BAC Forum
General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Keith Moffett on February 25, 2019, 11:34:48 AM
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I am looking at avariety of products which call themselves sealants. The frontrunner is a product called Top Coat F-11. They claim you never need to wash again but simply rinse and re apply. Swirls are diminished and dirt wont stick. Very hydrophobic. The shine is certainly remarkable in the video.
Has anyone used one of these and how did it hold up?
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If I wanted to spend a couple hundred bucks, then I would purchase something like this. In fact, I did purchase the long wand kit at Quartzsite a year ago. It makes it much easier to wash/wax the coach's sides and up over the top edge without needing a ladder. The head on the wand swivels as you push it up and over the rounded top edge of the side wall. I had never heard of the F11 until reading your post, so obviously have not tried it.
https://www.amazon.com/Aero-Cosmetics-Waterless-Aircraft-Restrictions/dp/B006AFAWYI/ref=sr_1_23?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1551100751&sr=1-23&keywords=waterless+wash+and+wax
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I've been using "The Solution" by Super Seal for years now, works great wipe on wipe off and much cheaper than most I've found. Most all of these waterless wash products are silicone based in water along with their super secret added in.
The only time my coach gets a bath is at a Blue Beacon truck wash and it has to be real dirty even then. I have a adjustable pole and a few of the micro fiber flip mopes that you can get at Walmart for a couple bucks. I can do the whole coach in a few hours.
The Solution really works great on the front, bugs don't stick and it makes cleaning the windshield a snap.
I have tried a couple other products and they all seem to do about the same thing with the only difference being the price.
https://www.amazon.com/Houseables-Replacement-Dual-Action-Microfiber-Washable/dp/B01FYL2PGG?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01FYL2PGG
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Lee
If you search you tube there are some videos on Top Coat F 11. Does "The Solution" work that good? I see the solution is about half the price of Top Coat. How long does it last?
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Keith, I am usually cautious of what you see on YouTube, I've had very good luck with "The Solution", most all of these dry/wash products are about the same, silicone in water with their secret voodoo added which is some kind of wax. Last year we went up into Canada and down the west coast and didn't wash the coach once. Just used dry/wash and micro towels and the mope. It works really good on the front and the nasty bug don't stick, makes cleaning the windshield a snap. The micro fiber towels and mope are the only thing to use.
A friend has been using Aero Cosmetics Wash/Wax on his boat and classic cars for years so I just ordered some to see how it works. It costs less than the solution which is always good, give it a test drive.
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Lee
Thanks for the info. Hey, that Aero Cosmetics wash wax wouldnt be that outfit with the triangle shaped mop head one side says wet and the other dry would it? I have seen that in use one time and it worked well except it didnt last. Sure was pretty for a couple days though. Give us an update when you can.
Thanks
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Keith, I've been using the Wash Wax all for 4+ years now. I haven't waxed in that time. The "Voodoo" in it builds up as you continue to use it. The first couple of times I used it, it wasn't exactly hard to apply but it definitely took more spray and work than it does now. I use it on the windshield as mentioned above and it seems to be better than anything else so far that I've used. I strongly recommend it every time the issue comes up on one of the forums. I didn't chime in earlier because you asked about a sealant and that's not really how I think of this product. I have read that it does provide UV protection also. Just as an aside, I bought a small spray bottle first and liked it so I bought the gallon size. 4 or so years later and I still have more than half of the gallon left. When traveling I use it about once a month or so. Other times I just spray the dust off and drive fast to get rid of the spots!! Good luck in your research.
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Keith, Yes Aero Cosmetics is where you can buy all things related to applying these products. And Jerry is spot on saying that the more often you clean the coach the easier it gets.
Out coach has been sitting all winter here in Wickenburg, Az and is pretty streaked from the run off, now that it has finally warmed up I will be cleaning it up. Going to use both "The Solution" and Aero's "Wash Wax All" and see if I can see any difference.
The search is always on to find ways to keep looking good without killing yourself or spending $$$ for somebody else to clean it.
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Ok fellas then here is a side question.
If it gets better with more applications and it protects against UV, why would we not use it on the roof as well. Seems a coat or two would do alot for stopping the chaulking and white run off. Only drawback I can think of would be making the roof too slick.
What say you?
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Waxing the gel coat of our roofs is for the young that can withstand bouncing off the ground after slipping 12 feet to the ground. I waxed the roof and and slipped but was able to grab some tree limbs luckily, otherwise I could tell you first hand what the fall would feel like. Sixty years old at the time. We have a rubberized coating know and love it.
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Keith,
If your roof is in good shape, consider using Rustoleum Deck Paint. Looks shiney but non-slip. Instructions are on Forum. Easy to prep and apply. I've done it to our last 2 coaches and have been extremely happy with the performance. Sheds dirt, no more streaking on radi, etc.
Steve
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Keith,
If you want to protect the gelcoat on your roof and stop the white streaks, it is just as easy and a lot better to just paint the white section with Rustoleum Top Side Marine Deck paint. It stops all of the white streaks, can be applied with a paint roller, and since it is designed for boat decks it is nonslip and UV resistant so it last for many years. All you have to do is wash the roof and paint it unless you have waxed it or applied some other coating, and then you will have to strip that coating off before painting.
Gerald
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Do you think the "white" color paint makes a difference in keeping the coach cool? It looks like Beaver put a lot of insulation in the ceiling.
I have a dark car and a white car, and the interior temperature after parking in sun (in FL summer) seems the same to me.
My coach is brown, and I'm wondering if painting the roof brown (with the marine paint above) would be a mistake.
Of course it's not easy to see what color the roof is painted from the ground - so if there is "any benefit" white, I'll just go with that.
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I've had 'white streaks' on other rv's we've owned, due to the rubber roof material becoming oxidized over time. Used rubbing compound and a lot of elbow grease to remove the streaks from the gel coat on the side of the rig. Our Beaver, with the fiberglass roof doesn't have any 'white streaks', the only streaks come from rain or condensation (Ore /Wash coast in AM) working its way down the sides and carrying dust with it. Our '05 Beaver does not have a 'drip rail' on the side as my previous 5th wheel and TT's have had. As for roof color, we know that white reflects all light, darker colors have less reflectivity but I don't know if that affects UV absorption.
I'm a big believer in the 'Wash Wax All' stuff. The long handled wash mop gives my upper body a workout as I use it to clean a small area using the wet side of the mop, then quickly use the other 'dry' side of the mop to dry and polish the area just cleaned. Boy, the rig sure shines in the afternoon as I enjoy a beer!
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I've been following this for a couple days. The first time I used ProtectAll it was to clean up a fifthwheel that had grown some Pacific Northwest green slime. It quickly went from dirty and ugly to clean and shiny.
When we bought the Monterey in '03, Camping World sold aerosol cans of ProtectAll. It goes on like Pledge furniture wax. You spray and wipe. It has carnuba wax and UV block in it. Now I get it at Amazon. One can does the entire coach in about an hour. My goal for the Monterey was once, every six months for the sidewalls. I used it on the roof about once a year.
After a dozen years, all the painted surfaces looked very good. The roof had no chalking. Because it is so easy, I continue to use it on our new SOB rig with full body paint.
If you see me at a rally, we can do a test patch on your rig in a few seconds. A friend with a boat tried it on half of his roof forward of the steering station. He put Maguier's best, hard to apply marine wax on the other side. After six months, both sides were equal.
https://smile.amazon.com/Protect-All-62015-02-Surface-Cleaner/dp/B015IIKRM4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3TXUVU3YAR6XF&keywords=protectall+all+surface+care&qid=1551288539&s=gateway&sprefix=protectall%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-3
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Two springs ago, I cleaned the roof by hand with a scrub brush and cleaner. Then I painted it with Rustoleum Top Side Marine Deck paint. No streaks since, and we have been in the Midwest humidity, Arizona desert, and Rocky Mountains. No more oxidation streaks running down the side.
There weren't any when the 8 inches of snow melted off the roof a couple of weeks ago, either.
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Mike,
Why would you consider painting the roof a color matching the coach? The only ones who can see it are birds, folks on bridges or looking out of 2nd story+ windows. :)
Steve
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Steve, How much Top Deck would it take to paint the top of a 44' coach? I haven't found it in any size larger than a qt and it states that it will cover 100 sqft. I figure the top of the coach is around 350 sqft, one coat or two?
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Less than 2 qts to give it 2 coats. First coat will look a bit rough but final coat results is a smooth finish. See "Roof Maintenance" in the Common Problems on the BAC web site for a complete write-up/instructions. https://beaveramb.org/acadp_listings/protecting-your-rvs-roof-rv-roof-coating/
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I followed the instructions in Steve Hubers post 2 yrs ago and I was very pleased.
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So how long does this Rust-Oleum Top Coat application suppose to last once applied before considering reapplication?
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Less than 2 qts to give it 2 coats. First coat will look a bit rough but final coat results is a smooth finish. See "Roof Maintenance" in the Common Problems on the BAC web site for a complete write-up/instructions. https://beaveramb.org/acadp_listings/protecting-your-rvs-roof-rv-roof-coating/
Steve, thanks for the info and the write up on coating your roof. Next on the list of todo's
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Mike,
If you are talking about the time between the first and second coats, one day is sufficient. However, if you are asking how long you should expect the paint to last, I have seen a roof paint job that was 6 years old and it looked new. So how long will it last, I would expect at least 10 years if the roof is properly cleaned.
Gerald
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I took the advise of the experts here in the forum and painted to top of the Patriot Thunder. Pressure washed, and scrubbed it from front to rear with a stiff brush, let it dry for a day and masked off the edges and rolled on two coats of Top Deck, down right amazing how nice it looks, should solve the milky run off problem.
So now on to the rest of the coach which is now a streaked mess from cleaning the roof. Was going wash it with water and car wash but thought I would try doing the job with the Aero Cosmetics Wash/Wax product. This stuff is with out a doubt the best bar none waterless clean and wax I have ever used and I went through few. If you follow their instructions it is fast and easy and leaves a really nice waxed finish. I did the whole coach in a day without working too hard. Does a great job on glass and the wheels.
Another plus is a gallon is cheaper than what I had been using Amazon has it for $28 per gallon compared to about $50 for what I was using.
Give it a try I believe you will be happy with the results.
https://www.amazon.com/Aero-Cosmetics-Waterless-Aircraft-Guaranteed/dp/B003WM9RZW/ref=pd_day0_hl_263_6/144-4948465-7218166?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003WM9RZW&pd_rd_r=ac0a68c1-57f8-11e9-9cc9-7768f6408781&pd_rd_w=VqVF7&pd_rd_wg=uOByR&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=FB88XDYAYK0XWBJYE9MM&psc=1&refRID=FB88XDYAYK0XWBJYE9MM
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Lee, can you post a pic of the wax like finish? I was looking at F11 but it is way more expensive. I would like to compare. there are videos on you tube of F11. If you had a moment to look at their result, your opinion would help.
TIA
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I am also looking at F11 so would like to see pics.
I have the Aero dry wash kit, have used when coach is basically quite clean, never when it is dirty as I always wet wash at that point. It takes some nack to get the dry wash to look really good and one is that you cannot use too much or it will streak. That is a real challenge to keep pad with enough fluid on so you are not rubbing with dry surface but not too much so it streaks. Not totally convinced it is what I want to do long term even though it says it will build up a sheen after numerous washings.
I like what i hear about F11 but have never used.
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There is a U Tube video on absolutely everything! Here is a side-by-side comparison of F11 and two other products.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBCGgUgvYs0
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Bill, that video seems a fair representation. So many testimonials seem too good to be true. More over the word here on the forum carrie's the most weight so the Solution seems the best liked. I dont expect miracles but sure would like to protect the finish that remains.
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I'm with the Wash Wax All group, and you get an upper body workout at the same time!
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Keith, Attached a pic of the side of slide, the whole coach was cleaned with Aero Wash/Wax nothing else. For the price of a gallon and some microfiber clothes you can't go wrong.
I use a bucket full of clean water and two clothes, get one damp, spray on the Aero wipe with the damp cloth then with the dry one. When the damp/wet one gets dirty rinse it out with the clean water and repeat, and repeat and repeat, you get the idea. I used it one everything except the tires.
Give it a try, I also use it on the car and the Yamaha ATV.
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We all know our Beavers are not getting younger and I believe this topic will be more and more important. Thanks to all for the ideas and pictures.
Lee your slide out pic looks great.
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Given the great performance of the HydroSilex Recharge I used on our old Explorer and the Beaver’s front cap last summer (water still beads and rolls off the Explorer after an Oregon winter), I recently ordered a foam wash kit from the company when it finally came on sale ($46) with free shipping.
Due to my incapacitation the last couple of years, I figure when I finally get up on top of the coach it’s gonna be a mess to clean. The foam cannon idea with power wash and hopefully minimal scrub brushing seemed a worthy experiment. An application of Recharge afterward should be as highly protective as it has for the front cap and Explorer. It’s just wipe on, wipe off... no elbow grease, which is always attractive to us banged up old scudders. Some Aerospace 303 on plastic roof attachments and then foam wash the rest of the coach. Whether I then Meguiar powerwax the rig or be satisfied with the easy application of Recharge will I reckon depend on how similar to Lee’s results I come.
https://www.hydrosilex.com/collections/retail-products/products/hydrosilex-wash-essentials-pack
Joel
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One of my original reason for this topic besides the obvious was the slide out seals. If there is a Top Coat or Solution type protectant that will drastically reduce the drag on the slide seals, that alone would be worth it.
Joel, keep us up dated on your results. Go slow on the roof there fella!
Keith
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Maybe this new cordless bluetooth hose will help keep it clean.....
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One of my original reason for this topic besides the obvious was the slide out seals. If there is a Top Coat or Solution type protectant that will drastically reduce the drag on the slide seals, that alone would be worth it.
Joel, keep us up dated on your results. Go slow on the roof there fella!
Keith
A lot of people try to reduce the slickness so slide seals will grab when opening and closing for proper positioning. Just a thought. I've been thinking of putting that 3M non-skid type tape on the slide sides to force seals to go the right way. Still in the pondering phase!
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Jerry
A good point. Ours has the tape you mention. It is just wide enough for the seal to rest on when the slide is fully extended. The rest of the side though is cleaner and drier when the surface is smooth.
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HydroSilex products have a 25% off deal this weekend, if anyone is interested. Enter Easter25 at checkout.
Free shipping on orders over $70, but when I ordered my foam cannon and soap kit they based the free shipping on the $71 gross cost before the 35% discount I snagged at the time, so my shipping was free at my net $46.
https://www.hydrosilex.com/pages/shop?utm_campaign=Happy%20Easter%21%2025%25%20off%20all%20weekend%21%21%20%28PaTKGf%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hydro%20Staff&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJqb2VsYXNobGV5QG1zbi5jb20iLCAia2xfY29tcGFueV9pZCI6ICJQNG42THAifQ%3D%3D
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Thanks Joel, I placed an order for the foam cannon, rewind and recharge products.
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For anyone that’s postponed interest in HydroSilex, there is a nice discount available at the moment:
https://www.hydrosilex.com/pages/shop?utm_campaign=Boost%21%20with%20up%20to%2030%25%20off%20everything%21%21%20%28HtLDGv%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hydro%20Staff&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJqb2VsYXNobGV5QG1zbi5jb20iLCAia2xfY29tcGFueV9pZCI6ICJQNG42THAifQ%3D%3D
Joel