when it comes to washing their motorhome. Although, I do have to admit that the more anal you are the better ideas you got. Thanks guys!

[Raining Star]

Just an update. We wound up going to Blue Beacon because we never had the time to hand wash. My reaction to their service was that it was far below my expectation. I don't expect I'll be a regular customer.

[tedgard01]

I use BB and like both the quality wash, their RainX application and citric tire coating. This saves me time now. I am retiring in June, so knowing how annual I am, I will probably do it myself on a regular basis and use BB when I just need a quick wash for what ever reason. Hey, it is a cheep wash at $35 for the RV. I recently went to a car wash and paid $27 for just a regular wash.

[Raining Star]

Originally Posted by tedgard01

I use BB and like both the quality wash, their RainX application and citric tire coating. This saves me time now. I am retiring in June, so knowing how annual I am, I will probably do it myself on a regular basis and use BB when I just need a quick wash for what ever reason. Hey, it is a cheep wash at $35 for the RV. I recently went to a car wash and paid $27 for just a regular wash.

It's not price I was unhappy with, it was quality.