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Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
I use coconut oil as a skin conditioner and had some on my hands under the nitrile gloves I use when waxing the RV.  <Spa treatment and bus waxing combined!! >
Anyway, one of the gloves tore open as I was buffing the wax off the stripes and I got a bunch of coconut oil on the stripping. I wiped it off and noticed how incredibly better the stripping looked after the coconut oil was wiped off, compared to the waxed and buffed stripping alone.
Knowing the oil could not damage any other exterior surface and the worst that could happen would be it collected/attracted dust, I experimented with applying to various exterior surfaces. I wanted to see if was consistently better than just waxing and buffing. 
It was.

Here is what I’ve found out so far;
1)  It also works great on the window edging, the raised lettering on the chassis, and the strip of edging material around the back wheel covers.

2)  It did not attract more dust where it was used, than where it wasn’t  used

3)  the effects were not diminished by exposure to direct sun, wind and light rain over a 3 day period.

4)  The best results were obtained in this sequence;            wash/ oil/ wax/ buff

5)  rather than this sequence;                                                    wash/ wax/ buff/ oil
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #1 –
Thx, Alice...especially that you did a controlled experiment & documented the different options/showed side-by-side comparisons. 

What do you use for the wash & wax?  Lauralee showed some pretty amazing stuff at Ladeze a few years ago that requires no water (just the product) for the wash part of the process.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #2 –
Not that I disagree with the process but it maybe that unless the coconut oil is pure we don't know if its the oil or the another ingredient in the container. 

Ya my poor wife has to put up with my engineer brain all the time.......

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Alice  - 
I use coconut oil as a skin conditioner and had some on my hands under the nitrile gloves I use when waxing the RV.  <Spa treatment and bus waxing combined!! >
 Anyway, one of the gloves tore open as I was buffing the wax off the stripes and I got a bunch of coconut oil on the stripping. I wiped it off and noticed how incredibly better the stripping looked after the coconut oil was wiped off, compared to the waxed and buffed stripping alone.
Knowing the oil could not damage any other exterior surface and the worst that could happen would be it collected/attracted dust, I experimented with applying to various exterior surfaces. I wanted to see if was consistently better than just waxing and buffing. 
It was.

Here is what I’ve found out so far;
 1)  It also works great on the window edging, the raised lettering on the chassis, and the strip of edging material around the back wheel covers.

2)  It did not attract more dust where it was used, than where it wasn’t  used

3)  the effects were not diminished by exposure to direct sun, wind and light rain over a 3 day period.

4)  The best results were obtained in this sequence;            wash/ oil/ wax/ buff

5)  rather than this sequence;                                                    wash/ wax/ buff/ oil

Thanks for this test, Alice. The proof will be in how long it lasts. Please let us know how durable this application is.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #4 –
Glen & Chris--

Exactly--which was why I appreciated Alice doing a controlled comparison of the product she used & sharing the photos.  Her long-term experience--plus additional data from any others who try to replicate her procedure will be very interesting...a "spa treatment" for the hands is never a bad thing; adding in a "spa treatment" for the LD could be a two-fer.   ;D

Looking forward to hearing more...& maybe I'll get myself energized for this project.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #5 –
303 Aerospace Protectant works very well to "lube" any vinyl or rubber parts.....  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #6 –
Wonder how the bears and other creatures like the smell of coconut oil, you could find the stripes licked clean in the morning.
As Chris said, the proof is in seeing how long the improvement last, probably not more than a few days, I have found nothing that persist.
Maybe this is it.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #7 –
Larry, that is a good point if any of the coconut smell persists.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #8 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
Not that I disagree with the process but it maybe that unless the coconut oil is pure we don't know if its the oil or the another ingredient in the container. 

Ya my poor wife has to put up with my engineer brain all the time.......

glen

The first photo didn't show the ingredients, so here's a pix of the back of the same bottle. Your point is valid and I should have shown the ingredients label.
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: STUMBLED UPON
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Wonder how the bears and other creatures like the smell of coconut oil, you could find the stripes licked clean in the morning.
As Chris said, the proof is in seeing how long the improvement last, probably not more than a few days, I have found nothing that persist.
Maybe this is it.

Larry

When I first started using coconut oil as a skin conditioner - (it works like magic on old lady's thin and easily damaged skin. Really, like magic, I kid you not) - I was walking around smelling like a macaroon and at one point attracted  a pack of feral 6 year olds that thought I had cookies......    That's scarier than bears. :D  8)  :P
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #11 –
"...at one point attracted a pack of feral 6 year olds that thought I had cookies......    That's scarier than bears."

Just startled the dog when I guffawed.  :D   Thx, I needed that!

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Alice  - 
What is that???  do you have a link??
Google "303 Aerospace Protectant".  IMHO, one of the "must haves" for maintaining a motorhome.  Great for maintaining tires, rubber, plastic, and more.  Other will likely chime in.  It can be a bit pricey, but worth it.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #13 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
Ya my poor wife has to put up with my engineer brain all the
This line really resonated with me!  Barbara and I have ongoing fun with my approach to problem solving.  I think that my engineering approach to problems is alternately helpful and frustrating to her.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #14 –
OK <smile>
down the rabbit hole we go .....  maybe we all should get a social life.   I guess this is what happens when you become an LD owner.

Coconut Oil

Seems pure Coconut oil melts at 24C (76F).  So they hydrogenate  to increase its melting point to 36–40 °C (97–104 °F).

Two points -- one - humans are generally at 98.6F (range between 97F to 99F) so when you put the hydrogenated oil on your skin it will melt  that is why you smell like a Coconut and two - may guess after a day or two of full sun hitting the sides of your LD all the Coconut oil will melt and run down the sides as gravity wins the battle again.    Sadly gravity seems to always win any battle it is involved it. 

glen


personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #15 –
"OK <smile>
down the rabbit hole we go .....  maybe we all should get a social life.   I guess this is what happens when you become an LD owner."

But I'm getting more benefit from this than the coffee detours...   :P  ::)  :D

"...gravity seems to always win any battle it is involved it."

Certainly has been winning with me...  :P  ::)  :D

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #16 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
OK <smile>
down the rabbit hole we go .....  maybe we all should get a social life.  I guess this is what happens when you become an LD owner.

Coconut Oil

Seems pure Coconut oil melts at 24C (76F).  So they hydrogenate  to increase its melting point to 36–40 °C (97–104 °F).

Two points -- one - humans are generally at 98.6F (range between 97F to 99F) so when you put the hydrogenated oil on your skin it will melt  that is why you smell like a Coconut and two - may guess after a day or two of full sun hitting the sides of your LD all the Coconut oil will melt and run down the sides as gravity wins the battle again.    Sadly gravity seems to always win any battle it is involved it. 

glen
Seems it specifically states it is non hydrogenated.
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #17 –
Here’s the Coconut oil experiment update;
These pix are all after 12 days of 24hr outdoor exposure in direct sun, got rained on and 2 days of high winds.

What I have learned from this experiment;
1) any non-solid substance applied to the side of a LD RV, will melt in the sun and run down the side, if not applied in the proper amount or wiped down/rubbed in/buffed properly.
2) Many people have an unnatural fear of coconut oil.
3) If the coconut oil is applied after washing the surface and then waxed over, the waxing stabilizes the effects of the oil.
4) With the coconut oil there were no bears, raccoons and etc attracted to the odor, or found licking the sides of the RV.
5) With the application of 303 Aerospace Protectant there WERE several engineers attracted to its lingering odor, however they were not found licking the sides of the RV.
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #18 –
Alice--

Thx for the update.

RE: "5) With the application of 303 Aerospace Protectant there WERE several engineers attracted to its lingering odor, however they were not found licking the sides of the RV."

I've heard of bear spray, & a neighbor used some kind of deer repellant to protect her garden; good to know there's no need for another protective product, since no engineers were "...found licking the sides of the RV."  In fact, perhaps 303 Aerospace Protectant could be used as a sort of lure, since that's the sort of wildlife I'd find useful to have around.   ;)   8)   :D

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
 
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #19 –
I tested the coconut oil on my compartment doors which are fading fast. The first photo was after application on Aug. 10. The second photo was taken today, Sept. 2, so about a 3 week test. You can draw your own conclusions.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #21 –
"Hi Chris. Have you tried Meguiars 'Back to Black?  Yes I know, the door isn't black."


Ron, I have some Back to Black but have not tried it on the compartment doors. Since I am experimenting, I think I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: STUMBLED UPON - Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #22 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
I tested the coconut oil on my compartment doors which are fading fast. The first photo was after application on Aug. 10. The second photo was taken today, Sept. 2, so about a 3 week test. You can draw your own conclusions.

Chris

If you wax it after the you apply the coconut oil, the shine is preserved!!  Mine still look great and its parked outside, in the desert sun all year.
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #23 –
Try it this way
who let the dogs out
1992 RB
Re: Using Coconut Oil on Exterior Surfaces
Reply #24 –
Quote from: Alice  - 
If you wax it after the you apply the coconut oil, the shine is preserved!!  Mine still look great and its parked outside, in the desert sun all year.

Thanks for the tip, Alice. I'll try it.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB