Oh, the Power of Water!

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Oh, the Power of Water!

August 22, 2017, 08:05:51 pm

Whoo hoo! While the heads are at the machine shop for a valve job, we are plugging away at revealing the glory beneath the glop.
Were amazed and pleased beyond measure to discover that the power washer did an EXCELLENT job of removing years of grime and even that thick stuff on the roof that looks like mold or lichen. We bought a $28 bottle of cleaner for that --which is going back. Will spend those dollars on wax.
This was one FUN afternoon! (As you can see, I even signed my name in the dirt.)
She's in much better shape than we dared hope. Lots more to do, but we are very encouraged.
~Diane

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #1 – August 22, 2017, 08:42:01 pm

Looking good! Don't be afraid to walk on the roof. Foretravel roofs are very strong, unlike a lot of SOBs (Some Other Brands).

When cleaning the roof, be very careful when working on or around the fiberglass cover on the Cool-O-Matic kitchen fan. Those covers are pretty much unobtainable, unless you luck out and find a good used one somewhere.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #2 – August 22, 2017, 09:02:49 pm

Well done! You going to wax the whole rig? That should take the better part of a week...

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #3 – August 22, 2017, 11:36:36 pm

Wax the whole rig? Why I was hoping someone on here would tell us of a new product you just spray on ... and leave, and it turns out perfect. Right? Anybody?

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #4 – August 23, 2017, 12:46:34 am

Haha, it's called elbow grease😜. It's looking good!

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #5 – August 23, 2017, 05:00:24 am

We like to use Wash Wax All....works for us, anyway.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #6 – August 23, 2017, 06:01:15 am

After cleaning the awnings. Let them dry and coat with 303 Fabric Guard. Google it. It is sunbrella fabric approved and will waterproof them and protect them.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #7 – August 23, 2017, 07:53:33 am

Just be very careful when using a pressure washer on the coach that you don't force water where water shouldn't be. .... I prefer a soft brush or sponge a good cleaner like turtle wax "ice" and a LOT of elbow grease.
Just my opinion.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #8 – August 23, 2017, 09:46:23 am

Quote from: Forewheelers – August 23, 2017, 05:00:24 am

We like to use Wash Wax All....works for us, anyway.

Thanks for the tip, Forewheelers! I looked at this product and it sounds like what we would like to try.
How much do you use in one trip around your coach?

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #9 – August 23, 2017, 09:51:09 am

Half of a gallon...or a little less.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #10 – August 23, 2017, 11:24:36 am

Quote from: Forewheelers – August 23, 2017, 05:00:24 am

We like to use Wash Wax All

I bought some at an RV rally. Unfortunately, I forgot to get the "roundtuit."

Trent

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #11 – August 23, 2017, 11:48:05 am

I bought a gallon of "Wash-Wax All" off of Amazon. Takes about a quart, maybe not that much, but I wash with the Turtle Wax first and then follow up with the WWA. Maybe takes less this way.
Does do a nice job tho'

Just don't get in a hurry and use plenty of the "elbow stuff".
:-)

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #12 – August 24, 2017, 03:46:36 pm

PolyGlow!

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #13 – August 24, 2017, 05:59:46 pm

I would be wary of poly glow. I used it on the roof, and the application process is not as easy as it sounds. My results were not smooth and seamless; it left a 'rough' appearance, and left a lot to be desired. It did provide a level of protection; I will give it that quality. I wouldn't consider it for sides, front, and rear. What I did, which was a lot of work, was to machine compound and polish the entire coach, less the roof. Then applied a product called JetSeal; a nano-polymer sealant, from Chemical Guys. Took me around 40 to 50 man-hours. This process will remove the fiberglass oxidation and bring back a luster to the original glass finish.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #14 – August 30, 2017, 01:11:58 am

I just use "Mop n Glow" for the roof and Zip wax in a bucket of very hot water and a soft brush or mop

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #15 – August 30, 2017, 02:53:45 am

I cheat. I take mine to detail shop that does my cars. Always comes out better than what I can do.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #16 – September 11, 2017, 01:21:51 pm

It will look like a different bus when you finish.You probably know this but again be careful in plastic areas and around wires and cables holding the pressure wand to close because they can blow things away that you want to keep. I use a bucket and long handle wash pad more than anything.. Show after photos when you finish.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #17 – September 11, 2017, 09:08:23 pm

Bought a set of tanks and a small pressure washer. Round water beads on coach. Zero spots. Brush head holds plane wash.

Or i pay a guy to wash it. $120.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #18 – September 11, 2017, 11:06:42 pm

Water is in short supply here, and pricey. Nearest truck wash is 42 mile round trip. In the mornings when people run their lawn sprinklers my shower head just drips. Artificial climate change induced by lawn sprinklers maybe, but that report isn't going to sit well with the pretty committee. End of rant.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #19 – September 12, 2017, 07:51:06 am

Quote from: Dub – September 11, 2017, 01:21:51 pm

It will look like a different bus when you finish.You probably know this but again be careful in plastic areas and around wires and cables holding the pressure wand to close because they can blow things away that you want to keep. I use a bucket and long handle wash pad more than anything.. Show after photos when you finish.

Having fun with our new hobby (read obsession). The to-do list is long including figuring out whether the big awning is salvageable, new tires, repair the hind quarter damage ..... But progress is being made and we are feeling like we stumbled on a gold nugget burried in mire.
Here are a couple new pix: the roof at about 3/4 clean, and the rig now parked at the edge of the drive where it's level, wearing the blindfold we found in the back of a bay.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #20 – September 12, 2017, 08:11:32 am

Do yourself a favor--either buy or make a standoff you can clamp to an extension ladder so you can lean it against the front of the coach, rather than trying to lay on your stomach and try cleaning that frontal slope above the windshield. Brace the foot of the ladder with a vehicle so the ladder doesn't slide out from under you or tie the ladder to the bumper.
My DW saw me laying up top on that slope and insisted we buy LED clearance lights so I would never have to do THAT again!
Still have to periodically go up there and check the caulking around the lights, tho, so the standoff comes in handy.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #21 – September 12, 2017, 11:34:38 am

"Having fun" is the key word. I am a bit envious of your enthusiasm. Keep showing your progress. I wish I had your snap on windshield cover. I have the snaps on my GV but no cover.

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #22 – September 12, 2017, 03:52:48 pm

I Have some Xtra blue stripping available for repairs that came with my 89

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #23 – September 12, 2017, 05:49:28 pm

I, too, have snaps on my 1986 GV. Was this a factory installed thing? Where would one get a snap-on windshield cover other than a custom made canvas shop?

wantabe

Re: Oh, the Power of Water!

Reply #24 – September 12, 2017, 07:53:22 pm

Quote from: Dub – September 12, 2017, 11:34:38 am

"Having fun" is the key word. I am a bit envious of your enthusiasm. Keep showing your progress. I wish I had your snap on windshield cover. I have the snaps on my GV but no cover.

Yeah Dub,, that enthusiasm is a blessing.... and a curse. Our long summer to-do list pretty much got shelved once we got the GV home. So ... there's that.
Didn't know what that cover was when we pulled it out. Laid it out on the garage approach and dang if it wasn't exactly windshield shaped. A quick look revealed the twist snaps on the coach. Had to let it get rain soaked to stretch fit. It really helps keep the inside cooler and we think it looks kinda cool too. But have noted others who warn against using these near the beach, especially in high wind.

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