best cleaner for soot removal?

[Todd T]

what is everyone using for removing the soot buildup from long trips on their RV's.



I have tried running with as little fuel as possible but i still wind up with a slight blackening of the trailer after long hauls. what cleans this stuff the best. i have smooth gel coated sides BTW. the wife and i just spent almost two hours washing it from the roof down. there has to be a faster way.



i have a spray bottle of black streak remover for the streaks but i need something to wash the entire thing with.

 

[RustyJC]

Just the standard RV Wash soap works fine for me. And I haven't found anything that will shorten the time to hand wash one - 2 hours ain't bad!! :-laf



Rusty

 

[PC12Driver]

Pre-soaking with Gunk's Bug and Tar Remover has worked well for me. Washes right off after a 30min soak.



Or the expensive way would be Aero Glaze. It's marketed as an aircraft cleaner. Wipe on, let dry, wipe off. I use it to get soot off our aircraft, but it works well on diesel soot, too. It also takes the bugs off the front of the trailer really well. And it leaves behind a coating, so crud comes off easier on the next wash. Downside is the $40/gal price.

 

[RustyJC]

Pre-soaking with Gunk's Bug and Tar Remover has worked well for me. Washes right off after a 30min soak.

The downside is that it takes off the protective coating of Dri Wash n Guard that I've put down on the gelcoat. I would imagine it would do the same with most other waxes.



Rusty

 

[Todd T]

I think i just need to get it real good and clean this winter and put about 4-5 coats of carnuba wax on it before we start using it again in the spring. its never been waxed and that has to be contributing to the grime-sticking factor.



We use a gadget that injects fertilizer through the garden hose for watering plants to inject soap while we washed it. i just keep it wet until i have the entire trailer hand washed then stop the soap injection and inject a wax/protectant solution for the rinse cycle. we use turtle wax liquid wax and regular dishwasher rinse agent for that spot free drying action. works great!



just sounds like there is no 'quick' way to wash them is there?

 

[RJOL]

A product called "Simple Green" always works for me...

 

[SRadke]

Simple green is a good idea. As well as it cuts grease and oil it shoud work great on soot.



-Scott

 

[Fishin Guide]

I hate the film left behind by Simple Green.



I wax my clean surface and then when it gets soot on it, I hit it with the hose. It runs off like mud. If it's a tough spot, a little Joy dishwashing soap works great. Then promptly wax! Dish cleaners remove the wax from the vehicle.



I have an aluminum boat that I go through this with. Once a year polish then a good double coat of Turtle Wax. Machine buff off at low speed, looks like a mirror running down the road!



Dave

 

[Tony T.]

i have a spray bottle of black streak remover for the streaks but i need something to wash the entire thing with.

I would really be careful with that black streak remover, especially around the graphics. I used it before, and some run on to luckily a small section of the vinal graphic material and it really dis-colored the graphic.



Tony

 

[nps]

I just use water and my washing wand - an adjustable handle from 3-6' with a soft-bristled brush on one end and a hose attachment/on-off valve on the other. Water shoots out through the brush head while you rub and scrub.



It'll reach above the awning, and I can scrub down the whole trailer in 45 minutes, including the roof, wheels, stairs, sewer pipes, etc.



Same thing I use on my truck.

 

[Barry]

One thing that really helps is to "Clear Coat" the unit. Faded colors come back, shines so nice you can see yourself in the side. Then most stuff does not stick to the exterior. Waxing is yesterday's news. After clear coating, then just use a good Wash 'n' Wax product to keep it clean... ... ... ... .

 

[jimnance]

Try an internet search for a product called Celeste. I use it for cleaning exhaust stains and oily belly's on aircraft as well as on my RV. It comes in a gallon jug and is non-toxic but very concentrated.



Mix about 25% Celeste to 75% water in a spray bottle. I've found there is almost nothing that it won't cut. Stuff literally starts dripping off within seconds of application.



It's not for washing the whole RV, but great for those extra grimy areas.