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03-18-2015, 04:04 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Georgetown
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 77
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Washing an Airstream
My wife and I are new to Airstreams, other than a year or two with our restored Argosy. We cannot get the airstream into our driveway, and even if we could, the HOA won't permit any long-term parking. The storage facility where we have it parked will not permit washing. So, my question is......where do you wash your airstream if you're in the same boat we're in?
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03-18-2015, 04:08 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Can you park on the street long enough to give it a good cleaning?
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-18-2015, 05:07 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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Could you maybe find one of those drive-through car washes where you wash the vehicle yourself with a pressure washer that has enough clearance and turn around room to take the trailer through?
I seem to recall we did that once on a trip somewhere and used a long handled truck asking brush that we had with us as well as the sprayer wand provided.
We also took our trailer and truck through an 18 wheeler truck wash once - but it cost us over $60 about five years ago!
Brian.
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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03-18-2015, 05:08 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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At a car-truck wash...
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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03-18-2015, 05:09 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1976 Argosy 26
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 37
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Im not in that situation but I have taken my Argosy to the do it yourself power washer type places before. Especially after leaving the beach but be careful with power washers and watch your clearance. They have some places made for Semi's which have lots of clearance.
Zach
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03-18-2015, 05:32 PM
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#6
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
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We've taken ours to the DIY car wash place, but usually just pull it into the driveway for a quick scrub once a year.
__________________
Stephanie
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03-18-2015, 05:39 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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There are "mobile detailers" and you could direct their process.
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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03-18-2015, 05:47 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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While on trips, I've usually been able to find a "wash it yourself" coin-op car wash that has at least one bay that's high enough for a moho or a trailer. One of them I used last year actually had a 3 ft wall on either side so you could stand on it and get to the top of your RV! They had steps at either end to make this easy. Frankly, I like this set-up better than doing it at home as the pressure wand lets you get underneath your trailer a lot better than my hose with spray attachment. Costs a few bucks, but quick and easy.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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03-18-2015, 05:55 PM
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#9
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begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
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It takes me two hours tops to wash and polish my Bambi. What wouldhappen ay home? A fine, make you move? Certainly work crews park in your neighborhood as do moving trucks.
__________________
2006 Bambi CCD ("EireStream!!")
2010 Funfinder
2005 T@B
2001 Teardrop, Mountain Hardware Tent
For some perfection takes a little longer...
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03-18-2015, 06:00 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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If you use a pressure washer ( and some recommend you don't) make sure you DONT direct the spray directly at the seams
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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03-18-2015, 06:55 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 594
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I switched to a waterless car wash a couple of years ago for our AS and cars. It works great (fast and no mess). Just make sure you get high quality microfiber towels such as Griotts. The ones I found at box stores were terrible.
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03-19-2015, 04:39 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2015 30' International
2009 27' FB International
2007 25' Safari
Currently Looking...
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,564
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Because of the extreme and unpredictable pressures when using a pressure washer, I would never suggest this as a way to wash an AS directly.
One thought, if the ambient temperature permits, is to go to a parking area when it is raining lightly and simply use a soft wash brush to go over the roof and then sides, allowing the rain to rinse off the loosened dirt.
Or, if a pressure wash bay is found where it will fit, by holding the nozzle far enough away, only the fog of water/soap will get to the surface, then with the soft wash brush go over things. A ladder and long handle on the brush are of course required, and the awnings need to be opened up after the wash to allow drying and avoid deleterious effects from trapped water.
The time required can be extensive, possibly 4 hours to do a good job on 30 foot unit.
__________________
Happy trails and Good Luck
Ms Tommie Fantine Lauer, Greensboro, NC
AIR #31871 KQ3H
www.fantinesvoice.com
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03-19-2015, 05:01 AM
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#14
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic
If you use a pressure washer ( and some recommend you don't) make sure you DONT direct the spray directly at the seams
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^
X2
Been using a PW, and or truck wash for 27yrs,,,SFSG!
Stay at least 3' away, do NOT try and remove dirt/grime with a direct spray,
rinse only!!
PW is the best way to rinse or maybe 65mph in a downpour.
Bob
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03-19-2015, 08:17 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
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I use a coin-op car wash that has a truck height bay to do the washing. Then I go back to storage and do my waxing there. Used Turtle Wax Ice last time and it did a great job. Have to get back to the car wash in the next couple of weekends to wash of the road grime from our trip to Nashville.
We have a high end RV storage place near us that has their own coin op RV wash bay that is usually unused on Sundays. One of our AS friends says he talked to the owners and they said "if it's not being used, you can come although it's not really open to the public." So far I haven't gone there, seemed like a kind of lukewarm approval to me.
Dana
__________________
Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
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03-21-2015, 04:42 PM
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#16
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1Boyscout
2015 28' International
Edmond
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 125
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What is Griotts?
your Okie neighbor
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03-21-2015, 06:10 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 594
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Sorry. I guess I wasn't very clear.
http://www.griotsgarage.com
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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03-21-2015, 06:17 PM
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#18
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Boyscout
What is Griotts?
your Okie neighbor
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You would hard pressed to find better car/vehicle care products.
Been using them for 15+rears.
Bob
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03-23-2015, 10:39 AM
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#19
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1Boyscout
2015 28' International
Edmond
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 125
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Has anyone used Protect all to polish & wax an AS.?
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03-23-2015, 01:44 PM
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#20
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Boyscout
Has anyone used Protect all to polish & wax an AS.?
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If this is it......no
In my experience.... the more the ease of application is touted the less effective the end result.
I use Griot's One Step Sealer...one Saturday is needed.
Bob
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