Cleaning a Motorhome on Site

[JON8H]

Hi All

A question I am sure has been asked a number of times before:

I need a good cleaner I can use to clean a Motorhome when I am away on site. Must presume no access to a hose, so really needs to be a wipe on wipe off cleaner / polisher. Any recommendations?

 

[Pugsy]

There was a thread a few days ago about a spray on product ,spray on wipe off but I can't find it. I'm sure someone from that thread will reply , I will be watching as I meant to bookmark it.

 

[Clivefog]

Waterless car wash - I use Triplewax probably the cheapest? I have a black car so need it!

 

[steve69]

I have a 1.5 litre pump-up pressure sprayer that i fill with slightly soapy water and wait until rain is due (for rinsing purposes). Crude but quick and effective.

 

[Tykatem]

This is the stuff I use, does exactly what it says. There's no need to wash your car first, just spray on, wipe with one microfibre cloth to remove the dirt and use another microfibre cloth to buff to shine.

Amazon product ASIN B005G20IL8
Pete

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[steve69]

I'm a bit sceptical of the no-water wash systems. Surely any fine grit stuck to the panels is just going to be rubbed into the paintwork. Copious amounts of soapy/rinse water would surely be best for washing this grit away as the surface is brushed or sponged.

 

[Bailey58]

GJH always used One Drywash from memory.

 

[Tonks]

This is the stuff I use, does exactly what it says. There's no need to wash your car first, just spray on, wipe with one microfibre cloth to remove the dirt and use another microfibre cloth to buff to shine.

Amazon product ASIN B005G20IL8
Pete

I'm a bit sceptical of the no-water wash systems. Surely any fine grit stuck to the panels is just going to be rubbed into the paintwork. Copious amounts of soapy/rinse water would surely be best for washing this grit away as the surface is brushed or sponged.

Tykatem this sounds interesting, especially when on showgrounds etc. But like steve69 I'm a bit wary of scratching the paint, which is already showing stress in some areas! As you're an actual user, would you set our minds at rest on this?! After much cleaning - and very wet feet - yesterday, I'm definitely interested.
My current preferred way to clean mine is to take it up to my local jet wash and wash off the worst of the muck before then using an Autoglym wash/wax in a bucket at home, followed by rinsing. I never, ever, put any jet wash brushes against my van! Washing at home is awkward due to the limited access to one side of the van, and the not very impressive water pressure.
(If there are any mentions of 'Jetways' in this comment, it's despite me changing it to jet wash more than once!!)

 

[Tombola]

they say the one wash stuff binds are the micro particles as you apply it "lifting" them away from the paints surface so they can be magically swept away with the cloth and not scratching the base.

then once done, you nip round the back, plant the magic beans that come with the gear and climb them to the top and find all your riches.

Seriously though I read this about them a while back, and whilst it seems to have some knowledge, there is the obligatory "advert" for one at the end

We Uncover the Myths of How a Waterless Car Wash Works

Ever wonder how a waterless car wash works and the myths or advantages of using them? Learn how to save time, money and your paint here.

fuelandfriction.com

 

[PaulC70]

I thought jet washing motorhomes was a big no no???

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[AndyPK]

I thought jet washing motorhomes was a big no no???

Use a low-pressure setting……

 

[Tombola]

I thought jet washing motorhomes was a big no no???

yes and no....on a low setting and not near vents/seals/gaps, then useful but you are aswell with a hose.

I use one of these that sucks water from a bucket, useually takes me 2 buckets https://www.worx.com/20v-hydroshot-car-boat-cleaning-kit-wo7101.html

best thing I find is waterproof jacket on when raining and a extending soap / carwash brush

 

[TCG]

This is the stuff I use, does exactly what it says. There's no need to wash your car first, just spray on, wipe with one microfibre cloth to remove the dirt and use another microfibre cloth to buff to shine.

Amazon product ASIN B005G20IL8
Pete

excellent stuff

 

[AndyPK]

yes and no....on a low setting and not near vents/seals/gaps, then useful but you are aswell with a hose.

I use one of these that sucks water from a bucket, useually takes me 2 buckets https://www.worx.com/20v-hydroshot-car-boat-cleaning-kit-wo7101.html

best thing I find is waterproof jacket on when raining and a extending soap / carwash brush

That’s what I use too - ‘Worx’ for me!!

(I’ll get me coat….)

 

[Brains]

Hi All

A question I am sure has been asked a number of times before:

I need a good cleaner I can use to clean a Motorhome when I am away on site. Must presume no access to a hose, so really needs to be a wipe on wipe off cleaner / polisher. Any recommendations?

Out of interest, how do you clean your motorhome at home ?
As our van is stored not far from Broadstairs and I've yet to find a cleaner that will do the roof.

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[GJH]

GJH always used One Drywash from memory.

Still do, and have been for well over 10 years.
I've only ever used it on a site once though, when I happened to buy some at the shop where we were.

I have seen all the "No, you'll scratch it" stories before but never had problems.

 

[PP Bear]

I use this, it’s excellent, doesn’t scratch, despite what people say and leaves a lovely finish, which the picture shows, but, as ever, it’s each to their own. Personally I’d never pressure wash my van, and would use nothing that gives more pressure than a running hosepipe.

Shout Out For Waterless Wash

Have the van in storage and it’s been building up with the usual green slime on the roof and a buildup around the trim. SWMBO brought me some waterless wax and it’s brilliant. Shifted all the green slime, black streaks and muck and very little used, so thought I’d share it with me Funster...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[JON8H]

Out of interest, how do you clean your motorhome at home ?
As our van is stored not far from Broadstairs and I've yet to find a cleaner that will do the roof.

Have always cleaned the roof off a tall ladder with a long reach brush. Maybe getting a bit old for this now and it certainly is not for the faint hearted. Where do you store your motor home near Broadstairs?

 

[JON8H]

Out of interest, how do you clean your motorhome at home ?
As our van is stored not far from Broadstairs and I've yet to find a cleaner that will do the roof.

Hi - Have always cleaned the roof off a tall ladder with a long reach brush. Maybe getting a bit old for this now and it certainly is not for the faint hearted. Sadly no sign of anywhere locally that will do roofs.

 

[TDub49]

This gets 5 stars in the motoring press and I've ordered some to find out off it warrants it.

<Broken link removed>

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[JON8H]

This gets 5 stars in the motoring press and I've ordered some to find out off it warrants it.

<Broken link removed>

Thanks for this, it looks good, but would greatly appreciate your feedback when you have tried it

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Thanks for this, it looks good, but would greatly appreciate your feedback when you have tried it

Used this for years and it’s very good, you only need to give the van a light mist and then wipe off, I then give it a buff with another cloth.

Have these cloths and they are great as large size.

 

[MillieMoocher]

I’ve used the Meguirs product very successfully on my cars. It is a good useful product for cleaning if you have no access to water.


I was lucky enough to show my Morgan at the NEC classic car show in 2019 which takes place in November. I drove down in the rain and foul weather from West Yorkshire and set about cleaning the car which was by then pretty fithly.

I fully expected to have to spend hours when I got home getting rid of the swirl marks, but by careful use of microfibre cloths - one pass per “face” of the folded cloth, in one direction only- all was well.

I needed plenty of cloths though, I used 16 in total to do a relatively small car. I folded each cloth in 4, which gave me 8 clean faces per cloth.

However the results were well worth it, the lights of the NEC are very unforgiving when it comes to showing up paint defects.

Since then it has been my go-to waterless wash, and it smells nice too

The real telling area is the front passenger side wing, where there are 2 sets of 2 light reflections. Any swirling would get picked up by the harsh lights and if you zoom in on those areas you’ll notice it’s not swirled at all even after using the waterless Maguirs stuff…

I no longer have the car however, it got flatbed recovered 4 times in 2,400 miles and enough was enough!

 

[TheAleMan]

Used this for years and it’s very good, you only need to give the van a light mist and then wipe off, I then give it a buff with another cloth.

Have these cloths and they are great as large size.

View attachment 581483

How much of the Meguiar's do you use on your van Mark..is one bottle enough ? As it says enough for 3-4 cars.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

How much of the Meguiar's do you use on your van Mark..is one bottle enough ? As it says enough for 3-4 cars.

One bottle will last ages Steve
I only give it a light misting.

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[TheAleMan]

One bottle will last ages Steve
I only give it a light misting.

Thanks Mark..and definitely no swirling effect no ? My van is filth but do fancy trying these waterless cleaners, just a worry I have about swirling the paintwork especially as van is quite heavily soiled.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Thanks Mark..and definitely no swirling effect no ? My van is filth but do fancy trying these waterless cleaners, just a worry I have about swirling the paintwork especially as van is quite heavily soiled.

My vans never been really dirty Steve as I like to keep high standards

Would say probably best to hose it off if it’s that bad, I have a cordless Worx power washer that will suck water from a drum ideal for washing grit off and it’s not to powerful.
Do that first then give it a go vet with the wax.

 

[Jim]

Visit us when you're dirty. We supply a brush and hose so people can properly wash their van on their pitch.

 

[TheAleMan]

My vans never been really dirty Steve as I like to keep high standards

Would say probably best to hose it off if it’s that bad, I have a cordless Worx power washer that will suck water from a drum ideal for washing grit off and it’s not to powerful.
Do that first then give it a go vet with the wax.

Well unbelievably I have been looking at those, are they any good. Mostly good reviews but, some ‘don’t bother, waste of time’ one’s as well. How long does the battery last ?

 

[eddie]

Visit us when you're dirty. We supply a brush and hose so people can properly wash their van on their pitch.

Visit us, we'll sell you a brush and a hose

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