Shiny RV with Red Max Pro (pics)

[EMD360]

How many of you use this stuff? We were getting that chalky finish with faded and peeling graphics. I was waxing it with Meguiars--trying to avoid the graphics and spray them with 303 Protectant instead. I spray the dirt off after almost every trip too. We've only had it 15 months--I hated to see it get "old looking" under my care.
Replant just mentioned Lowes Red Max Pro and I read the links. Wow! Why not take the chance that the fiberglass would be looking shiny and new?
It worked! Here are a few pics.

The graphics bleed out color when washed.

And they were peeling up at the edges. I took a flat razor blade holder and trimmed off the peeling edges--

This is after the trimming. They are a bit ragged in places, but at least no longer peeling.

I used my little power sprayer with TSP in it and scrubbed with Bar Keeper's Friend as recommended.

This is the tire cover with one side is just washed with a sponge and TSP, the other is washed with a green scrubbie and Bar Keeper's Friend. I also used the white scrubbie (1000 grit sandpaper grade and much more expensive) for scratches--it did wonders even on the cab metal but for most of the job I used the cheap green stuff. I completely wore out 4 half sheets!

This is a "before" of the cleaned passenger side.

Red Max Pro Step 3 ready to apply.

Finished! It took me about 10 hours to do the job.

Plus I washed and waxed the cab. But by this time I was losing daylight so it is harder to see the shine.
I'm really pleased with the results. The recommendation is a new coat every year--that is a lot longer time period than waxing.
This was a good project for the start of a great season. I think it was worth the effort!

[fcooper]

bacabunch wrote:

fcooper wrote:

wilpir wrote:
The wax applicater sponge works far better than a cloth!!! No runs..no drips..no errors!!!! They can be found at any auto store or Wally world....

I agree, and using a spray bottle instead of a dip tray makes application much easier also.

Fred

Fred that's a great idea! Did you have any problem with the spray bottle gumming up? It must have been a quick process!

I sprayed onto the wax applicator then applied to the motorhome. Never had any problem with spray bottle gumming up. Rinsed it in fresh water, and used the spray bottle again many times. To me, the main advantage of using the spray bottle is the elimination of bubbles that I was getting by dipping and wringing out the applicator.

Fred

[bacabunch]

A quick word of advice! When you are doing your pre wax prep work. Don't rush it! Make sure you get all the BKF and TSP removed before your wax. I think I had some residue of TSP on one side and have some peeling and flaking which I'm sure had to do with not having a clean surface. Do as I say not as I did!!!

[bacabunch]

fcooper wrote:

wilpir wrote:
The wax applicater sponge works far better than a cloth!!! No runs..no drips..no errors!!!! They can be found at any auto store or Wally world....

I agree, and using a spray bottle instead of a dip tray makes application much easier also.

Fred

Fred that's a great idea! Did you have any problem with the spray bottle gumming up? It must have been a quick process!

[jimlouisesophie]

As previously posted: "I was just thinking how nice mine came out. And if this look would just fall apart in a couple of years and all the posters rigs just looked terrible at the same time. Not really funny and can always redo what we have done with a lot of elbow work."



One of the posts mentioned that the product has been used for 3 years with excellent results. I have no doubts that all of our hard work will not be wasted. Even so, all it takes is the floor wax remover to remove the wax. BTW, I used acetone to get it off my arm, with excellent result, as someone else had mentioned.

[Ed9824v]

I was just thinking how nice mine came out. And if this look would just fall apart in a couple of years and all the posters rigs just looked terrible at the same time. Not really funny and can always redo what we have done with a lot of elbow work.

[jimlouisesophie]

All finished and it looks like a million dollar class C. As reported, the hardest part is the prep work, using a small scrubbie but all the black streaks and anything else came off with a little elbow grease. I guess I overkilled, but used BKF, then TSP, then Dawn and of course everything was washed off and left no shine whatesoever. Putting on ZEP was a breeze as everyone mentioned. I used a small cloth to put it on all the rubber and around the windows first, using 4 coats as recommended and the results were amazing. I used an old 4 litre (gal) plastic ice cream bucket to put the wax in for applying it to the RV, even the graphics, which also were previously scrubbed with BKF, then using rubber gloves I squeezed out the microfibre cloth. I found that by wiping off my gloves on the cloth after wringing out, I had no drips at all. It took me longer than expected but it was well worth it. The shine is incredible and I also put it on the hood of the Class C.
Thanks for all the postings and one should take there time reading them before starting the process.

[4x4van]

Jason Nipp wrote:
Only complaint I have is that I was told to do the van as well as it would not hurt, it looks blotchy on the sheet metal of the hood and fenders, probably strip that and just use Maguires on the van instead.

Jason, might I suggest try a couple more coats on the cab before you give up and strip it? My cab was in really bad condition; it now looks fantastic. If yours is blotchy-looking, my guess is that a couple more coats will even it out. Just a thought.

[fcooper]

wilpir wrote:
The wax applicater sponge works far better than a cloth!!! No runs..no drips..no errors!!!! They can be found at any auto store or Wally world....

I agree, and using a spray bottle instead of a dip tray makes application much easier also.

Fred

[wilpir]

The wax applicater sponge works far better than a cloth!!! No runs..no drips..no errors!!!! They can be found at any auto store or Wally world....

[hershey]

mikhen wrote:
Will have to try the dollar store when it's time for another coat. the white microfiber cloths are hard to find here, also.

I found a pack of 10 microfiber cloths at a Walmart. In the pack, 5 were blue and 5 where white.

[oldtrucker63]

WOW this stuff works great, I will try some on my old Junker after I get it all painted and get all of the stripes painted on, Really like how the RV that got on the small road and had the scratches and they came right off, Nice work everyone and thanks for posting, Everyone needs to know about this product, Oh Yeah I like that ladder also, Great piece buddy.

[mikhen]

Will have to try the dollar store when it's time for another coat. the white microfiber cloths are hard to find here, also.

[jimlouisesophie]

After such wonderful reports on the product, I went out and bought all the supplies yesterday. In Canada I bought the BKF @ Home Hardware and Tsp and @ Home Depot bought Zep and the white scrubbies. I had a hard time finding the white microfibre cloths but the dollar store had them. Spent about 5 hours applying BKF and had to really scrub hard to remove all the black streaks, but they are all now removed. I will use TSP today to remove all the wax. Report to follow once I apply Zep

[wilpir]

Just finished mine ..took me 6 hrs from start to finish...boy did the dirt and stains come off with BKF...And the RV looks awesome!!!!!!! I just can't believe it!! I used the spray bottle and wax app. sponge, and it worked out perfect! 3 coats.. No mess, no drips, just awesome!! If you were thinking of doing this don't wait, It works better than expected!!Who ever thought to use a floor polish is brilliant!! I tried using Future floor polish on some of my dirt bikes a few years back and I didn't like the results..the BKF and Tsp followed by 3-4 coats of RMP is the way to go!!:C

[Jason_Nipp]

I just got back from a trip, the windshield looks like it has had a layer of bugs squeegied onto it, but my overhead looks as shiny as then day I put the forth coat of RMP on it. It rained, and what ever smashed bug was there washed right off. I am loving this... I never thought to put floor wax on an RV before. Only complaint I have is that I was told to do the van as well as it would not hurt, it looks blotchy on the sheet metal of the hood and fenders, probably strip that and just use Maguires on the van instead.