Wash and wax

[Exsailor]

So while i am sitting here with Ike (basset hound) in an RV park with some free time i see a mobile detail van pull up across the way and do a complete wash and wax on a 38 ft toy hauler. I struggle to keep the front and rear caps waxed and keep up with my peeling decals. Theyre gonna give me a quote on mine but I know it will be out of range. A pressure washer, 2 brushes, buffer, and 500 business cards, why didnt I think of that? Maybe my lottery numbers will hit and I'll hire him. Bottom line is waxing makes a difference however you get it done. That toy hauler is immaculate!

[rbev2308]

I met some full timers who had a mobile service like this. They told me the beauty of it was, all cash, no taxes, and they had hit spots in the past and stayed a month for free just by doing this exact same thing. They worked twice a week and it paid for their fees. Now not all campgrounds allow the use of the water...curious to see the going rate you get if you ask...Hell its all I can do to simply wash from the ground. I have not waxed this one just yet...

[BirchyBoy]

I first saw that at Chula Vista, CA this summer. The rate for my 28' camper was $250 a pressure wash and wax. I'm not a fan of pressure washing so I passed. Hand washing was another $100 or so.

[hankpage]

First few years I washed and hand waxed the Cougar twice a year ..... last few, once a year. Not because the trailer is older ... I AM! http://keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1587
I still do the roof twice a year but arthritis does not like the "Wax on .... Wax off" motion very much anymore. http://keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1121 Oh ... and I'm too cheap to pay somebody else to do it. :D

[cruisegrandma]

I'm gonna start saving for the wash and wax should the opportunity come around. As a newbie, this makes me wonder if you must wait a period of time before waxing like you do a new car. Anyone know? Also, how often should the camper be waxed?

[dcg9381]

I didn't know you had to wait with a new car... A newly painted car, yes, but not a new car.

I know in our case, the manufacture date and the delivery date was about 6 months apart.

[cruisegrandma]

I was told to wait with my last car. Just assumed I had to with this one too. Maybe things are different now.

[bsmith0404]

The waiting period is to allow the paint to cure/harden, not really necessary if it is baked, but needed if it's not. shouldn't be a waiting period on an RV. As for how often, it depends. If it sits outside all of the time, more often than one stored inside. If you use a true carnauba wax, more often than a sealer. I would not use a carnauba wax on an RV since the only real benefit is a deeper/wetter looking shine. The rule of thumb for anything constantly exposed is 4-6 months. After that, the wax is pretty much gone and you do not have anything left protecting the finish. The sun is very cruel, if you want to see what I'm talking about, go to NM or AZ and look at cars, so many people think they don't have to wax clear coat and in just a few years their clear coat is peeling... The cars all look like they are recovering from a sun burn, to an extent they are. This is less common up north.

[FlyingChief]

Here in Southern California, the going rate for the full treatment (wash and wax) generally runs about $10 per foot. Some a little higher, some a little lower.


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