Cleaning

by reenag06 Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:54 pm

I have just taken ownership of my first van which is an Autosleeper Symbol. Can someone please let me know the best way to wash the outside - Can I take it to one of the car washes with brush and water etc. frustrating

by shelldrake Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:24 pm

I use Fenwicks M/H cleaner and Bobby Dazzler about £7 a bottle but it's concentrated so will last along(ish) time

by reenag06 Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:27 pm

shelldrake wrote:I use Fenwicks M/H cleaner and Bobby Dazzler about £7 a bottle but it's concentrated so will last along(ish) time

Thanks, I have bought some today but wasn't sure if I could wash it first with one of those pressure washers at the garage. smile!

by shelldrake Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:50 pm

I use one at home but on a fine mist and use a spray bottle for Bobby Dazzler

by Bartfarst Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:22 pm

reenag06 wrote:Thanks, I have bought some today but wasn't sure if I could wash it first with one of those pressure washers at the garage.

Go easy with pressure washers on AS vans! If you're not very careful you will remove the lining/decals etc and the stone chip protection from the cills.

It's also the case that your regular 'caravan grime' does not come off with a pressure washer anyway. I'd agree with the Fenwicks route, and perhaps something even more chemically active. That said if the paint has dulled then you might even need to cut it back a little to get the grey stain off of the paint.

Bartfarst

by Tommy-Darcy Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:25 am

As previously mentioned take a great deal of care if using a pressure washer.

I think a good deal of elbow grease is the solution. A full day should see your van sparkling smile!

Wash with a good car cleaning detergent, leather off followed by a polish with turtle wax on the metal bits and windows, maybe T-Cutting the metal bits first if the paint has faded a bit. allthumbz

A recent suggestion to bring the plastic bits up nice was to use Linseed Oil applied with a cloth, then buffed up. Apparently (as I have not tried it yet) when it rains the water forms droplets which just fall off the trim instead of leaving streaks on the trim and black streaks on the bodywork which happens when using a commercial exterior trim restorer. scratch head

Have Fun

by Tommy-Darcy Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:52 am

My wife and I used to live on a narrow boat and had to do the clean and polish thing twice a year to keep the paintwork looking good. smile!

Now the boat was 62 foot long, which is 186 foot of polishing (both sides and roof), first with T-cut followed by Turtle Wax. censored!

Then there were the 8 large brass port holes and brass roof vents to shine with Brasso censored!

All done by hand censored!

I deserved my drinksallround

after !!!

by reenag06 Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:06 am

Tommy-Darcy wrote:My wife and I used to live on a narrow boat and had to do the clean and polish thing twice a year to keep the paintwork looking good.

Now the boat was 62 foot long, which is 186 foot of polishing (both sides and roof), first with T-cut followed by Turtle Wax.

Then there were the 8 large brass port holes and brass roof vents to shine with Brasso

All done by hand

I deserved my after !!!

Thanks for all your help, hopefully will get to it this weekend!!! Just hard work and elbow grease I guess is best!. Hey Tommy-Darcy, love your awning - is it driveaway? what make is it and is it easy to put up if there is only one person???

by reenag06 Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:07 am

Thanks for all your help everyone, hopefully will get to it this weekend!!! Just hard work and elbow grease I guess is best!. Hey Tommy-Darcy, love your awning - is it driveaway? what make is it and is it easy to put up if there is only one person???

by Tommy-Darcy Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:58 am

It is a Kampa mini pod or pod mini confused3

Drive away Awning

We have it attached to the van using fig 8 rail onto a gutter type rail which has been fitted to Tommy. Though it does offer other fitment options.

I have found it to be ideal as it is NOT too large. Usually my wife and I erect the awning, but it is similar in design to a tunnel tent, and I have seen many folks erect these on their own whilst I have been wardening.

Often I pull it down and pack it away myself without hassel.

The shape and internal bracing poles prevent it imploding at the mere sniff of wind, unlike some!

Kampa do a midi size aswell, which is 1 more section in length and has a side door, which would be handy by increasing versatility up!

Hope this helps

by reenag06 Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:06 am

Thanks, will have a look and let you know how I get on.

by Tommy-Darcy Wed Oct 31, 2012 12:30 pm

You are most welcome up!

by Ann B Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:30 pm

Glad someone asked about your awning Tommy, have been admiring it, and meaning to ask for a while now. Will also have a look at them.

by Tommy-Darcy Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:09 pm

"Kampa Travel Pod Mini" is the exact name, had a closer look at one of my pics winks

View from front, plenty of room for drinkies with friends drinksallround

by Ann B Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:55 pm

Looks good, thanks for the photo

by hillwalker Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:33 pm

back to the cleaning!!
i only use this for the black marks. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
I get mine from a local Europarts outlet
cheers
"H"

by Bartfarst Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:52 pm

Tommy-Darcy wrote:"Kampa Travel Pod Mini" is the exact name...

Tommy, that's a nice looking awning. What size and weight does it pack down to please?

Bartfarst

by murph Sat Nov 03, 2012 9:34 am

Whatever you do if it has any plastic windows dont put it through one of those brush type car washes, it wont harm the body work but is far far to agressive for the plastic, when cleaning them only ever use a sponge to prevent scratching.

Brian2

by Tommy-Darcy Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:00 am

Bartfarst wrote:
Tommy-Darcy wrote:"Kampa Travel Pod Mini" is the exact name...

Tommy, that's a nice looking awning. What size and weight does it pack down to please?

Bartfarst

The bag is about 24 x 18 x 18 inches and about 25 kgs in weight. However it does have an inner bedroom which we do not use so do not pack this.

Kampa also do a midi version which is another section long and has a side door allthumbz

by reenag06 Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:15 pm

Tommy-Darcy wrote:"Kampa Travel Pod Mini" is the exact name, had a closer look at one of my pics

View from front, plenty of room for drinkies with friends

Hi still havent sorted out a mini pod yet as would like to see one and how to put it up but havent found anywhere where it is set up. Also love your table - it looks like the one out of the van but has a proper base - can you tell me where you got the base from please.
Thanks, Reena.

by Doris Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:10 pm

Hi
Have a look at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] this tell you where to but a tripod and my instructions of how to make a base.
The thread on "a small table" also has information on this topic.

Louise

by Annevan Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:59 pm

Hi Tommy

I also have coveted your awning, thanks for details. I haven't purchased one yet, i'll add that to my list.
I'll soon have to make a list of my lists, lot of work with these motorhomes, and now cleaning to add to the list too. clean_up

by Tommy-Darcy Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:41 pm

As mentioned above, the tri-pod is produced by Fiamma. We use it with the small table and small desmo leg supplied with our van. The large table and large leg is in storage whilst we are on our tour allthumbz

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