Look up at post # 11.

 

Could you share your process for cleaning? I was wondering if there was a special way of using this product (Trisodium Phosphate) and the effects on the fiberglass/rubber roof.

Thanks in advance!

 

See this post on an RV forum: http://goodoldrvs.ning.com/forum/top...=msg_com_forum

 

Cool, I will check it out. Thanks!

 

I basically mixed the TSP in a 5 gallon bucket, a little on the strong side per the instruction on the box.

I started with the roof and used a car wash brush like THIS. Rinse frequently and with lots of water. It will leave a mess down the sides.

Then do the sides, front cap, rear, etc.....

Be advised..... the TSP strips/cleans the heck out of stuff. Meaning it removes any wax/polish you may have had on the sides.

I treated the roof with the Protect-All stuff, but didn't do anything to the sides afterwards.

The TSP left them a little "dry" for lack of a better word. So now it looks a little flat finish. Not much gloss left.

For best results..... Something I didn't do and now wish I had....

I recommend after the TSP..... either re-washing with a good car wash soap with wax in it, or better yet.... waxing the sides with a real automotive wax.

That's my project after we get back from our long outing next week.

Obligatory pic from our trip today....

 

After washing with a mild detergent, I annually use McGuires polishing compound to remove any oxidation on the fiberglass, then use McGuires cleaner wax to finish off the surface with my Ryobi cordless buffer. Looks like brand new, even though it's a 2006 model.
Worked on it this weekend but didn't take pictures. Will add some when I go back over this week.

Results...

 

I spent yesterday and today cleaning the outside of my fiver. This TSP worked great to get all of the grime off of the roof and sides. I followed with some Meguires was and wax but then it began to rain. So far, it looks so much better than it did before. Unfortunately or, depending on how you look at it, fortunately, I found some areas on the roof that need some attention.

Thanks to all for the help!

 

Today I used "La's Totally Awesome All Purpose Concentrated Cleaner Degreaser Spot Remover Cleans Everything Washable As Seen on TV" on my toy hauler. Yes, I think that is its actual name. I used a pump sprayer to put the cleaner on the sides of the trailer, hit it with a sponge and rinsed it off. It removed 95% of what I wanted it to. The black streaks came off just fine but they weren't nearly as bad as I thought they were.

Why did I use this stuff? I have been using it on my ATV for three years and I had a batch already mixed up and ready to go. A friend of mine on another forum recommended it for the RV also.

Here is a link to it on Amazon: http://a.co/1CSdvBv

I then tried to wax the fiberglass sides and my results were less than ideal. I used the synthetic paint sealant that I also use on my cars. I'm not sure what the deal is with the finish on the fiberglass but I used more sealant in 50 square feet of trailer than I do on an entire truck! Maybe the fiberglass is just really dry. It was very splotchy until I went over it again with more sealant. It looks pretty good after that.

Because it required so much work (and the sealant isn't cheap!) I'm not going to continue with the sealant and I'm going to try the Poli Glow that was recommended on a couple of other threads here.

 

We used to use totally Awesome for almost everything on the lot. You can buy it at Dollar General in the spray bottle sizes of the gallon jugs.

Steve

 

Carnauba Cleaner Wax
This stuff works.

 

I gave up on Carnuba years ago. The wax I had at the time was just too hard to buff off. I can't imagine buffing an entire trailer. I've been using synthetic paint sealant since then and have zero regrets. It goes on easy, comes off even easier and lasts a long time. The drawback is that it is more expensive.

While I would like to see my trailer shine a bit, I'm not willing to kill myself to do it. In fact, I think I'm going to line up some teenagers to help me out.

 

This stuff is a joy to use, easily wipes off. It's not just wax it's also a cleaner. Black streaks wipe right off! Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, wipes right off.

 

That doesn't sound like the Carnuba I'm used to. I'm sure there are some detailing purists that say that Carnuba could never come in a spray. I dunno, maybe I'll give it a try.

 

 

Thanks mtnguy. It's great to have more options.