Need help... finding the best cleaner / wax for my RV

[Mr.B]

Well its been a few weeks since I logged in to the forum. I see many of the members are ready for warmer weather.. me too!

I have a problem and I'm hopeful I will get some good advice from many of you. I have a 2004 Cardinal fifth wheel it has what I believe to be a NON-GEL COATED fiberglass exterior. It is showing some paint oxidation and my wax just won't last long, nor does it create that desired "shine".

I started to use Meguires Ulitimate Cleaning liguid stuff yesterday applying it with an 6" orbital polisher and the wax applicator bonnet. Problem is the results I'm getting are not real good and may even be bad. I'm getting a lot of splotches, I can go over and over the area and get it a little better but really not great. Worked about 3 hours yesterday on about 40 sf of surface area. The rig is 33' x what 10' so thats a lot of surface area not even touched yet!

I searched the forum and found one person recommending Meguires Number 50 Marine-RV cleaner/wax.

Does anyone have detailing experience or suggestions on the best cleaner/wax to use and how best to apply and remove it.

Bryan

[Mr.B]

Hey; anyone out there with suggestions?

[MtnGuy]

I use NuFinish on the front of my camper, as the direct sun does a number on that. The rest of the camper, I use Protect-All.....easy to apply and remove.

[Char_n_Kath]

This past summer I applied Protect-All to our brand new unit - by hand & not with a polisher. even though it was easy to apply, it was an all-day job (including a good washing) and my unit is 24'. I decided on Protect-All after much research, and I'll learn how well it works this summer, as it sits under the New Mexico sun.

Charlie

[grhodes50]

X2 on the NuFinish. I've used it for years on my truck and my wive's car. It's not a wax, but a sealant and can be applied in direct sunlight. It's pretty easy to apply and take off. It will last as long as any and leaves a nice shine.

[dan747]

[QUOTE=Mr.B;84052]Well its been a few weeks since I logged in to the forum. I see many of the members are ready for warmer weather.. me too!

I have a problem and I'm hopeful I will get some good advice from many of you. I have a 2004 Cardinal fifth wheel it has what I believe to be a NON-GEL COATED fiberglass exterior. It is showing some paint oxidation and my wax just won't last long, nor does it create that desired "shine".

I feel for you Mr B. I have a 2005 TT that must have the same coating. I paid extra when I bought the trailer to have a sealer protector applied that was supposed to keep that from happening and it still happened. I have tried several different polishes and the results have been the same as you have experienced. Although the Nu Finish did seem to work the best. I pride myself on taking care of my vehicles and it really ticked me off to see the finish degrade like it has, in spite of my work. I've done it by hand and I have used a polisher, both are alot of work. How's your decals holding up. That is another area that really has gone south, peeling, cracking, fading. You name anything ugly that could happen and it is. My new trailer that is on order has the super smooth and shiny gel coat like on a motor home, so I hope that holds up better.

[Tommy]

Has anyone tried 303 Protectant? I used it on my fiberglass 1990 Airstream 36' Land Yacht Motorhome and it really brought the shine out. You might try it.

[sherdep]

I use Adams polishes on my truck and plan on using it on my camper when it arrives
I have a high speed orbital polisher to apply it as well - adamspolishes.com has videos on applying and using the there polishes - very good to watch

there are plenty of fiberglass polishes out there -

Check out youtube for videos as well - did a search on polishing fiberglass - found a bunch of diffrent videos

check out kittsmiller rv - she has a few videos up there and used a bio oxidation remover and then wiped baby oil for the bugs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnKZz...eature=related

[Rugged Brown]

Sherdep...that kittsmiller broad is a sandwich short of a picnic..."buy a new rv instead of cleaning it",,, you must have suggested that tip for a joke?

[bsmall]

Here is what I used and love it, goes on easy and came off easy Meguiars Mirror Glaze #50 Marine/RV Cleaner Wax. I can't recall the exact site I bought it from but googled it and came up with this site:
http://www.autogeek.net/boat-cleaner-wax.html

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Sherdep...that kittsmiller broad is a sandwich short of a picnic..."buy a new rv instead of cleaning it",,, you must have suggested that tip for a joke?

it was more for the oxidation removal - not the buy a new rv tip
For an owner of an RV place I found the facial expressions kind of out of the norm if that makes sense

[Smokyroo]

Sherdep,
I would suggest using Collinites Fleet Wax...it is a superb boat wax. I use maguiers too, but the Collinites holds up quite well on the boat. If you need to first apply a cleaner wax and 3M makes a good marine cleaner wax which has a touch of rubbing compound to remove light oxidation..then apply the Collinites...but if you really want a great shine use a very light rubbing compound then wax it after it has been polished.

Unlike a boat, well I suspect unlike a boat, the skin on the TT is much thinner and applying too much pressure or force with a buffer and rubbing compound can lead to trouble quickly and you could really damage the finish.

[sherdep]

where do you buy that at bob?
I have never heard of it (Collinites Fleet Wax)

[bill and theresa]

I use FW1 waterless cleaner/wax. Great product. I use twice a season and it removes black streak, restores shine to faded decals. Use on metal, glass , fiberglass, and other services.Little expensive but 1 can does my 31' twice including the TV.http://www.fw1shine.com

[Smokyroo]

Sherdep,
Most boat supply places carry it. I buy it from West Marine. There is a paste form and liquid. I use the liquid.

[Smokyroo]

Sherdep, while there pick up a huge gallon size. 303 protectant for the roof too. 303 is an outstanding UV blocker...good for the roof.

[BigRed]

BIO-KLEEN..........best Ive ever used..better than and cheaper than 303. And 303 is real good !! Find it at Biokleen.com , I think ?? Cant remember !!

[rockwood06]

When i wash my camper i use this from the Dollar Store and when i wax it i use Meguiar's Mirrow Glaze.

[Smokyroo]

Bigred,
Is bioclean suggested for marine use, as in boat seats, bolsters and other vinyl on the boat? If so, I will give it a try. I am generally lazy and if I can find a product that I can cross detail the boat and TT, I go with it. Since I live in a rural area, I have to either order my stuff online or when I am at the coast, stock up at West Marine. They have decent prices and a good rewards card program where I save some money.

You know boat stands for break out another thousand...sometimes I think the RV is like that..lol

[kvtaylor]

One of the best auto and RV wax on the market is FAST WAX. You can find it on a couple of web pages or send me a email, I carry it as a distributer. Its made in North Carolina for NASCAR. One wax job a year and your RV will shine. we had the same finish on our Montana and it worked great. its easy to go on and come off. I can do our motor home in 4 hours.