A Polish worth a try? (1 Viewer)

Jul 12, 2013
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Only ever used a PTG a few times in the past. Do they work on painted aluminium??????
The best polish for the aluminium finish is old fashioned Beeswax. It does work and does not take off the paint.
The arguments about best polish seems to recur every few months. After all usin "T" cut etc will make your van look clean with little effort but once every ten years is perhaps enough.
I have been using Meguairs polish that is used on glass fibre Gel coats in marine circles and it seems to do a good job without taking off too much paint. I might try beeswax over larger areas to see if it works.

Alan
 

Charlie

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Alan wax is not a polish. Wax is wax polish is polish. It will shift dead flies to a degree as it softens them. But wax has no polishing abilities.
Why use a wax intended for wood when a proper automotive wax is far far better ?
Automotive wax will offer some protection as it reflects UV light so helps stop fading. Beeswax will not do this. Automotive wax will stay in place longer and if you choose a wax like Collinite 476S it will offer protection for 8 to 12 months. Beeswax will not do this

When looking at MHs recently I was amazed at how many of the "alluminium" fronts looked faded and frankly awful. This is because they have not been treated with the appropriate materials.
 
Oct 29, 2008
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There seems to be confusion here over Wax and polish.


Frankly using Truck wash is so detrimental to vehicles and motor homes and caravans it should be bloody banned. Effective at shifting grime but it's caustic based and over time will absolutely destroy whatever you put it on.

It's your kit so feel free to chuck over it what you like but certain products mentioned in this thread should be binned .

When Charlie mentioned truck wash, this covers many of the drive in car washes. Many use TFR Traffic Film Remover and in most cases its the cheaper highly caustic version. As some of you know I used to run a motorhome valeting business, I only used specialist non harmful chemicals and never used a jet wash anywhere near windows doors seams etc, in fact most jobs were done entirely by hand. It really made me laugh when someone spammed a thread I was giving advice on cleaning with "I used the Polish car washers and they did a good job for £10"
You pay a lot of money for your van so why scrimp on a cheap item like polish or wax?
I deal with a lot of boat and yacht owners and they wouldn't treat their investment with chemicals that can damage them to save pennies.

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Apr 18, 2009
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Hi

My roof had quite a lot of green streaks and accumulated dirt , which I only noticed when recently on the garage roof to repair satellite dish after a strong wind storm.

Last weekend there was an incredible torrential downpour (here in Switzerland) and guess what. Roof totally clean. How about that then!

Alan

Acid rain?:D
 
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When Charlie mentioned truck wash, this covers many of the drive in car washes. Many use TFR Traffic Film Remover and in most cases its the cheaper highly caustic version. As some of you know I used to run a motorhome valeting business, I only used specialist non harmful chemicals and never used a jet wash anywhere near windows doors seams etc, in fact most jobs were done entirely by hand. It really made me laugh when someone spammed a thread I was giving advice on cleaning with "I used the Polish car washers and they did a good job for £10"
You pay a lot of money for your van so why scrimp on a cheap item like polish or wax?
I deal with a lot of boat and yacht owners and they wouldn't treat their investment with chemicals that can damage them to save pennies.
what would you use jez thanks steve
 

laird of Dunstan

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I'll be looking at a product by a company called paintshield , it's expensive but if you are buying a new van it's worth protecting it.
I'm also a big fan of diamond bright,it's a two pack polish.

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Oct 29, 2008
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what would you use jez thanks steve

I recommend products that are designed for the material you are cleaning, and ones that are neither strong acid or alkali. There are a lot of quality products designed for boats and yachts that are ideal.
I would also avoid pressure washing unless you know exactly what you are doing.
I have been selling my polish for quite a time now and a lot of my customers are boat owners andthey are very fussy what they use.
 

Charlie

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What's the best wax for grp?
GRP is similar in finish to automotive paint.

Automotive is a colour/ base with lacquer over.

GRP is a coloured base with gel coat on top.

So on that basis use a high durability wax like Colinite 476S.
Link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Collinite...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cd15e2f37

For panels that are not GRP with a gel coat Im unsure as I am brand new to motor homing caravans,

Using a high durability wax is essential on these larger vehicles as you dont want to be re applying every two or three months !
 

FJmike

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When Charlie mentioned truck wash, this covers many of the drive in car washes. Many use TFR Traffic Film Remover and in most cases its the cheaper highly caustic version. As some of you know I used to run a motorhome valeting business, I only used specialist non harmful chemicals and never used a jet wash anywhere near windows doors seams etc, in fact most jobs were done entirely by hand. It really made me laugh when someone spammed a thread I was giving advice on cleaning with "I used the Polish car washers and they did a good job for £10"
.

Great minds think alike jezport :D:D:D. I always use chemicals and detergents that are suitable for motorhomes and caravans and most importantly to the right dilutions. I do use a TFR but it is non caustic. As an addition to what Charlie has said about using Colinite wax, it will do nothing for the appearance of your van if the surface being waxed isn't in good condition.
 
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GRP is similar in finish to automotive paint.

Automotive is a colour/ base with lacquer over.

GRP is a coloured base with gel coat on top.

So on that basis use a high durability wax like Colinite 476S.
Link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Collinite...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cd15e2f37

For panels that are not GRP with a gel coat Im unsure as I am brand new to motor homing caravans,

Using a high durability wax is essential on these larger vehicles as you dont want to be re applying every two or three months !

As most vans are white they show black streaks. Most waxes cause the dirt to stick to the wax. Autoglym SRP is particularly good at showing black streaks. The harder waxes are better although the dirt will still stick to them to some extent. They are better because the streaks are easier to remove from the surface of the hard wax. Carnauba wax is extremely hard but don't just think if it's carnauba its good, there are different types and of course its not pure otherwise you wouldn't be able to apply it as it would be too hard.
 

Charlie

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As most vans are white they show black streaks. Most waxes cause the dirt to stick to the wax. Autoglym SRP is particularly good at showing black streaks. The harder waxes are better although the dirt will still stick to them to some extent. They are better because the streaks are easier to remove from the surface of the hard wax. Carnauba wax is extremely hard but don't just think if it's carnauba its good, there are different types and of course its not pure otherwise you wouldn't be able to apply it as it would be too hard.

SRP is a polish though .. It is an extremely low cut polish with great filling abilities so will hide swirling. SRP should have an LSP or Last Stage Product applied after using it.

This black streaking thing is new to me to be honest but wax should not attract it it should not stick to it.
But I take your point and think streaks do show . But the wax should make the removal of the streaks far far easier as this is where the waxes protection really does its job.

A well prepared vehicle will be so much easier to clean after the application of a quality wax or sealant. ::bigsmile:
 
Oct 29, 2008
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A lot of people seem to use SRP a final finish on motorhomes for some reason. Possibly because of its filling and hiding minor defects.

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zac

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Ive used their EGP after SRP and again found that its nothing spectacular on a motorhome. A good hard wax works so much better.
Which one would you recommend as i have no idea?

Has anybody used the Greased Lightning products as they say no water etc etc needed but it must take off something when using?

I need something for my new Delaware but want to make sure i dont take any protection off of it as it was supposed to be protected with some sort of spray (dont think it is though as had a few issues with surfaces being smooth and then further down being rough). Waiting on approval from autotrail to have it fully polished or something.

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Oct 29, 2008
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If you have a specialist coating you need to use their recommended cleaner. If and thats a big IF it has the coating on, you cant use any polishes.
 

Charlie

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You may be able to detect if a coating of some sort had been applied by showering some water over the vehicle. If the water sheets off or beads really well then it very likely has something on it. If it doesent then it's extremely unlikely it has. Or of course it may have but its not working...

As Jez says above if it has a coating then don't polish ad this will remove it.
 

zac

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I will look out the bag they gave me but i have some work on it since then like having the back resprayed and i am pretty sure they have not redone it afterwards.

I paid a lot of money for it, £500 i think but i would say def not worth it as it doesnt seem to do anything and the water doesn't run off as if it is on there.

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