Washing and Waxing

[CnDouble]

I'm looking to pick your brains and see what everyone likes to use for a Wash, but ALSO a Wax ? Does one work better on the corrugated walls vs. the smooth side walls ? Let's share some of those cleaning tips as we all get set for another great summer of RV'ing. :)

[Flyguy]

Glad you mentioned it, my TT needs a good washing and when I do I use Borax (20 mule team) powder dilluted in warm water to wash the entire trailer including the roof, for a wax I use "Nu-Finish" (orange bottle) for everything except the roof, I only use Borax on the rubber roof and nothing else, works for me. Too bad your in So. Cal, I was thinking of pulling my TT by yours and saying NEXT!

[Festus2]

For washing the RV, a mild detergent with a bit of Borax seems to do a good job. For waxing and polishing, I use the same orange bottle stuff, Nu-Finish, as Flyguy on the RV body. This also works to remove any black stripes eliminating the need to go out and purchase cleaners which are adverstised to do this job.
I have also used "marine" fiberglass waxes upon occasion but they are a bit more costly and really not sure if they are any better than Nu-Finish.
I use 303 Aerospace Protectant for the rubber seals around the slide and on any other vinyl or rubber to be found. Provides good UV protection and works great on gelcoat fiberglass.

[GBHRPS]

For cleaning I use an RV Wash (don't know the brand) that was given to me by an old timer who sold his rig.

As far as wax is concerned, I use Mothers Carnuba Wax in the 8 inch round red and yellow tin. The stuff is absolutely amazing. It goes on easily and buffs up even easier, and best of all it leaves no powdery residue whatsoever. I use it on all of my antique cars as well, since it cleans up so easily around emblems, striping and door handles. With some waxes you have to work forever to get the residue off from around creases and hood mounted windshield washer nozzles, etc.

[CnDouble]

Thanks for the help! Flyguy and Festus2 , I few guys at work swear by the Nu-Finish. Might have to put it to the test.

GBHRPS - I love to hear that Mother's doesnt give off the white powder. Being a clean freak, it drives me nuts having to go back with a toothbrush to give everything a once over when im done!

Thanks for the advice!

Jeff:)

[Ruffus]

Man, nobody told me I'd have to wax this monster, maybe I should have bought a smaller 5ver. :eek:

[Festus2]

I am sure there is a warning somewhere in the Owner's Manual about waxing and polishing. While vacationing, instead of lounging about in your reclining lawn chair with a cool one in your hand, you should be applying a little elbow grease and getting "this monster" all shined up!!!

[hankpage]

Man, nobody told me I'd have to wax this monster, maybe I should have bought a smaller 5ver. :eek:

Just park it next to Flyguy and yell "NEXT". If that doesn't work try Gel Gloss. It works great. I have been using their house-hold product for years and when I saw they had one for RV's I tried it and love it.

As for the corrugated metal sides ... I had one for 12 years and never found an easy way to keep it clean and wore the paint thin in many places trying. :o

[CnDouble]

Just park it next to Flyguy and yell "NEXT". If that doesn't work try Gel Gloss. It works great. I have been using their house-hold product for years and when I saw they had one for RV's I tried it and love it.

As for the corrugated metal sides ... I had one for 12 years and never found an easy way to keep it clean and wore the paint thin in many places trying. :o

Wow that's a lot of elbow grease! I'll be sure to have the kids well rested before we...er.. They tackle this project! :p

[slider]

Got back a week ago from our first real trip in the TT (to Destin).

I wanted to go ahead and get the salt, etc off the camper so I washed and polished.

Bought a handy contraption from local WM, its a brush you hook a hose up to and after washing, you turn on the water to rinse (water comes thru the brush). A little heavy but saves times not having to swap between brush and hose - worked very well.

Anyway, washed with some Meguiars wash, then 303'ed the decals then did all sides with Nu Finish.

Not something I want to do often but it sure did shine up nice and it feels good to know I have some UV protection on the camper.

Thanks for the heads up on the Nu Finish, very easy to apply and looks great.

[Flyguy]

That's the same one that I bought from WM, but I didn't do as much as you did when I cleaned the TT, but then I wasn't around salt water with it either!

[Atfulldraw]

I use the same WM brush for washing.

I started with the Nu Finish the other day -- the small part I did looks great!

The girlfriend was watching, so I suggested she could finish the rest of the trailer while I had a beer...

now I have one shiny spot on the trailer and a shiner.....:cool:

[keeshag]

Hi; We have always used Good Sam Soap. Be carefull though with how much you use. On our older camper I mixed it to strong and the color in the decals started to run down the side of the trailer. On the up side it will take off tree sap with no problem and your camper will look like new again.

[linebiker]

I used Nu Finish on the front cap of my rig and liked it. Get a kick from the directions..."the once a year car polish" but on back it says for maximum protection apply second coat in 30 days. So it is really a twice a year polish? Or twice in one month polish that is good for a year? :D

[hoffbrew]

I have not personally waxed yet. For $200.00 there is a mobile RV wash/wax person that rolls around the Pismo Beach area, I have him do it once a year while I am camping, much easier on me and beers stay a lot colder!
I would like to tackle it once, but I have washed it before and I always say "I am not doing this again!"

[johlms]

We bought a 291tg laredo last year and love. Every camper should come with an outdoor kitchen like this one. We have been doing alot of camping and the awning is getting stained from tree sap. I try to clean the awning as it rolls in with a striaght broom to get the big stuff, but know the under side(white) is looking bad. Any ideas?

[Flyguy]

Let me refer you to this thread on our forum which deals with that issue: http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1118&highlight=awning+cleaning I also have included a zip file from A&E awnings on how to clean them, hope this helps.

[hoffbrew]

I have noticed that my front decals on the cap are starting to fade a little, what would be the stuff to use on decals? What is this 303?

[Flyguy]

Here's a link to the product http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/1/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm