Tips for Washing Your RV
It feels great to get back to your home after a long, fun RV trip with friends and family. But before you lock up your camper until the next vacation, one of the most important things you'll want to do is to wash your RV. Traveling the outdoors for several days and parking at dusty campgrounds has put your rig through a lot It can take some serious elbow grease to bring back the shine.
Whether you have a large fifth wheel or a smaller pop-up camper, washing an RV can be an overwhelming task, since it’s not as simple as pulling your car through a car wash. With this guide from Cedar City RV, we’ll take you through the steps that will make washing your travel trailer a breeze.
If you ever need any additional service or want to check out some new or used RVs, feel free to visit us in Lebanon and Smithville, Tennessee, so one of our experienced technicians can help you out.
Clean the roof
The best way to wash your RV is to work from top to bottom so that muddy soap water doesn’t trickle onto patches you’ve already cleaned. Let’s start with the roof first as it’s one place where dust, leaves, moss, mildew, sap, and bird droppings seem to stick like glue. Before you get on the top of your vehicle, don’t forget to wear shoes with a good grip so that you don't slip on the wet surface. If you’ve have a pop-up camper, you’ll need a ladder to wash the roof. Just be watchful as there’re a lot of plastic components up there and because they’re exposed to the elements, they can become brittle over time.
If you have a fiberglass roof, take a long-handled, soft brush and start scrubbing down the surface using a mild detergent. For a rubber roof, you’ll need a liquid laundry soap or dish soap that’s not abrasive but is powerful enough to cut through the grime. Avoid anything that has citrus or petroleum solvents in their composition as they can harm the rubber. Remember to rinse the entire area immediately to prevent the soap and dirt from drying into the fiberglass or rubber. Once you’re done cleaning the roof, mop it up or let it dry in the sun.
Pressure wash and scrub the walls
A pressure washer is an excellent option to speed up the cleaning, but you still need to wash the roof by hand because a pressure washer can damage the delicate material up top. As far as cleaning the RV’s sides are concerned, it’ll save a lot of time as you won’t have to scrub every inch of the surface. A high-pressure stream of water will help you power through the accumulated dirt and clear any caked-on grime.
Stand with the nozzle about a foot and a half away from the wall and spray the surface in broad sweeping motions. Take care not to aim the jet for more than a couple of seconds at one spot, otherwise it will start peeling away the paint and decals. To get rid of stubborn dirt, you’ll need a bucket full of dish detergent and a brush with a telescoping handle. Start at the top of each side of your RV, scrubbing in columns around one to two feet wide, and then rinse it off with clean water.
Detailing and waxing
It’s important to clean the window and door sealants to keep them in good shape and minimize chances of any leaks that would make the air conditioner and heating ineffective. You don’t want them to dry out and crack so spray a silicone-based sealant conditioner to keep them like new. The slide-out tracks need special care, wipe them with a sponge and lubricate the hinges to make sure they operate smoothly.
Applying a coat of wax on the exterior is a great way to give your RV a nice sheen and protect the paint from fading. Apply some wax to a slightly damp sponge and rub it on the surface in large circles. After the wax has dried, polish the area using a dry cloth for a beautiful glow. Finally, some touch ups on the windows and a little bit of tire shine are what you need to give your rig a fresh new look.
Washing your RV often will help you to clear out debris that could harm the exterior and keep the coach looking great year after year. It also gives you an opportunity to check for any damage and get it fixed before your next holiday. If you have any questions or need service for your travel trailer, stop by Cedar City RV at one of our locations in Lebanon, Nashville, or Smithville, Tennessee. We always strive to wow our customers by providing the best in sales and service. Visit us today to have a look at what we have for you.