Which cleaner works?
Sheila, I really enjoy reading The RV Times. Keep it up, it’s a good magazine.
We have a Wilderness travel trailer and I wonder if any of your readers could give me a tip on what to use to clean the exterior. It seems these black marks keep coming back around the edges and windows.
Elliott Wheeler
bwheeler@axion.net

Editor’s Note:
Elliott, I asked Brian Yeates of Langley RV Parts & Service to comment on this problem for everyone’s education.

Brian said:

“The black streaks are caused by oxidation of the aluminum and/or oils seeping from the putty sealants. Nothing will stop them but there are a number of manufacturers who make a “Black Streak Remover” that will speed up the cleaning process. You can then use a good quality wax specifically made for painted aluminum, or fibreglass, which will ease the chore of cleaning in the future.”

Which cleaner works?

I am responding to Elliott Wheeler's quiry in the OCT 98 RV TIMES about 'what to use to clean the exterior' of your Wilderness travel trailer - particularly the "black marks" which keep recurring.
Been there, done that!!! I must have a dozen 'absolute solutions' to your problem in my cupboard. Some work better than others, but all produce a poor result even after hours of scrubbing. I finally found the solution about 2 years ago and haven't look back since.

SHELL BUSEY'S HOME CLEANING FORMULA is absolutely the best product to get rid of 'black streaks'! It comes in granular form in a 850 gram container and is sold at places like Home Depot, Revy Lumber, Home Hardward and even some Overwaitea stores. It costs about $8 - 10 and lasts a couple of years (unless you give a sample to your friends).

I use the Medium to Heavy duty cleaning instructions and on the really tough spot, just sprinkle some of the compound on my brush full strength. You will need a brush - long and short handle depending on the height of your RV - and probably a ladder. The compound is caustic so wear rubber gloves.
Prior to cleaning the sides of your RV, clean the roof. This is where a lot of the streaking comes from - besides the putty sealants.

You still have to put some elbow grease into the process, but believe me, the results are wonderful!!!
The process also removes all wax, so after washing, apply the appropriate wax to enhance the appearance and make future cleaning even easier.
Sheila, I notice that this product is not available from RV dealers. Someone needs to give them a little push.

Good scrubbing!!!

Douglas Linfield
linfield@bc.sympatico.ca

Douglas,

I heard from Tom Boguski at Husky Camper in PoCo and he tells me he also sells this product.

Sheila
Editor, The RV Times

RV Cleaner:

I like The RV Times; it has a lot of good useful information in it.
I noted some interest in cleaners for the outside walls of RV's. I have come across a cleaner from Samson's Soap Shop in Westbank BC, called Extra Duty 8000 All Purpose Cleaner.
It is easy to use and inexpensive, and removes the black lines from the RV sidewalls very well.
One other thing. Do you know what CB channel RVers are using in BC?

Reg Derbyshire
regis@cnx.net

Reg,
I hear BonAmi works too. CB channel? Try # 13.
Sheila

No More Black Streaks:

I would like to pass on a tip I was given by the salesman that sold me my new 5th wheel.
The 5th wheel came with rain gutters with a short drain spout, which left the famous black streak down the sides of my trailer. The salesman suggested I put a wooden clothespin on each spout, and it worked. Sure cut down the washing. I have travelled about 2000 km with these pins on and only lost one.

Chuck Shaw
cshaw@uniserve.com