Do It Ourselves is a mantra we try to live by as much as we reasonably can. Paying someone else to do something we can do ourselves is usually anathema to us. However, there are times when expedience is the better part of valor (if that’s not already an actual saying, we are hereby copyrighting it).
Washing the RV is a prime example of a DIY task that usually requires only the most basic of skills: the willingness to do it. Since special training isn’t generally needed, it’s the kind of thing that just about any able-bodied person can do themselves.
But what about those times when water isn’t available, like when we’re dry camping, or facing drought or washing restrictions? Sure, we could leave a boondocking-trip’s worth of dirt on the RV, and sometimes we have no choice but to do that for longer than we’d prefer. But just as we’re eager to take good mechanical care of our rig, we also like taking good cosmetic care of it.
Even though it’s always nice to have someone tell us that they can’t believe our motorhome is over 12 years old, the primary reason we’re neat freaks is for our own personal satisfaction. We just like things neat, tidy and orderly, and something about a rig covered with dirt simply rubs us the wrong way.
When an RV park that has hook-ups and allows washing (a rarity) isn’t available, we used to make a regular habit of finding a do-it-yourself car wash with a high clearance or outdoor wash bay.
But over the past couple of years, we’ve been trying out a new way to get the rig clean. And so far, we’ve found that there are times when “DIY satisfaction” can be successfully (and without guilt) supplanted by “DDIY Satisfaction” (as in “Didn’t Do It Myself… But I’m Happier Than If I Had”).
Check out the video to see how getting our rig clean without lifting a finger has now become a really satisfying, if occasional, indulgence for us. Learn more about Blue Beacon here.
Recent & Related Videos:
- Annual RV Maintenance & Spring Cleaning
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Featured & Related Products:
- Meguiar’s NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax
- Extendable Wash Pole (4′ – 8′)
- Soft Fiber Wash Brush (may not be safe for all paint finishes, check your manufacturer’s instructions first)
- Karcher Pressure Washer
- Aerospace 303 UV Protectant
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
- Invisible Glass
- Invisible Glass w/Rain Repellent
- Rain-X
Ian Schneiderman
Tuesday 12th of June 2018
Hi Guys - Really enjoying being part of the Patreon group and getting all the inside info! I DO have a question about Blue Beacon. We have a new 2018 Newmar Dutch Star and can’t get a definitive answer from Newmar or our dealer as to whether or not the Blue Beacon “washing method” could scratch the surface. Are there any special precautions or anything I should ask them to do or avoid? I keeping hearing use lambs wool only and mild soap. Is that what they use?
Thanks,
Ian Schneiderman
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 12th of June 2018
Hi Ian. Thanks so much for being with us both here and on Patreon. So... about the finishes. First, Blue Beacon definitely does NOT use lambswool, but rather soft brushes. In our case, that's perfect, as we've always washed our RV with a soft brush ourselves. However, the newer RV finishes (keeping in mind that ours is an '05) are supposedly softer, and more susceptible to scratching, requiring more delicate treatment. We'd suggest that if Newmar says that your year RV should only be washed with lambs wool, we would avoid any place that doesn't use that exclusively. That will likely severely limit your options, but the alternative may very well be micro scratching that just gets a little worse every time brushes are used to wash. Sorry for bearing bad news, especially since we just hit the Blue Beacon in Dexter, MI and $63 out the door covered the RV, underbody power wash, the car and sales tax.... all in about 15 minutes. It's hard to beat sometimes.
Angie Conaway
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
Thanks for the reply & the link to the video. Before we do the dicor maintenance we thought we should clean the roof. Do you use anything special for cleaning your fiberglass roof? Or do you use the same thing you use to clean your coach? And what products do you use? Thanks again.
Scott Hall Hall
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
Hey Angie, there are several roof cleaners. If yours is in good shape you can use simple green in a 25% mix with water. Advantage here is that it will not strip the wax on the coach when it runs off the roof. I purchased top dollar Dicor roof cleaner and afterwards my rig looked like a zebra where the stuff ran off the sides. Simple green is easy when applied with a brush on a broom handle. Avoid hitting the plastic vent cover like I did..sending a golfball size chunk of plastic flying. Many roof cleaners advise to cover the coach with plastic. I did not like filling a trashcan with plastic wrap, not nice to the environment. Get the sides wet, then do the top. Run off will not streak or stain. My house is in shade from my trees so I use a friends yard to get that sunshine to dry it before adding Eternabond tape.
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
Same car wash soap as for the rest of the rig, along with some brushing & elbow grease and the power washer!
Angie Conaway
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
HI, we just purchased our Motorhome. We are doing maintence , and going to use the dicor on the roof. What should we use to clean the roof first? Is there special products for fiberglass roofs?
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 7th of November 2017
Hi Angie! And a big Congratulations on your new rig! We have a fiberglass roof, too. You'll probably want to watch one of the very first videos we ever made, all about Dicor maintenance: https://www.thervgeeks.com/maintenance/preventing-rv-roof-leaks-dicor-maintenance/
David
Tuesday 24th of October 2017
Any recommendations regarding whether you should wax the side of your slide outs or not? I once read that you shouldn't wax the side but can't remember why.
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 24th of October 2017
Hi David! We've never heard anything about that, and have been happily waxing the sides of our slide-outs on our current RV for over 12 years. I suppose their could be the potential for the seals squeaking against the super-shiny finish, but we've never experienced that.
Nancy H
Monday 28th of August 2017
Do you only have them use the warm water soapy water or do you request their exclusive citrushine product and/or their exclusive brightener product on your aluminum wheels. We live 45 miles from a BB and have wanted to try them.
TheRVgeeks
Monday 28th of August 2017
Hi Nancy. When we go to Blue Beacon we just tell them we'd like an exterior wash, along with the toad, and that's it. We never have any special treatments with the possible exception of the occasional towel dry afterward. Our wheels are specially coated, so we are careful not to use any unknown product on them, and we don't know what's in their wheel brightener.