Meguiers #50 Boat Cleaner Wax

[canesfan]

I decided to get some of this seeing lots of good comments about it. After reading the label it says something like. "Do not use on vinyl, fabric or rubber". So yeah, it has petroleum distillates in it. I understand that and to keep it away from the roof. My question is the decals are vinyl. How does one go about using this when half the rig is covered with vinyl decals?

[canesfan]

So after all I've read, nobody else uses this stuff or has an opinion?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AY50X/

[ctbruce]

I dont. I was waiting for the replies to come in...[emoji606]

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ

[gearhead]

I haven't used it but have used the Meguairs Flagship Marine Cleaner and Wax. May be just me putting it on too thick, but I had trouble getting it off.
Experiment on a decal. I bet it is OK.
This morning I used Klasse All in One on the cabover. Wipe on and wipe off, no drying time required. Deep high shine. I love it. Didn't hurt the decals on mine.
http://www.autogeek.net/klasseallinone.html
Blackfire All in One is good too.

[bsmith0404]

Cleaner waxes typically have very fine abrasives in them to do the "cleaning" part of the job. The abrasives are so small that they should not cause any damage to the decals. According to the description of this product, it is a "non abrasive formula", so I would say it is definitely okay for your decals, especially if you are applying by hand. I'm not sure what does the "cleaning" with this product. When they say cleaner wax, they are not talking about washing/cleaning dirt, it's an oxidation remover. I have never heard of removing oxidation without an abrasive.

[Dave W]

I've lately been using one step up the Meguire's line from the 50 - Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax. I'm not real crazy about using a cleaner unless necessary. This stuff does a good job, including over the usual low end quality RV decals but you do need a cool surface, out of the sun or it can leave streaky areas. Longevity - didn't have a chance to redo the 5er before winter but it still looks good today from the midsummer waxing. I found that machine polishing works best so bought a low end Harbor Freight very light polisher instead of using my very heavy 7" (11 pounds with backer and pad) professional tool.

If your RV isn't too bad as far as heavy road film or oxidation, I've found Nu Finish or Meguire's NXT are also very good. The Nu Finish is very easy to use while the NXT takes a little more effort and are both readily available at your neighborhood Walmart.

[canesfan]

Thanks for the replies. I decided not to use it. I also looked, once again, at a bottle of Nu Finish I have in the garage. It too has petroleum distillates in it. Sigh.

It's not the abrasives, or lack of, that I'm concerned about, it's the petroleum distillates. I think most of us know they are not good for your rubber roof, but is the same true for vinyl decals? There is probably a reason they have a caution on it not to use on vinyl either. After all, it is a solvent, right?

As for testing it on a decal, from all that I have read, it is more of a long term thing than short term. So testing it probably won't show anything until awhile down the road, after it's too late.

I've read a LOT of posts, both pro and con, of people using both it and Nu Finish on decals.

In the mean time I went back to Meguiers wash and wax since that's the only other thing I had on hand. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Guess I need to start a new search for a "wax" that won't eat away the decals.

[JRTJH]

Have you ever considered Aerospace 303 as a "top dressing" for your decals and FILON siding? We used it in Louisiana with good results (even with the extreme UV and sunlight). It's all I put on our Cougar and it's all I used on the Springdale. For us it works well.

As for "cleaner/wax" and vinyl decals, most of the RV decals are printed on white vinyl, not "color through and through" which means there's a very thin layer of color on the vinyl. Using any abrasive will "wear away" at that thin layer causing the white to show through after a few applications of abrasive cleaner... The petroleum distillates will, over time, dissolve the print layer which does almost the same thing as the abrasive to the color on the printed part of the decal. As for the roof, it's wise to keep petroleum distillates off the EPDM or TPO membrane. According to the "brief DICOR explanation" what it does is cause the pores in the membrane to swell (open up). As the petroleum evaporates, the pores are supposed to close, but with some petroleum products, a "permanent pore deformation" occurs, which apparently damages the roof membrane. Even the DICOR lap sealant has a small amount of petroleum distillate in it. They say, (if you can believe what you read) that it is necessary to "open the pores so the lap sealant will adhere".... They go on to say that they use only distillates that rapidly evaporate which causes no "permanent damage" to the membrane pores.... Hmmmmm

[canesfan]

Thanks John. In reading about all this there is a lot of conversation about the "type" and "amount" of PDs in all these different waxes. I can't find any solid info on Meguiars website. Completely lacking in information. And most of the talk about using them on RVs with vinyl graphics are "short term" results and not "long term" results like you said. And that's the part I'm more worried about. I've been using a good "wash and wax" for years along with 303. I just thought maybe there was something else out there that might be worth a try. Meguiars does have a couple of "vinyl and rubber" conditioners that may be worth a look.

[Desert185]

I have been applying this to my airplane for years now. It has a few organizational decal stickers on it and they aren't bothered. I also applied it to our SRX a couple years ago. Didn't affect those decals. Also a UV protectant. Very easy to apply.

Top Gun Ultra Finish: Spruce P/N 09-00192

www.aircraftspruce.com

[xrated]

Have any of you guys tried Zep commercial wet look floor polish? I can't remember where I read about using it, but it was highly praised in the article

[Frank G]

I owned a shop that produced wide format printed graphics similar to the decals used in the RV industry. I retired and sold out in 2015.

I will try and answer some questions about the care of printed graphics.

95% of all vehicle graphics are printed with a solvent printer. High end graphics, like car and truck wraps, will be laminated. Lamination is the Key factor here. A laminated graphic can be washed and waxed with almost anything. It is hard to tell a laminated graphic with a untrained eye, some of the high end laminates are only .001 inch thick and can keep a graphic looking good for 10 to 12 years.

Due to cost factors I am thinking most RV graphics are printed on 5yr materials with no lamination, I also suspect that the cap graphics are clear coated to end the cap fading issue, yes you can clear coat over printed graphics.

The graphics on the last TT I owned were printed, with fades, on clear material. This created some interesting effects.

Edge sealing of graphics. Ever seen the edges of graphics start to lift and they never want to stay down. In the sign business we would always edge seal the graphics, this prevents the soaps and waxes from destroying the adhesive layer starting at the edge and working inwards.

Bottom Line... Harsh soaps and waxes containing PD will have an adverse effect on unprotected graphics over time.

I hope this information helps.

[66joej]

Good info thanks.

[rwmurphy15]

I have been using it for 3 years now. Waxing the RV 2 times a year no problems with the vinyl decals. I liked the fact it has UV protection. Just got a 32 oz bottle from Amazon today.

[On The Road Again]

Originally Posted by Dave W

I've lately been using one step up the Meguire's line from the 50 - Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax. I'm not real crazy about using a cleaner unless necessary. This stuff does a good job, including over the usual low end quality RV decals but you do need a cool surface, out of the sun or it can leave streaky areas. Longevity - didn't have a chance to redo the 5er before winter but it still looks good today from the midsummer waxing. I found that machine polishing works best so bought a low end Harbor Freight very light polisher instead of using my very heavy 7" (11 pounds with backer and pad) professional tool...

This is exactly what I use, including the Harbor Freight polisher.
The only addition is that I hire my nephew and his girlfriend to wash and wax the trailer twice a year. It is well worth it.
Months later water still beads and it is slick to the touch.

[xrated]

Originally Posted by rwmurphy15

I have been using it for 3 years now. Waxing the RV 2 times a year no problems with the vinyl decals. I liked the fact it has UV protection. Just got a 32 oz bottle from Amazon today.

Been using what for 3 years......the ZEP stuff I mentioned or something else?

[canesfan]

Originally Posted by Frank G

I owned a shop that produced wide format printed graphics similar to the decals used in the RV industry. I retired and sold out in 2015.

I will try and answer some questions about the care of printed graphics.

95% of all vehicle graphics are printed with a solvent printer. High end graphics, like car and truck wraps, will be laminated. Lamination is the Key factor here. A laminated graphic can be washed and waxed with almost anything. It is hard to tell a laminated graphic with a untrained eye, some of the high end laminates are only .001 inch thick and can keep a graphic looking good for 10 to 12 years.

Due to cost factors I am thinking most RV graphics are printed on 5yr materials with no lamination, I also suspect that the cap graphics are clear coated to end the cap fading issue, yes you can clear coat over printed graphics.

The graphics on the last TT I owned were printed, with fades, on clear material. This created some interesting effects.

Edge sealing of graphics. Ever seen the edges of graphics start to lift and they never want to stay down. In the sign business we would always edge seal the graphics, this prevents the soaps and waxes from destroying the adhesive layer starting at the edge and working inwards.

Bottom Line... Harsh soaps and waxes containing PD will have an adverse effect on unprotected graphics over time.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you for that. It's pretty much what I expected but couldn't confirm.

The Meguiars "Flagship Premium" others mentioned also has PDs in it. Short term you may be fine, long term is another story.

This stuff "seems" like it does not contain PDs, although I haven't confirmed it yet.
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=11473

This stuff may be worth a try.
http://www.meguiars.com/en/marine/pr...ditioner-16oz/

But that still leaves something to "wax" with that doesn't contain PDs.