I'm now totally confused - which products to use?

[Bustup15]

I will stick my head above the parapet to be shot at but I bet I'm not the only one who is confused. ?

I've looked through the threads on cleaning waxing etc and confess I'm now more confused than when I started! ?

This product is ok for fibreglass but not aluminium, don't use anything on decals, what about glass, no T Cut, yes T Cut is good, don't use stuff on perspex, etc etc

Use a buffer, no do it by hand, let it dry, no wipe straight off. Is it painted or a gel coat, don't polish too far or you may go right through it ?

Anyway how do you know which panels are made of what? ?

A Class less than 12 months old and I would like to protect it and apply a finish that cleans more easily.

What do I need?

 

[Mark McG]

I have used the several “Charlies guide to .........” for advice on cleaning etc and have found them always accurate and informative. As you say even something as straight forward as cleaning a Motorhome creates some incredibly polarising and strongly held opinions

 

[jezport]

T cut is not good for GRP as the solvents can damage it. There is a lot of confusion about. Thats why I sell a GRP restorer polish thats fine on paint, GRP, and many plastics and also sell a polymer wax to protect it after polishing. It can be put on by hand or machine polisher Polish and Wax

 

[Coolcats]

First of all what does the manufacturer of your MoHo recommend

Dometic who probably make your acrylic windows make cleaners if yo look at the site they also do glass polish but only use this if the glass has a scratch.

look at the auto glym range both for washing and waxing the vehicle and rarely use polish.
AutoGlym also do on line video guides.

I’m sure there will be a zillion responses but the above is a straight forward approach

 

[jezport]

I have run a motorhome valeting business and can say that Autoglym super resin polish is great to put on and disguised small defects very short term so is great if you are selling the van. If you are keeping the van the polish attracts black streaks and really makes dirt stick to the van quicker than not having wax at all. If you dont believe me do a square under one side of a window and leave it a week.

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[Bustup15]

First of all what does the manufacturer of your MoHo recommend

Dometic who probably make your acrylic windows make cleaners if yo look at the site they also do glass polish but only use this if the glass has a scratch.

look at the auto glym range both for washing and waxing the vehicle and rarely use polish.
AutoGlym also do on line video guides.

I’m sure there will be a zillion responses but the above is a straight forward approach

Dethleffs - from their handbook - use washing up liquid ?

 

[Bustup15]

After reading Charlie's guides I bought a foam lance and foam/water dispersant after wash/micro fibre cloths etc

Experimented on my wife's ex car now inherited by me a very neglected 2012 Vitara which had been in storage for 6 weeks and in my wife's ownership had been washed but never polished or waxed ?

Power washed water only
Snow lance with a car shampoo (as foam hasn't arrived yet)
Used cloth to activate
Washed off
Dried

Not impressed although massively better than when I started.

Did it all again
Used the after wash
Dried

Much cleaner but dried with water markings all over?

Found some mer polish that I've had for years and applied this today.

Much better although the roof is still pretty stained by tree sap and old bird droppings marking the paint.
Lower wings around the wheel arches have tar and accumulated debris on top of paint work which can be felt when polishing or rubbing hand over.
Around door handles lots of 'white' scratches presumably from keys and possibly rings/jewellery. Frustrating as car has remote locking!
Some rust marking on alloys and the side steps runners

Before I go further what are the thoughts on next actions as I'm knackered ?

Cutting polish/t cut/clay?

 

[Graham Pierpoint]

A company called Chome uk in Elworth nr Sandbach Cheshire do a great /full range of cleaning/detailing products in 500ml small spray bottles upwards, one called Embelish that is so easy to use on cars and MH's including GRP

 

[Bustup15]

A company called Chome uk in Elworth nr Sandbach Cheshire do a great /full range of cleaning/detailing products in 500ml small spray bottles upwards, one called Embelish that is so easy to use on cars and MH's including GRP

Had a look at Chrome UK but I don't think embellish will impact on the issues I have left. Thanks anyway.

 

[Jake Royd]

T cut is not good for GRP as the solvents can damage it. There is a lot of confusion about. Thats why I sell a GRP restorer polish thats fine on paint, GRP, and many plastics and also sell a polymer wax to protect it after polishing. It can be put on by hand or machine polisher Polish and Wax

Just bought the pair , via Ebay.
Planning some lockdown polishing the week after this one.
Like the OP, a bit confused by all the preparations and opinions out there.

I need now to look at headlamp surface refurb stuff. Used Autosol quite effectively here.

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[Chipster]

After reading Charlie's guides I bought a foam lance and foam/water dispersant after wash/micro fibre cloths etc

Experimented on my wife's ex car now inherited by me a very neglected 2012 Vitara which had been in storage for 6 weeks and in my wife's ownership had been washed but never polished or waxed ?

Power washed water only
Snow lance with a car shampoo (as foam hasn't arrived yet)
Used cloth to activate
Washed off
Dried

Not impressed although massively better than when I started.

Did it all again
Used the after wash
Dried

Much cleaner but dried with water markings all over?

Found some mer polish that I've had for years and applied this today.

Much better although the roof is still pretty stained by tree sap and old bird droppings marking the paint.
Lower wings around the wheel arches have tar and accumulated debris on top of paint work which can be felt when polishing or rubbing hand over.
Around door handles lots of 'white' scratches presumably from keys and possibly rings/jewellery. Frustrating as car has remote locking!
Some rust marking on alloys and the side steps runners
View attachment 373586
Before I go further what are the thoughts on next actions as I'm knackered ?

Cutting polish/t cut/clay?

Clay bar then if you can get your hands on a DA polisher, some decent pads and compounds followed by a good wax should bring it up well, rough guide for me if you can feel a scratch with a finger nail then you won get it out with polisher alone, just take the edges off.