Drying; Waxing - Holiday Navigator 2003 Owner's Manual

Care & Maintenance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drying

Waxing

3 • 9 6
Drying chamois cloths come in natural and synthetic materials. Either type
is acceptable as long as the surface is clean. Soak the chamois in clean water
until all chamois material has absorbed water. Wring excess water from chamois.
Start at the top and work towards the bottom. Use a downward "S" pattern to
remove water from the surface and wring out the chamois as needed. Using a
chamois cloth to remove the rinse water is not necessary, but the effort can be
worthwhile.
To wax or not to wax? This is a good question. There are many schools of
thought on this issue. The two most common thoughts are:
• The clear coat needs to "breathe." A layer of wax will seal the clear coat
not allowing it to breathe, possibly leading to failure of the clear coat.
• If the surface is not waxed, what is protecting the surface from the
environment (road salts, acid rain, road tar, ultraviolet light)?
It is recommended to wax the motorhome twice a year: spring and fall.
Many types of protective barriers are available today that may be applied to
the clear coat: glazes, waxes, polishes, rubbing compounds or combinations of
these products.
NOTE: When selecting a product for use follow the product
manufacturer's recommended application instructions.
Types of Products:
Glazes: Glazes are generally used to fill very fine scratches in the clear
coat, being applied either by hand or by using a polisher with a special pad.
Waxes: Waxes come in many types of chemical make-ups. The popular
Carnauba wax is a natural occurring wax from the leaves or fronds of the
Carnauba palm tree. Mineral waxes have a paraffin base. There are also
other topical application products which contain silicone.
Polishes: Polishes usually contain a combination of wax based substances
with an abrasive, getting the two for one idea. These products can be too
abrasive for clear coats and are not recommended for use.
Rubbing Compounds: These types of products are generally applied by
using a buffer. The use of rubbing compounds should be left to professionals
as undesired results can quickly occur. These types of products are generally
used to correct or flatten a surface by removing high spots or small
amounts of material.
When selecting a product the container should be marked, "safe for clear
coats" or "clear coat safe." Carefully follow all manufacturer's application
instructions when using a product. Upon first use of a product, try it on a
"small test spot" in an inconspicuous area in case an undesired reaction occurs.
N A V I G A T O R 2 0 0 3