Quik noob question regarding RV washing.

[Eldorado2k]

Howdy. This is probably a dumb question, but I just want to make sure I'm being safe... Is it ok to wash an RV such as this with D111 Shampoo Plus, and then go over it with D156 Spray Wax?

[fphillips]

I can't see why not.

[Eldorado2k]

I was skimming through some info and read Mike Phillips mention something about certain RV's and warning not to use normal car products. Just want to make sure it's ok before I proceed.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Quik noob question regarding RV washing.

You'll have zero issues using those products on this RV. While we do make a complete line of Marine & RV products, it's really the compounds and cleaners that are dramatically different from those found in the automotive line. You are always safe using automotive products on gel coat but we don't recommend those gel coat specific products for use on automotive paint. Gel coat tends to be much thicker, and much harder, than automotive paint so the compounds and cleaners are more aggressive, and using those on your car can easily scour the paint. But washes and waxes? Never an issue.

[Eldorado2k]

Thanks, I ended up having great results on the RV once I got the hang of how to simplify my attack.. That picture I posted was actually an after shot, but I wasn't able to complete the whole thing in 1 day. The completion ended up getting pushed back until this past Sat.

Shampoo Plus worked great, even on some stuborn black streaks from the RV not having been washed in a while. I washed the wheels with a dedicated bucket of D111. Then the tires with D143, next I sprayed 2 coats of Hyper Dressing 1.1 to make these huge tires really pop!
Before:



After:



Thanks to D156 I was easily able to do a quik rinseless wash with D114 on the side of the RV I had already washed, even after it had seen 2 days of rain.
I can't forget the Master Blaster Sidekick, it was beyond great for helping me dry the endless nooks & crannies on this thing.

This thing was a beast. Luckily I went in expecting it to be, which made the end result that much more rewarding

[exploreco]

Re: Quik noob question regarding RV washing.

You know you should have just asked the cat. She never steers you wrong lol. I have used the shampoo on my camper, while not a big RV like that, it is a pop up camper with the same kind of side. I waxed it last summer with UW because it sits out in the nicer months. It is in the garage now. I wash it about once a month in the nice moths and then hit it with some D156 and hit the tires. Great job!

[Selectchoice]

Re: Quik noob question regarding RV washing.

Great results on that monster!

[Eldorado2k]

Thank you!

@Exploreco. I tried to consult with my cat about the RV. Everything started off well and she began speaking about her knowledge of gelcoat etc... But things went south once she found out I'd be doing this wash on location and she wouldn't be able to travel with me.

She threw a jealous fit and even threatened to scratch the new Kia if I didnt wash the RV in our fromt yard.. In the end I called her bluff because she cares too much about swirl free paint and would never purposely scratch clearcoat.. But she didnt approve of me going off trying new things like RV's without her.

From day 1, our original mission statment was that "we polish cars, not paint them"
I clearly forbid her to associate with paint sprayers and unsavory production rotary detailers because she wouldn't know how to spot a Hack.. And it could lead to a life of bad stuff like holograms & pigtails.

But while I was away she decided to get even and spent the day hanging out with the wrong crowd.. She came home with blatant signs of overspray.. I can't wait to get my hands on the hack who painted all over my cat! Lol.

[Jarhead0754]

Re: Quik noob question regarding RV washing.

awesome job on that rv! now i know most of the time the roof gets neglected and so ive seen the horror stories of the mold and such that grow up there, how was yours or did u not get up there and scrub? alot of owners just wash the sides and skip the top thinking u cant see it, and by no means do i think u would do such a thing as u r one of the mol's fanatics and do awesome work, and btw if it were my cat and someone painted them, well my animals are like my kids and i would hurt them real bad, but in this case it looks like she ducked under something that was just painted.

[Eldorado2k]

You hit the nail on the head.^
And that's the part that innitially began eating away at the time. The owner of the RV wasnt home when I began and he asked me [on phone] if I had my own ladder. [which I understood as he didn't want anyone climbing his RV's ladder nor walking on top of it. Totally understandable. I wasn't about to try that either, unless he was there and said it was ok to do so.]

So this being my 1st time attempting this presented unseen challenges that I did somewhat ok to prepare for, but my tools wern't up to par.
For example:

While I did bring 2 ladders, knowing I'd need a normal big ladder to stand on to wash the sides and an even bigger, fireman style ladder lay on the side of the RV to reach the roof, I didn't exactly feel like I was in optimum position to clean up top at any time.

For 1, my roof ladder felt a bit unsecure.

2. My choice of wash brush proved inferior for the job at hand. I made the choice of going with a cheapo HF version of a wash brush instead of the proper style brush sold at the local detail supply shop because I didnt want to pay $26+ for a brush I might only use once. Plus that would cut too much into the days profit.. HF brush was a complete Fail and waste of time.

3. While I did think about protecting the RV from my ladder laying on its upper corner while I was to be washing the roof, my choice of protection, [an industrial matt with a rubber back] left a large unwashed footprint once I was done with each section = more work and more time..

I gave washing the roof my honest shot. But after the 1st section I realized It was simply not going to happen without the proper tools and proper access to the roof. I informed the owner about the roof not being totally done and he understood. Lesson learned. Round 1 went to the RV.

Next time I see that RV, me and that roof are due for a rematch. I'll be sure to pack the proper gear and will most likely have roof access. Good thing is it doesn't appear to be a super dirty up there, so it should clean up nice.

[exploreco]

Re: Quik noob question regarding RV washing.

lmao, love that cat eldo Michael, the cat needs to be adapted at the resident MOL expert.