Cleaning/Waxing TT (Old Timers Needed)

[travelingjw]

2 of us own the same model Whitehawk trailer. We have good natured discussions about our differening maintenance methods. I agreed that I would post this question and ask the "old timers" for experienced answers.

I wash my trailer after every outing longer than a week. I wax it with 303 every two outings or any trip longer than 2 weeks. My friend laughs. He says that state of the art paint/wax, etc. lasts a year and washing it is just for looks, doesn't help the finish. He also claims that waxing with 303 (about 4 to 6 times a year) will dull the finish after 3 or 4 years. He does not believe that 303 will stop the fading of decals.

Old Timers (especially) please weigh in. FYI, he and I are great friends, this is just a discussion about methods.

[norty1]

I wash my rig 3-4 times a year and never wax or coat the sides. The front and rear get waxed a couple times a year. My rig is stored in my yard under a pole shed.

I use a electric low pressure washer.

[GarlicDude]

Shout out from Gilroy to another Bay Area member. Had our TT for almost 2 years, washed it 3 times, no protectants yet, but I'm considering 303 or the like. We park under pole barn so that helps a lot.

Best,
Steve

[Magnolia Tom]

I’m not an old timer but I wash mine after every outing. I also use a spray wax every time I wash. I use a traditional wax 2-3 times a year on the cap.

[GHen]

My rig is only 18 months old, but I wash it anytime it gets dirty, sometimes that means just a rinse to get dust off, sometime just up to the windows. I almost always wash the front cap off to remove the bugs.
I use the 303 with Wax version on the fiberglass and the regular 303 on rubber, plastic like refer vents and also on the awning. I put those on at the beginning of summer and again after the last fall trip. Just got done with my winter coat this last weekend.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

I’m not an old timer

You can be in the club!

[GrumpyDad]

I wash mine once a year, unless I forget. . . . .

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by norty1

You can be in the club!

Thanks Norty [emoji3]

[Watsons]

Hi, I am a young ol' timer. (just under 60)
We are in the keep it clean and waxed club. Most of our previous trailers and motor homes have been meticulously washed and waxed and have brought fine dollars when sold. Have restored the finish on a few years ago and made money..yes..made money on an RV..almost unheard of.
I use McGuire's Flagship Premium Marine now. Its not the easiest job but once a year seems good. It really lasts and is specific for gel coat.
We then wax the cap a few more times a year with synthetic polymer stuff cause it gets washed hard when removing bugs. I also hit the lower sections with quick wax now and then to keep her looking great.
Its an investment that's pretty easy to tell if you have taken care of it or not in my books.
To each their own..
Cheers

[jimp]

I'm old skool, so I wash our TT usually after a trip since the CG we frequent has large shade trees which results in some tree sap, bird droppings, etc., on the TT. Sometimes, well, most of the time I wash it before we go as well since I like clean vehicles, a sense of pride if you will. I use Meguires car wax on the new TT, and usually wax it 2x a year. Have owned this TT 6 months and it's been waxed 2x's already. I follow the train of thought that if I keep it sealed/waxed, it will be easier to clean, and keep clean, and the FG will not chaulk up as bad, or hopefully not at all. I hate seeing units that are all chaulked up due to lack of maintenance or upkeep.

[ShawnR]

I wash before and after every trip and wax annually. Meguiars cleaner wax.

[MNWild]

I wash ours after every camping trip no mater how long it was,And it gets waxed twice a year spring and fall.
We have a 2018 25BH sold our 2011 X19H and the family who brought it said it was just like it was a brand new one as it too was washed and wax the same as we do our new one.

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by GrumpyDad

I wash mine once a year, unless I forget. . . . .

Right there with you. I'll wash it when we get down south to get the road salt and dirt off of it. That's normally the only cleaning it gets on the outside. I use a wash/wax product, think it's Turtle Wax, only because I have a bunch of it sitting on the shelf.

My front cap faded cause it's dark brown and crap gelcoat, not because it wasn't waxed. No amount of wax would have saved it. Now the graphics are gone from it and I cleared it.

If you want to protect the graphics you need something with a good sunscreen in it. Maybe zinc ointment

[bdreinv]

Our fiver has not been waxed in a year, will regret it!Once you let them oxidize its tough to clean them up.My buddy has been using 303 for 6. 7 years,camper looks near new! Buys a gallon at Quartsite every year! Thanks

[beachcommander]

I wash the camper every time my wife says to. Always after a big trip and anytime it gets dirty. The main thing about wax is you want UV protection. That will save your color and stickers

[GHen]

X2 on the UV protectant. I use 303 also. I use the 303 with wax twice a year and just the 303 uv protectant on the decals in between. I pay special attention to that cap and decals. Those start looking real bad on older rv’s after a few years without a uv protectant.

[frog]

I also washed before and after each trip using Zip car wash. I did my first wax job after 3 years and still looks new. I used a wax called Butter Wax. It goes on easy and comes off easy. I got it it on Amazon. I will put it on every year now!

[Mr&MrsSmith]

Can someone provide me the product description or link to the 303 product used for cleaning the sides and cap? Seems like a lot of options on Amazon when just searching 303 products. Thank you.

[Mr&MrsSmith]

Originally Posted by Mr&MrsSmith

Can someone provide me the product description or link to the 303 product used for cleaning the sides and cap? Seems like a lot of options on Amazon when just searching 303 products. Thank you.

The wax too please.

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by Mr&MrsSmith

Can someone provide me the product description or link to the 303 product used for cleaning the sides and cap? Seems like a lot of options on Amazon when just searching 303 products. Thank you.

Look for "303 aerospace protectant"