Spring: Cleaning Products

Washing
The first step in the cleaning process is washing. Even this simple procedure must be done properly, using the correct products. Because washing with household detergents containing alkali or ammonia can harm the surface, special car-wash products have been developed that remove dirt and grime without removing the previous wax job. Some products even combine a wash-and-wax all in one process.

An example of such a specialty product is Eagle One Wet Car Wash. Not only is it safe for use on vehicle surfaces, but the company claims it renews a wax shine, restores wax protection and inhibits corrosion and oxidation. This product contains Teflon, which Eagle One says enhances plating and durability, providing additional protection from hard-water spots and bird droppings.

Meguiar's Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner, designed for those who wash often, protects and enhances the finish and won't strip off wax protection, according to Meguiar's. The company claims: "The totally pH-balanced formula provides special conditioners to neutralize deposits and promotes water sheeting to make drying easier and spot-free."

Protect All offers its Quick & Easy Wash, which the company says eliminates the need for a hose or for rinsing. Simply mix a capful of the solution with each two quarts of water and apply with a sponge or cloth. Wash the vehicle one section at a time, and dry that section immediately with a chamois or a clean towel. It leaves no soapy film, streaks or spots, and won't remove wax, according to the company.

General washing calls for using a supply of soft cloths or a wash mitt or two. To avoid transferring grime from one part of the vehicle to another, try using one wash mitt for the upper part of the rig and a second one for the dirtier lower region. Rinse the dirty mitt or cloth frequently, and make sure it doesn't pick up abrasive particles of grit that can damage the surface. Never place the mitt on the ground.

To help prevent spotting, wash the coach in a shady area, or do the job either early or late to avoid the heat of the day. Work from the top down, washing and rinsing as you go, to keep the wash solution from drying on the surface. Use a light spray of water, rather than a strong stream, to avoid forcing grime behind body trim or into window and door seams. Gently dry with a soft, clean chamois or towel to prevent the formation of water spots. Dry glass and metalwork first, since these are the areas that readily show spotting.

After the vehicle has been washed and dried, deeper cleaning may be needed. The folks who manufacture the Meguiar's line of care products recommend a procedure they call the "smooth-as-glass" test to determine if the surface has significant contamination and needs to be deep cleaned. After washing and drying the vehicle, run your fingertips over its surface; it should feel as smooth as glass -- with no roughness. If the surface doesn't pass the test, it's time for deeper cleaning.

Polishing
Polishes are different from waxes. Polish is like a paint conditioner that restores valuable oils to the paint and leaves a glistening shine, but does not leave a wax layer over the paint. As with wax application, polish should be applied only with a circular motion to clean, dry and cool surfaces. Polishing may, in some sense, be considered part of the deep-cleaning process because oxidized paint will be removed by the polish and retained in the cloth. It's a good idea to keep several cloths on hand, so you can work with a clean one at all times. Overlap areas being worked to ensure coverage of all body panels. After the polish dries to a haze, remove the residue by buffing with a clean cloth.

Eagle One Wet-Look Car Polish is a Teflon-enhanced product that the company says results in a brilliant wet-look shine, fills swirl marks and resists water spots and bird droppings. It also is claimed to be safe for use on clear-coat surfaces.

Protect All Fiberglass Oxidation Remover and Color Restorer is a moderately abrasive liquid polish and wax that is specifically formulated to remove light-to-medium oxidation and to restore color, shine and luster to motorhomes and other vehicles.

Waxing
After thoroughly cleaning and polishing the vehicle, many people finish up with a wax job to protect the paint from the elements. It will last longer and look better. Waxes should be applied in the shade to a cool surface, using a clean, soft, damp or dry (follow product recommendations) terry cloth. A separate soft, clean terry cloth should be used to lightly buff the wax after it has had time to dry to a haze. Turn the buffing cloth frequently and shake out the residue as needed.

A type of product known as cleaner-wax is milder than rubbing compound, yet it can remove minor stains and oxidation. Cleaner-waxes offer a one-step process that rids the painted surface of oxidation and stains while coating it with a protective wax.

The durability of a wax job is evident by watching water bead on the surface. When water no longer beads, it's definitely time to apply a new coat. When doing so, there is a temptation to use a mechanical buffer to make the job faster and easier. The good news is that using an orbital buffer properly is perfectly OK, but avoid rotary buffers because it's too easy to damage the surface. For the same reason, don't use a buffing pad driven by a drill motor.

Rubber Roofs
Rubber roofs need a bit of special attention to keep them looking fresh. As the material (EPDM) weathers, a powdery "chalk" may be created. Although this is no structural threat to the roof, it washes off the roof and makes ugly streaks down the sides of the motorhome.

To remove the chalking from the roof, use borax or other mild abrasive cleaner, a medium-bristle brush and plenty of water. Protect All Rubber Roof Cleaner is said to remove the buildup of dirt, roof chalk and airborne pollutants with use of a sponge mop and a bucket of water or, in stubborn areas, a soft-bristled brush. Periodically inspect the roof to detect whether or not the chalking condition returns. If it does, clean the roof as before, then treat it with a suitable protectant. Although EPDM is resistant to ultraviolet degradation, products such as 303 Aerospace Protectant are formulated to help prolong the material's life.

Black streaks are similar to chalky streaks. They result from roof-borne contaminants and tarnish from roof-mounted metal fixtures. Stubborn though they are, they can be removed by using an appropriate cleaner. The important thing is to prevent them from returning, once you have removed them. This requires constant cleaning of the roof and affected walls. Keeping the exterior sides as smooth as glass with a healthy coat of wax helps prevent the residue discoloring. There are a number of black-streak remover products on the market, available at local RV-supply stores. These products usually are sprayed onto the streak; then the surface is wiped clean with a soft cloth..

Metal Polish
To remove tarnish and minor corrosion, a metal polish is the product of choice. These compounds are rubbed gently on the metal surface and then buffed off. Read the instructions carefully because some products specify that care must be taken to prevent the polish from drying on the surface before being removed.

Wheel cleaners are available in liquid or paste form. The liquid cleaners are easier to use because all that is required is to spray the product on the wheels, wait the specified time and then hose off with water. Paste cleaners are applied much like paste wax and require some rubbing and buffing. However, stubborn grime may demand scrubbing, even with spray-on/hose-off liquid cleaners. Some liquid cleaners employ a two-stage system in which two solutions are used, the second neutralizing the action of the first. Caution: Not all wheel cleaners will work on all wheels. Some chrome cleaners will damage aluminum or magnesium wheels; other products are specifically formulated for these materials. Read the labels carefully before you buy.

Eagle One offers A2Z All Wheels Cleaner, a spray-on, hose-off product that the manufacturer says is safe for all wheels. Hydroxyacetic acid and oxalic acid are employed in this solution, so caution is advised during use.

In fact, many metal cleaners contain acid blends, so caution is recommended during their application. The Magic Mix line, manufactured by Valco Cincinnati, includes a product called Aluminum Brightener, which is a blended acid solution containing sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. It is intended to be diluted and is for use on nonpolished aluminum. For especially difficult metal-cleaning projects, Magic Mix Metal Prep/Cleaner can be used as a prelude to applying the company's Metal Polish.

A nonacidic approach to metal cleaning is taken by Meguiar's All Metal Polish, which utilizes a blend of specialized abrasives to break through metal oxidation to clean and remove tarnish, surface rust, oxidation and corrosion. This product, a paste, is rubbed into the surface until a shine begins to appear; then the surface is wiped with a clean terry cloth.

No Touch Deep Purple wheel cleaner contains no harmful acids or toxins, according to the manufacturer. Deep Purple's formula is said to clean, shine and protect wheels, rims and hubcaps, as well as remove brake dust, grime and dirt.

Glass
Someone once told us about a method for keeping a windshield free of rain by cutting an onion in half and smearing it across the glass. Alas, we've never tried it. These days, there are products that very effectively keep glass clean and clear of water or other debris. Rain-X is one of these, and No Touch Rain Shield is another.

Of course, before treating the glass with these special solutions, it's necessary to thoroughly clean the surface. The numerous glass cleaners on the market are all used in the same manner: Simply spray on and wipe off with a lintfree cloth or paper towel.

Some glass cleaners should not be used on windows to which a film-type window tint has been applied. However, Eagle One 20/20 Auto Glass Cleaner is one of the products that are reported by their manufacturers to be safe for use on tinted-film windows.

Easy Care
Technology has made it possible for manufacturers to offer some exterior-care products that seem to transcend traditional techniques. There are now "quickie shine" formulas that are promoted as the way to make the outside of a motorhome look good. Take Meguiar's Quik Wax, for example. According to Meguiar's, this is made for those who want superior protection, but don't have the time to wax their vehicles. The manufacturer says Quik Wax is a paint enhancer that conditions and protects, deepens the color and adds gloss. It goes along with the company's Quik Detailer, a mist-and-wipe product that is claimed to be the missing link between washing and waxing.

From Valco Cincinnati comes Fast Shine, "a light cleaner for a quick, professional shine." The company says you can just spray it on and wipe it off to clean fingerprints, water spots, bird droppings, bugs, dust and light dirt without leaving a residue. And it can be used in direct sun and on hot surfaces without streaking or spotting, according to the company.

Eagle One offers Wipe 'n' Shine, which "cleans, shines and protects all exterior surfaces." Instructions direct not to use this on extremely dirty surfaces. Simply spray a light mist on a soft, clean cloth and apply to the surface in a circular motion. Then turn the cloth over and buff until dry.

Protect All's All-Surface Care is a product designed to polish, wax, treat and protect in one easy step. The nonabrasive cream contains a carnauba-wax formula designed to create a durable and lustrous shine on all types of automotive paints, fiberglass, aluminum, chrome, stainless steel, glass, Plexiglas and more. According to instructions, just apply a small amount to an area and wipe immediately with a clean dry cloth. The manufacturer says Protect All creates a slick, antistatic surface, so dirt and grime won't stick.

Sources

• Buffalo Milke Automotive Polishing Products Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Pleasanton, California 94566; (888) GO-BUFFALO. Web site: www.buffalomilke.com
  
• Eagle One Industries, 5927 Landau Court, Carlsbad, California 92008; (800) 432-4531
  
• Environmental Products of America Inc., 6247 Amber Hills Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35210; (205) 951-5100. Web site: www.epabest.com
  
• Lexol Division of Summit Industries, P.O. Box 7329, Marietta, Georgia 30065; (800) 241-6996. Web site: www.lexol.com
  
• Meguiar's Inc., 17991 Mitchell S., Irvine, California 92614; (800) 854-8073. Web site: www.meguiars.com
  
• Mothers, 5456 Industrial Drive, Huntington Beach, California 92649; (800) 221-8257. Web site: www.mothers.com
  
• Protect All Inc., 1910 E. Via Burton Street, Anaheim, California 92806; (800) 322-4491. Web site: www.protectall.com
  
• 303 Products Inc., P.O. Box 966, Palo Cedro, California 96073; (530) 223-4303. Web site: www.303-products.com
  
• Valco Cincinnati, 411 Circle Freeway Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246; (513) 874-6550. Web site: www.valcocinconsumerprod.com
  
• The Wax Shop, P.O. Box 10226, Bakersfield, California 93389; (800) 323-9192. Web site: www.thewaxshop.com