EXTERIOR
SECTION 13: EXTERIOR
CLEANING THE EXTERIOR
To protect your RV’s exterior finish, wash it often and thoroughly.
Your RV is exposed to many environmental conditions that have an
adverse affect on the finish:
• Road Salt
• Road Tar / Bugs
• Bird Droppings / Tree Sap
• Industrial Fallout / Acid Rain / Pollution
• UV Exposure
• Moisture
The most common problems resulting from these conditions are
corrosion, staining, and chemical spotting. Generally, the longer
the foreign material remains in contact with the exterior finish, the
more extensive the damage. These problems can be minimized by
regularly scheduled cleanings. Wash your RV as soon as possible if it
becomes contaminated with foreign material.
Avoid parking directly under trees, in direct sunlight, or near ocean
sea salt. Ice or snow should be brushed off, not scraped, from the
surface. Avoid gravel roads.
Washing
Commercial washing, and high pressure sprayers should be avoided.
Wash with cold water using a mild liquid soap. Dry wiping with a dry
cloth is not recommended.
Make sure the RV’s surface temperature is cool, under 90° F, and
out of direct sunlight. A shaded area is ideal for washing your RV as
direct sunlight causes water spotting. Use a mild soap, detergent or
car wash shampoo. Wash-n-wax products are recommended.
Have two dedicated sponges or wash mitts: one for the sides and
one for the wheels and under carriage. Brushes or wash mitts made
of plastic bristles are acceptable for use on tires and wheel wells, but
are not intended for use on the sides. Wash the wheels and wheel
wells first as this removes heavy dirt and debris and prevents it from
splattering on panels. Wet the entire area down to remove loose dirt
and grime, then hand wash one area at a time using your dedicated
sponge or wash mitt. Wash from the top and work your way down,
rinsing frequently to minimize grit abrasion. Follow with a final rinse
of water. This process will remove most contamination from the RV’s
surface.
For stubborn stains such as road tar or bug stains, use an ammonia
based glass cleaner or a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a damp
cloth followed immediately by warm soapy water, and rinse with clean
water. This may not dissolve the road tar, but it will loosen tar and bug
stains and remove them from the surface.
Do not use solvent based cleaners on bird droppings or tree sap as
these are water based stains. They can be dissolved using ammonia
based glass cleaner, warm soapy water and a little “elbow grease”.
After removing stubborn stains immediately rinse with clean water.
Drying the RV is just as important as washing it. Tap water and well
water contain many chemicals that could water stain your RV’s finish.
We suggest using a damp natural or synthetic chamois. There are
other drying products such as lint-free micro-fiber towels that work just
as well.
Painted Surfaces
You may wash and wax your new RV 60 days after purchase. The
exterior paint needs time to cure before any wax is applied to the
exterior surface. Careful maintenance for the first 60 days will assure
a long lasting durable finish.
Anti-freeze, gasoline, or washer solvents, if spilled on the painted
surface, should be rinsed off with water immediately. Bugs and bird
droppings should be rinsed off daily.
Wax your RV once or twice a year, or when painted surfaces do not
shed water well. Use a soft cloth to apply a small amount of wax to
the painted surfaces. After the wax has dried, polish the RV with a
dry, soft cloth.
Do not wax your RV in direct sunlight. Wax it after the surfaces have
cooled. Do not apply wax to any area having a flat black finish as it
can cause discoloration. If the finish has been stained with wax, wipe
off the area with a soft cloth and warm water. When waxing the area
around the various openings, do not apply any wax on the weather
(See page 102)
Page 98
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