Exterior; Stains; Windows, Doors, Vents And Locks; Sealant Renewal - Fleetwood 1990 Owner's Manual

Since belts and pulleys wear with use, look at all
frictional surface areas for signs of wear. Normal wear
can be recognized as even wear, both on the belt and
the grooves of the pulley. Even with normal wear, belts
will eventually show evidence of cracking. Replace
belts before or as soon as cracking becomes evident.
Unusual signs of wear indicate some corrective ac-
tion is necessary.
When checking, remember failed or partially failed
belts may have been damaged by a bad pulley, a
misaligned drive or by some faulty mechanical
component.
Always check the condition of pulleys before replac-
ing belts. Inspect the pulleys for chips, cracks, bent
sidewalls, rust, corrosion, etc. Replace any defective
pulleys.
EXTERIOR
Some exterior parts of your motor home are made
of fiberglass. The finish on these parts is durable, but
not indestructible. Any material and finish will
deteriorate in time. Exposure to sunlight. moisture and
airborne pollutants can chemically alter the composi-
tion of the base and finish materials and cause dull-
Ing and fading of the finish. Generally, changes in the
finish due to weathering are cosmetic - they are on
the surface of the part and do not affect its strength.
Weathering can take several forms:
*
Chalking - The surface finish has broken down
into a fine powder. It usually will wash off.
*
Fading - The color of the finish has changed. This
can be caused by chemicals spilled on the sur-
face, staining it, or by changes in the pigments
used in the finish.
• Yellowing - Usually caused by chemical changes
in the material and pigments.
The best insurance against these effects is routine
maintenance. If the finish is not washed thoroughly
and waxed, the surface can deteriorate very rapidly.
The following maintenance guidelines can help you
reduce these weathering effects:
1. Wash the exterior of the motor home monthly, at
least. Wash with a mild soap. Avoid strong alkaline
cleaners and abrasives.
2. Wax the exterior at least once a year - twice,
if possible - with a wax formulated for fiberglass.
When waxing, always read and follow the instruc-
tions and precautions on the container. Some
cleaners and waxes are recommended for use on
only certain types of surfaces. Sometimes one part
may weather more rapidly than others. In cases
where this has happened, a light rubbing com-
pound may be required. Always follow rubbing
compound with a high-quality wax.
Stains
Staining can generally be caused by two types of
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substances - water soluble and non-water soluble.
Water soluble stains can usually be washed away with
water and mild detergents or a fine cleanser. If you
use a cleanser powder, first mix it with water form-
ing a runny paste. Start with a small spot, and use
light, circular rubbing motions. Follow the washing
with wax.
Non-water soluble stains are usually oil-based.
Removal of this type of stain may require the use of
highly flammable or poisonous solvents. Refer this
type of service to your dealer or an authorized Fleet-
wood Service Center. Wash the exterior of the motor
home as you would your car or truck. Never use
strong solvents or harsh abrasives to clean the ex-
terior metal or fiberglass surfaces. A good quality
automotive wax-polish will help maintain the finish.
Windows, Doors, Vents & Locks
Keep moving parts of windows and latches adjusted
and maintained. Lubricate the windows with a light
oil or powdered graphite at least once a year. Check
and tighten the screws holding the windows in place
periodically. Check the weather sealant. See
SEALANT RENEWAL. Clean screens by gently wip-
ing with a damp cloth or soft flat brush.
Inspect the sealants around doors and windows
every three months. See SEALANT RENEWAL.
Lubricate locksets, latches and hinges in entry doors
and exterior storage compartments at least annually
with powdered graphite. If the motor home is located
at a beach or is exposed to salt air, more frequent
lubrication may be required. Record the identification
number of the keys in the records space provided in
this manual. This information will help you get
duplicate keys in the event of loss .
Sealant Renewal
The adhesives and sealants used in the construc-
tion of your motor home were developed to remain
waterproof under sustained effects of weather and
vibration. However, even the finest materials will even-
tually dry out and lose their effectiveness under con-
stant heat of the sun and attack by other elements.
This section outlines the procedures that you must
follow to maintain the weatherproof integrity of your
motor home. Leak damage caused by neglect to follow
these procedures may affect your warranty coverage.
Your dealer can perform the resealing inspection
and work for you. He has current information on
sealants used in your motor home, and can recom-
mend the appropriate sealants for you if you prefer
to do this work yourself. Always use the recommend-
ed sealants.
Roof Resealing
Inspect the roof at least every six months, paying
particular attention to the seams where the pieces
of sheetmetal
andlor
fiberglass are joined. Carefully
'.