Well, after 7 years ...

[DutchmenSport]

.... I think I'm going to have put put some wax on the Montana.

That's right ... it's never had wax on it. When purchased new it was treated with RestAll and it's remained shiny all this time. The only thing I used to clean it with was Dawn Dishwashing liquid and sometimes a squirt of WD-40 to remove tar splatters.

Well, yesterday I finally gave the camper a good bath. I broke out my power washer, low setting and started on the roof all the way down to the axles. That removed a LOT of bug guts, tree sap, and environmental garbage stuck to the sides. It was starting to get dark grey spots (mold????). The power sprayer cleaned all that off.

Then went over the walls with Dawn and a little bit of bleach with a soft brush, and then rinsed with the power washer again. Well, the dirt is gone, it's looks beautiful again, all those unsightly spots are gone. But, now, it's dingy, not shiny like it use to be.

So, later today (when the sun breaks over the horizon in the morning), I guess I'm breaking out some wax!

I will say, I did get my money's worth out of the RestAll treatment when we first purchased the camper. For 7 years, (absolutely true), the camper stayed shiny as new (when) I wash it.

By the way, I started washing the camper at 8:30 am and finished at 8:30 pm when the last item was put away. Granted, I got out of the intense sun between Noon and 3 though and worked around the camper in sections to keep on the shaded side. I did the roof first before the sun go to intense.

It's been about 6 months since the last wash job. And it was not all that great or as detailed as we were not home when I did it. I did notice then, that it lost a lot of "shine" and debated about waxing then. But because of where we were located (middle Louisiana), the heat was so intense then, it was difficult just giving the Montana a once-over quick wash, let alone detail and wax! But, she's nice and clean right now!

 

[Daryles]

We just had a mobile detailer come to the house and do ours. We hadn't done it for a couple of years. It really needed a good scrub. He spent all day on it. 94⁰F full sun. He did a great job. I'm going to have him do the truck next.

 

[DutchmenSport]

I experimented with 4 different types of soft-spray-on type waxes on some small test spots. After it dried, I could not tell the difference between what had the wax and what did not. Although, when touching it, the waxed was smoother than the unwaxed.

Well, it's off to Wally World tomorrow to see what's available in the automotive section. I may just go ahead and use some new spray on liquid wax and call it done. Anything to put some protection on at this point. We're leaving for Louisiana for another 4 months this coming Friday, so time is short for these last minute things to get done.

Apart from no glistening shine, the camper sure does look like nice and clean and looks much better though.

 

[Cat320]

Once waxed, stay away from Dawn....it will remove the wax.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Still no good luck. I tried a small area re-applying spray jell coat. It make it shiny, but it's not evenly applied and now looks streaked. I hope I did not screw up that area. It's not a huge area, I suppose that's a good thing. I'll get this figured out eventually. Change of plans... now DEFINATELY leaving on Friday for Louisiana. (4 days from now). I might not get this job done in Indiana, and may have to continue in Louisiana. We'll be there 4 months over the winter.

 

[scottandsusan]

On ours I had to use Meguiar's boat cleaner wax and a 6" electric polisher from Harbor Frieght. Used a foam pad on the polisher. It took some time but doing a small section at a time and working the machine up/down then left/right it worked pretty well.

 

[Mikelff]

Dawn dish soap or most other liquid dish soaps will remove any wax you have on your rig. I use a Mothers Carnauba wash and wax and it does a good job of cleaning off the dirt and maintaining a good shine. If you use a real wax, the best you can hope for is about 6 weeks before most of the wax is gone. I use Nu-finish in the orange bottle. It’s actually a polymer and not a wax or polish, though it is labeled a polish. It gives good long lasting protection with UV inhibitors. Do not use it on decals. The best thing is probably a ceramic coating.

 

[Cat320]

On ours I had to use Meguiar's boat cleaner wax and a 6" electric polisher from Harbor Frieght. Used a foam pad on the polisher. It took some time but doing a small section at a time and working the machine up/down then left/right it worked pretty well.

I use Meguiar's Cleaner Wax also. Easy on, easy off, no white residue.

 

[Jay & Bobbie]

Ditto Scott. I use the same product and equipment. It generally takes me 2 days to go over the entire rig. Try not to get on the decals. The camper looks new afterwards.

 

[Rick A]

I also like the New Finish which I have used on my cars, trucks and boats for many years, and it probably is just as good as any fiberglass polish, easy to apply and buff and lasts longer. Ya, the vinyl decals don't like wax. It seems to dry them out and turn them hazy. You may try cleaning the wax from decals with a vinly cleaner but if you do wipe it on and off quickly and keep it off the waxed area.

 

[mlh]

I had my truck ceramic coated $900 and warranted for 7 years if you don’t wash it with dish detergent. So I use car wash detergent and never a car wash.
Lynwood