After the roof is dry, take a moment to inspect it for cracks, tears, or peeling and missing caulk.
If your roof is clean and intact then you’re ready to move onto the sides.
When cleaning the sides of your RV, start with the right and left sides and work from front to back. The worst dirt and grime accumulation usually gathers on the front, back, and rearward side panels.
Save wheels and tires for last. Do not use the same mop on your wheels and tires that you use on the sides. You will heavily contaminate the mop and may not be able to clean it all out. This will cause you to damage the rest of your RV during your next cleaning.
Once you’ve cleaned your RV, you most certainly need to protect it.
Yes! These toys are all covered in either plastic, fiberglass, gel coated fiberglass, or clear-coat paint. All of these materials oxidize when exposed to the elements. The more they oxidize the worse they look and the more brittle they get. Waxing your RV ensures it will stand the test of time.
You have two options, you can wax it or you can seal it with a sealant. There are two main differences between a wax and a sealant. Waxes contain natural compounds and has a relatively short lifespan on your RV (a couple to a few months). A sealant contains mostly synthetic compounds and has a relatively long lifespan (several months to a year).
Some argue that wax looks better than a sealant but that is debatable and most RV owners are more concerned with lasting protection (remember these things are TOUGH to clean!).
With that said, I tend to lean towards a sealant (sometimes labeled as a synthetic wax) when shopping for a protectant.
Since the areas of your RV that you are wanting to wax are most likely made of fiberglass or gel coat the real question you should be asking is what is the best wax or sealant for fiberglass or gel coat. See the next section for that information.
There are two main types of waxes and sealants. There are cleaner waxes and sealants and finishing waxes and sealants.
The difference between these two compounds is that cleaner waxes and sealants contain abrasives and solvents to help remove oxidation and smooth surface imperfections and finishing waxes and sealants do not.
To understand which you need we need to know what condition your RVs paint and fiberglass is in. Fiberglass and clear coat are both prone to oxidation. Fiberglass is more prone to oxidation and it’s tougher to remove. Signs of oxidation are rough surface texture, chalky appearance, and yellowing.
If you have a light case of these symptoms, you need a good cleaner wax such as Meguiar’s M5032 Marine / RV One Step Cleaner Wax.
If your oxidation is really bad you may need to start with Meguiar’s M4916 Marine / RV Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover and follow it up with a finishing wax or sealant.
Blue bottle of Meguiars 49 Marine and RV Oxidation Remover
If your RV is already in great shape and just needs to be protected, a finishing sealant such as Collinite #845 (it’s labeled as a wax but is mostly synthetic and lasts several months)
This wax is also non-staining so it’s safe on any decals you may have on your rv.
Honestly, the easiest way is going to be with a dual action buffer. Yes you can apply it by hand, and it will work fantastically, but that’s a long day of wiping on and wiping off. DA buffers are extremely safe to use. Combine that with the fact that today’s gel coats and clear coats are extremely durable and you really can’t mess it up with just wax.
RV washing service near meIf you are willing to foray into the world of machine application, I highly recommend the Adam’s Swirl Killer 21mm Long Throw dual action orbital polisher. The long throw makes short work of large surfaces like those found on RVs. It’s affordable, reliable, and quiet. It just flat works.
Combine that with a red Lake Country waxing/finishing flat pad and you’re ready to rock.
Beyond that, you’ll have to consult the directions on the bottle of wax or sealant that you buy. Most will require applying the wax or sealant to a surface with a soft cloth or applicator, letting it sit and dry to a haze, and then buffing it off with a soft towel. I go over this in more detail in my Ultimate Guide to Car Wax .
These days most polished metal found on RVs and motor homes is clear coated or clear powder coated. When this is the case the steps for cleaning and protection will be same as for the rest of the RV. It’s only when it’s bare metal that special steps need to be taken.
How to determine if RV or motor home wheels are polished and not clear coated?
Take a small dab of metal polish, any kind will do, and rub it into an inconspicuous area with a soft cloth. If the cloth turns black after a short while, then it is bare metal. If it doesn’t then it’s clear coated.
When it comes to bare metal, I prefer to use Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on a quality microfiber towel (learn more about microfiber in my Ultimate Guide to Microfiber) or buffing ball
When it comes to bare metal, I prefer to use Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on a quality microfiber towel (learn more about microfiber in my Ultimate Guide to Microfiber) or buffing ball
Polishing metal with this polish is very simple. Rub the polish into the metal until the towel turns black. Turn to a clean part of the towel and wipe the polish off. Repeat.
Once you’re finished polishing, you can protect the polished surface with the same wax or sealant you used on the body.
After taking the time to clean, wax, and shine your vehicle it’s important to keep it looking great. The easiest way for your RV to start accumulating dust and dirt is to keep it uncovered when storing your vehicle.
Getting a cover that guards against UV and the elements will cut down on the maintenance you need to do as well. There won’t be any dirt or dust accumulation if you keep a high quality cover on it. Newer covers also have moisture control which helps prevent mildew from growing.
While a cover won’t stop the need for all maintenance it will certainly cut down on the time needed to get your RV ready for your next trip, whether you use your camper monthly or yearly, it’s an easy investment to prolong the life of your vehicle.
Tires are an often overlooked aspect of RV ownership from a maintenance perspective. This is shame because poorly maintained tires reduces their life and we all know how dangerous a tire failure while piloting an RV or motorhome can be!
A tires worst enemy is the ozone and UV rays. Tires do contain ozone and UV restive chemicals but these chemicals can only work their way to the surface of the tire when the tires is used. As we all know, most RV tires sit for a majority of their life.
The best thing you can do for you tires is keep them shielded from UV. You can accomplish this by applying a protectant such as 303 Aerospace Protectant for Vinyl, Plastic, and Rubber.
This is different than most tire “dressings.” This protectant is water based, contains UV inhibitors, and drys to a matte “new tire” finish. You have to be careful of most tire “dressings” because they contain silicones, petroleum distillates, alcohols, and other solvents that actually damage the tires.
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