PowerWashing an RV

[CampingGuy]

I have a travel trailer that has been parked under trees for about two years. There are dark streaks down the side (it is painted aluminum) that I've tried to remove using commercially-manufactured streak remover, but it doesn't work well. Should I try renting a powerwasher and using it? Will it take the paint and decals off? If not, will it work on the streaking?

 

[steve r]

clean rv

I have a travel trailer that has been parked under trees for about two years. There are dark streaks down the side (it is painted aluminum) that I've tried to remove using commercially-manufactured streak remover, but it doesn't work well. Should I try renting a powerwasher and using it? Will it take the paint and decals off? If not, will it work on the streaking?

them streaks are probally imbedded in the paint.you can try outdoor bleach .put a little dawn in a 5 gallon bucket with bleach .i gallon of bleach to 4 gallons of water.add 4 tble spoons of dawn .spray on and let dwell for a few minutes .do not let it dry on .try and see if this will take care of the streaks .rinse really good

 

[Larry B]

This is the same thing that happens to gutters. You may be able to remove them with degreaser, if the bleach method does not work. If that does not work you will have to try a degreaser form the store. Be careful too not mix degreaser and soap together. Do not let the degreaser sit on for the surface for more than a minute and pay extra attention to any stickers/graphics you may have on RV.
I don't think a pressure washer is going to help any as the marks are in/on the paint.

 

[john orr]

I regularly wash trailers/RV's in a high-end park at the oceanfront. Simple Green will do the trick. It may take some color out of the decal, so I start there, then bottom to top. Do small sections and rinse frequently.

I use SG straight and apply with a soft car wash brush. It works great and I have many repeat customers @ $100 each. Have some in a spray bottle to reach areas behind awnings/railings. It will leave them nice and shiny!

 

[StainlessDeal]

Not to Steal This Thread, But...

John, do you break the pwer out at all on these washes in the park?

I haven't done any yet, but a local park owner called me because his customers are starting to request this service. I pretty much abandoned fleetwashing because of the tighter margins around here, but nobody I know of is in this end very strongly yet. I'm curious about the "best" practices I might consider for a bid.

I thought the answer to my questions might help camping guy as well, but pm or email me if you'd rather. Thanks

 

[john orr]

Scott,

No problem being "hijacked"! Actually, I do a hot wax rinse on all trailers. It really gets the owners' attention. I added it this year and customers are truly impressed with the results. Since the black streaks will come back (I'm NOT getting on the roof!) anything you can do to extend the time between cleanings is a plus.

 

[drivewaysonly]

There is a product made just for these streaks! it washes nothing else and smells like oven cleaner (which does not work) the streaks you refer to are a chemical reaction...the silicon in the rubber seals around the roof break down with sun and time and are washed away with rain. then, they settle somewhere on the substrate and stay. The product i refer to is called white stuff..there are many versions of white stuff and the ONLY one that does what i am speking of is made in Largo Florida...right now the co. escapes me but if it comes up again, I will find it. it also removes the streaks on gutters and makes em look brand new. Be warned..this stuff must eb used straight and will burn your skin...you MUST wear a resp. or at least a mask during use. It is 10 bucks a gallon and it takes two gallons for the typicall 35 foot rv. I was introduced to this stuff when I was detailing RV's here in florida...nothing like it anywhere else. Trust me...I have cleaned old white utility trailer that sat for years and had the black streaks every where to the poitn the trailer looked gray....came out looking new.

 

[Pabowhtr]

Gutter Zap, It will do thew trick on all black streks. You guys out there on the house cleaning side this stuff is the bomb. I do not clean houses but I do clean my trailer. It was a tuff winter alot of road dirt and mud, acid on the roof made black streks evrywhere. This stuff cleaned right up. I promise and it did not fade my decals.

 

[drivewaysonly]

Gutter Zap, It will do thew trick on all black streks. You guys out there on the house cleaning side this stuff is the bomb. I do not clean houses but I do clean my trailer. It was a tuff winter alot of road dirt and mud, acid on the roof made black streks evrywhere. This stuff cleaned right up. I promise and it did not fade my decals.

tried it..no where near white stuff. Then again, there is a huge difference in smell, mist, rinse time etc.

 

[GA Vent Works]

They have clear stuff, gold stuff, red stuff and purple stuff too.


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