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fizikpal
East Northport NY USA
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Joined: 03/24/2004
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Experienced C's
What do you wash and wax your fiberglass motor home with. I want to keep mine looking clean and protected from the elements.![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Would like to use an all in one type application but I do not know how 'good' those are. I would not enjoy handwaxing a 31ft motorhome
tom
The Lynch's
2002 Shasta Cheyenne 308
TOAD: 2003 Honda Civic
Sterling Tow Bar with Brake Buddy
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GotSalt
GA
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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You'll no likely get a different answer with each response. I have tried a variety of waxes and cleaners but none seems superior to any other. You can use a buffer but to me it is almost as much trouble as doing it by hand and that's what I usually settle for. I try and do it about twice a year though sometimes it is more like once a year. Don't forget the roof if it is fiberglass. The buffer works great on the roof since it is flat and the results are not as critical.
As of late I have been partial to Gel Glos RV cleaner and wax (one product). Please note that many will mention Gel Glos polish and other polish's. However they are just polish's and it is best to have a good quality coat of wax on your rig before using these. They provide a great shine but little durability and protection as opposed to a base coat of wax and then their application.
If you have a full day to devote to both washing an waxing you can do the rig in a day. However by late next day you will feel as if you have been whooped by about a dozen men.
Good Luck!
"> 2000 Leak Prone Winnebago 31C
Towing a 1994 Mazda B4000 with a
Remco Drive Shaft Disconect and
a Demco Aluminator Tow Bar
with a Brake Buddy Vantage
(Looking for my lost shaker of salt)
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patterpusher
Pineola, NC
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Joined: 05/10/2005
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I wash with one of those long handled wands that have a rotorary brush that operates from the water going through it. I put Vroom RV cleaner and de-greaser in the soap dispenser in the handle. After a quick wash with that I check for black streaks and take them off with Black Streak Remover. Then about twice a year I polish with "Gel-Gloss" I wash the RV when I want to have an excuse for not doing or going, something or somewhere else.
THE ROLLING TURTLE
2005 Dutchmen Express 28A Chevy chassis
2005 Saturn Vue toad
Photo's in and of my Rig
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oldman99
usa
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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I usually have a local crew come over and wash it and wax it for me. I pay them $150 for wash &wax and $200 if they clean the interior. I buy Heller Glanz Carnuba wax and provide it to them to use. I buy it on line and have it shipped to me.
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Wizzard_of_Odds
Northern Lower Michigan
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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My 'out of mothballs' wash is usually with Simple Green diluted in very warm water and a long handled soft brush, it easily removes all of the black streaks.
I then polish it with New Finish, this will make the bugs and black streaks wash off easily and the water bead until fall when it gets washed and polished again prior to storage.
When washing during the RVing season I use Meguiar's Next car wash with a soft bristle brush, it removes the occasional black streak, but doesn't wash away the shine or protection, it also has rinsing agents that cause it to rinse spot-free.
When I polish, I use a 10" random orbital polisher with terry cloth bonnets and a microfiber bonnet for final buff, it's a ten year old coach, and it shines as nice as a new one.
...Wiz
1994 Jayco 23' E350 7.5
Thorley headers, Intellipower 9160, Bilsteins, Brembo brakes, K&N filters, Mobil 1, Satellite TV & Internet & WAP, MP3-CD, Generac 5KW, Kipor KGE3500TI, Honda EZ2500
2005 Four Winns Horizon 190 (fully loaded)
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Yosemitebobr
Washington
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Joined: 03/31/2005
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I had permaplate put on mine by a commerical outfit and have been very happy. It has a five year warrenty. All I do is wash it with a mild soap when needed (which is before I leave on a run and when I get to my destination). The bugs come off really easy and so does the black stricks. I then just towel it dry. I have not had to wax it in two years and still looks new. I plan on doing it again when the five years is up if I still have this one.
YosemiteBobR (Bob)
2015 Thor Four Winds 33SW, Super C diesel
My DW the co-pilot/navigator (the boss)">
GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY, GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL
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Gweber3369
Cedaredge, CO
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Joined: 09/18/2001
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Whoa, folks! We have a word definition problem here. A POISH is a fine grit that removes surace material to smooth the surface and provide a shine. But it provides zero protection. A WAX (or polymer) has no grit and provides a film of protection. Our problem in this country is that manufacturers often combine the two. So if you buy and use only polish, you leave no protection.
That said, let me give you $.02 of my experience, and I use the rig often - 134,000 miles in 6 1/2 years. First, polishing is seldom required. I have had to do it maybe twice in those 6 1/2 years, and only on the hood, cabover, and rear, which are the areas where dust gets blown onto and can abrade the finish. I wax (and polymer) when water no longer beads, which is about twice a year. I use a polymer on the sides, because it seems to last there. I use Poly-wipe, but am still living on a gallon purchased six years ago when it was still easily available. I would not hesitate to use any good polymer. It goes on easy and comes off super-easy.
For the hood I use a very good quality carnuaba wax, otherwise the wax doesn't last. The same for the cabover and rear, except that about a year ago I decided to just do the cabover and rear more often to be able to use the polymer - it is that much easier to use. My 27 foot rig takes about 2 1/2 hours total, but remember to let the polymer stay on the surface for several hours before you wipe off the residue.
Good luck - my rig still looks like it just came off the showroom floor (except for the front lower fenders, where too many gravel digs and touch up paintings have given it a somewhat ragged look).
Gus Weber
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Wizzard_of_Odds
Northern Lower Michigan
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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Gweber3369 wrote:Whoa, folks! We have a word definition problem here. A POISH is a fine grit that removes surace material to smooth the surface and provide a shine. But it provides zero protection. A WAX (or polymer) has no grit and provides a film of protection. Our problem in this country is that manufacturers often combine the two. So if you buy and use only polish, you leave no protection.
Well, sure, unless of course the product you use is Nu-Finish, which is labeled a polish, has NO abrasives, and advertises that it protects for 1 year. It's a petroleum based polymer product, and seems to work very well.
...Wiz
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Yosemitebobr
Washington
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You also want to keep in mind that if you have a painted surface as mine does it has an clear finish on it and you have to be careful as to what you use. That is why I went with the Permaplate and don't worry about it now. I just wash whenever I get ready to go and when I get back, um, I guess I wash quite a bit thinking about it. But I dont' polish or wax. Don't have to.
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GotSalt
GA
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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Yosemitebobr wrote:You also want to keep in mind that if you have a painted surface as mine does it has an clear finish on it and you have to be careful as to what you use. That is why I went with the Permaplate and don't worry about it now. I just wash whenever I get ready to go and when I get back, um, I guess I wash quite a bit thinking about it. But I don't' polish or wax. Don't have to.
Check your warranty, I pulled the following from the companies website:
"Perma Plate Website wrote: Perma-Plate Renewer should be applied every six months or 7500 miles, whichever occurs first. Darker colors may require more frequent applications (approximately every three months or as often as desired). This will maintain the integrity of the protective seal of the Perma-Plate Paintguard while cleaning the surface and revitalizing the shine. Perma-Plate Renewer forms a light, cohesive film which resists detergents, salt, and ultraviolet rays which can affect the painted surface. The Renewer should be applied following the instructions on the back of your Perma-Plate Paintguard warranty certificate.
In other words the product probably will not last as long as you think unless you put out more $$$$ which is the same as having to wax it?
* This post was
edited 05/31/05 01:19am by GotSalt *
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