Cleaning the cabover

[chunker]

The Omni is my first C and I'm looking for suggestions on how to properly and safely clean the front of the thing. With my Class A DP I could stand on the extended generator, lean a ladder, padded for protection, against it or a step ladder. Same for the 5th wheels except the generator part. With this C, especially with the F-550 cab, leaning a ladder against the nose doesn't look like a practical method, nor does climbing on the hood of the truck. Right now I have some pine tree globs that I need to get off, plus just the normal collection of bugs. I also want to wax it but this means getting up close and personal with the nose cap. Long handled brushes will help in the washing, but some things need hand rubbing, or plastic razor scraping (tree sap), to remove.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by chunker

The Omni is my first C and I'm looking for suggestions on how to properly and safely clean the front of the thing. With my Class A DP I could stand on the extended generator, lean a ladder, padded for protection, against it or a step ladder. Same for the 5th wheels except the generator part. With this C, especially with the F-550 cab, leaning a ladder against the nose doesn't look like a practical method, nor does climbing on the hood of the truck. Right now I have some pine tree globs that I need to get off, plus just the normal collection of bugs. I also want to wax it but this means getting up close and personal with the nose cap. Long handled brushes will help in the washing, but some things need hand rubbing, or plastic razor scraping (tree sap), to remove.

Build yourself some kind of scaffolding platform to span the hood of your vehicle.
This would only be feasible at home because it involves a fair amount of hardware, like in this picture.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Build yourself some kind of scaffolding platform to span the hood of your vehicle.
This would only be feasible at home because it involves a fair amount of hardware, like in this picture.

I actually have considered a variant of that. At home I have a pole barn I keep it under with concrete pad so making a movable scaffolding might be the best way. Maybe the only way to do it right.

[PDR John]

While this won't assist you at the moment, but more of a "food for thought".

After cleaning my class A coaches I knew the class C was going to be a pain. So last winter I bit the bullet and polished my front clip and ceramic coated it.

Of course, I took things a little too far. Ended up de-stripping the whole RV, polishing the entire rig. Then ceramic coated the whole thing and put on new wheels. Only took around 150 hours to complete over a couple of months.

BUT, in the end, it is a breeze to wash. Like no RV I've cleaned before. We did a 3500-mile road trip, over 3 weeks, I never washed the rig. After we got home was the plan.

Baked on bugs, massive dirt, you name it it was on the RV. I sprayed the front down with some bug remover and hit it with the hose. 80% came off right then, the other 20% just took a single wipe with my extended pole and lambswool pad. I did use hot water. I only wiped the glass and hood/grille dry. The rest air dries.

[PDR John]

Here is the bug remover I use:

https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-bug-remover-128.html


I have it in a regular spray bottle, but I'm going to switch it to a 1-gallon garden sprayer. That will allow me to apply it faster and more evenly with using less each time.


A big reason I don't wipe it all dry is I wash with softened water. I have a water softener and on-demand water heater attached to hot and cold water spigots for washing cars/RV. My 24' class C takes less than an hour to wash.

[Flyingsquirl]

I picked up a pole brush from Costco. It works well to clean the cab. I haven't found an easy way to wax it.

[chunker]

PDR John that is a god suggestion when I get a good access to the nose. The nose will need a waxing of some sort and going with a ceramic might be the best option. Will have to research products.

[PDR John]

Originally Posted by chunker

PDR John that is a god suggestion when I get a good access to the nose. The nose will need a waxing of some sort and going with a ceramic might be the best option. Will have to research products.

I used R1 Coatings.

https://r1coatings.com/

[Fiesta48]

The easiest method is get someone else to do it. It's their problem. I have not waxed my RVs for 6 years now. Most long term winter resort parks have teams of guys looking for this work.

[CLKimmel]

I use an old walk board between 2 ladders to work on the front. It takes a little getting used to working on it because there is some flex/ movement but it gets the job done.

[stearn]

I use my extension ladder. I cut a swim noodle to protect from scratching. It takes about three moves to reach everything ! I usually can get away with applying twice a year .

[chunker]

Originally Posted by stearn

I use my extension ladder. I cut a swim noodle to protect from scratching. It takes about three moves to reach everything ! I usually can get away with applying twice a year .

I did essentially the same thing with my A and 5th wheels but the F-550 nose is longer than an E-350/450. Straddling that with the angle required doesn't appeal to me.

[stearn]

I agree the angle is not ideal ! Scaffolding would be much better, and probably safer!