Detailing an older motorhome

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

We have our 2002 Monaco LaPalma coach now. It is dirty and i need to clean it and wash it.
Wash solution? Wax? Electric brush? Manual brush.?

I have seen the You Tube videos and most of them are ads for their own product.
Do I need a power washer?

What say you real life people?
Tom---newbie (go easy pleasey!)

[Lwiddis]

I vote for vinyl flooring with washable throw rugs.

[craz_z]

A pressure washer with a foam cannon attached is simply amazing after experimenting with a barage of different soaps dawn is by far the thickest soap out there i can lay over 2 inches of foam down and the rv is 10 times cleaner then blasting with full on high pressure its a diy touchless setup

I like to wax with protectall seems way longer lasting then a full buff job and quicker too

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

Yes It is my first time. It is dirty and has been kept outside in Sun City AZ. The decals have been taken off and re-painted a few years back. I am seeing alot of conflicting info.

Next shampoo the carpet or rip it out and replace with vinyl wood flooring.

[2gypsies1]

Is this the first time you've washed the 2002? If so, it may take more than one washing! 🙂

[johnhicks]

Dish soap can soften old paint; you can scrub your thin paint right off. Pressure washing can blast off any decals and strip caulk from seams. Seen all of that a few times.

[10forty2]

Oasisbob wrote:
....... I enlisted neighborhood kids. Told them how fun it was.......

I see what you did there, Tom Sawyer.......:B

[Oasisbob]

A pressure washer is nice but not needed. Have any coin op car wash places near you? Paint is probley oxidized. A mile rubbing deoxidizer followed by a good quality wax. I have tried most and now use Mcguires or Mother's brands. Just takes time and elbow work. I enlisted neighborhood kids. Told them how fun it was. I ended up with two coats of wax. Best of luck

[10forty2]

By far, the best cleaner I've found is the Magic Eraser. Buy yourself a case of them and have some fun!

There are also detailed instructions out there on how to use Zep floor wax to renew the shine. I have not done it yet, but plan to try it this Summer.

[wvabeer]

What about those **** black streaks without removing wax?

[garyemunson]

I follow Arch's plan. However, if you have a newer coach with an ice maker in the fridge, it's best to use a water filter as the icemaker valve is very sensitive to trash in the line that won't bother your plumbing or the usual faucets and other valves in the coach. Most RVs with ice maker fridges have a small filter under the sink for that purpose but at $50 a cartridge, I chose to ditch that one and use a cheaper external filter.

[wildtoad]

No on the power washer. I tried them before and they don’t really get it clean. Yes it removes most of the dirt, but still leaves a film. For washing I use a wash mitt or wash pad on a pole. No brushes ever as they leave swirl marks (which are inevitable, but brushes seem to increase the number). For waxing, since mine is new, full paint, I simply use any of the modern spray on, wipe down products like Lucas Slick Mist. Provides a nice shine and UV protection without a lot of work. NO more “WAX ON, WAX OFF” for this guy.

[Dale_Traveling]

Bucket and brush. Dish soap in warm water. If I'm stripping old wax I'll pretreat with Dollar Store LA Awesome mixed up in a garden pump sprayer. Heavy stains I'll use liquid Bar Keeper's Friend. For a wax pick one.

If you want to attempt a power washer use a wide spray and a couple of feet distance between the nozzle and the coach. Get aggressive with a high pressure sprayer and you can create water leaks.

Magic Eraser does quick work cleaning the awning.

[Ski_Pro_3]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. By far the most revolutionary cleaning agent in decades.
BUT...
You can get generic for a whole lot less. I bought 'em on Amazon here;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072LWTTBR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just did all the windows in my house using just one. Every water spot and fly speck now gone. No streaks, used with Costco's window cleaner solution and a squeegee.

[jerseyjim]

I've used a truck stop twice. No problem. The only problem with them is timing:

First come, first served. Average 18 wheeler takes about an hour. Car carrier, 2 hours. Best time to arrive is around 1AM on a Sunday morning. Might be there a few hours anyway. If you have decals instead of full paint, TELL THE ATTENDANT.

I surely don't make a habit out of using the truck wash. For me, a hose, long brush and soap does it. Simple Green on the roof once a year. (re-caulk every 2 years, too.)