RV Wash - What do you use?

[sonic2]

I've done a search, but not did not find the information I was seeking. This is not a question about the roof, but the exterior sides. Does someone have a good reason for using a certain product and not using a certain product. I use NuFinish for the wax and Murphy's Oil Soap for the roof, but that's not the question either, I'm only concerned with the soap to clean the RV.

What RV Wash do you use and why and/or why not using something?

A few name brands are:

Thetford
Star Brite
BEST
Camco
Gel Gloss

There are wash and some that are wash and wax. I've used Thetford Wash and Wax for years, but I may be changing brands.

[CrazyCain]

I use Dawn to clean the roof, Turtle Wax Zip Wax to wash the trailer ( Aluminum) and finish with Protect All Wax cleaner. ALl three do a great job IMHO...

[Tinner12002]

Watching this post for answers as well! Great question!

[chuckster57]

I also use dawn ultra/bleach on the roof and then whatever the cheapest car wash there is at the auto,parts store. Secret is a good protective coating once clean. I use Nu finish liquid, but I also have a 5 year coating of "trident". Got the trident for free as it was a sample for the dealership (nice perk). I can say it works and now I have another sample of another product that should do the next 5 years.

When I had my previous fiver I used Nu Finish 2X year and it looked great for the 13 1/2 yrs I owned it.

[Desert185]

I use a big jug of whatever car soap Costco is selling. Its usually a premium brand. The last jug was Meguair's.

[gearhead]

Meguairs Ultimate? car wash. The yellow stuff. It has a lot of wax in it.

[Canonman]

If just a quick wash, then Meguiars Ultimate wash. Heavy concentration soap to water. If I plan to re wax (usually 2x a year) then I use Dawn (sold in a big jug at Costco) and Nu Finish liquid wax. Dawn on the roof as well followed by a coating of 303 protectant.

[bsmith0404]

I use the meguiars ultimate as well because of the wax concentrations. I don't use dawn for anything because it does too good of a job at removing grease and oils, that can also remove wax. Wax basically breaks down and removes itself in the elements after a few months, no need to speed up the process.

[Tinner12002]

So how does everyone put the meguiars wax on...by hand or with a sponge mop?? Sorry not trying to hijack the OPs orig post.

[Dave W]

Meguire's Ultimate as well. You just do a good wash with a long handled brush and dry with towels if you feel that's needed. Good job cleaning plus does a quicky wax on your RV. I double their recommended amount of wash stuff. The roof - it's gray, has never looked clean but is - washed with something that wont 'pull' the wax off the trailers body - usually a non-wax car wash. Last was Blue Coral. Cheap and dorks decently. Dawn/Palmolive/Spic & Span liquid etc. is all great though the trailer will need to be rewaxed.

[sonic2]

This was a reply I received from someone that attended a RV rally in Indiana at the factory:

There was a session at the Goshen rally this year, with Todd Breden (FR Prime Time) on fiberglass and paint. He specifically said NOT to use Dawn on fiberglass. He is aware of or has done tests that showed that Dawn will "eat" the fiberglass. It gets into the pores of the fiberglass and does its damage. Dawn or any dish liquid will strip all the natural oils from the paint and eventually ruin it. Don't believe me, check with a paint manufacturer. His specific recommendation was to use your favorite auto wash.

[Desert185]

Dawn belongs in the kitchen sink, the black tank and for degreasing hands with a scrub brush after a little maintenance, but that's about it around vehicles/trailers.

[canesfan]

I use the Meguire's yellow "snotty" stuff as it's been called here before for general wash and wax purposes. I won't get in on the "Dawn debate". I was told once upon a time by a rubber roof mfg to use Murphy's Oil Soap on the roof. Not sure how that fits into the equation. Speaking of which, my roof needs to be cleaned, any takers?

[sonic2]

This product is being recommended by the RV Dealer. This company produces many cleaning products for home, auto, RV, boat, commercial, etc...

Has anyone used any of these products?

https://www.biokleen.com/

[Alpine]

Our 5ver has been on the road four years and four months. It has endured temperatures from 14* to 108*. I wash it "when needed" and have never put anything on the decals...never!!! I would be happy to send close up photos of each decal. Not one crack, blister, fading or lifting of the edges. The understanding that I have is you start putting "stuff" on the decals it will loosen the adhesive. This is just my way...and everyone else will chime in on theirs.

[Gegrad]

I have used this stuff
https://www.amazon.com/Gel-Gloss-RV-...ywords=rv+wash
for over 3 years. While it has not protected decals very well (I just got the aerospace protectant for decals) it did a great job keeping the sides shiny on my Passport.

[canesfan]

Originally Posted by Alpine

Our 5ver has been on the road four years and four months. It has endured temperatures from 14* to 108*. I wash it "when needed" and have never put anything on the decals...never!!! I would be happy to send close up photos of each decal. Not one crack, blister, fading or lifting of the edges. The understanding that I have is you start putting "stuff" on the decals it will loosen the adhesive. This is just my way...and everyone else will chime in on theirs.

So if I understand correctly, you wash and wax around the decals??? Not trying to be funny, serious question.

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by canesfan

So if I understand correctly, you wash and wax around the decals??? Not trying to be funny, serious question.

No worries. I wash the whole rig, decals and all! I meant by "stuff" not anything else that is meant as a treatment, besides just the washing. Maybe I have just been fortunate!? *knocks on wood*

[Dave W]

Interesting discussion about waxing over decals. I've always done it and to date, nary a problem. Our '06 Titanium's were as good in 2014 when it went down the road to the dealer as the day we bought it. So far the '14 Montana HC decals are just fine. Both of these 5ers have seen temps that ranged from -20F to 106F plus have usually been snow/ice covered in winter since any cover used 'died' after 2 years on the Titanium and 1 year on the Montana. There are a couple elderly Montanas in our summer CG that have peeling nose decals, a common malady on this vintage, but I doubt that they have ever been waxed and one, probably never washed since there is probably not a ladder made strong enough to hold the owner. There are some folks that never wax an RV but do use .303 Protectant on everything including the roof, sides and wheels. Not my way but it seems to work for them. I'll stick to the Meguire's Ultimate wash and wax plus one of their waxes like NXT or marine 1-2 times a year, D-A applied. If the decals peel, then they will be replaced or removed and paint used in their place tho I suspect the 5er will go down the road with new owners prior to that time

[CWSWine]

I don't use Dawn on any vehicles unless I going to strip wax. Dawn will remove the oils from sealants and rubber products the keeps them from drying out and cracking. It use to say it on PG site...

Here is slick product. I started using this several years ago and make the job of dry the RV a snap. I doesn't work well on curved surface. The trick is to wash the RV and get the dirt off and before the water drys and leave spots use it to dry the surface.

http://www.autogeek.net/rv-telescoping-water-blade.html