Do Not Wax Decals
In reading the Owners Manual for our new 2013 Komfort 2410RK I read where we should use a good non-abrasive automobile wax or gel-coat wax on the gel-coated fiberglass walls, but it states SEVERAL tim...
Forum Discussion
Dave Pete writes "Does anybody have experience or knowlege with exactly...
Why is waxing the graphics bad?"
The materials that the graphics are printed on (IE VINYL) are made from the same PETROCHEMICALS base that nearly all waxes will have. In other words the base of all vinyl products is from OIL (AKA CRUDE OIL).
Most nearly all automotive waxes will CONTAIN products or byproducts from CRUDE OIL and will be listed as PETROCHEMICALS on the container.
Once vinyl and auto wax meets, the PETROCHEMICAL byproducts in the wax start attacking the vinyl basically speeding up the breakdown of said vinyl graphics.
"How do you easily wax the wall without getting it on the graphics?"
Not an easy feat by any means, a little care and patience along with using a lot of clean unused rags around the graphics to clean up any place that you accidentally touched with wax quickly.
"Is avoiding waxing the graphics realistic?"
Yes.
Some folks here are going to have a heart attack on this one... DON'T WAX it at all.
Simple as that, I have NEVER EVER WAXED a travel trailer and the finish has not gone bad. Granted the factory shine will fade a bit over 20 yrs but with a good wash once or twice a year it looks good once again (although not a mirror shine it still has plenty of luster).
If you MUST have that "mirror" like shine then perhaps look into what some folks are doing with Zep "Red Max" floor wax. Keep in mind that folks have been doing this for a SHORT TIME (IE 2-3 yrs) so it is an experiment work in progress and no long term results are known as of yet..
Keep in mind that your vinyl graphics in a few years WILL start fading, peeling or cracking on their own. At that time peel them off and either forget about them or have new graphics PAINTED on (the only real solution if you want the graphics to be permanent).
Vinyl is not forever (I should know since I have delt with antique cars with vinyl roofs), basically 3-4 yrs is typical life...
Why is waxing the graphics bad?"
The materials that the graphics are printed on (IE VINYL) are made from the same PETROCHEMICALS base that nearly all waxes will have. In other words the base of all vinyl products is from OIL (AKA CRUDE OIL).
Most nearly all automotive waxes will CONTAIN products or byproducts from CRUDE OIL and will be listed as PETROCHEMICALS on the container.
Once vinyl and auto wax meets, the PETROCHEMICAL byproducts in the wax start attacking the vinyl basically speeding up the breakdown of said vinyl graphics.
"How do you easily wax the wall without getting it on the graphics?"
Not an easy feat by any means, a little care and patience along with using a lot of clean unused rags around the graphics to clean up any place that you accidentally touched with wax quickly.
"Is avoiding waxing the graphics realistic?"
Yes.
Some folks here are going to have a heart attack on this one... DON'T WAX it at all.
Simple as that, I have NEVER EVER WAXED a travel trailer and the finish has not gone bad. Granted the factory shine will fade a bit over 20 yrs but with a good wash once or twice a year it looks good once again (although not a mirror shine it still has plenty of luster).
If you MUST have that "mirror" like shine then perhaps look into what some folks are doing with Zep "Red Max" floor wax. Keep in mind that folks have been doing this for a SHORT TIME (IE 2-3 yrs) so it is an experiment work in progress and no long term results are known as of yet..
Keep in mind that your vinyl graphics in a few years WILL start fading, peeling or cracking on their own. At that time peel them off and either forget about them or have new graphics PAINTED on (the only real solution if you want the graphics to be permanent).
Vinyl is not forever (I should know since I have delt with antique cars with vinyl roofs), basically 3-4 yrs is typical life...