How To Start Detailing Your RV

Surprisingly, everything you need to know about RV detailing boils down to four simple things: motivation, time, tools, and materials. We will take a closer and provide everything you need to detail your RV like a pro. But before we dive in, let’s get a better understanding of the project itself.

I want to set the stage and talk about what detailing is with respect to your RV. First off, just think of the last time your car was detailed. Generally speaking, car detailing is checking off a list of areas.

For example:

• Vacuum the seats, carpets, and entire interior
• Clean and polish the dashboard, vents, instruments, and trim
• Wipe down all cloth, leather, and floor mats
• Go over the inside and outside of all windows
• Wash, dry, and wax the exterior
• Clean and polish all tires and rims

That is a very simple and basic list. Not so bad…right? I mean, it is the exact same procedure for the RV.

Car versus RV detailing

The difference between the car and RV detailing is dramatic…the size of the RV detail project is enormous. With that in mind, the only thing to know about RV detailing is this: unlike detailing a car, the RV detailing experience can be brutal and exhausting. And it’s highly doubtful it will be completed in a few hours, let alone a few days. After a few years of ownership, you may have noticed beyond camping, a significant amount of time and money is devoted to equipment and repairs.

An RV is a gigantic home on wheels, and more often than not, with each mile driven, something is coming loose to some degree. Seams separate, and crud, road grime, and bug guts are entombed with precision on the grill, lights, back of mirrors, and any other forward-facing parts of the RV…and that is just the exterior.

Similarly, the interior of the RV is a gigantic container of dust, small rocks, pet hair, crumbs, dried dead bugs, unidentifiable stains on the countertop, black crust scorched into the stovetop from food eaten long ago, and…one lost, dirty kid sock.

Know what you want out of detailing your RV

All in all, objectively look at your RV. Take note of what you see and at the same time embrace how it makes you feel. The time and money spent on detailing is an investment devoted to future trips and memorable moments with family and friends.

After all, everything you need to know about RV detailing boils down to how it looks when the glistening behemoth lumbers round the campground saying to everyone there…look at me…MY 5-Star Hotel Room on Wheels…looking good!!

Know how to get ideas, tools and products to detail your RV

All things considered, look around for other ideas, tools, and products for detailing your RV. There is no lack of ideas, how to videos and relevant websites to explore. First thing to remember, RVers are smart and savvy. Above all, they know how to save time and money making the old RV look new again.

Break your products down into two categories. Interior. Exterior. That is to say, look around for the best products and don’t overlook what others have used. In other words, do research before starting. There are smart and savvy RVers on forums such as IRV2. Take some time to look through. 

Know your limitations 

To be sure, unlike detailing a car, everything you need to know about RV detailing can be exhausting. Whenever you undertake this yourself, you will save money since professional detailing of something this massive will cost you a bundle. 

A complete detail of the exterior includes: washing; waxing; as-needed resealing roof, window and side walls; cleaning awnings; dressing tires; and steam cleaning the engine and generator compartments

A complete detail of the interior is nothing short of a thorough deep cleaning: wiping, washing, dusting, and vacuuming the seats, carpets, and entire interior top to bottom. Then you should clean and polish the dashboard, vents, instruments, and trim, plus tend to the upholstery, ceilings, shower, toilet, sinks, and drawer and closet interiors.

On the other hand, with prices for everything going up, professional detailing is not immune. Typically, most places charge per linear foot, or they offer several packages to choose from. Either way it means you will be paying anywhere between $500 and $1,500 depending on detailing limited to exterior, interior, or both. Also there are mobile detailing/cleaning contractors.  

Tip: Having your RV professionally detailed provides the best foundation. From there you would only have to build a routine for a mini-detailing regiment. Make sure to ask questions before you agree to a price and again ask questions before they start cleaning. 

I can only tell you that the taste of satisfaction erupts when you step back and witness previously subdued points along the surface burst forward in bold detail. And that’s to say nothing of, fresh, sparkling, colorful parts coming together against the background canvas of YOUR glistening RV all mounted on squeaky-clean wheels and tires. 

Detailing your RV is prevention

Once you get your RV looking new again, plan time for yearly detailing and waxing. As much as you would want to, there is no way of maintaining your RV in perfect condition. In spite of that, you can meticulously maintain it. At the same time, once you establish a great base coat of wax, it becomes easier and quicker to refresh it each time.

Tip: Save time by getting into a routine. Do a mini detail as you travel. The day of arrival (time permitting) look for and clean off road grime, and bug guts on the grill, lights, back of mirrors. The morning of breaking camp is perfect for a cleaning of the interior. Washing bug guts and oily road grime especially is easier to get off sooner than later.

A secondary plus of detailing your RV is prevent defense. To put it differently, since you are up close and personal, you inspect the health of corner seams, the wear and tear of all window seals, look for hints of delamination top to bottom, and find any other issues along the way. Above all, don’t overlook high impact areas: cargo door latches, entry steps, slide out-covers, and window weep holes. 

Your RV looking good is sustained through countless cycles of a maintenance routine. Given these points, you are investing in future trips and memorable moments with family and friends. After all, no matter where you get your products, exercise thoughtfulness while you cook up your shopping list.

Conclusion

Finally, everything you need to know about detailing your RV is this: every RV owner should take enormous pride in the glistening behemoth lumbering around the campground saying to everyone there…look at me…MY 5-Star Hotel Room on Wheels has arrived. 

Once done, take a step back and admire your hard work. Snap tons of pictures and share it on IR2 Forum – What did you do to your RV today? ALL that hard work deserves a spotlight. 

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Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents.

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Source: https://rvlife.com/rv-detailing/