Washing the pod - R-pod Owners Forum

Author

Share Topic

Topic Search

Topic Options

Post Reply

Create New Topic

David and Danette View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 24 Nov 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1222

Topic: Washing the pod
Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 1:58am

We use Gel-Gloss RV Wash and Wax, use it for our truck and RV.

2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

GlueGuy

Senior Member

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2702

Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 9:24pm

Yah. I've got the same question as lostagain. In my mind, dish soap is among the most mild of detergents. For one, they have to be mild because people put their hands in it. For another, you really don't need to use a heck of a lot. The main idea is to break the surface tension of water. Finally, dish soap is designed to rinse cleanly because people don't want soap residue on their dishes or utensils.

When I use any kind of detergent to wash a vehicle; be it car, truck, or RV, I use about a cap full to a 2-gallon bucket.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

lostagain

Senior Member

Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2595

Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 8:21pm

pshort, do you have some reasons based on facts that support your opinion that one should not use ordinary dish soap on the gelcoat surface of an r-Pod [not other rv's or cars]? Dish soap has to be mild enough to not hurt delicate hands, and is often used to clean other fiberglass surfaces such as a bathtub or shower with no apparent damage. How is the r-Pod gelcoat different from other common fiberglass products? Thanks.

Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

pshort

Newbie

Joined: 15 Apr 2017
Location: Ithaca,NY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5

Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 7:38pm

Never use dish soap to wash a RV or automobile

lostagain

Senior Member

Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2595

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 at 8:36am

Keep in mind that the coating on the r-Pod is not a lacquer based car paint, but gelcoat; the same as is often found in many bathtubs and showers these days. And how often to you wash your Pod compared to your shower? Probably a mild solution of dish soap isn't going to strip off that wax you labored so hard last fall to put on, but it will get most of the dirt and bugs off.

The important thing to do is to try to keep the gelcoat sealed with some protective coating such as a boat wax, especially if it has uv blockers and don't worry about occasional washing taking it off. Think of it this way: Boats get washed with some kind of soap, not to mention the lake or sea water, practically every time they go out and it is not likely that boaters, except those with obsessive compulsive disorder, wax them on every outing. There are tons of fiberglass boats in perfectly good condition after 60 years of service. It's not likely that you'll keep your Pod that long.

In the words of Bobby McFerrin, "Don't worry, be happy."

Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Posted: 21 Mar 2019 at 5:43am

Here's a discussion from the Meguiar's site on Dawn dish soap, which is what I use.

https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?48296-Would-you-wash-your-car-with-Dawn

Like a lot of things it can turn into a big debate. Some swear its the greatest thing to ever come along, some say its like detonating a nuclear weapon on your paint job.

I don't wash my vehicles very often, I used to fuss over them and it just created more potential for scratching the finish. Way too much bug bashing around here in the season to keep up with it. And besides, I'm lazy Big smile

Now I wash and wax once in the spring and again in the fall, that's it. The rest of the time my vehicle surface maintenance efforts focus more on trying to keep the steel from rusting in the salt air. Thumbs Down

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

crw8sr

Senior Member

Joined: 12 Oct 2017
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 328

Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 9:59pm

Meguiar's

From interweb - - - - A common question is: Can you wash your car with dish soap? If you think about what dish soap is made for like removing grease and caked-on food then you’ll understand why it’s not good for your car. While it does a good job, it’s good because it’s considered an abrasive soap. But, when you use an abrasive soap on something like car paint, it accelerates the oxidation process and gives the car a dull look. Dish soap will also break down a car’s wax coat and can be tough on rubber.

Now that you know not to use dish soap to wash a car, what does that leave you with? Laundry soap, hand soap, and other household cleaners are also off limits. These soaps are not pH balanced and can also damage your vehicle’s paint. To get the results you want, you’ll simply need car soap. Car soap contains more lubricant, which you’ll notice when you move it behind your fingers. The slick formula is much better for your car’s surface.

Chuck & Lyn
Izzy, Morkie. RIP
Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie
2018 R Pod 190
2019 Traverse

In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck.

Lazy Goose View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 25

Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 9:03pm

Thank you all for the input. Happy camping.

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 5:20pm

For those who care about such things, Simple Green contains environmentally toxic chemicals according to this article:

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/ewgs-hall-of-shame-of-toxic-household-cleaners/2/

I used it once to clean grease off the bottom of my airplane (airplanes are not only big but have both tops and bottoms so they're a huge PITA to keep clean). I got some driping into my eyes while under there and after about 15 minutes I went pretty much blind. Scared the c*** out of me so bad I had my wife take me to the ER. Luckily it got better after a few hours.

Anyway, I've never used the stuff since. Elbow grease and a gentle dish soap diluted in water works fine....Just my $0.02.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

furpod

Moderator Group - pHp

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128

Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 11:33am

While I like simple green.. and have used it a lot... when it comes to the trailer.. I LOVE "Awesome Cleaner" from the dollar general.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
David and Danette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1222	Topic: Washing the pod Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 1:58am
	We use Gel-Gloss RV Wash and Wax, use it for our truck and RV.
	2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2702	Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 9:24pm
	Yah. I've got the same question as lostagain. In my mind, dish soap is among the most mild of detergents. For one, they have to be mild because people put their hands in it. For another, you really don't need to use a heck of a lot. The main idea is to break the surface tension of water. Finally, dish soap is designed to rinse cleanly because people don't want soap residue on their dishes or utensils. When I use any kind of detergent to wash a vehicle; be it car, truck, or RV, I use about a cap full to a 2-gallon bucket.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 8:21pm
	pshort, do you have some reasons based on facts that support your opinion that one should not use ordinary dish soap on the gelcoat surface of an r-Pod [not other rv's or cars]? Dish soap has to be mild enough to not hurt delicate hands, and is often used to clean other fiberglass surfaces such as a bathtub or shower with no apparent damage. How is the r-Pod gelcoat different from other common fiberglass products? Thanks.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

pshort Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15 Apr 2017 Location: Ithaca,NY Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 7:38pm
	Never use dish soap to wash a RV or automobile

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 21 Mar 2019 at 8:36am
	Keep in mind that the coating on the r-Pod is not a lacquer based car paint, but gelcoat; the same as is often found in many bathtubs and showers these days. And how often to you wash your Pod compared to your shower? Probably a mild solution of dish soap isn't going to strip off that wax you labored so hard last fall to put on, but it will get most of the dirt and bugs off. The important thing to do is to try to keep the gelcoat sealed with some protective coating such as a boat wax, especially if it has uv blockers and don't worry about occasional washing taking it off. Think of it this way: Boats get washed with some kind of soap, not to mention the lake or sea water, practically every time they go out and it is not likely that boaters, except those with obsessive compulsive disorder, wax them on every outing. There are tons of fiberglass boats in perfectly good condition after 60 years of service. It's not likely that you'll keep your Pod that long. In the words of Bobby McFerrin, "Don't worry, be happy."
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 21 Mar 2019 at 5:43am
	Here's a discussion from the Meguiar's site on Dawn dish soap, which is what I use. https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?48296-Would-you-wash-your-car-with-Dawn Like a lot of things it can turn into a big debate. Some swear its the greatest thing to ever come along, some say its like detonating a nuclear weapon on your paint job. I don't wash my vehicles very often, I used to fuss over them and it just created more potential for scratching the finish. Way too much bug bashing around here in the season to keep up with it. And besides, I'm lazy . Now I wash and wax once in the spring and again in the fall, that's it. The rest of the time my vehicle surface maintenance efforts focus more on trying to keep the steel from rusting in the salt air.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

crw8sr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2017 Location: Omaha Nebraska Online Status: Offline Posts: 328	Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 9:59pm
	Meguiar's From interweb - - - - A common question is: Can you wash your car with dish soap? If you think about what dish soap is made for like removing grease and caked-on food then you’ll understand why it’s not good for your car. While it does a good job, it’s good because it’s considered an abrasive soap. But, when you use an abrasive soap on something like car paint, it accelerates the oxidation process and gives the car a dull look. Dish soap will also break down a car’s wax coat and can be tough on rubber. Now that you know not to use dish soap to wash a car, what does that leave you with? Laundry soap, hand soap, and other household cleaners are also off limits. These soaps are not pH balanced and can also damage your vehicle’s paint. To get the results you want, you’ll simply need car soap. Car soap contains more lubricant, which you’ll notice when you move it behind your fingers. The slick formula is much better for your car’s surface.
	Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck.

Lazy Goose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2015 Location: Virginia Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 9:03pm
	Thank you all for the input. Happy camping.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 5:20pm
	For those who care about such things, Simple Green contains environmentally toxic chemicals according to this article: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/ewgs-hall-of-shame-of-toxic-household-cleaners/2/ I used it once to clean grease off the bottom of my airplane (airplanes are not only big but have both tops and bottoms so they're a huge PITA to keep clean). I got some driping into my eyes while under there and after about 15 minutes I went pretty much blind. Scared the c*** out of me so bad I had my wife take me to the ER. Luckily it got better after a few hours. Anyway, I've never used the stuff since. Elbow grease and a gentle dish soap diluted in water works fine....Just my $0.02.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 20 Mar 2019 at 11:33am
	While I like simple green.. and have used it a lot... when it comes to the trailer.. I LOVE "Awesome Cleaner" from the dollar general.