Washing the Coach

[dave&ginny]

Originally Posted by brobox

Dave, the Ryobi pressure washer went on sale at Home Depot today for $79. Ryobi Ryobi 1,600 PSI 1.2-GPM Electric Pressure Washer-RY141600 - The Home Depot

Thanks Chuck

[dave&ginny]

Originally Posted by rbr

Thanks Chuck. I was ready to jump on that when I read down thru the Q&As on the Home Depot site and saw a Ryobi response to the question "Is it safe to wash cars?" - their response was "we do not suggest it.".

Is this too much pressure for our needs?

1600 psi isn't too much to wash cars unless you hold the tip of the washer inches from the paint. I currently use a pressure washer with 3600 psi but it's gas and too big to haul in the MH.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by rbr

Thanks Chuck. I was ready to jump on that when I read down thru the Q&As on the Home Depot site and saw a Ryobi response to the question "Is it safe to wash cars?" - their response was "we do not suggest it.".

Is this too much pressure for our needs?

I have been using larger ones for years. The smaller units have adjustable spray ends that I use the fan spray for the MH. Do not use the pinpoint to try to take bugs off...it will take the paint off and why Ryobi is CYA on their answer.

I am currently carrying a Harbor Freight 1750 PSI on board and it's great for doing the MH and stores nicely.

Watch how the mobile wash guys in the RV parks use pressure washers....nice and easy with a fan spray.

[lowejug]

I also have been told never to use a power washer on a motorhome..its actually in may owners manuals..
I am guessing the power washer is what actually gets the road grime off
With this cannon .. not so much the soap. But it seems the power washer will strip the paint sealant and or wax right along with the road grime.
There's a reason it's not recommended. Wash mitt with the cr spotless is a safe route

[brobox]

Originally Posted by lowejug

I also have been told never to use a power washer on a motorhome..its actually in may owners manuals..
I am guessing the power washer is what actually gets the road grime off
With this cannon .. not so much the soap. But it seems the power washer will strip the paint sealant and or wax right along with the road grime.
There's a reason it's not recommended. Wash mitt with the cr spotless is a safe route

Nothing wrong with doing it by hand. But if the Newalls, and other high $$ coaches have built in pressure washers, and I have used one on my last two MH's with no problems. I think a light pressure washer taking the heavy dirt off is less damaging that hosing and and washing a dirty surface by hand, but that is just me. I still hand wash, but after the pressure washer has taken the heavy dirt off.

[lowejug]

Good point... I think pressure washers can be dangerous in the wrong hands is all, if you know how to only fan with it then it's fine. But not everyone does.

[gtsum2]

Originally Posted by lowejug

If you need to use a wash mitt on top of using this foam cannon then what is the benefit .. so basically this cannon is a device to apply soap and if the coach is actually dirty then you still need to use a wash mitt. just don't think there is a way to skip the old fashion scrub process if you truly want a clean coach jmo

It makes it much easier to get it sparkling clean. Also, it gets most of the dirt off so you are not making swirl marks from rubbing ultra fine dirt onto the paint. End result is less effort on my part to make my things sparkling clean. Ymmv

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by lowejug

If you need to use a wash mitt on top of using this foam cannon then what is the benefit .. so basically this cannon is a device to apply soap and if the coach is actually dirty then you still need to use a wash mitt. just don't think there is a way to skip the old fashion scrub process if you truly want a clean coach jmo

The word scrub conjures up visions of major swirl marks... EEEEEEEKKKKK
I use a channel mop on a telescoping handle. I make sure the surface is very wet and the op is full of suds. When the bucket looses suds, I either agitate it with spotless water add soap or both. I also use the two bucket method also with spotless water. I rinse the mop after each soapy pass.

Using the foam gun will remove much of the grit without touching the surface. Less grit, less chance of marring the surface.

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by lowejug

I also have been told never to use a power washer on a motorhome..its actually in may owners manuals..
I am guessing the power washer is what actually gets the road grime off
With this cannon .. not so much the soap. But it seems the power washer will strip the paint sealant and or wax right along with the road grime.
There's a reason it's not recommended. Wash mitt with the cr spotless is a safe route

Not if you're using a good sealant and low pressure. Wax is another story. Wax is gone in two weeks regardless of how you wash. It just doesn't hold up well. A good sealant will last 3-6 months.
The point of using a pressure washer is to loosen the grit, but too much pressure will embed the grit. Lower the pressure and you won't hurt the surface. I only use mine on wheels and glass surfaces, or on the diamond shield. For the rest I just hose it down as good as I can, the lather it up with a good quality car wash soap.I can't imagine the foam gun requires high pressure to operate properly.

[bamaspiveys]

Yep, have the same foam cannon and love it. Soak it down, rinse it off and hit it with Chuck's spotless water rinse contraption and we are good to go. I did the bus and jeep all at the same time and it really works well. My neighbors wanted to get in line.

[dave&ginny]

Originally Posted by bamaspiveys

Yep, have the same foam cannon and love it. Soak it down, rinse it off and hit it with Chuck's spotless water rinse contraption and we are good to go. I did the bus and jeep all at the same time and it really works well. My neighbors wanted to get in line.

Looks good......Just needs a cherry on the top

[gtsum2]

Lol. That's a little better pic than mine of the rzr showing the amount of foam generated from a cannon. Nice!

[brobox]

Michael, if I did that in FL, it would be dry before I got from one end to the other. Looks like it does do a good job.

[Marcosdad]

I'm with Brobox. Out here in AZ, its a dry heat. Just how long can the foam be left before rinsing. When I wash I have to rinse immediately