Annoying gray streaks

[Royal Tar]

We have a stick and tin travel trailer, what is the best way to remove the gray streaks that form between the panels?

[TWP723]

I use LA's Totally Awesome diluted. You can find it at the dollar stores. No need to spend a lot to get a lot.

[Royal Tar]

Thanks, I’ll give it a try.

[rccs]

Be somewhat careful with Awsome cleaner, we use it where I work and even diluted 50/50 with water it will remove paint. I would say to dilute it 25/75 almost and not leave it on to long. I use simple green on my camper and it works great on black streaks.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by rccs

Be somewhat careful with Awsome cleaner, we use it where I work and even diluted 50/50 with water it will remove paint. I would say to dilute it 25/75 almost and not leave it on to long. I use simple green on my camper and it works great on black streaks.

I know what you mean. I like to use Dawn for just about everything, but sometimes I can see that there is still a little streaking left behind.

I will still try to find ways to remove the streaks, but buying some mystery Chinese recycled nuclear waste product from a Dollar Store isn't something I want to try. No wonder we keep reading about all the front cap paint peeling problems.

I think I need to get the streaks off, then properly wax the rig. That's the ticket, I just need to budget the time.

[TWP723]

Just fyi...I've used LA's for years with several campers with no side effects. It's a cleaner, not an acid. The dollar stores just HAPPEN to carry it. Home Depot, Lowes and WalMart also sell it. Made in the USA.

[Grumpaw374]

Sounds crazy, but try some Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bathroom Cleaner.
Used it almost exclusively on our previous class c, especially on the front cap where it was the best bug guts remover I have ever used.
It is harmless to paint/glass/rubber/ ect. Just think of all the different materials in your bathroom or kitchen, and this stuff is safe for all.
Just spray it on, let it sit and work for a few minutes, brush if needed, and rinse.
I use it on our vehicles to remove dead bugs...and on out class c it removed dead bugs, black streaks, ect.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

I know what you mean. I like to use Dawn for just about everything, but sometimes I can see that there is still a little streaking left behind.

I will still try to find ways to remove the streaks, but buying some mystery Chinese recycled nuclear waste product from a Dollar Store isn't something I want to try. No wonder we keep reading about all the front cap paint peeling problems.

I think I need to get the streaks off, then properly wax the rig. That's the ticket, I just need to budget the time.

Cleaners have nothing to do with the peeling of caps.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Just fyi...I've used LA's for years with several campers with no side effects. It's a cleaner, not an acid. The dollar stores just HAPPEN to carry it. Home Depot, Lowes and WalMart also sell it. Made in the USA.

Well I bought some totally awesome, going to give it a try this week!

[skids]

Totally awesome cleaner is a good degreaser for spilled oil on the concrete slab also.

[gunafulltime]

Originally Posted by rccs

Be somewhat careful with Awsome cleaner, we use it where I work and even diluted 50/50 with water it will remove paint. I would say to dilute it 25/75 almost and not leave it on to long. I use simple green on my camper and it works great on black streaks.

Do you dilute the Simple Green? If so, what is the ratio?

[JFlightRisk]

I've found that keeping the roof clean and the sides waxed makes a big difference in how quickly they show up.

[uhohitsdad]

how do you wax the sides? i've been contemplating it. the rv wash products that include wax don't seem to work any better than taking your car through the car wash. you see it go on but it rinses right off.

[mrmom]

Been waxing mine with Turtle Wax Ceramic Wet Wax. Wash rig, spritz some on while still wet, spread it around with towel, done! Lasts a long time, too.

[gypsmjim]

I used to wash the trailer with boat soap, and then wax with Meguires Quik Wax (one step on and no polishing required). Then I found that simply using the wax cleans all the dirt off and waxes it at the same time. Of course, I do it every year.

My annual cleaning of a 19' trailer (previously and continuously maintained), takes me about 45 minutes, with little effort and NO elbow grease.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by uhohitsdad

how do you wax the sides? i've been contemplating it. the rv wash products that include wax don't seem to work any better than taking your car through the car wash. you see it go on but it rinses right off.

It's no different than waxing a white car. Wax small sections at a time in the shade, using your favorite wax or cleaner wax, whatever is easiest for you to use, that takes the streaks and oxidation off. Like Norty, I've used a lot of different ones, and am now trying a Meguire's marine wax that someone here said worked well. Always looking for one that lasts the longest, and doesn't make my arms fall off.

[uhohitsdad]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

It's no different than waxing a white car. Wax small sections at a time in the shade, using your favorite wax or cleaner wax, whatever is easiest for you to use, that takes the streaks and oxidation off. Like Norty, I've used a lot of different ones, and am now trying a Meguire's marine wax that someone here said worked well. Always looking for one that lasts the longest, and doesn't make my arms fall off.

this is how i would normally wax something but my trailer doesn't have gel coat sides and is 38' long. i'm not trying to be lazy but i would worry about all the wax i couldn't get off or missed and the time spent to do it. looking for better way to work smarter not harder.

[wordsmyth]

Originally Posted by TWP723

I use LA's Totally Awesome diluted. You can find it at the dollar stores. No need to spend a lot to get a lot.

Another vote for Awesome from Dollar General. The stuff is amazing, too!

Sometimes I crack myself up....

Seriously. We use it for several such jobs around the house. Spray it on and let it set a moment (but not dry out), and then rinse off. You may not even have to scrub the marks.

--> insert thumbs up emoti here

[Jagiven]

I have been having issues finding my favorite black streak product for the past few years.

A few years back after a good washing, I tried a product by McGuire's "Paint Protect" (clearance rack special) it is thin as water. Way hard to put on as thin as directed. Next day the vehicle looks horrid, it is covered in dust stuck to the excess product. Give it a quick hose down/wash, and it looks fabulous for the next year. Since using this product I have had Zero black streaks, the water beads up nicely, and it almost appears to self clean.

I understand there is a new version of this product.