cleaning outside of PU

[ddlrsad]

Can anyone tell me what to use to clean the outside of the PU and also the canvas? Dealer said soap and water, but manfact. book says no to soap ! ( but gave NO recs on what to use)

[Old Goat]

Can anyone tell me what to use to clean the outside of the PU and also the canvas? Dealer said soap and water, but manfact. book says no to soap ! ( but gave NO recs on what to use)

I use a carwash detergent in a pressure washer with a low pressure car wash nozzle. Works great on the trailer body and frame. I used a car washing brush before getting a pressure washer. Road tar can be cleaned off with mineral spirits and a soft rag. WD-40 works great too. No paint problems in six years using detergents. I also wax the body twice a year. Do not use a pressure washer on the canvas. It can be easily cleaned with a canvas cleaner and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. Canvas cleaners can be found at RV dealers and Wal Mart......

[flyfisherman]

Can anyone tell me what to use to clean the outside of the PU and also the canvas? Dealer said soap and water, but manfact. book says no to soap ! ( but gave NO recs on what to use)

Usually the recommendations for cleaning canvas is a mild soap. Detergents (surfactants, i.e. synthetic soap), some, can be too harsh for canvas. What I've found that works real well on everything on/about the popup is Murphy Oil Soap. I use it to wash the canvas, the vinyl flooring, the interior wood surfaces, the exterior sides and roof and it does a great job. Of course, if there's some mildew on the canvas, then you'll need to use a chlorinated mixture to kill that, making sure you throughly rinse the canvas as the chlorine is noted for deteriorating thread. For mildew removal Starcraft recommends using Tilex, X-14 or a soltion of 1/4 cup of Clorox per gallon of warm water.  What I've been doing is cleaning the canvas first with the Murphy's and then doing the 1/4 cup of Clorox routine.

For whateever it's worth, I first was put on to the Murphy Oil Soap when I had a '96 Coleman/Fleetwood and continued using it with my present Starcraft. Can tell you it has worked great with both campers.



Fly

[wernstriumph]

I use palmolive dish soap( very diluted) on the canvas. It works very well on the black streaks on the canvas. The only thing you have to do is make sure you rinse ALL the soap off because it breaks the surface tension of the water allowing it to pass through the canvas.

[tlhdoc]

The correct product to use on the tenting of your camper depends on what your tent is.  So the big question is what is the tenting on your camper?

[scottandmarina]

We just bought our first pu this monday, and he told us that we could use Dreft for cleaning the canvas.  It is a laundry detergent for babies clothes. Don't know much about it, as I said, just bought it monday.

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT!  What camper did you get? What part of PA are you from?  Check out the COTOC club section if you are interested in camping with a group.

We just bought our first pu this monday, and he told us that we could use Dreft for cleaning the canvas. It is a laundry detergent for babies clothes. Don't know much about it, as I said, just bought it monday.

[chasd60]

I use Scrubbing Bubbles Soap Scum remover. Works great on the tub and bath, works great on my hybrid too.

[aw738]

409 works well also.

[wavery]

The correct product to use on the tenting of your camper depends on what your tent is.  So the big question is what is the tenting on your camper?

Tracy is correct. Can't recommend anything unless we know what you are cleaning.

I have a late model Coleman PU with Sunbrella fabric. I use Woolite and it works great.

here are the cleaning instructions for Sunbrella:
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/sunbrella/sunbrella.htm

I use "Car Wash" soap on the hard exterior.