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05-30-2016, 12:46 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leavenworth
Posts: 268
M.O.C. #17706
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Finish Maintenance
I've found/read a lot of information on graphics issues and roof maintenance, but haven't found much on waxing. My question "What wax do you use/recommend, application method and how frequently?
My unit is fairly new and I have used Macguires Carnuba Wax initially. Gel coat is in great condition, so no need for an abrasive cleaner/oxidation remover.
+ I've read that some do not wax their graphics because graphics need to "breath"?
+ I've seen some mention of Nu Finish?
+ Hand apply or use an electric buffer to apply wax?
Opinions appreciated! Thanks!
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Bill & Mary Van Nuys
Leavenworth, KS
2014 3735MK Legacy, Sailun 637s, TST 507RV TPMS, 2 Battle Born 100 AMP Lithium Batteries, Slide Toppers
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ, 6.6L Duramax 4WD, CC, LB, SRW with Allison Transmission
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05-30-2016, 01:34 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Vinyl graphics not recommended for wax or polish, per multiple dealers I have asked. What you have cited you are currently using is a great choice. We use NuFinish, but it is a polish not a wax. Will not help much with a faded finish.
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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05-30-2016, 03:03 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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I have been using nufinish on mine since new...even over the graphics. Somehow I doubt that I'll see any side effects from doing this based on the randomness of graphics failures...but if I do, then I'll figure out what to do then. John
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2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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05-30-2016, 07:08 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington Coast
Posts: 2,688
M.O.C. #10696
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People have complained about Montana Peeling graphics for years and now in the last few years they have changed vendors and should last longer because if you look close you can see thousands of tiny holes in the Graphics to let them breathe so why would you put wax over them to stop that???? well.. Don't I Just wax the Gel coat NOT the Graphics with Nu Finish once a year by hand and call it good,on my Early 2012 it did not have the new graphics but my 2015 does and you can see and feel the difference so I think they started them in 2013 or 14 ??
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05-31-2016, 01:13 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bigskyjimmy
People have complained about Montana Peeling graphics for years and now in the last few years they have changed vendors and should last longer because if you look close you can see thousands of tiny holes in the Graphics to let them breathe so why would you put wax over them to stop that???? well.. Don't I Just wax the Gel coat NOT the Graphics with Nu Finish once a year by hand and call it good,on my 2012 it did not have the new graphics but my 2015 does and you can see and feel the difference so I think they started them in 2013 or 14
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Our 2012 built in Oct 2011 has the "new" graphics. After 4 1/2 years of full time use they still look new and have no signs of peeling/cracking.
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2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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05-31-2016, 03:02 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We have never waxed our Montana's. Our 13 3402 Big sky has very few graphics but crappy paint.
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05-31-2016, 03:06 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
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I am another NuFinish fan. I have used it over my graphics on a couple wax jobs and on a couple I have not. I guess my thinking was I am providing some slight protection to the graphics from UV damage. Maybe I am only "half" wrong?
I just keep a stack of soft micro fiber towels to buff the wax off. If you use NuFinish in the shade and don't leave it on too long it wipes off easily without an electric buffer.
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Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
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05-31-2016, 06:14 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
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NeFinish here over graphics as well.
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Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
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05-31-2016, 08:05 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Andover
Posts: 243
M.O.C. #7542
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Nu-Finish here also. Pledge on graphics since 2013 seemed to stop/slow down the degradation.
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05-31-2016, 08:32 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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I use Nu Finish or Meguiare's Cleaner Wax.
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05-31-2016, 06:49 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leavenworth
Posts: 268
M.O.C. #17706
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Thanks for all the input so far. Seems Nu Finish is popular. Last week at the Air Force Academy FAMCAMP, I saw a Montana "almost full-timer" up on a ladder using Nu Finish.
Finished washing RV today and "scrubbing" the bugs off the Cap after a night drive thru Kansas a few days ago - June bugs are out! So, I'm going to start waxing/polishing with something in the morning. I know wax sure makes the bugs on the Cap come off easier. I assume Nu Finish is also a slippery finish like wax and will help keep the bugs and dirt from sticking as well. Decision time!
Thanks for all the suggestions and information! I appreciate it!!!
__________________
Bill & Mary Van Nuys
Leavenworth, KS
2014 3735MK Legacy, Sailun 637s, TST 507RV TPMS, 2 Battle Born 100 AMP Lithium Batteries, Slide Toppers
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ, 6.6L Duramax 4WD, CC, LB, SRW with Allison Transmission
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06-01-2016, 12:51 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Brookings
Posts: 313
M.O.C. #18275
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NuFinish here also and have used it for many years.
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2018 Montana HC 330RL
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06-12-2016, 12:55 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 534
M.O.C. #13378
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I just put 5 coats of ZEP Wet Look Finish over everything on the outside of our Monte. Our rig has never looked better! Plus it will last years. I'm a happy camper.
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06-12-2016, 04:11 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
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You might want to do some research on how long that finish will last. Over on RV.net there was a cult doing the ZEP thing and bragging about the shine. Twelve months later they were trying any trick to remove the stuff.
Hopefully you will have more success.
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Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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06-21-2016, 05:59 PM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Ketchikan
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #18186
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For graphics I use aerospace 303 and have always used NUFinish but recently went to Meguirs cleaner wax and really like it!
Also if you want to make you life WAY easier invest in a DA polisher like the Porter Cable and the finished project will be better and the job faster.
For my roof I have tried it all, the only thing that seams to cut down on black streaks in Murphys Oil soap.
I do this regiment about every 4 months
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06-30-2016, 04:37 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 534
M.O.C. #13378
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by carl n susan
You might want to do some research on how long that finish will last. Over on RV.net there was a cult doing the ZEP thing and bragging about the shine. Twelve months later they were trying any trick to remove the stuff.
Hopefully you will have more success.
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The secret is in the surface preparation. If you don't do it exactly right you'll have problems.
My across the street neighbor did his rig a few years ago and it still looks fantastic.
I paid a professional service to wax my unit a year ago. Wasn't cheap, but less then 6 months later it looked like crap again. No shine, totally dull.
Yes, I've only had it less than a month, but folks now mistake my Monte as new, and other Montana owners I meet at the various RV parks I've stayed at on our current cross country sojourn want to know my secret. . .
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06-30-2016, 04:47 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Back to bug removal ... Bounce or any dryer sheet brand will make bug removal near painless. The fabric softner in the sheets dissolves bugs on contact.
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06-30-2016, 06:34 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leavenworth
Posts: 268
M.O.C. #17706
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Great tip on the dryer sheet bug removal!
I'll try it tomorrow as we just returned from Kentucky and we picked up a bug or two.
Also, Thanks for the Murphy Oil tip. I just bought some Murphy Oil Soap today and plan to tackle the roof this week. I also have some of the Dicor Roof Cleaner, but want to find something a little more cost effective; I've heard Murphy Oil soap works well (better than Dicor) from a few folks at campgrounds also.
I actually have 2 Orbital Buffers; wax on - wax off My Catalina sailboat cured my hand waxing excitement the first time several years ago. This Montana is even bigger.
Thanks for all the feedback!
__________________
Bill & Mary Van Nuys
Leavenworth, KS
2014 3735MK Legacy, Sailun 637s, TST 507RV TPMS, 2 Battle Born 100 AMP Lithium Batteries, Slide Toppers
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ, 6.6L Duramax 4WD, CC, LB, SRW with Allison Transmission
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07-03-2016, 07:20 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Lake Tahoe
Posts: 639
M.O.C. #18510
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Does the Murphy oil soap do anything to your paint or wax job on the side of the 5th wheel when it runs down the sides, or are you rinsing it off fast enough, so that it is not an issue, or do you follow up with using a wash and wax soap on the sides like Meguire's?
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2017 3820FK Legacy Edition full body paint Montana, For Sale this November, 2018. 2016 Ram 3500 long bed Dually Cummins Turbo with air bags
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07-03-2016, 01:06 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,749
M.O.C. #7560
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I'm watching for the answer to Dennis' question on the Murphy's Soap! Hope to hear before I head out and wash the unit down for the CPRR!
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