how do dealers wash a motorhome ?

Paul J

Paul J

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With my previous motorhome, I had the usual long brush on a pole, and a huge bucket, but as of the last 6 months or so, I've been washing my car using a pressure washer. I'm 'very' mindful of where I shouldn't be firing a high pressure hose, and with some practice, have been having very good results. Since it's so quick to do, I can do it more often, and in keeping on top of it, my car now always looks clean, it's not been touched with a sponge for 6 months.
Now, I have a huge list of phobias, and one of them is causing damage to new motorhome with a pressure washer. Is it possible for me to continue this practice when I'm washing the MH, providing I don't direct the spray around the windows, joints in the conversion body etc ? ....... or should I use the brush-on-a-stick and hose pipe as previously ?
 
I don't know how you get anything clean with a pressure washer, I use one to blast off the bits of grit but there is still stuff that needs a sponge and bucket to get properly clean.

But you asked "how do dealers wash a motorhome" I would say one bucket of suds and a brush does about 10 vans then just rinse with a hose.

Martin
 
Don’t use a sponge :eek:

There’s lots of info on here regarding cleaning detailing Moho’s.
Depends how far you want to go.
@Charlie is very helpful (y)
 
I've seen dealers use pressure washers not a good idea especially on British vans.
The only bit I use a pressure washer on is the wheels the rest done by hand, not worth the risk.
 
@funflair makes me feel ill thinking about one bucket :eek:

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To be fair, there's quite a coat of wax on my car, and every few days I just give it a blast off with the jet spray, the thought occurred to me, that if something gets dirty by driving through spray on a wet road, why wouldn't that come off easy with just water, it seems that 80% of it does..... providing you're not letting the dirt linger.
I guess I can just have a go, might help keep on top of it, but if I have to go for the bucket and brush every time, then I might as well clean the lot with the bucket and brush.
In reality, for the time it saves me, I think I might be too worried about forcing water past the body seams to use the pressure washer.
I'm guessing that we just assume that there is a greater chance that high pressure water can find its way inside, and as different to the car, there are materials inside the conversion that are more susceptible to damage by water or damp ?
 
Lenny HB said:
I've seen dealers use pressure washers not a good idea especially on British vans.
The only bit I use a pressure washer on is the wheels the rest done by hand, not worth the risk.
Click to expand...

Out of interest , why are British vans more vulnerable ?
 
I thought the only way to use a pressure washer on a MH was to use the snow foam attachment only. Then hand wash off.
Not many decals on a car but quite a few on a MH and plenty of joints, vents(y)
 
DuxDeluxe said:
Chris...... do you know that the Burstner Liberation Front now has a contract out on you? @Clive and his ladyboy army will be after you:Eeek::rofl:
Click to expand...
That slanderous comment just cost you another Pymms.....
Anyway, it's BOG.... (Burstner Owners Group)
 
Last week I spent about 6 hours at Southdowns Motorhomes service centre whilst they did a few warranty jobs I could not manage. I had plenty of time to watch them "preparing" new vans for delivery giving them a good clean with an industrial power washer. One Bailey got such a blasting I was expecting to see the operator washed off his feet by a tsunami when he opened the hab door.

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Stagman said:
That slanderous comment just cost you another Pymms.....
Anyway, it's BOG.... (Burstner Owners Group)
Click to expand...
Any time........ any time. You just have to find me first
 
Every time I’ve been hanging about at “my” Dealer - awaiting Warranty damp inspection.... seen many a Moho jet washed in the yard... and if I may say... not particulary carefully.. espec around fridge vents!.. :eek:
 
pressure washers are excellent at ruining graphics and the electrics at the back of fridges. doesn't stop dealers using them for convenience though
 
Dorset Diver said:
Last week I spent about 6 hours at Southdowns Motorhomes service centre whilst they did a few warranty jobs I could not manage. I had plenty of time to watch them "preparing" new vans for delivery giving them a good clean with an industrial power washer. One Bailey got such a blasting I was expecting to see the operator washed off his feet by a tsunami when he opened the hab door.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a dealer to avoid.
 
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DuxDeluxe said:
Any time........ any time. You just have to find me first
Click to expand...
True, true......
But I have found the biggest challenge is wandering my way home to the 'van AFTER I have found you!!!!

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Stagman said:
That slanderous comment just cost you another Pymms.....
Anyway, it's BOG.... (Burstner Owners Group)
Click to expand...
.......so if you are caught short and have run back to the van, are you a BOG trotter?:LOL:
 
Worth bearing in mind that using a high powered pressure washer on any vehicle can cause damage. Areas to watch are tyre side walls, exposed brake flexible, aircon condenser (behind front grille) and exposed hoses of any sort. Many pressure washers produce 1000p s i or more. A Valeo (for instance) aircon condenser is very vulnerable whether fitted to a Hymer or Autotrail.
 
i’ve a Nilfisk pressure washer and have a dedicated Car. Auto nozzle on it that produces a gentle / wide fan spray rather than a lance jet - specifically designed for cars -
https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?ID=3563

i use it to rinse the car / van off, but use a sponge for washing - we have a PVC, so less vulnerable to water ingress, but i’m careful not to direct it at the window seals and we don’t have any fridge vents as we have a compressor fridge ;)
 
This is what I use my pressure washer for.......

Driveway-Cleaning-5.jpg


Why would I want to do this to the MH?:whistle::whistle:

Joking apart, the most pressure I use on our MH is my thumb over the end of a slow running hosepipe to reach the highspots.
 
When I bought my Hymer from a well known Yarmouth dealer I watched them 'prepare' vans in the wash bay using a high pressure industrial power washer.. my second hand Hymer was spotless.. including the roof ..

I use a small Karcher to apply washing foam, I then rinse off from a safe distance.. used with care and common sense they are fine,, also excellent for wheels and chassis washing .. sponges, car brushes can leave scouring marks..

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