Charlie
Free Member
- May 16, 2015
- 3,211
- 3,639
- Funster No
- 36,385
- MH
- Auto Sleeper Kemerton.
- Exp
- Im a newbie
Im writing this because the subject of removing and trying to rid our vehicles of black streaks comes up time and time again. I do worry when I read what some people are using to remove the dreaded streaks from their very expensive Motor Homes. Motor Homes that we in general have invested a large amount of money on and in general are our pride and joy.
Firstly where do the mysterious streaks appear from and how do we stop them ?
The streaks are nothing more than airborne pollutants that fall from the sky. All the pollution we humans produce goes up and some of it comes down again. Fumes and soot from car, Dust from building or manufacturing. Dust and whatever from farming and an endless catalouge of muck descends on our vehicles. When it rains this muck runs down the sides of the vehicles and black streaks as we call the appear.
Unless we can store our vehicles indoors there is no escape ! It is inevitable and how much streaking you get depends on where you live and where the vehicles are parked. Compare it if you will to houses in heavy industrial areas. The houses turn black and so does everything around it.
So prevention is nigh on impossible. But we can reduce how the muck sticks to our vehicles.
The smoother the surface this muck falls on the less it will stick. Also the smoother the surface the easier it is to remove.
Stand a paving slab up against a wall and an equal sized pane of glass and spray water at them. Which surface retains the water ? Now polish or wax the glass and spray with water again.. Which one is shedding the water fastest ? The slippier and more slick the surface the less muck sticks.
Elsewhere in the Detailing section there are guides on Claying, Polishing, And waxing our vehicles. So I wont go into detail here but in short a well prepared surface is not only going to be far far easier to clean the streaks off but they wont take a hold and you will see less.
One thing that horrifies me is when I so often read what many use to clean the streaks off with. I see people using caustic based kitchen cleaners and products that will over a period of time ruin the finishes on what are after all extremely expensive items ! These kitchen cleaners will ruin finishes. They will ruin the decals that are applied to many vans.. At best they will strip any protective waxes or sealants that have been applied by either Dealers at the point of sale or by those who choose to wax or seal their Motor homes. At worst they will completely ruin the decals and or finishes on the vehicles.
I can absolutely assure you all that Nothing more than car shampoo and warm water is needed to remove black streaks. If they have been there for an age it may be that an All Purpose Cleaner like Autosmart G101 is required. But remember this is a corrosive product so please take care and rinse really well ! But Shampoo and water is all that is required ! There are expensive dedicated products for this job but they are a complete waste of money. Do what I do and throw spare cash into a MacMillan box not down the drain.
It may be advantageous if this thread is made a sticky as the queastion comes up time and time again.
Hope this helps.
Charlie.
Firstly where do the mysterious streaks appear from and how do we stop them ?
The streaks are nothing more than airborne pollutants that fall from the sky. All the pollution we humans produce goes up and some of it comes down again. Fumes and soot from car, Dust from building or manufacturing. Dust and whatever from farming and an endless catalouge of muck descends on our vehicles. When it rains this muck runs down the sides of the vehicles and black streaks as we call the appear.
Unless we can store our vehicles indoors there is no escape ! It is inevitable and how much streaking you get depends on where you live and where the vehicles are parked. Compare it if you will to houses in heavy industrial areas. The houses turn black and so does everything around it.
So prevention is nigh on impossible. But we can reduce how the muck sticks to our vehicles.
The smoother the surface this muck falls on the less it will stick. Also the smoother the surface the easier it is to remove.
Stand a paving slab up against a wall and an equal sized pane of glass and spray water at them. Which surface retains the water ? Now polish or wax the glass and spray with water again.. Which one is shedding the water fastest ? The slippier and more slick the surface the less muck sticks.
Elsewhere in the Detailing section there are guides on Claying, Polishing, And waxing our vehicles. So I wont go into detail here but in short a well prepared surface is not only going to be far far easier to clean the streaks off but they wont take a hold and you will see less.
One thing that horrifies me is when I so often read what many use to clean the streaks off with. I see people using caustic based kitchen cleaners and products that will over a period of time ruin the finishes on what are after all extremely expensive items ! These kitchen cleaners will ruin finishes. They will ruin the decals that are applied to many vans.. At best they will strip any protective waxes or sealants that have been applied by either Dealers at the point of sale or by those who choose to wax or seal their Motor homes. At worst they will completely ruin the decals and or finishes on the vehicles.
I can absolutely assure you all that Nothing more than car shampoo and warm water is needed to remove black streaks. If they have been there for an age it may be that an All Purpose Cleaner like Autosmart G101 is required. But remember this is a corrosive product so please take care and rinse really well ! But Shampoo and water is all that is required ! There are expensive dedicated products for this job but they are a complete waste of money. Do what I do and throw spare cash into a MacMillan box not down the drain.
It may be advantageous if this thread is made a sticky as the queastion comes up time and time again.
Hope this helps.
Charlie.