Wash or wait?

Question

Last trip we encountered some bugs (not too bad) on the way home but it was storming when we arrived so never really thought about washing. We are about to take another trip and got the FW out of storage to install JT Strongarms this past weekend. I was noticing the bugs on the front.  The FW is parked under an awning in storage or in the shade at home when not in use so I don't believe anything has been baked on by the sun (yet). In fact, I was able to just wash off the bugs I could reach from the ground with a wet rag and very little elbow power. We will be heading to the beach in a couple of weeks for just an extended weekend and I know full well we will not only encounter more bugs (this is Texas....grasshopper central this year) as well we will need to wash the FW really good when we return to remove the salt and sand as that is a big deal to me with our vehicle and our FW. So my question (an opinion only thing, of course) is...wash now AND when we get back or wait?  It is a big job...What would you do?  A second question....this is a new FW (bought in April) and we have never waxed it.  Would it be better to wax before taking it in the salty air at the beach or will it matter?  Again, everyone has different opinions...I am not looking for ugly comments just curious what others would do knowing it will need a good washing in a couple of weeks when we return.   I am bouncing back and forth with my decision.  Thanks!

reader1 · Answer

We try to wax the 5er at least once a year.  In addition DH likes to put a coat of wax on the front of it before going on long trips, especially if we are going to the beach and if we are going to be traveling for hours at night when the bugs are worse.

ddschuman · Answer

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking the wax would be better before also. Just dreading the big job as DH will not have time to help me before our trip.  We should have gotten it done this past weekend when he wasn't obligated to anything else but we didn't.  Guess this may be my job for the coming weekend.

rscraig · Answer

Since you've never waxed it, I'd say clean the bugs off before you leave. Use one of those plastic net dish cleaner balls - they wont scratch. If necessary use commercial bug and tar remover. Once the front cap is clean, wax it with a good coat of paste wax. From then on, future bugs should come off fairly easily. You dont want the Texas sun baking them on permanently.

You can wax the rest of the RV if you want, but IMHO, its a lot of work for largely cosmetic results. Once back from the beach just rinse everything down with clear water--especially the undercarriage where the rain wont do it for you.

veebyes · Answer

There is no instant easy way for gelcoat protection. What is neglected now will mean more work later. You will pay for for maintenance neglect.

Clean the bugs off. Use a cleaner wax to remove the chalking in the gelcoat. Cleaner wax won't last long despite manufacturer claims. Follow the cleaner wax with a coat of sealant or pure wax, the best you can find, which usually means the most expensive. It takes the same effort to apply the expensive stuff which lasts vs budget stuff which does not, so you might as well pay the money & use something that will last a year rather than 6 months.

With a good wax base future bugs meeting their demise on the front of your rig will wash off much easier.

chuck_gail · Answer

What would we do?  Go and not wash it.  Then consider the question again after returning.  Might not even wash it then.

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Wash or wait?

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