The cleaning and care of all vehicles is essential so that they can continue to be used for many years. Regularly cleaning the exterior and interior of your vehicle keeps it looking like new for longer and has many long-term benefits. If some time ago we told you how to clean the exterior of the car quickly and completely; Now the time has come to tell you about the five steps you must follow to leave your campervan looking like new, according to Indie Campers. Thanks to these tips you can prolong the life of your camper's paint and metal, helping to prevent rust or corrosion.
Campers and motorhomes are perfect for adventures, so it is common for them to accumulate dirt, dust and grime. If after finishing the trip you do not remove all that dirt, grease and dust, it is very likely that the exterior of the vehicle will be damaged over time. In fact, if you let the paint dry and crack, water will get in and rust will form; And you should know that it is much more difficult to treat rust later than it is to prevent it from forming in the first place.
To clean the exterior of your camper van or motorhome, it is best to do it by hand. “Never wash the exterior of your motorhome by going into a car wash. Doing so can cause damage to your motorhome, as water can enter through refrigerator racks, gas vents, and exhaust or ventilation hoods,” explain the experts at Indie Campers.
Also, before starting the process of cleaning your camper van, you should make sure that you have parked it in a suitable environment. We advise you to clean the exterior of the vehicle on a dry and cloudy day, so that the sun does not cause the water droplets to dry on the paint. If this is not possible, it is best to park the camper in the shade. The purpose of cleaning the vehicle is to remove grease, dirt and dust and also to apply a layer of wax to the paint so that it does not dry out and crack.
First of all, you must rinse the entire exterior of the camper. This step is very important to remove all the fragments of grit, earth and sand that are on the vehicle. This will prevent you from scratching the paint when you go to scrub the van. To wash the exterior of the vehicle you can use a high pressure hose or a bucket of water, anything that gently removes bits of sand and gravel.
The next step is to clean the roof of the camper. It is always wise to start at the top and work your way down to avoid dirtying areas of the van that you have already cleaned. To clean the ceiling comfortably use a ladder and make sure you wear a pair of shoes or boots with a good grip on the soles to avoid slipping. By the way, never walk on the roof of your campervan or motorhome, as they are not designed to bear weight and doing so could cause damage to the vehicle.
First of all, you should remove all the dirt from the ceiling with the help of a soft bristle cleaning brush or a noodle mitt. To easily remove dirt and grease from the roof you can add car cleaning cream or a little car shampoo to your water mixture. When the dirt has loosened, you should rinse the camper again.
According to Indie Campers, it is not recommended to use a scrubbing sponge to clean the exterior of the vehicle, as bits of dirt can lodge in the pores and scratch the paint.
Cleaning the side panels of the camper is very similar to cleaning the roof. To clean the panels it is best to use a soft brush or a noodle mitt. Avoid using a sponge, as it can scratch the paint. Remember to add some car cleaning shampoo to the water mixture for best results.
Start the process from the top of the side panels and always work your way down. When you're done cleaning the side panels, you can rinse the shampoo out and dry the vehicle with a leather or faux chamois cloth. This will prevent the water from drying on the paint and leaving a watermark.
Finally, when the camper is completely dry, you should apply a layer of wax to the paint to prevent it from drying out and cracking. There are many types of car wax on the market, but as a general rule, hard wax that comes in a can is usually of better quality and longer lasting. Its only drawback is that it will take longer to apply than if you opt for a liquid wax solution.
It is very important that you clean the windows and mirrors of the camper regularly to ensure optimal visibility at all times. To do this, make sure that there is no sand or dirt on the surface, then clean each of the windows and mirrors with the help of a microfiber cloth and a solution of warm water and glass cleaner. When they have semi-dried and white spots begin to appear, buff them with a leather cloth or synthetic chamois.
To finish cleaning your camper van, you must take care of the wheels and tires, whose care is essential to prolong the life of the vehicle and improve the function of the brakes. To get your wheel covers looking like new, you should scrub them with a non-scratch wheel cleaning brush. Lastly, to remove the dust and grime that builds up on your brakes, you can spray them with an aerosol wheel cleaner.
Thanks to these five simple steps you will enjoy a clean and shiny camper van for longer. On the other hand, if you are interested in knowing how to clean car upholstery according to the type of material, you can do so through this link.
