Cleaning while on the road September 19, 2022, 05:05:48 pm I am new to this and have searched but not found anything. I'm sure it is here. But here goes.. I know many of you travel for months or full time. I have taken a couple trips of about 3 weeks in length and the rig gets covered in bugs. What I am wondering is how do others clean it while on the road. I also had problems with bottles leaking I think from pressure changes going up and down mountains and also heat.I tried one of the you wash car washes that had high bays but ended up running out of quarters.Do people take them to truck washes? and don't they use high pressure?Is there a chain that does a good job on the LD?Just curious what others do.ThanksSteve 1 Likes
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #1 – September 19, 2022, 05:37:41 pm On longer trips, we carry a bucket, auto soap, towels, and a telescoping wash brush for places where washing is allowed (friend's or relatives' driveway or an Escapee park). Most DIY car washes do not allow bucket washing.I do not like using high-pressure car washes, things can get damaged but will do so in a careful way when the rig is covered in mud, salt, or covered in wildfire smoke debris. I usually wait until getting home to give it a good wash job.Many full-trimers or long-term travelers use a dry washing system successfully.Amazon.com: Aero Cosmetics Waterless RV Aircraft Boat Wash Wax Mop Kit with...Bugs are another story, I try to keep the lower front of the rig free of splattered bugs, it's good to be able to see and to keep the engine's radiator free of bugs. A good wax job, including the windshield, will help in removing the carcasses.Larry 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #2 – September 19, 2022, 06:25:28 pm Our methods of cleaning our LD are very similar to Larry’s. We’ve never used a power washer or had a commercial place wash our LD. Bugs … their shelf life on our LD is often less than 24 hours. We give our LD a full body wax every 6 months which really helps. That’s our RV cleaning routine. 1 Likes
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #3 – September 19, 2022, 06:44:41 pm Here’s what I did on my maiden ten week trip.Rinsed the RV twice at a large bay self wash, enough to get surface dirt off, avoiding any pressure at all at bays, seams, and windows, but being aggressive in the front of the cab, being tough on the bugs.Hand washed the front another four times to keep up with the bugs, have a bucket, sponges, and poles to reach up higher. Took advantage of every rainy day to work on the front, as a good free soaking made it easier.After each bug washing, put a quick coat of wax on the trouble spots to make the job easier. This is in addition to the wash and wax before and after the trip. Frankly this is the part of ownership I don’t enjoy.I also carry my own telescoping windshield cleaner to clean the windshield between fill ups or in case the place I stop doesn’t have a decent one. 1 Likes
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #4 – September 19, 2022, 07:24:01 pm We do like Larry. On our past rigs, we've always carried a bucket and brush and give it a quick wash where it's allowed. I use the bucket and one of those mesh sponges for the bugs once in awhile on the road. Actually, I'm looking forward to the process on our LD. A lot less surface area than our old ones! On our old rigs and on the LD I use a polymer finish. Right now I'm using Finish First as the previous owner did but I may change to Rejex which I have used for years. jor 1 Likes
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #5 – September 20, 2022, 04:05:24 pm We use those self wash places where the bay is big enough, and if I had my way we would be there every other week. However with once a month wash, the bug gust can get VERY sticky and hard to remove. They'll come off eventually.To prevent the bug guts, use a wax product. I use Hybrid Solutions Pro Graphene Flex Wax | Turtle Wax on the hood and most of the front that I can reach and it's amazing how easy it is to give the rv a quick rince and it's basically clean after that. Wish I could reach the top!I once bought this (Hybrid Solutions 3-in-1 Ceramic Wax | Turtle Wax) thinking it was just wax, but it's also meant for washing and waxing all in one. This thing is great for quick washes, it does take rececnt bug guts and bird poop off (tested) and leaves an ok wax surface.Have also tried blue beacon (truck wash) but I am never going there again. My LD is a '94 and the paint is very fragile at this point. They tend to use acid, or so I've heard, and even though I would tell them not to, I have a feeling they forget to skip that. My paint starts to come off and onto our drying cloth... I just don't want to wash the paint away any further.For the bay washes, to save quarters I just do the high pressure soap, brush if needed (always needed on the front for the bug guts) and then the wax rinse. I don't do any of that pre-soak, rinse, spot-free.... Then I dry it all up and have been able to pay just $6 one time Oh for the tires I do use Aero Cosmetics Rubber Care. That is amazing and a must! 1 Likes
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #6 – September 21, 2022, 05:05:24 pm What products do you folks use for the wash and wax?
Re: Cleaning while on the road Reply #7 – September 22, 2022, 11:07:47 am Quote from: kmk20 - September 21, 2022, 05:05:24 pmWhat products do you folks use for the wash and wax?I had been trying Wash Wax All, and wasn't happy with it. It didn't give the nice, shiny coverage that I prefer, especially on the lower darker-colored areas of my 15-year-old rig. Those areas have oxidized some through the years. So now I am back to Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax. I apply it with the supplied round waxer. It does take more elbow grease to remove it with the supplied microfiber towel, but I think it's worth the results. The Meguiar's lasts longer, too. Amazon.com: Meguiar's G210516 Ultimate Liquid Wax, 16 oz, Black : Everything... 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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Topic: Cleaning while on the road (Read 317 times)
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