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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Thoughts on power washing the rig
Post Info TOPIC: Thoughts on power washing the rig
Neil and Connie


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Thoughts on power washing the rig
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Is there any reason not to get a household power washer to clean the rig with? We've got a fiberglass roof so no worries about tearing rubber…and obviously I would be careful not to inadvertently unseat any of the caulking on roof seams or penetrations…but just wondering if it's completely safe for use on fully painted rigs…NH doesn't have any decals.

I've seen numerous bloggers that talk about power washing but I would think that as long as you used the wand that spreads the spray out a little to reduce impact pressure it's probably plenty safe…and it's surely easier than using a bucket and brush.

Secondary question…what's the best no-buffing wax to use, Zipwax? Doing the whole rub on/let dry/buff routine is just way too much work.

 



-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Saturday 30th of July 2016 08:46:03 AM

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Rob_Fla


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I would never use a Power Washer on my rig, the possibility of blowing a seal, seam, joint out alone is too much risk, plus if you hit one of the dual pane windows or clearance lights with it, you could blow the seal out of them too.

Just not worth the risk for me :)



-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Saturday 30th of July 2016 08:43:38 AM

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Neil and Connie


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Thanks Bob…one would need to be careful around seams, slide seals, lights and such…and I think one of the 'baby' power washers with lower pressure and an adjustable wand that widens the spray out would be fine. I'm not as concerned about seals as making sure it won't do anything to the paint itself.

I figure that careful aiming of the sprayer with maybe some hand brushing right around windows and seals if necessary would provide adequate protection for seals and water leaks.

 



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bjoyce


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A friend just talked about this in his blog - http://ourrvadventures.com/2016/07/wax-on-wax-off-2/.    He uses a Karcher K2 Plus, which is under $100 from Amazon.  It is not as powerful as a commercial model, but does the job and should be safe.



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Lucky Mike


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I have lugged a small one around for a few years.....I find it better than the brush and hose method.......it removes the bigger scuffing dirt that the brush normally picks up prior to brush washing...uses half the water and allows rinsing the under carriage.......wash the motor down......clean the BBQ .......and teach that little kid with the power soaker what its like to have a super one !!!!


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TRAILERKING


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Lucky Mike wrote:

 .......and teach that little kid with the power soaker what its like to have a super one !!!!

biggrin



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Second Chance


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Rob_Fla wrote:

I would never use a Power Washer on my rig, the possibility of blowing a seal, seam, joint out alone is too much risk, plus if you hit one of the dual pane windows or clearance lights with it, you could blow the seal out of them too.

Just not worth the risk for me :)



-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Saturday 30th of July 2016 08:43:38 AM

I'm with the other Rob on this one... I prefer a good rinsing before a soft (designed for RVs and trucks) brush on an extendable pole. We just did ours top-to-bottom two weeks ago. What a difference after two months of volunteer camp hosting in a National Forest campground in North Carolina!

Rob



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Neil and Connie


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Thanks Bill…that post by Greg was what got me started down this path. So far…I usually wash when we arrive in Fort Myers and again just before we leave but waxing/buffing is more effort than I'm interested in putting in. Guess I should look into having one of the services come by this winter and do it for us.

 



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Clay L


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Neil and Connie wrote:

Thanks Bill…that post by Greg was what got me started down this path. So far…I usually wash when we arrive in Fort Myers and again just before we leave but waxing/buffing is more effort than I'm interested in putting in. Guess I should look into having one of the services come by this winter and do it for us.

 

 I used a a wash and wax service several times in AZ where we spent all or most of 9 winters. They did a good job and were careful with the power washer. They used a fan spray nozzle and a brush for areas close to seams, windows, etc. The non-buff wax they used was only good for 6 or 7 months though.  



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