Waxed my New 5.0 TA

[P&L]

Before we purchased our 19, we asked Escape about the wax. Haley replied, "Mother’s Wax is a brand that we recommend to our customers. This is a wax that you would use once a year for up keep. Another type we recommend is called JR Browns, and this is a spray and wipe wax that you would need to use 3-4 times a year. As long as the wax has carnauba oil in it then it is a good type to use on the Escape." We are planning on our first wax upon return from a coastal trip in the area.

[LeonW]

Some of you may remember that I had a very buggy trailer at the rally last year, and it was even more buggy when I got home. Some forum members recommended 'Bug Melt' from a company called PPC. I liked Bug Melt so much that I tried their Speed Nanospray last fall when I was washing and waxing the trailer. It is too early to know how it will hold up, but it want on easily and made the surface of the trailer feel incredibly slick. I am going to use it again in a week or so when I wash the trailer after our spring trip

[Bobnjudy]

This was enlightening. I've used gel coat sealer on my boat (salt water) but wasn't crazy about the result. I'll use carnuba on the new trailer and follow up with sealer.
Carnauba Wax vs Gel Coat Sealants
This looks effective:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLF2I2A?psc=1

[gbaglo]

If I recall correctly, ETI says not to wax your trailer for six months. Gel coat needs to fully cure.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

If I recall correctly, ETI says not to wax your trailer for six months. Gel coat needs to fully cure.

Well one of us grumpy old men is remembering wrong (but that happens to me all the time anymore), but I could swear I asked Reace when we picked up ours and he said go ahead and wax or polish it right away if I wanted.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by thoer

Well one of us grumpy old men is remembering wrong (but that happens to me all the time anymore), but I could swear I asked Reace when we picked up ours and he said go ahead and wax or polish it right away if I wanted.

I asked Tammy the same thing when I picked up Ten Forward, she said go ahead. It already has wax on it from the mold release.

[gbaglo]

Grumble.

[mcdonner]

So, do most people do a wax job as soon a they pick up their camper or at the end of the first season? Does ETI do any type of initial coating on the new units. If not, has anyone asked them to do an initial wax job so the unit is protected from day one before it hits the road? It would seem that an initial coat of wax would help in the long term care of the finish. I'm sure lots of people have a fairly long trip back home after picking up their new baby.

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by mcdonner

So, do most people do a wax job as soon a they pick up their camper or at the end of the first season? Does ETI do any type of initial coating on the new units. If not, has anyone asked them to do an initial wax job so the unit is protected from day one before it hits the road? It would seem that an initial coat of wax would help in the long term care of the finish. I'm sure lots of people have a fairly long trip back home after picking up their new baby.

Not us. 2,200 miles up the Cassiar Highway, cleaned up just fine once we got home. Scott

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by mcdonner

So, do most people do a wax job as soon a they pick up their camper or at the end of the first season? Does ETI do any type of initial coating on the new units. If not, has anyone asked them to do an initial wax job so the unit is protected from day one before it hits the road? It would seem that an initial coat of wax would help in the long term care of the finish. I'm sure lots of people have a fairly long trip back home after picking up their new baby.

Doubtful ETI would wax your new trailer. But, they might steer you to an RV detailer in the area where you might be able to get it done.

[rbryan4]

Another vote for the Starbrite. Works well and easy to apply.


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[kstock11]

I used the Starbrite for the 1st two years on the 19. Just replaced it with Meguiers after running out, as I've always been a fan, but........... I think I'll be going back to the Starbrite! (Might just be that the roof has more UV damage than the sides as I've been able to keep more coats of wax on it). Will have to consider whether to go back or not!

[P&L]

Does it make a difference if one uses a cream wax vs. a paste wax? Are spray wax's effective? What have others done to protect the rubber around the windows?

[Steve R]

Originally Posted by sleepy

Waxed my new 5.0 TA

Bought a Makita 7" power buffer, and a 3M blue applicator head, and 3M buffer bonnet.

Used 3M Marine liquid polish. Bottle size is 500 ml, and I used slightly more than one bottle for the whole trailer.

Each side took slightly less then 2 hours- applying the polish, letting it dry and buffing it off. This includes the roof- which I stood on a ladder to access. I did not lean the ladder on the roof, nor stand on the roof.

I used small sponges to apply wax around the various fittings, and soft polyester/cotton clothes to buff the wax off.

There is a lot of ladder time. I reduced this a wee-bit by lowering the front of the fifth wheel using the twin power jacks- made the trailer kneel down, so to speak.

Waxing is still a job I'd rather skip but the combination of tools and wax, made it seem manageable.

--------------------
We've owned the trailer since June 27th, and gone on 5 trips, spending 23 nights in the unit. It has performed well.

My suspicion is that a 3M product is probably of better quality than other waxes and polishes sold by and at RV outlets. Short of a controlled study which evaluates polishes and waxes, 3M products would be my default choice. I might come to another conclusion as I proceed through this thread. (I picked up my new 17B six weeks ago).

[Steve R]

Originally Posted by Steve R

My suspicion is that a 3M product is probably of better quality than other waxes and polishes sold by and at RV outlets. Short of a controlled study which evaluates polishes and waxes, 3M products would be my default choice. I might come to another conclusion as I proceed through this thread. (I picked up my new 17B six weeks ago).

Now having read through all the posts on this thread, I ask myself why I was compelled -- and I'm new to the RV world -- why I had to give my opinion after reading just the first post! At any rate, lots of good info on this thread including answers to questions I had not even thought of -- like when do you first polish or wax your new Escape!

[P&L]

I am reading this thread with great interest and have visited manufacturer's websites to look at the products and understand what is needed when. I searched and located an article from Trailer Life that discusses this topic. I will take that, and suggestions from others on keeping our trailer like-new for years to come.

RV Products for a Clean Start

[Steve R]

Originally Posted by P&L

I am reading this thread with great interest and have visited manufacturer's websites to look at the products and understand what is needed when. I searched and located an article from Trailer Life that discusses this topic. I will take that, and suggestions from others on keeping our trailer like-new for years to come.

RV Products for a Clean Start

P&L, good article, thanks for posting!

[Steve R]

Originally Posted by Losangeles

Lots of folks here love NU FINISH

what is best - liquid NU FINISH or paste NU FINISH ?

thx.

Consumer Reports in their November 2011 edition rates car waxes. Both the Nu Finish liquid and paste are highly rated (for cars) and are "best buys." The Nu Finish paste is rated higher for "durability" than the Nu Finish liquid.