Community Forums

IMDSailor · 02-10-2012, 06:27 PM

Is it ok to use a pressure washer to wash my RV? or is it not advisable and if not why?
Thanks.

jauguston · 02-10-2012, 06:35 PM

A pressure washer will remove the heavy dirt but to get the surface really clean you need to have contact with the surface with a sponge or a car wash brush. A pressure washer will peel decals and vinyl wraps so quick you will wonder what the heck happened.

Jim

IMDSailor · 02-10-2012, 06:43 PM

Thanks, I appreciate that.

ahicks · 02-10-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauguston

A pressure washer will remove the heavy dirt but to get the surface really clean you need to have contact with the surface with a sponge or a car wash brush. A pressure washer will peel decals and vinyl wraps so quick you will wonder what the heck happened.

Jim

X2!!
I use one, but not for routine washing. I'm just using a small 110v one and it's WAY to easy to blow something stuck onto it right off - unless you want it to. Then it won't touch it, of course!

texnet · 02-10-2012, 06:47 PM

I use a pressure washer to wash the roof, coach, tires and wheels, along with a brush with a long handle. I use the pressure washer to knock off the loose dirt and the brush to get the coach clean.

When you use a pressure washer you need to use a wide fan spray tip and keep the tip a decent distance from the coach AND keep the wand moving so as to not blast one area too long. I normally keep it about 3 feet away.

Possum · 02-10-2012, 07:35 PM

Go to your nearest CTC and pick up a Coleman or Simonize lower power unit but make sure to get one with a siding wand. I use that on TT and MH cleaning all the time, oh and be sure to spray down not up.

IMDSailor · 02-10-2012, 07:46 PM

Thanks all, I all ready have one of those small Kohler units, but it still does 1200psi, so Caution seems to be the operative word. Hopefully it won't get dirty enough to require the PW. It looks like the old school way is still best, hose, brush and elbow grease. Thanks for all the input.

Arch Hoagland · 02-10-2012, 10:04 PM

I absolutely won't use one.

Don't want to penetrate any of the siding seams, etc.

I have a nice gas unit that I clean concrete, fences, etc with but not my vehicles.

golfpro · 02-10-2012, 10:33 PM

I just posted a message about this two days ago. I talked to the Keystone RV customer service and they said no do not do this. It may cause problems and do water damage to the seals and caulking and next thing you know you have dry rot. a pressure washer or even the wand car washes can push water into the unit past the seals. under no circumstances should you use one on the roof. ever!! I asked because I wanted to wax my TT with the wand, and he was very exact with his answer.

Mr_D · 02-10-2012, 11:07 PM

My son had a 3200 psi, 6 GPM, hot water unit (18 hp Kohler). We used it to clean sidewalks and buildings commercially. Great for that use, but I sure wouldn't use ANY pressure washer on a RV, especially if it had decals or vinyl graphics.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-11-2012, 06:53 AM

Use of a pressure washer has several risks and few, if any advantages. The high pressure spray can cut into soft materials (e.g. decals, awnings, even paint & tires, rubber moldings and roof) and push water into places doesn't belong, e.g. around slide seals or storage doors.

All you need is a soft, long handled brush, a bucket of car wash detergent solution, e.g. Turtle Wax Zip Wash and a hose. Why take a chance with a pressure washer.

By the way, I do own a pressure washer and use it on other things. I just don't think it is a good tool for washing the coach. Or the car either.

Ed-Sommers · 02-11-2012, 08:56 AM

A pressure washer is no different than a garden hose but distance is the determining factor. Some distance is needed for the majority of the work, but closer may be required in area's that may require it, provided the area can tolerate it. Ed USN Ret,

Cat320 · 02-11-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauguston

A pressure washer will remove the heavy dirt but to get the surface really clean you need to have contact with the surface with a sponge or a car wash brush. A pressure washer will peel decals and vinyl wraps so quick you will wonder what the heck happened.

Jim

Agree, it will also drive out the caulk and sealant around fixtures if you are not careful...I have one, but to not use it on the MH.

Steve N Sal · 02-11-2012, 02:16 PM

I've always used a brush on a extended pole. I've never used a sprayer on the coach and in using them at the car wash they never seem to remove the dirt. Always seems to leave a film. If you decide to go with one make sure you use the correct nozzle as to not damage the paint with to high a pressure.