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Topic: How do you wash your coach? (Read 1973 times) previous topic - next topic

How do you wash your coach?

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.



Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #1 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #2 –
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.

Quote from: Tom Lang –
I wouldn't want a power washer anywhere near my FT.

Us, either.

Michelle

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #3 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #4 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #5 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #6 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #7 –
Jim,

Where do you buy a hog hair brush?

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #9 –
George, I use www.carwashsuperstore.com. The Erie brush is the thickest and best made.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #10 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #11 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #12 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #13 –
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!

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #14 –
Quote
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.

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
One of the few things I find that work as advertised. Motorhome article below on it.

Quote
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.
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

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #15 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #16 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #17 –
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #18 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
I think the longer the bugs stay on the front, the harder they are to remove .
Harder to remove, but they also eat the paint.  They are full of acid.

Quote from: George Stoltz –
I have recently started using Rejex, but it does not last  as they say on the bottle.
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.

Re: How do you wash your coach?

Reply #19 –
Does anyone use the commerical truck washes?