We just returned from a 4,150+ mile 8 state, 19 day trip from Tucson to Yellowstone/Grand Teton NP's. Our 24' Nexus Phantom at 101" wide and with 7' of interior head room throughout the coach has one of the largest bug catchers {cabover} to be found anywhere... we love the room but removing the bugs and road debris after a serious trip can bes an equally serious PITA!
Like somebody famous once said "Mission accomplished!" :S
Now as to how...
I start with a bucket of standard car wash soapy water and a long handled soft bristle brush. Agressively spray the cabover and commence scrubbing with the brush working small sections at a time and then another very aggressive rinse or two. This by no means gets any more than about half of them so now it is time for my not so secret weapon... "Bug Slide"
Having left the cabover wet I use a step ladder to get me close enough to generously spray on the BS, let it soak for 60 seconds and then using a soft cloth {loose knit} scrub pad begin scrubbing the little buggers off. A circular motion without excessive pressure seems to work well.
Working in thirds I was able to get them all and leave a decent shine behind which greatly reduces future bug sticks, in about 45 minutes start to finish. You can get Bug Slide on Amazon, I buy a half a gallon every year and just refill the handy spray bottles. Was introduced to it at a bike show and had such good luck with it on the bikes I started using it on the coach.
Cleaning the rest of the coach and trailer were straightforward enough, more bucket and brush, rinse it off and a wipe down with a microfiber towel and after 2 hours{including the dreaded cabover} I am ready to take it out and get it dirty all over again.
:B
Like somebody famous once said "Mission accomplished!" :S
Now as to how...
I start with a bucket of standard car wash soapy water and a long handled soft bristle brush. Agressively spray the cabover and commence scrubbing with the brush working small sections at a time and then another very aggressive rinse or two. This by no means gets any more than about half of them so now it is time for my not so secret weapon... "Bug Slide"
Having left the cabover wet I use a step ladder to get me close enough to generously spray on the BS, let it soak for 60 seconds and then using a soft cloth {loose knit} scrub pad begin scrubbing the little buggers off. A circular motion without excessive pressure seems to work well.
Working in thirds I was able to get them all and leave a decent shine behind which greatly reduces future bug sticks, in about 45 minutes start to finish. You can get Bug Slide on Amazon, I buy a half a gallon every year and just refill the handy spray bottles. Was introduced to it at a bike show and had such good luck with it on the bikes I started using it on the coach.
Cleaning the rest of the coach and trailer were straightforward enough, more bucket and brush, rinse it off and a wipe down with a microfiber towel and after 2 hours{including the dreaded cabover} I am ready to take it out and get it dirty all over again.
:B
OP here with an update...
After a couple more trips followed by the Bug slide method outlined earlier in this post I am happy to report that it just keeps getting easier. Now just a blast from the hose and couple of light passes with the long handled brush and car wash soap gets about 95 percent of the bugs off. I still use the 6' step ladder and a little Bug Slide lightly buffed with a micro fiber cloth but each time it leaves an even better, virtually non stick surface/shine.
I recently started using one of the new high tech polymer sealant polishes I found on the internet "Torque Mirror Shine" {Google it - available on Amazon} on my 2019 Honda Ridgeline and my 2017 Indian Springfield with awesome results. The key is get the vehicle extremely clean right down to the clear coat before applying the polish. This is best accomplished using a clay bar treatment {I like the Mothers Clay Bar kit consisting of their liquid detailer which acts as a lubricant for the clay bar - comes with 2 bars}.
After having such good luck with the Honda and the bike I did the front of the Class C :
Keep in mind this is a 2012 coach, not too shabby for 9 years old... :B
The polish is about the color and consistency of milk and just wipes on easily. Just lightly wipe it on and then buff it out with a dry micro fiber cloth and voila! It is supposed to last 6 months with just a couple of coats applied. I did the Honda from start {washing, clay barring and 2 coats of the polish} to finish in under 2 hours.
:C
After a couple more trips followed by the Bug slide method outlined earlier in this post I am happy to report that it just keeps getting easier. Now just a blast from the hose and couple of light passes with the long handled brush and car wash soap gets about 95 percent of the bugs off. I still use the 6' step ladder and a little Bug Slide lightly buffed with a micro fiber cloth but each time it leaves an even better, virtually non stick surface/shine.
I recently started using one of the new high tech polymer sealant polishes I found on the internet "Torque Mirror Shine" {Google it - available on Amazon} on my 2019 Honda Ridgeline and my 2017 Indian Springfield with awesome results. The key is get the vehicle extremely clean right down to the clear coat before applying the polish. This is best accomplished using a clay bar treatment {I like the Mothers Clay Bar kit consisting of their liquid detailer which acts as a lubricant for the clay bar - comes with 2 bars}.
After having such good luck with the Honda and the bike I did the front of the Class C :
Keep in mind this is a 2012 coach, not too shabby for 9 years old... :B
The polish is about the color and consistency of milk and just wipes on easily. Just lightly wipe it on and then buff it out with a dry micro fiber cloth and voila! It is supposed to last 6 months with just a couple of coats applied. I did the Honda from start {washing, clay barring and 2 coats of the polish} to finish in under 2 hours.
:C
