I used a 2300 psi power washer today very selectively on my coach. Mostly to soften up some bugs that Rejex did not want to let go of. Then we finished the job with the long-handled brush and a garden hose. I spray Simple Green on the wheels and tires and then use a tire brush and cloth to finish them.
What is your preferred method? Any secrets to share?
On occasion I have washed during a rainstorm that did not have thunder or lightning.
I pay Jose (a local mobile detailer) $40 to hand wash mine. Worth every penny.
I wouldn't want a power washer anywhere near my FT.
Bucket, garden hose, large sponges or sheepskin mitts, and Meguire's Gold Class wash. I do the low stuff, Steve does the high stuff. We rinse with the Mr.Clean car wash gadget that has the "spot free" cartridges since we don't have soft water. We try to wash only on overcast days so it doesn't dry too quickly in the sun and leave spots.
Us, either.
Michelle
Bucket, warm water, laundry detergent (occasionally, Wash-Wax-All), long handled brush and garden hose. Wipe down with reclaimed operating room towels (you know those blue ones). It is really hard to screw up that wonderful Clear-Coat.
No pressure washer but bucket and a brush. I wash the back of the coach first and then put it in the garage and wash the rest of the coach inside. Works great to keep the sun off it. I wax it by hand two times a year and the front after every trip.
With a softg bristle brush attachecd to a garden hose. Then dry with soft micro-fiber clothes.
James Stallings gave an OK to that technique.
Front is then treated with RejeX. Sides with Meguire's Gold Class.
As an owner of self-serve carwashes, I always use my carwash. First presoak, then high pressure soap, foamy brush, clearcoat protectant, high pressure rinse, and finally spot free rinse. Takes about 30 minutes and it is spotless.
When I finish the coach I take my dog over to the dog wash bay, shampoo him, use the conditioner, flea & tick treatment, rinse and then dry him off. He's happy and so are we.
One suggestion, I would always use a hoghair brush when washing the coach. It is soft and will not scratch the finish. They cost about $40 and will last for years.
Jim,
Where do you buy a hog hair brush?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Hog-Hair-Car-Auto-Wash-Brush-Super-Soft-/290456564053 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Hog-Hair-Car-Auto-Wash-Brush-Super-Soft-/290456564053)
http://www.universalbrush.com/shop04/ (http://www.universalbrush.com/shop04/)
http://www.amazon.com/Hogs-Hair-Brush-Handle-1328-IP/dp/B0002TA1JY (http://www.amazon.com/Hogs-Hair-Brush-Handle-1328-IP/dp/B0002TA1JY)
George, I use www.carwashsuperstore.com (http://www.carwashsuperstore.com). The Erie brush is the thickest and best made.
I use the swobbit washing tool with lambswool pad and meguires gold carwash. James Stallings uses a power washer but I have not had the guts to try this yet on the full body paint.
When dealing with paint and not decals I think the risk of using a power washer is not so much that the paint will be damaged, but rather the high pressure stream of water might get where it does not belong and do some damage.
That was my thinking when I used sparingly a pressure washer yesterday.
How about a follow-up question that is consistant with the theme of this tread.
Does everybody wash the bugs off the front end of the coach after a days haul? I would have thought everybody would have, but honestly I don't see that many people doing it at the end of a day on the road.
I sure do.
If there are just a few bugs, I've starting using the WashWax All product. If there are more bugs, I fill a bucked with hot water, and use the soft edge of windshield squeege to get most of hardened stuff off, and then follow-up with WashWax All product.
Sure do agree with your approach.
Product alternatives (in order of preference): WashWaxAll, Rejex, Starbrite Marine Polish With Teflon. All three leave a real slick surface.
If it is real bad, like a "Love Bug" day in East Texas, Simple Green is called for!
When I am traveling, I do wipe the bugs off everyday. TOO much work if I let them bake on. The trick is to get them off early.
I use Bugs r off by Coil n wrap.
http://www.coilnwrap.com/more/bugsroff.htm (http://www.coilnwrap.com/more/bugsroff.htm)
One of the few things I find that work as advertised. Motorhome article below on it.
I power wash my roof periodically.
Sometimes I will power wash the whole coach before I wash it.
I have never been able to clean it by just power washing it.
I still have to get the bucket.
We go out for a weekend every month with an RV group other than summer months and the park usually have on site people that clean or detail the coaches. I am finding that I am using them more often.
This 40' seems like 100' sometimes :o
Russell,
Good follow-up question. I almost always do the windshield after we stop.
I think the longer the bugs stay on the front, the harder they are to remove. I use the nylon mesh end of the window squeege to remove the bugs from both the glass and paint. I have recently started using Rejex, but it does not last as they say on the bottle.
Once I finish using the squeegee on the glass I follow up with Invisible
Glass spray and paper towels. We are pretty fussy about starting the day with a clean windshield. About every two months I also clean the inside of the windshield. Clean glass reduces the chance of fogging.
High pressure washers are not good for the decals (for those of us who still have them on). I used a high pressure washer at a truck wash place and managed to loosen edges of several of the decals.
Hi,
Every now and then there are post requesting ways to remove your decals. Try the high pressure washer first. It may save you time, and money. They sure remove them quickly.
Harder to remove, but they also eat the paint. They are full of acid.
For it to last, it should be applied when protected from the sun, and kept out of the sunlight for 12 hours. But it can build up if you do it more than once. You know, apply it and re-apply a couple hours later.
Does anyone use the commerical truck washes?
Retired Navy Chief, I have used Blue Beacon a couple times, they were careful and did a good job. You have to warn them to stay away from decal edges with high pressure wands.
Gary B USNR AN 57-63
Retired Navy Chief,
Blue Beacon has a excellent Undercarriage Rinse with "Salt-Away". Salt-Away is a rust and corrosion inhibiter which is very important if we operate our coaches when there is salt (sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride) on the highways or when we have been to a ocean beach. Not all the locations have this service. If you check the location on their web page, it will tell. Location List (http://www.bluebeacon.com/locationinformation/locationlist/default.aspx) I try to get it in the winter after I get down to South Carolina or that area. Think this is a added benefit considering the bulkhead bolt rust jacking problem one could have from running in the north during the winter months.
Pat
Yes excellent quick job on my max guarded non decaled coach. $38.
The answer is...It depends on what finishes you have on your coach, vinyl decals, painted decals on gelcoat, full paint, etc. I'm learning so much from James Stallings at Xtreme. So, if you tell us what you have, I can share what process you should use. As always, you get what you pay for.
For example, an Xtreme full body paint needs mild soap & water to wash...that's it!
Peter
Peter, I'm interested in hog's hair brushes. Could you ask James what's so special about them and if he recommends them?
Dick
Dick,
I'll ask tomorrow. I know that a hogs hair shaving brush can run into serious money (for me anyway...like $200... :o ). Look them up on line.
So, as far as a brush for washing painted vehicles, it may be that my face may be as delicate as the gel coat or paint? Donno...but I'll ask
Peter
ps Let us know where you are...and how that Aqua Hot is behaving.
(On edit) Look at what a quick search revealed.
Montana Original Boar's Hair Car Wash Brush is a soft, gentle car wash brush for (http://www.autogeek.net/boar-hair-brush.html)
Sweeping | Brushes | HiFlo™ CarbonTec Boars Hair Brush w/ Adapter - 11" | (http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/janitorial-maintenance/sweeping/brushes/hiflo-carbontec-boars-hair-brush-w-adapter-11?utm_source=google_pr&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brushes-google_pr&infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CKX-jYLcurACFWrptgod-0Ipog)
I have also used my Grandson to wash the coach. He has his first car and has discovered that cars need gas. And Girls require .. oh well.... :)
Gary B
Hi Dick! Great time with Peter, and he and I check progress daily at Xtreme. We off to Fullers with Cliff tomorrow. One thing I remember Dick that Rudy told us....there are two WashWaxAll products. He said the red liquid one is much better for bugs than the standard blue version. I looked for that in a small spray bottle, have not found it yet but only looked one place where they were out of the blue. He said to spray it on, wait about ten minutes and wipe the bugs off. At least that is what I think he said though I fear I am dreaming, cannot be so easy....... Mike
WashWaxAll can be ordered from Aircraft RV Boat Cleaner Waterless Wash Wax Detailing Products Supplies (http://www.washwaxall.com). The site has a list of local dealers. MOT and Xtreme are listed as dealers. Most of the dealers appear to be suppliers to general aviation.
Okay...This morning I spoke to Rod Grimmett owner operator of Precision in Nac. The verdict on hogs hair brushes is...go for it. The softer the bristles the better. Use plenty of water to wash off the soapy solution and keep the brush clean so as not to keep putting on the dirt you took off. Only use an auto mobile formulated car wash product for washing. And as some of you know use a Dawn type dish washing liquid if you want to strip the wax off (you really should not use wax on paint, but okay on gelcoat.
Aircraft RV Boat Cleaner Waterless Wash Wax Detailing Products Supplies (http://www.washwaxall.com/)
Looks to me like a Foretravel on their front page. Guess they know quality when they see it.
Gary B