11-3
SECTION 11 –
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
Washing
•
Commercial vehicle wash facilities should be
strictly avoided! They will scratch your RV!
Truck-style wash centers have high-
pressure wands that emit higher than
necessary water pressures and the
brushes are very aggressive.
Most truck wash brushes are made from
a heavy plastic for durability and are
under heavy pressure. They are designed
to clean heavy road films on semi trailers
and are often dirty. They are not
designed for custom painted RV’s and
they will scratch the clearcoat finish.
Many times these scratches can
penetrate the clearcoat finish, possibly
causing delamination and/or other paint
related issues that are not covered under
warranty.
•
Wash your RV with cool or lukewarm water
using a mild soap (such as a baby shampoo)
that does not contain bleach solution. Most
auto stores offer car wash detailing soaps that
are similar and do not have bleach in the
formulation (
such as Meguiars #62
).
•
Never use a bristled brush or broom to wash
the painted surface. This will cause scratches
in the finish. Using a microfiber cloth, mitt, or
mop is strongly recommended.
•
Be sure your cloth or applicator is clean. A
dirty applicator can scratch your RV.
Washing Procedure
•
Rinse area to be washed with cold water to
remove surface residue. Ensure you are not in
direct sunlight.
•
With area to be washed still wet from the rinse,
use the recommended soapy mixture to clean
the area. To avoid scratching painted surfaces,
a microfiber cloth, mitt, or mop is strongly
recommended to apply soapy water.
•
Rinse washed area before soap evaporates.
•
Dry the rinsed area before the water
evaporates.
NOTE:Avoid aiming water flow from a hose or
spray from high-pressure washing
equipment into any appliance intake, as
damage or difficulty in operating
appliances may occur.
•
After washing the coach, carefully inspect
sealant around window frames, vents, and any
other joints that may have loosened or
separated. See “Sealants - Inspection and
General Information” at the beginning of this
section for details.
Bug Removal
•
Rinse any loose debris off with water and
allow the remaining residues to soak and
soften. Use soap and water to wash the
residue, then rinse.
NOTE: You may wish to repeat and leave soap
on longer than normal to help with
softening hardened residue.
•
For more stubborn areas, use an ammonia-
based glass cleaner followed by washing with
warm soapy water, then rinse.
•
Remember to use microfiber towels during
this process to help avoid scratches.
•
If this does not work, as a last resort, use a bug
removal product (
like SEAFOAM Bugs-B-
Gone, or equivalent
) in a shady area and
follow the directions on label.
Ensure cleaner is completely wiped off of
painted surfaces. Failure to comply may cause
the paint to blister and/or peel.
Polishing and/or Waxing
NOTE:When your coach is new or has been
repainted for any reason, no polish or
wax should be applied to the finish until
after a 60-day cure cycle at temperatures
higher than 60 degrees for 60 days.
Failure to observe this precaution could
void your paint warranty.
•
We recommend a silicone-free polish with an
orbital machine and terry cloth applicator.
•
Liquid waxes are easier to apply and bring to
a gloss with fewer residues.
