How to wash a PVC?

[Nick555]

So with our RP Rebel now on order, I was wondering how people clean their vans. I've rarely seen a grubby one, so it must be a regular job? Do you clean it like a car, or just pressure wash it?

 

[Tombola]

I do it like my car, with the pressure washer for the underneath and wheels/arches etc but dont use the pressure washer near any seals or windows edges.

A standard hose does me sometimes when on site.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Never a pressure washer, just think how many holes have been cut in the steel body!. I use long handled brush on the upper sides but on the roof, with so many nooks and crannies among the corrugations, I sometimes resort to a toothbrush for it’s annual wash.
There is a lot of sikaflex stuff up there to compensate for the roof lights not sitting flat on the roof, you don’t want to disturb it.
I have a Thule magnetic ladder holder and a telescopic ladder which has transformed my feeling of safety when getting to the roof.

 

[Nick555]

I do it like my car, with the pressure washer for the underneath and wheels/arches etc but dont use the pressure washer near any seals or windows edges.

A standard hose does me sometimes when on site.

Understood, thanks.

 

[Nick555]

Never a pressure washer, just think how many holes have been cut in the steel body!. I use long handled brush on the upper sides but on the roof, with so many nooks and crannies among the corrugations, I sometimes resort to a toothbrush for it’s annual wash.
There is a lot of sikaflex stuff up there to compensate for the roof lights not sitting flat on the roof, you don’t want to disturb it.
I have a Thule magnetic ladder holder and a telescopic ladder which has transformed my feeling of safety when getting to the roof.

Thanks, in fact I've already specd a Thule ladder to get up & clean the solar panels.

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[Mixyblob]

Just done ours.
Pressure washed the roof to get the green crap off and soapy sponge for the rest of the body.
If it cant withstand a pressure wash on the roof then there's not much chance of it staying watertight in heavy rain.

 

[dosser]

I clean ours just like the car but use a sponge on the plastic windows and a long handle brush for the rest. Use a pressure washer to put the foam on and wash it off with it as well. As long as the nozzle is a couple of feet away you won't get any damage.

 

[Lenny HB]

Just done ours.
Pressure washed the roof to get the green crap off and soapy sponge for the rest of the body.
If it cant withstand a pressure wash on the roof then there's not much chance of it staying watertight in heavy rain.

A pressure washer give out far higher pressure than the heaviest rain will ever do.
I have a pressure washer but I would never use it near any vehicle.

 

[PP Bear]

Spookily enough I found a copy of the February 2021 Motorhome Magazine and it covers just that, so hopefully this’ll help.

Might need to zoom in………

 

[The Old Man]

A very nice lady visits me on the Storage Site, spends a good few hours working away, while I make brews inside the van.

I'm happy to say that I wouldn't do it for three times the money I pay her!

Professional Mobile Cleaning & Detailing | Lavish Rigz | Wales

Here at Lavish Rigz we provide a professional mobile cleaning & detailing service for caravans, motorhomes, boats & commercial vehicles. Covering South Wales and England, we come to you- site, storage or home address.

www.lavishrigz.co.uk

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[tonyidle]

A pressure washer give out far higher pressure than the heaviest rain will ever do.
I have a pressure washer but I would never use it near any vehicle.

I have always used a high-power pressure washer on every vehicle I've owned. Common sense dictates how close it gets.

 

[PP Bear]

A very nice lady visits me on the Storage Site, spends a good few hours working away, while I make brews inside the van.

I'm happt to say that I wouldn't for three times the money I pay her!

Professional Mobile Cleaning & Detailing | Lavish Rigz | Wales

Here at Lavish Rigz we provide a professional mobile cleaning & detailing service for caravans, motorhomes, boats & commercial vehicles. Covering South Wales and England, we come to you- site, storage or home address.

www.lavishrigz.co.uk

There’s something cathartic about watching someone else clean your vehicles, I reckon it should be on the NHS

 

[Soycd]

Local hand car wash run by some very hard working Lithuanians. They bicker like mad with each other so as well as them doing a great job, it's also very entertaining. When we lived in Germany I always put the motorhomes we had through the local truck wash, covering vents first. I've tried to find similar here but no luck.

 

[AndyPK]

I do it like my car, with the pressure washer for the underneath and wheels/arches etc but dont use the pressure washer near any seals or windows edges.

A standard hose does me sometimes when on site.

What about your ‘van………??

 

[Riverbankannie]

Spookily enough I found a copy of the February 2021 Motorhome Magazine and it covers just that, so hopefully this’ll help.

Might need to zoom in………

View attachment 635487
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View attachment 635489

I am glad to see that she resorts to a toothbrush too!

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[Bobbydaisy]

Snow foam on pressure washer , it comes out at a lower pressure than the normal washer lance , soft brush on pole for bodywork and sponge for windows . Rinse down with snow foam attachment with empty bottle . High pressure lance for wheel arches & wheels / mud flaps . I use the Prokleen one, video below FYI



And one of these

 

[Mixyblob]

I have always used a high-power pressure washer on every vehicle I've owned. Common sense dictates how close it gets.

You beat me to it

 

[VXman]

Pretty much like a car. I use a pressure washer under the arches etc and from a distance on the body. I use a sponge on lower areas and a long handled washer along the lines of the one below on the higher bits and the roof. I polish occasionally and put a sealer/protector on as it makes cleaning easier in the long run.

Generally regularly cleaning makes it an easier job and leaving it for a long time and then having to work hard at it.

Amazon product ASIN B082PHHMQS

 

[Otter Spotter]

Get Tourshine to coat it for you then when it gets dirty, just rinse off with cold water and for stubborn bits a bit of Autoglym pure shampoo. Dead easy and you can get on with your day.

 

[Coolcats]

So with our RP Rebel now on order, I was wondering how people clean their vans. I've rarely seen a grubby one, so it must be a regular job? Do you clean it like a car, or just pressure wash it?

Whilst some on here will disagree get your van ceramic coated before you pick it up. We had the Williams ceramic coat and 4 years in it still looks like new and dead easy to wash. Just a single bucket of water with autoglym shampoo. The roof does get dusty but a set of steps and a long handle brush helps if you can’t reach across li don’t have an issue reaching across the top).

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[Sapper520]

Step ladders so I can do the roof……almost every time I wash the van.

Hose, Autoglym Shampoo, microfibre sponge, extension to reach the middle, microfibre towels to wipe down……..most importantly…..copious amounts of tea.

 

[carolyn]

Another vote for Tourershine, well my man who cleans the van says it makes a huge difference! We’ve had it on both our IHs and apparently it makes it much easier to clean them. Our van always looks lovely. It cost £350 2 years ago. Nick would definitely want it if we bought another van, he definitely doesn’t use a pressure washer. He uses the products recommended by them Autoglym.

 

[jezport]

We use these and sell them at shows, they are like a syringe and can reach the top of the van

 

[Oldrat]

Another vote for Tourershine here.
One of the most helpful guys on any forum that I’ve ever come across.

 

[CWH]

I have to be honest - I just leave it to the rain to do the regular wash-downs, and snow to do the mega-clean. It seems to work.

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[Otter Spotter]

Whatever you do be careful if the dealer offers you ceramic coating, his mark up may be double the cost of Tourshine. But do get it coated it will save you loads of effort and it looks better for longer.

 

[Coolcats]

Whatever you do be careful if the dealer offers you ceramic coating, his mark up may be double the cost of Tourshine. But do get it coated it will save you loads of effort and it looks better for longer.

Just looked up Tourshine, they will only work on Brand new vehicles and the cost..£450 for a "paint sealant" for a MoHo. It cost me £500 for a Ceramic coat . As they say you pay your money and take your choice but with a lifetime warranty what not to like about it. Would I pay again to have it applied to another vehicle yes I would,

Importers web site

 

[NoName]

Thanks, in fact I've already specd a Thule ladder to get up & clean the solar panels.

A collapsible ladder has been a real boon as it’s enabled me to clean the solar panel and the roof lights whenever I’ve stopped. It’s amazing the amount of dust that accumulates in just days here in Turkiye.

 

[stevewagner]

Just done ours.
Pressure washed the roof to get the green crap off and soapy sponge for the rest of the body.
If it cant withstand a pressure wash on the roof then there's not much chance of it staying watertight in heavy rain.

Think you'll find a pressure water has much more chance of infiltration than a rain shower.

 

[steve69]

If you can wait for a steady continuous rainfall, wear your best waterproofs, acquire a long-handled brush and just brush over the sides of the van. The rain rinsing is very effective and your van may not be gleaming but will look a lot better when the rain has stopped. Especially effective for removing all those squashed flies that line the front of your unit.