Are truck washes safe?

[LegalBeagle]

Is it okay to take my new 2018 Greyhawk Prestige (the one with the fancy "celestial blue" paint striping) to a Blue Beacon truck wash, since the "warranty" info regarding the paint job recommends against power washing? Are they going to damage my paint?

[bababooey]

Only 1 way to find out!!

In all seriousness, the main issue with power washing an rv or trailer appear to be the stickers or decals they put on. It's easy to power wash them away!

I have full paint as well, no stickers. I bought one of the lowest pressure washers I could find and used it without any issues. With the foam tip deal and deionized water, I can do the 32ft rv in an hour or less.

I dont think I would try a truck stop wash though.

[Skipmac]

Originally Posted by bababooey

Only 1 way to find out!!

In all seriousness, the main issue with power washing an rv or trailer appear to be the stickers or decals they put on. It's easy to power wash them away!

I have full paint as well, no stickers. I bought one of the lowest pressure washers I could find and used it without any issues. With the foam tip deal and deionized water, I can do the 32ft rv in an hour or less.

I dont think I would try a truck stop wash though.

I have a North Point with Decals. Have been going to Blue Beacon for 3 years with no issues. When you go in a lead guy comes out to talk with you. I give him ten and ask him to go easy on the Decals. Does a great job

[SloPoke]

We have been to Blue Beacon washes a few times... They use HIGH pressure and soft bristle brushes on sticks. We are full paint so that we don't worry about stickers, but they don't take the care around the water heater, microwave and refrigerator vents.

They have blasted full pressure in the vents and soaked the insides of the refrigerator. Not good for the control module and electronics that our Norcold has sitting there soaking wet.

You have to watch them like a hawk around these... or cover your vents with a trash bag.

[McGintys924]

Even the RVGeeks use truck washes, with the same caveat as Steve mentioned.

[Chinazes]

It all depends on the car wash and the specialists who will wash your truck for you. Some do it poorly and may slightly damage a layer of paint or print while washing your vehicle.

[Marcm157]

My concerns on my aluminum sided trailers is the direction in which they power wash. They aim up from the bottom into the seams. I also don't like when they spray into the fridge vents...

[TaftCoach]

Use a wide angle tip and stay far back.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

Use a wide angle tip and stay far back.

But... Truck washes do not use wide angle tips... they shove the spary nozzle right up against the vehicle... and inches away from the vents spraying right into the opening.

[bucko]

I'd go the route of hiring a mobile RV detailer. They come to the house, hand wash and detail the RV. Much safer I'd think then a place that is intended to clean an 18 wheeler.

[Jerry713]

The RV park where we keep our Jayco a lot has a mobile car wash guy that comes in and washes several of the RV's. Not sure what he charges since I wash my own but at least with this option you can point out the things to avoid.

[SmokeyBear]

Originally Posted by bucko

I'd go the route of hiring a mobile RV detailer. They come to the house, hand wash and detail the RV. Much safer I'd think then a place that is intended to clean an 18 wheeler.

I called one on Saturday. Found ad on Facebook. Was scheduled for Thursday but expect rain. Maybe next week. I told him no power wash. Also getting it waxed. I am partially disabled so doing it myself is not an option. It sucks to have to pay for things I used to do myself.

[TaftCoach]

Originally Posted by SmokeyBear

I called one on Saturday. Found ad on Facebook. Was scheduled for Thursday but expect rain. Maybe next week. I told him no power wash. Also getting it waxed. I am partially disabled so doing it myself is not an option. It sucks to have to pay for things I used to do myself.

I owned a pressure wash company for a few years and cleaned a wide range of surfaces without damage including a lot of RVs. Professionals with experience understand how to best use their equipment. I agree, someone who doesn't know what they are doing can really do some damage with a PW.

[RogerR]

I worked in a car wash for a couple years and every week we would have claims of mirrors, antenna, wipers, etc. broken. I saw some cars that washed frequently and you could see where the brushes left marks in the paint. Can't imagine decals staying on as some people lose them from normal use, let alone abuse.

Stick to hand or low pressure washing. Good reason to buy a lower powered electric washer or one that is adjustable. Even then, be careful. A long handled, soft automotive wash brush, bucket and hose are the best.

[lovecars]

I use Blue Beacon with no issues.

[SmokeyBear]

I had a Mobile Wash guy, and his helper, come the other day. $199 for wash and wax. (Up to 30') Well worth it. I plan on getting it done every 6 months. Thanks to watching this thread, I told them to hose only, no power wash.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by lovecars

I use Blue Beacon with no issues.

Some of them... have been OK... and did a fairly good job, But others used HIGH pressure sprayers right inside the openings of the water heater, microwave and refrigerator vents.

They have blasted full pressure in the vents and soaked the insides of the refrigerator. Not good for the control module and electronics that our Norcold has sitting there soaking wet.

You have to watch them like a hawk around these... or cover your vents with a trash bag.

[tom463219]

I've used Blue Beacon, tell them to not spray near any vents, and use soap only, no BRIGHTNER (acid). They use that on Semi fuel tanks.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

Some of them... have been OK... and did a fairly good job, But others used HIGH pressure sprayers right inside the openings of the water heater, microwave and refrigerator vents.

They have blasted full pressure in the vents and soaked the insides of the refrigerator. Not good for the control module and electronics that our Norcold has sitting there soaking wet.

You have to watch them like a hawk around these... or cover your vents with a trash bag.

Or do it yourself, then you may be satisfied. Or not.

[LCBOYER]

I would not! Just worried about high pressure spray and dirty bushes. JMHO