Detailing an RV?

[Sal329]

Ok guys this is a new one to me. I have never washed let alone detailed an RV. A lady my mom works for wants me to detail her RV. I have a PC and pray it is strong enough for the gelcoat. I have been looking at the Meguiars Marine/RV products. Before I look at them could D151 be used with a PC on the RV? If not I am leaning towards Marine/RC #45 or #50 topped with Marine Wax? Opinions?
Also what would be good to clean and protect the rubber roof?

Thanks everyone

[Nappers]

Re: Detailing an RV?

Before I look at them could D151 be used with a PC on the RV?

I read a lot of people using products from the auto side of things and working fine with RV's/Boats, but I also read to use products designed for an application. Hence, I would get some products from the Marine/RV line.

If not I am leaning towards Marine/RC #45 or #50 topped with Marine Wax? Opinions?

45 is a pure polish, 50 is a cleaner/wax. Depending on how bad surface is, 44 Color Restorer (removes light oxidization/swirls/blemeshes) may be the ticket and follow with 45 polish and top with 56 wax.

Also what would be good to clean and protect the rubber roof?

This thread by Joe, Superior Shine just power washed the roof, it would take a lot of product on the roof depending on length.

A Whole Lot Of Shine - 40ft RV Detail - It wasn't a gelcoat project though.

The Marine/RV line has a rubber/vinyl cleaner/conditioner M57 but it comes in 16oz bottle, may be similar to M40 which is a cleaner/condtioner and comes in a 16oz/gallon/5 gallon. If it were me, I don't know if I would go spraying down the roof with a product, it would take a lot but it would also protect it. So....I would probably apply product to it, depending on texture.????? Hard call. The rubber used on RV's are pretty tough.

Thanks everyone

Always do a test spot,

Optional: 49 is a heavy oxidization remover, 67 is a one step compound use by hand or machine, and the new 91 power cut is for heavy stuff

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing an RV?

How long is the RV?
Have you seen the condition of the Gel-coat yet?

With RV's you usually want to do a one-step process, especially the larger ones as you don't want to go around this thing 2 or 3 times but one time.

Gel coats can either be in good shape or really bad shape, so before taking on the job it might be a good idea to evaluate the condition of the finish first.

[Poki]

Re: Detailing an RV?

I have been living fulltime in my motorhome for 12 years now and have some basic knowledge on detailing them. Mike is spot on about only wanting to go around it once! #50 Cleaner/Wax has worked well for me. It's a good idea to evaluate it first though. Many have painted lower areas (bay doors/basement) and you can treat that like any other painted rig. Depending on age, rubber roofs can be real ugly. If still under the 10 year roof warranty, you want to be real careful what you use on it. Nothing with petroleum distillates! Can cause harm and void the warranty. 303 Protectant is a good product for rubber roofs. Sponge it on and leave it...after a good cleaning of course. If the RV has vinyl graphics in lieu of painted ones...some mfgrs. advise against using wax on the vinyl (will dry them out and crack). Some say it's OK. May be best to apply the 303 to them since you may be using it on the roof. You would be safe in that process. The G110 works great on an RV. They are a big project for sure and if it's an older neglected badly oxidized unit....ugh.

[Sal329]

Re: Detailing an RV?

I have yet to see the RV. I know she has someone that just washes it. But only washes it. The RV is 3 years old and parked in a warehouse most of the time. I am really hoping I can do just a one stp product but I still think I would top it with a sealant for added protection. Just trying to figure out the basics on detailing these things and go from there.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing an RV?

Mike is spot on about only wanting to go around it once! #50 Cleaner/Wax has worked well for me.

That would be Meguiar's recommendation. If possible, use a quality cleaner/wax as this will clean, polish and protect in one step. It will wipe off easy, (another important feature for a large project, think about your arms at this point of my reply), and reduce your time to a minimum while still doing professional quality work.

The G110 works great on an RV. They are a big project for sure and if it's an older neglected badly oxidized unit.... ugh.

Ugh is now the new technical term to describe the feelings associated with tackling a neglected, oxidized RV

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing an RV?

I have yet to see the RV.

Do yourself a favor and first inspect the RV before accepting the job.

On a personal note, besides helping my Dad with his 40' Bounder, the only RV I've detailed for money was also my last RV I will ever detail for money.

It comes down to your personal preference and value-call as far as your time goes in relationship to the profit you can make... and what else you could be doing with your time.

Go inspect it and take a picture if you can. Also, recently Lydia was offered a job detailing an RV, don't remember if she took it or not, we'll find the thread...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing an RV?

Here's the thread...

Detailing an RV?

Funny that it's the same title...

[Poki]

Re: Detailing an RV?

You might get lucky....if only 3 years old...may have fullbody paint with clearcoat and garaged will cut down on oxidation dramatically. Once over with a cleaner/wax would make it shine!

[Sal329]

Re: Detailing an RV?

Thanks everyone. I am def not going to accept anything until I see this beast lol.

[Lydia]

Re: Detailing an RV?

The RV I detailed was a '98 and it was gelcoat, except for the truck body part, which was just normal BC/CC paint (it was one of those RVs with the bed over the cab). I used A-12 Cleaner Wax on the whole thing (including vinyl stripes...after I did a test spot of course), and it worked AWESOME. It restored a lot of shine and clarity of reflection to the paint. I used 8006 pads to add a little more bite to the Cleaner Wax, and worked it in for a while (about as long as you would work #80 for defect removal). A-12 has a very good working time. I removed the Cleaner Wax with MFs instead of the PC just because that's how I prefer removing wax usually...as long as it's applied thin enough it's not much trouble. I used 6 8006 pads total, and that was with cleaning them after every pass with a terry cloth (I could have used more but I was worried about running out). I strongly suggest a one-step product. Any quality Cleaner Wax should last a while without having to add a sealent on top of it. It might not seem like it would take that long to wax, but when you are having to go up and down a ladder 8 times per side, it really adds time.

As far as the roof, I just got up there and washed it with a soft brush and NXT wash. I used APC+ 7-1 on tougher stains. Since that RV is only 3 years old and it has been stored in a warehouse, IMO it probably wouldn't need any protectant on the roof.

BTW it was a 31 footer and it took me 13 hours total.

[Sal329]

Re: Detailing an RV?

Thank you Lydia

[jeffct63]

Re: Detailing an RV?

I have a 2005 35ft Cedar Creek 5th wheel RV, I detail it once a year,The only products ever user are meguiars cleaner\wax and between waxs quick detailer it looks as good if not better than the day I purchase it.For the roof use thetford roof cleaner\conditioner,can get it at walmart,this is made just for rubber roof.Beware from washing to finish up and down the ladder 2bottle on product all done by hand is about 15 ++hr

[Sam/pa]

Re: Detailing an RV?

Hey Sal, there are some factors that you have to look at: how old is the RV, what color is it (this is a very important one because not all the products will work the same in diferent colors), oxidation, swirls.
For the roof are several products in the market but the one I trust the best is Dicor its made out for ther same guys making the roof itself. Do not aply any pressure when washing the roof you can get in hot water if you do so.
Go for it is fun, but do your homework.