Winter Storage and Ventilation? Waxing

[Heidi]

I am looking for information on storing our 21NE under the cover for next winter, and am worried that we will no longer be able to run the MaxFan continuously as we did before (through winter) , since it will be covered. Has anyone got experience with this issue? We are in Calgary, it gets really cold, is quite dry, but still, I prefer ventilation during the winter to closing up the Escape for 8 months... It is stored off site.
Also, we will need to wax this trailer this year...any suggestions for product Detergent and wax product, number of coats, timing), and techniques? We do not have machinery for this, just elbow grease. Do we go to an RV wash station, and wash/wax in one location as soon as it is clean and dry?

[cpaharley2008]

I think just leaving the vent open and a window cracked will provide enough ventilation, that is the way it is done here in the mid-atlantic area.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Heidi

Also, we will need to wax this trailer this year...any suggestions for product Detergent and wax product, number of coats, timing), and techniques? We do not have machinery for this, just elbow grease. Do we go to an RV wash station, and wash/wax in one location as soon as it is clean and dry?

I do not belong to the "Church Of Paste Wax". Paste wax is really soft, needs frequent application, needs to be wiped off, and many times tedious buffing. I tried, I really did, but am now back to Zep products.

Zep is known as a floor wax, but there is nothing to prevent you from applying to fiberglass. You might want to read Check this out NOT Poliglow...Time will tell... This thread of 900+ responses was started in 2010.

Our 5.0 was purchased in October 2018 and has not been waxed, despite always sitting in the sun. The gelcoat is still perfect with no oxidation. I'm about to finish the first waxing using Zep products.

Since the gelcoat still shines it did not need a stripper.

We like more wax on the front to protect from chips and bugs. Foolishly we did not apply to the front, where stones are thrown, and now have some chips.

You need a wax mitt and a spray bottle. Just load the spray bottle with wax, spray the mitt with a couple of squirts, and wipe on a thin layer.

The order of application:

• Thoroughly clean the camper, just like for any waxing.
  
  
• Apply the stripper if there is oxidation or you want to remove underlying wax - we could skip this step
  
  
• Apply Zep sealer
  
  
• Apply Zep High Traffic Floor Polish (for the first time I applied five coats on the front and three on the sides and rear, at 40 minutes a coat). Do not try to apply a thick layer (it's almost impossible anyway). A thin layer is all that's needed.
  
  
• If you wish, optional, apply Zep Wet Look Floor Polish (I'll be applying two coats this week)

There is no wiping off wax and no buffing like needs to be done with paste wax. If only applying two coats (some do) it easily takes half the time of paste wax with no elbow grease involved.

Others will differ, but sometimes you need to think out of the box. Zep is not your floor wax of old, but a hard wax that really protects your camper for a long time. No buffing needed!

Enjoy,

Perry

[TravelMama]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

I do not belong to the "Church Of Paste Wax". Paste wax is really soft, needs frequent application, needs to be wiped off, and many times tedious buffing. I tried, I really did, but am now back to Zep products.

Zep is known as a floor wax, but there is nothing to prevent you from applying to fiberglass. You might want to read Check this out NOT Poliglow...Time will tell... This thread of 900+ responses was started in 2010.

Our 5.0 was purchased in October 2018 and has not been waxed, despite always sitting in the sun. The gelcoat is still perfect with no oxidation. I'm about to finish the first waxing using Zep products.

Since the gelcoat still shines it did not need a stripper.

We like more wax on the front to protect from chips and bugs. Foolishly we did not apply to the front, where stones are thrown, and now have some chips.

You need a wax mitt and a spray bottle. Just load the spray bottle with wax, spray the mitt with a couple of squirts, and wipe on a thin layer.

The order of application:

• Thoroughly clean the camper, just like for any waxing.
  
  
• Apply the stripper if there is oxidation or you want to remove underlying wax - we could skip this step
  
  
• Apply Zep sealer
  
  
• Apply Zep High Traffic Floor Polish (for the first time I applied five coats on the front and three on the sides and rear, at 40 minutes a coat). Do not try to apply a thick layer (it's almost impossible anyway). A thin layer is all that's needed.
  
  
• If you wish, optional, apply Zep Wet Look Floor Polish (I'll be applying two coats this week)

There is no wiping off wax and no buffing like needs to be done with paste wax. If only applying two coats (some do) it easily takes half the time of paste wax with no elbow grease involved.

Others will differ, but sometimes you need to think out of the box. Zep is not your floor wax of old, but a hard wax that really protects your camper for a long time. No buffing needed!

Enjoy,

Perry

Thank you so much for the information!!! We are part timers and just washed for the first time (picked up end of January) and were fretting over the waxing!

[AKCamper]

Originally Posted by Heidi

I am looking for information on storing our 21NE under the cover for next winter, and am worried that we will no longer be able to run the MaxFan continuously as we did before (through winter) , since it will be covered. Has anyone got experience with this issue? We are in Calgary, it gets really cold, is quite dry, but still, I prefer ventilation during the winter to closing up the Escape for 8 months... It is stored off site.

We always store our 2016 Escape 19 closed up tight with one or two of the large dri-z-air buckets inside. This year when I opened up the trailer it smelled great. I tip the cushions up and open the cabinets, and close it up tight. Make sure everything is good and clean cause mold needs food and moisture. We store ours under cover not covered with a tarp or trailer cover though.