Exterior detailing

Topic: Exterior detailing (Read 1579 times) previous topic - next topic

Exterior detailing

April 23, 2012, 10:40:56 am

So as my learning curve continues I am wondering what tips and tricks you guys have for keeping that shiny glow on your FT's. I believe mine has been clear coated and someone at FOT told me I would have very little maintenence to do.

My previous coach which was also clear-coat and I simply washed it with Blue Corral car wash and used a high quality spray on detail wax from Autozone. Also once a year I put a coat or two of Nu-Finish and coated the roof and tires with 303 protectant.

There is a lot more real estate to clean and detail now and I want to keep it purty.
Dean

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #1 – April 23, 2012, 11:05:54 am

Quote from: Dean & Dee – April 23, 2012, 10:40:56 am

So as my learning curve continues I am wondering what tips and tricks you guys have for keeping that shiny glow on your FT's. I believe mine has been clear coated and someone at FOT told me I would have very little maintenence to do.

My previous coach which was also clear-coat and I simply washed it with Blue Corral car wash and used a high quality spray on detail wax from Autozone. Also once a year I put a coat or two of Nu-Finish and coated the roof and tires with 303 protectant.

There is a lot more real estate to clean and detail now and I want to keep it purty.
Dean

Factory recommendation is:
What should I use to wash the exterior of my coach?

1. Pre-wash the coach with cold water.

2. Use a mild soap and rinse often.

3. Do not use caustic cleaners. So do not assume all cleaning agents are harmless.

Caution: Your Motorcoach should not be waxed or polished for 12 months from the manufactured date, since damage to the paint surface may result.

Caution: It is not recommended that you use a pressure washer to clean your Motorcoach, since damage to the paint surface or Motorcoach components may result.

The life of the exterior finish can be extended by maintaining it with a clear commercially available automotive polish or wax which does not contain an abrasive cleaner. This not only preserves the fiberglass finish and paint, but allows easier removal of dirt and road tars. The use of touch-up paint for small areas keeps the recreational vehicle in like new condition.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #2 – April 23, 2012, 11:22:00 am

Barry ; thats good advice . you are a man of experience and it shows . Now --you need to come to Virginia and show me first hand how this is done .I keep my pet inside , so you dont have to worry about the sun or rain or wind .I'll keep the drinks comming and you can take a break every so often so we can go for a ATV ride . Now ----how are you going to beat a deal like that ? Brad Metzger

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #3 – April 23, 2012, 11:42:31 am

I found a mobile RV detail company when in Port Aransas, TX. They only do RV work, and had all the good stuff, hoses, splitters, soft brushes, sunhats, and smiles. The owner and 2 young men "only" took 7 hours to wash from the roof to the wheels. They then waxed and buffed the 36', narrow, not tall U-225 that you looked at when you first visited MOT. When done they walked away with $300, and I was more than happy to have seen them come, work and leave. They do a lot of "just arrived" and "just leaving" or putting into covered RV barn storage work.

First time was last August, and then again in February, worth every dollar. I am lucky to share inside parking with Bill Chaplin, and find that a fresh water rinse, a shower squeegee and towel keeps us rather clean. Bugs are my biggest headache like everyone's, and I can usually use just a wet towel each evening on the front of things.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #4 – April 23, 2012, 02:03:25 pm

I would pay that in a heartbeat for that level of attention.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #5 – April 23, 2012, 02:13:44 pm

For us cheap skates and when there is no outside help around!!!

I can't believe I'm saying this but I finally drank George Hatfiled's CoolAid. I bought the WashWaxAll, RV Mop Kit, Mop Kit - Internet Special. It's a lot of money for cleaning supplies but boy does it work great. It is particularly good where water is at a premium or just unavailable. You can actually wash and wax the coach without running water, however is do use water when available to save on the rather expensive emollient/cleaner liquid that comes with the kit.

The best thing about it is that using their truly unique microfiber mop to dry the coach leaves no water spots on my black surface. It is at least as good as a high quality chamois and much easier to use. I can even use it with my bad shoulder Steve.

George tells me that a gallon of the cleaner has lasted him over a year.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #6 – April 23, 2012, 02:32:49 pm

Hmm. I might need to taste that coolaid! Actually, I'd like to see it first hand to see if it's something we might want. Any chance Kent might make it down towards Texas soon?

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #7 – April 23, 2012, 02:44:37 pm

Well I am one of those that enjoys doing my own detailing. Guess there is just some self satisfaction in seeing the shiny end result from a little sweat, sore shoulders and a small pile of beer cans.

I have seen the WashWaxAll mentioned before and may have to give it a try. The spray on wipe off stuff I use is called Lucas Slick Mist speed wax sold at Autozone. Always has worked well on all my toys and beads up for a good long time. Also bugs wipe off easily.

I found out this coach has spent most all of it's life in garaged storage so the paint and roof look outstanding. As I won't have that luxury and living in the Northeast I want to keep it well protected. One of the biggest problems we have in Maine is Pine pitch. Grrrr.

I do like the idea of the waterless stuff and the microfiber mop. My cleaning supply tote is full. Guess I will need another tote. Sigh.....

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #8 – April 23, 2012, 04:34:59 pm

Dean,

Good news, the Wash Wax All Mop Kit with Bug Buster comes in its own tote so no need to get another one, lol.

The best news is when more is needed, it costs $28 per gallon instead of $16 per pint or $128 per gallon.

Sure keeps my 1995 U320 and two cars shiny clean, waxed and UV protected.

Just arrived at my sister's home and am going outside to use the bug buster to get the love bugs off of the front of the coach without using a ladder to get the windshield and the cap above the windshield.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #9 – April 23, 2012, 05:56:34 pm

Quote from: txforetravel – April 23, 2012, 02:32:49 pm

Hmm. I might need to taste that coolaid! Actually, I'd like to see it first hand to see if it's something we might want. Any chance Kent might make it down towards Texas soon?

I am already in Texas in NAC at Xtreme but don't hold your breath waiting for me to demonstrate. My shoulder hurts. If you want to come by I will let you use my stuff on my coach and share all of the relevant knowledge I posses. It's probably worth exactly what it will cost you but I do need to detail the coach. Steve Cook, where are you when I need you?

Quote from: Rudy – April 23, 2012, 04:34:59 pm

Just arrived at my sister's home and am going outside to use the bug buster to get the love bugs off of the front of the coach without using a ladder to get the windshield and the cap above the windshield.

Somehow we missed the LOVE BUG attack on our way down but I did loan my bug buster to three other Foretravel owners at Camp Foretravel last night. They all thought it worked great. I also did some recruiting for the Foreforum. I trust our membership and knowledge base will keep growing.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #10 – April 23, 2012, 06:28:56 pm

If you are willing to pay the price, Performance Auto Care in NAC will clean your coach. Wayne recommended them. After Wayne replaced the steering gear, I wanted to hire someone to clean off the residue from 15W40 being spread down the driver side of the coach for 1600 miles. They cleaned the exterior in about three hours.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #11 – April 23, 2012, 10:00:55 pm

We also drank the wash-wax-all Koolaid .. but we got ours from Rudy not George

Its a great product, and I really (of all things) love the double telescoping mop pole that came with ours!

We use the wash-wax-all for keeping the coach clean while on the road and give it a good waxing every 2 years because thats all my shoulder(s) can take (sorry Kent). For that we use Meguiar's Gold Car Wash to give the it a cleaning, and then we use Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax ... that takes us two days and we do two coats.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #12 – April 23, 2012, 10:08:27 pm

I guess I need to drink the Koolaid then. Steve, do want to show me how to wax the coach? It's all tucked in the barn so you won't get a sunburn when doing a wax on/wax off training class!

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #13 – April 23, 2012, 10:46:02 pm

Yes, I admit it, I like the Wash-Wax-All a lot and have been using it for about a year. It really keeps the coach looking good with minimal effort. But I must give credit where it is due.... Pat bought it! I usually give the coach a good waxing once a year too. This year I used Nu-Finish which got good ratings from Consumer Reports. It is about $9 a bottle and one will do my 36' with enough left over for the toad. I found it at Walmart.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #14 – April 23, 2012, 10:50:12 pm

JD,

Did you mean "Precision Auto Care"? They detail many coaches for FOT and MOT. On University Ave.? Owners are Rod and Ryan Grimmet. Rod (the father) has a nice 2006 (or '07) Nimbus. I am not familiar with "Performance Auto Care".

FWIW.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #15 – April 23, 2012, 11:37:20 pm

Precision has three levels. First is about $300 where wash and wax and polish wheels and clean windows in and out. Next level is $500 or so and includes buffing out certain level of scratches. At $700 they add in roof. Ryan told me I not need roof as Xtreme just paInted it. Since scratches fairly minimal he questioned the necessity of that.

FYI I met a man today in this park that a truck shop power washed his coach and essentially took off the decal stripes. He said this happened in Montana.

Precision warned that if you do buffing yourself, be very careful and gave me some instructions as to how to avoid leaving circular buffing marks.

Anyway, if you are in Nac, Precision is a good option if you want to hire it done. Great reputation locally and used by some dealers.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #16 – April 23, 2012, 11:40:30 pm

Quote from: George Hatfield – April 23, 2012, 10:46:02 pm

Yes, I admit it, I like the Wash-Wax-All a lot and have been using it for about a year. It really keeps the coach looking good with minimal effort. But I must give credit where it is due.... Pat bought it! I usually give the coach a good waxing once a year too. This year I used Nu-Finish which got good ratings from Consumer Reports. It is about $9 a bottle and one will do my 36' with enough left over for the toad. I found it at Walmart.

Nu-Finish is great stuff. Works well on everything including glass. I even buff it onto the windshield and it works like Rain-ex but lasts longer. I had put two coats on our Coach House before we consigned it with FOT a couple weeks ago and it really brings out the mirror shine. It even shows nicely on their web photos.
NU-Finish is actually a polish not a wax but I think it holds up a bit longer and gives a better looking finish.
Sounds like the WashWaxAll may be a good compliment to it.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #17 – April 24, 2012, 02:04:48 am

The work required by the Mothers three step process is made much easier by an orbital buffing machine. I've done it twice and like the result. Step one is the prewax-cleaner which I think is a polish. Step two is the sealer-glaze. It puts on the shine. Step three is the wax. It buffs up to a very high gloss and lasts a year. I've also hired a detail company to do their magic. I'm going back to the sweat and Mothers three step. It is just a better result. Good thing is I can do it in the shade.

Although I'm sure there are easier ways and perhaps better products, I've yet to see a better result.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #18 – April 28, 2012, 09:39:12 am

As a follow up question what are you treating the roof with? I was up there yesterday and noticed it had a pretty good shine like it had been waxed. Does FT typically clearcoat the roofs when painting?
My previous SOB's have always been gel-coat and I just sprayed the roof with 303.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #19 – April 28, 2012, 12:00:44 pm

Clear coat is put on partly because the underlying paint does not have UV protection in its composition. Clear coat has the UV protection and the more clear coats and the higher quality of the clear coating yields longer lasting paint jobs.

Roof paint is a 1-step process where the color and UV protection are in the same coating, so there is no separate clear coat.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #20 – April 28, 2012, 02:35:45 pm

Dean, there is a process whereby Xtreme or FOT will paint the roof with a material that makes the roof UV protected and a rougher surface for more secure walking. I am told that oxidation of the roof otherwise is the source of white runoff from the roof when light rain or AC condensate cones down the side.

I understand the coating is some type of paint with finely ground glass for texture on the roof surface.

I hope that gives you another option for the roof.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #21 – April 28, 2012, 02:46:41 pm

Quote from: Michael Jackie – April 28, 2012, 02:35:45 pm

Dean, there is a process whereby Xtreme or FOT will paint the roof with a material that makes the roof UV protected and a rougher surface for more secure walking. I am told that oxidation of the roof otherwise is the source of white runoff from the roof when light rain or AC condensate cones down the side.

I understand the coating is some type of paint with finely ground glass for texture on the roof surface.

Yup, that's the way to go! I'm finally getting this done at Xtreme the last week of May-1st week of June...Hope to meet you then? And others? (hint, hint)

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #22 – April 28, 2012, 11:26:20 pm

FT paints the roof with a material like bed liner spray. Xtreme uses the paint with grit so it's like non-skid on boats.

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #23 – April 30, 2012, 12:59:29 am

Peter, if the hint is for us here in Nac. then we are excited to have the opportunity to have you here. Now if Carol and Jeff were just back this week with some others that are here!

FYI, Xtreme did a great job with the roof coating. HUGE improvement. I feel safer walking on it, cleaning.

They did find one issue on this new to us coach. The satellite antenna we had them remove had delamination under it. I guess a function of the age of the coach and how the antenna was installed let some moisture get in via mounting holes? I don't know for sure. Glad that repaired.

Drop us an email when you getting into Nac. Hope we are here to meet you guys. Mike

Re: Exterior detailing

Reply #24 – April 30, 2012, 09:54:26 am

Quote from: Michael Jackie – April 30, 2012, 12:59:29 am

They did find one issue on this new to us coach. The satellite antenna we had them remove had delamination under it. I guess a function of the age of the coach and how the antenna was installed let some moisture get in via mounting holes? I don't know for sure. Glad that repaired.
Mike

Hmmm, We have an in-motion satellite antenna we are not planning on activating. I was going to leave it because I thought it might have some future value if selling or trading. The other thought is that it increases the height of the coach about 5".
What do you guys think, do these things have any value or will it just end up obsolete?

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