general cleaning

[my toys]

What type of cleaning supplies do you use and which parts of the pup do you use them on?  How frequently do you clean the outside?

[Camping Coxes]

What type of cleaning supplies do you use and which parts of the pup do you use them on? How frequently do you clean the outside?

We have a long-handled RV brush (Wal-Mart) and make a weak soapy solution of Dreft or some other really mild soap and just use that to wash the canvas off.  As far as the PU when it's down, we just wash it like we do our cars.  Works well.

[wavery]

We wash our PU (while closed) with a "Car wash" soap. We only wash it every couple months or before each use. We park it in the garage.

We wash the "canvas" (Sunbrella)and vinyl with Woolite and a soft brush.. The Woolite does a good job. We just washed it last week. We wash the canvas about twice a year.

We use Windex on the isinglass windows after cleaning the "canvas". I suggest not spraying the Windex though. We soak a rag, wipe it on the glass, then wipe it off with paper towels. I don't like getting ammonia (glass cleaner) on the canvas or on the trailer sides. Ammonia is hard on painted surfaces, not to mention your lungs :p .

We wash the floors and counters with a Citrus Cleaner.

I also keep waterless hand cleaner, baby wipes and Purex on hand. It saves on water.

[tlhdoc]

On the vinyl tenting I use "Protect All" or 303's Convertible Car Top Cleaner and their vinyl protectant (can't think of the name).  For the Sunbrella tenting I use Woolite and if the tenting needs re-waterproofed I use 303's High Tech Fabric Guard.  You don't want to use any product containing ammonia on the see through vinyl windows.  I use "Plexus" on the see through vinyl windows.  On the inside cupboards, counter tops, toilet/shower, table, etc. I use "Protect All".  Once or twice a year I use "Future" on the floor after it is cleaned.

[wavery]

On the vinyl tenting I use "Protect All" or 303's Convertible Car Top Cleaner and their vinyl protectant (can't think of the name).  For the Sunbrella tenting I use Woolite and if the tenting needs re-waterproofed I use 303's High Tech Fabric Guard.  You don't want to use any product containing ammonia on the see through vinyl windows.  I use "Plexus" on the see through vinyl windows.  On the inside cupboards, counter tops, toilet/shower, table, etc. I use "Protect All".  Once or twice a year I use "Future" on the floor after it is cleaned.

tlhdoc

You are correct. Manufacturers suggest never using glass cleaner on isinglass. It's made of plastic and if you use glass cleaner on plastic, it may distort it, over time. The ammonia will actually eat into the surface, just like it does paint.

The question was "What type of cleaning supplies do you use". I answered the question honestly. I have been using Windex (as apposed to expensive plastic cleaners) for many years. Because we don't use it very often (maybe twice a year), we haven't noticed any problem. We've only used it once on this PU.

Although, now that you mentioned it, I'll probably just use a chamois from now on. You really don't need to use any chemicals on it at all.

Thanks for catching me on that one.

[tlhdoc]

Thanks for catching me on that one.

Your welcome.  I wasn't pointing fingers here, just passing on what I hope is good information.

[Camping Coxes]

You don't want to use any product containing ammonia on the see through vinyl windows. I use "Plexus" on the see through vinyl windows.

After seeing several trailers with cracking vinyl windows, I didn't want to ruin mine.  I spent the few dollars on the Plexus and was amazed and extremely pleased with the results.  My trailer had been left popped up and was next to a sprinkler at the previous owners while they were selling it.  The windows were very, very water spotted.  I used the Plexus and they were crystal clear afterward.  I used it again recently (used it twice in three years, so I think it'll last a long, long time.)  I highly recommend the Plexus product.

[shellcjt]

Wow am I "like a mushroom".  In the whole 8 years I owned my other pop-up, I never once wiped the plastic windows or even specially cleaned the canvas (embarassement icon here..) I did wipe the canvas down in the mornings and let it dry before I put it away. I never put it away wet - always been lucky. I never had yuky dirty windows or stinky canvas..(need another 'embarrasment' icon here...)
But now you all have enlightened me and I think I'll get some woolite and take better care of my new pop-up.
 :S

[my toys]

Thanks for all the great advice.  This is my first camper.  I've been tenting it for about five years.

[fallsrider]

For the Sunbrella tenting I use Woolite and if the tenting needs re-waterproofed I use 303's High Tech Fabric Guard.

My Jayco's owner's manual says to use Scotch Guard Fabric Protector to waterproof the tenting material. Has anyone tried that? Would the 303 product do a better job? And do you apply it on the outside or inside? The owner's manual says to apply the Scotch Guard to the inside, which doesn't make sense to me. But I may be wrong.

[beacher]

My Jayco's owner's manual says to use Scotch Guard Fabric Protector to waterproof the tenting material. Has anyone tried that? Would the 303 product do a better job? And do you apply it on the outside or inside? The owner's manual says to apply the Scotch Guard to the inside, which doesn't make sense to me. But I may be wrong.

Just like your Jayco manual suggests a certain product, so does the Fleetwood manual.  It specifies using Woolite to to wash the Sunbrella fabric, and 303 Fabric Guard  to water-proof it.

The manufacturer usually suggests what works best with their own products.



 

[wavery]

Just like your Jayco manual suggests a certain product, so does the Fleetwood manual.  It specifies using Woolite to to wash the Sunbrella fabric, and 303 Fabric Guard  to water-proof it.

The manufacturer usually suggests what works best with their own products.


 

We only wish that were always the case. Often times a manufacturer will derive some benefit from suggesting one product over another. Having said that, I would still use what they suggest unless you find that a different product works better and does no damage to the fabric.

[tlhdoc]

The product that you use depends on what the tenting material your PU is made of.  I would go with what the manufacturer suggest unless you have a problem with that product.  If you are really interested in using the 303 products then I would contact 303 and ask them what they would recomend on your tenting.  They make a whole line of products for vinyl and other materials.

[fallsrider]

The product that you use depends on what the tenting material your PU is made of.  I would go with what the manufacturer suggest unless you have a problem with that product.  If you are really interested in using the 303 products then I would contact 303 and ask them what they would recomend on your tenting.  They make a whole line of products for vinyl and other materials.

Thanks for the reply. My owner's manual says Scotchguard, which I have no problem with. I will have to buy some and read the directions, but I still don't know whether to apply it to the inside or outside. Where do you apply the 303?

[skcin]

^I'm also curious to find out if you should use the Scotchguard on the inside or the outside of the canvas - or both.  My Jayco owner's manual recommends the Scotchguard, but it doesn't specify how to apply it.  I had to use a mildew stain remover on some spots on my canvas recently & I want to retreat it ASAP so it's waterproof for our trip in May.  Any info would be appreciated.