Cleaning Exterior Cheap and very effectively.

[Genesun]

Just wanted to share my experience.
My roof had lost much of the white coating and I decided to coat it. After cleaning with TSP I had a helluva mess. Siding was covered in black streaks and spots.
I coated the roof with Henry's Tropi-Cool 887 which is recommended for EPDM and TOP. It has proven to be great BTW.
After the roof had cured for several days I started on the siding. Nothing would take the black off. Even 20 buck a quart stuff from the RV store only did a mediocre job.
A friend told me about a product called Awesome Cleaner and Degreaser from all places Dollar Tree.
It was actually a dollar for a 20oz spray bottle so I picked up a couple not expecting any decent results.
I started with a small test area and sprayed it on till wet and waited a few minutes. The black started dissolving immediately. After lightly brushing it with a soft bristled brush and rinsing it was like new. My trailer looks like it came right off the lot.
Since then I've tried it on vinyl siding, a friends fiberglass fifth wheel and whitewall tires and several awnings. This stuff is amazing.
I am not affiliated with Awesome products or Dollar Tree. I have no idea whats in it although it says it's bio-degradable and made in USA.
I'm not endorsing this product. Only relaying my own experience.
You should probably do a test spot to make sure it works for you.
I did find it in quart refill size bottles with no sprayer for the same price.

[beemerphile1]

Sam Spade wrote:

One would assume that the spray bottle comes with a strength that is "ready to use". Is that not the case ??

Nope, the bottle with the sprayer is the same concentration as the larger bottle with a cap.

[Gjac]

Sam Spade wrote:

Gjac wrote:
If you look at the back or the bottle it will tell you how much to dilute it with water depending on what you are trying to clean. I use it for general cleaning 20 parts water to 1 part awesome, I have never tried to straight out of the bottle but straight would be very strong.

A little clarification is needed I think.

One would assume that the spray bottle comes with a strength that is "ready to use". Is that not the case ??

The kind I buy comes in a bottle with a cap, it also shows on the back how to dilute it for various cleaning jobs. For example for widows it is 120:1,car wash 50:1,rugs 30:1. the only time I use it straight out of the bottle is to remove oil stains from my driveway. For a general purpose cleaner I pour one part Awesome into a spray bottle and then add about 20 parts or water. I would not use it straight on the side of a new RV. It is a very powerful cleaner. I pay $1 for a 32 oz bottle. If you buy a bigger spray bottle say 64 oz it may already be diluted just check the back of the bottle. At about 10:1 it will remove Zeps or RMP from your MH.

[Genesun]

Yes that is what it says on the bottle, LA's Totally Awesome.
Interestingly it is listed on Dollar Tree's website in 64oz size for $1.00 each in six count box with free shipping to store.

This stuff continues to amaze me. I used it on a blood stain on a new pair of 501 levis and it removed it completely.
And it's the best whitewall cleaner I've found since Wesley's Bleche White which is now made by Black Magic and doesn't work worth a ****.
It reminds me of the old Wesley's formula in that it is irritating to my nose and throat if I accidentally breathe the mist. Probably not great on lungs.

Another poster said it would remove the clear coat from wheels. It didn't harm mine but made them look new.
It doesn't seem to take good paint off but if it's oxidized watch out!
I used it on some heavily oxidized bare aluminum window frames and although it cleaned and brightened them it left a film and spots on the glass that took steel wool and soap to remove.

[beemerphile1]

Been washing with the product for years.

The correct name is LA's Totally Awesome, the product called Awesome is a different product.

[Sam_Spade]

Gjac wrote:
If you look at the back or the bottle it will tell you how much to dilute it with water depending on what you are trying to clean. I use it for general cleaning 20 parts water to 1 part awesome, I have never tried to straight out of the bottle but straight would be very strong.

A little clarification is needed I think.

One would assume that the spray bottle comes with a strength that is "ready to use". Is that not the case ??

[Gjac]

Ron3rd wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

Genesun wrote:
A friend told me about a product called Awesome Cleaner and Degreaser from all places Dollar Tree.

You should probably do a test spot to make sure it works for you.

Truer words were never spoken - cleans really well but will strip the surface of all protection and eats vinyl graphics for breakfast. :M Used it on our previous K-Z Spree, won't ever use it again on any RV. JMO. 😉

X2, Awesome Orange at the 99 Cent store is great for it's intended purpose and we use it a lot but it can be harmful too and soften or remove paint. I used to use it on my old aluminum sided trailer all the time (with caution). It's probably the best cleaner/degreaser you can buy for the money. It will certainly kill decals as noted above.

If you look at the back or the bottle it will tell you how much to dilute it with water depending on what you are trying to clean. I use it for general cleaning 20 parts water to 1 part awesome, I have never tried to straight out of the bottle but straight would be very strong.

[nineoaks2004]

I have used TOTALLY AWESOME from Dollar General for years and it works wonders on black streaks and does not remove the wax. Do not use it on aluminum wheels tho as it will remove the clear coat. I don't know if it is different from AWESOME or the same thing.

[Ron3rd]

SoundGuy wrote:

Genesun wrote:
A friend told me about a product called Awesome Cleaner and Degreaser from all places Dollar Tree.

You should probably do a test spot to make sure it works for you.

Truer words were never spoken - cleans really well but will strip the surface of all protection and eats vinyl graphics for breakfast. :M Used it on our previous K-Z Spree, won't ever use it again on any RV. JMO. 😉

X2, Awesome Orange at the 99 Cent store is great for it's intended purpose and we use it a lot but it can be harmful too and soften or remove paint. I used to use it on my old aluminum sided trailer all the time (with caution). It's probably the best cleaner/degreaser you can buy for the money. It will certainly kill decals as noted above.

[MrWizard]

Yes.. Correct
But not the point of his comments
He was overcharged for something that did not work after being told it would
The mfg reimbursed him and sent him extra products

The mfg was not the one who said it would remove the black streaks
And if he had only paid $3 a bottle he would not have been as upset, as when paying $20 a bottle

The awesome from the dollar store did work, clean off the black streaks which at soaked into the oxidation

[Sam_Spade]

Genesun wrote:

Now that's customer service way over the top.

Good customer service is REALLY important.
But in the end, it won't make up for a product that doesn't work.

[Genesun]

He did actually. He said the product I used was not a caustic or alkaline and would not remove waxes or silicon or oxidized paint.It is a detergent for regular maintenance.
The dealer was the one that said it would "clean anything"

My paint was oxidized and the black had penetrated into that. Way too far gone for any maintenance cleaner like car and RV washes.

No problem. It's clean now and I'll park it inside and shoot a coat of clear on it and be good to go for another 15 years.

[Fulltimers]

Genesun wrote:


Yea really. I bought a quart of cleaner at my local RV store a week ago for $19.95.Guaranteed or money back it said. Didn't work! Called the company that made the stuff and
the owner almost fell over. Told me he showed where he had shipped them two cases totaling 24 quarts for 54 bucks including shipping back in may.
$2.25 per bottle. Almost 1000 percent markup.
The guy wanted a picture of the receipt.
Yesterday I not only got a check for 20 bucks but a letter apologizing for the RV dealer saying that the dealer would no longer be a distributor for his product due to predatory practices. Today UPS dropped off a case of his products including cleaners and waxes for free.
I would post his company but he asked me not to until he could do some research on what dealers might be gouging people.
Now that's customer service way over the top.

Yeah but...
Did the guy say anything about his product not working?

[Genesun]

dons2346 wrote:

MrWizard wrote:
***Link Removed***

Same stuff, lots cheaper at Dollar store or 99 cent store

Been using it for years, love it

WOW! Amazon is really proud of their Awsome. Over 9 bucks for what you can get at the dollar store for 2

Yea really. I bought a quart of cleaner at my local RV store a week ago for $19.95.Guaranteed or money back it said. Didn't work! Called the company that made the stuff and
the owner almost fell over. Told me he showed where he had shipped them two cases totaling 24 quarts for 54 bucks including shipping back in may.
$2.25 per bottle. Almost 1000 percent markup.
The guy wanted a picture of the receipt.
Yesterday I not only got a check for 20 bucks but a letter apologizing for the RV dealer saying that the dealer would no longer be a distributor for his product due to predatory practices. Today UPS dropped off a case of his products including cleaners and waxes for free.
I would post his company but he asked me not to until he could do some research on what dealers might be gouging people.
Now that's customer service way over the top.

[dons2346]

MrWizard wrote:
Awesome on Amazon

Same stuff, lots cheaper at Dollar store or 99 cent store

Been using it for years, love it

WOW! Amazon is really proud of their Awsome. Over 9 bucks for what you can get at the dollar store for 2