Dealing with Chalking-Oxidation - Protect the surfaces

 

After partial removal of chalking or "oxidation" - Never do this in the sun!
I'll do another buff, a wash and final wax tomorrow

Fiberglass will get a white surface which blocks the gel coat or paint color.  This happens on boats as well as RVs.  RV wax residue will whiten in the sun.  Each year it is a good idea to remove any old wax residue, chalking and oxidation.  On fiberglass it is important to protect the gel-coat.  Proper cleaning and waxing is important. 

My 210P has a fiberglass coach body, and I'm please to say that it has not experienced a chalking issue.

However, others do experience this.  Annual washing and waxing can reduce this problem.  However, for RVs that spend a lot of time in the hot sun, chalking may occur even if the rig is cleaned and waxed annually.

I also use a variety of solar shades, I've posted three photos.  These not only reduce interior temperatures, they also protect the finish.  We reduce heat gain by using Reflectix in windows, too.  In particular that large front windshield.

The above photo shows the rear of a large 5th wheel which is in the Arizona sun for long periods of time.  The photo shows the rear after a partial buffing with several oxidation removers.  I apply a Meguiar's product called "Oxidation Remover".  I apply with an electric buffer or a small sponge for tight areas.  I then buff.  I have also used a spray on product called "EternaClean".  However, I prefer the Meguiar's.   Meguiar also makes "Cleaner-wax" and "Pure Wax" products which are use for final waxing.  I've also used those on RVs. 

A couple of products - This is not an endorsement!

I apply the Meguiar's with an electric buffer, or sponge. I then polish by hand using a clean, soft cotton cloth. Note that one should always follow the manufacturer's instructions and test any product on a small area before proceeding. Never apply in sun!

When possible, if the surface is relatively flat, I use an electric, hand-held buffer to apply the Meguiar's, using the appropriate applicator pad.   This is much faster than applying by hand.  There are a range of pads to use. I use an "applicator pad" to apply. I then hand polish to knock off any excess product and get a sheen.  After that I do a final polish with the electric buffer and a cotton cloth pad:

Hand held electric buffer-applicator

Using the electric buffer to apply the "Oxidation Remover" - Always in the shade!

After finishing the oxidation removal steps, I then use a "Cleaner Wax" to touch up and a "Pure Wax" product to give a high gloss and a protective surface.  These can be applied by hand and buffed out with the electric buffer-applicator.

A wash and a wax and voila' I'm done.  

Oxidation removed, washed and then waxed

Using a Solar Sail to shield the rig, reduce interior temperature and protect the finish

The RV in the photo is under a shelter to protect it from the sun. The rear has a removeable "home-made" solar sail because the rear of the 5th wheel faces west and gets a lot of afternoon sun.  This RV was purchased with no rear windows.  That was deliberate. 

I also use a small solar shade for the Roadtrek, etc:

Koolaroo Sun Shade - Reducing the interior temp at a very sunny site with full afternoon sun. Note the Reflectix in the windows

Blocking the Afternoon sun in MI- I handmade and painted Koolaroo Fabric for the slide

5th wheel sun shade- Koolaroo Fabric which I cut and painted to mimic Montana Fossils

Original material http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Passive Cooling - Solar Shades

There are a variety of ways to keep cool when trekking in summer. Fresh water lakes are fun to swim in, but unless we can find shade, we'll have that RV cooking in the sun.  I've created a variety of solar shades to help.  This morning I finished the one for the lily pad (our cabin) next to the pond.

How I make these

I prefer Coolaroo Sun Shade. These are made of High Density Knitted Polyethylene. It is breathable and blocks 85% or more of the sun's UV rays.  I sometimes paint to to give a little interest.

I may use vinyl cord for the edge.

Here's the sketched outline on the shade I painted today. I adjusted the brightness and contrast so the outline would stand out for this photo. I painted it while on the ground, and then hung it to complete the drying process. I use enamel:

Contrast adjusted to show sketch on fabric

Partially painted

Paint complete, hung to dry.

At  times I get creative for the hanging method. This one is 15 ft. tall and has two pipe supports from above:

Keeping cool in summer heat

Well, it is that time of year again, and the sun is beating down on some of us. One challenge is to keep cool, and keep that refrigerator running. A couple of years ago we were trekking in TX and hit 103F heat. We really weren't prepared.

We've done a few things to help us. Some are the same things others have done and based on my observation, some are not.  Of course, one thing is to park in the shade if possible. However that may be easier said than done. So if we have to park in full sun, then what? How to keep our Roadtrek from becoming a sauna?  The Duo-Therm Cool Cat heat pump works really well, but it does need some help when the sun is bearing down upon the front of the RT.

Here's a few things we have done to aid us in keeping cool in our RVs.

Reflectix
A bubble wrap reflective foil in windows has been a big aid, particularly in the Roadtrek, our class B. That has a large front window which simply seems to pull the heat into the vehicle. Reflectix has been very helpful. We use it in all windows except the side entry in summer and fall/winter trekking. Glass has a R-value of about 0.1 which means almost no insulating value. I understand that Reflectix has an R-value of 1.0. I understand the Roadtrek has an R-value in the walls of about 4.5. Anything we can to to improve the insulation is a good thing.

Screens
The Roadtrek came with side entry and rear entry screens. When the outside temperature is acceptable, if we can get better airflow that is an aid. However, we prefer to close the side door. I fabricated a magnetic held screen for the front side window. These can be purchased, if one prefers. The goal is to get the interior temperature down to the exterior without the use of air conditioning. We open the side window a couple of inches and use the Fantastic Fan, or open the rear door which has a full interior screen.

Fans
Our RVs have roof fans. These include Fantastic Fans. That's helpful for pulling warmer interior air out, and drawing in cooler outside air, when it is available. Or, after a shower, these fans can move moisture laden air to the outside, reducing interior humidity.

However, we also use a 12V DC fan in the Roadtrek, We found one that sits on the shelf above the side door. It has side air inlets and variable speed. Very helpful to move air around in the front of the RV, particularly if the vehicle is facing the sun.

A small 120VAC fan is also useful. This we use in the travel trailer to move the air around. Got a small 8 inch diameter Vornado which is also variable speed.

Create Shade
If one can't park in the shade, the next best thing is to create it. Many rigs have an awning, and if possible one might be able to orient the position of their RV so they get some benefit. Creating partial shade is easier than it may seem. We use several sun screens to aid us. One we fabricated from a roll of Coolaroo material. We hung that one the side of the TT which gets a lot of afternoon sun. It made quite a difference. We purchased a triangular piece and we position it as necessary with the Roadtrek. Usually to the front. I use a couple of expandable metal tent poles and 1/8 inch green nylon rope with tent stakes to get it into place. A 36 inch wooden dowel holds the front up to keep it off of the vehicle. I use aluminum carabiners to attach the sail to the tops of the poles. This allows me to quickly drop the sail if the wind comes up, or when evening approaches. The lines are strung to stay in place and hold the poles up with the sail dropped.

Here's the Roadtrek with awning extended, reflectix in the front window and the coolaroo sun sail up.

When not in use the sun sail folds conveniently and with the tent poles goes easily into the side storage compartment of the Roadtrek.

The travel trailer gets a lot of side sun in the dining/living slide. We hung a piece of coolaroo fabric. I used the coolaroo lacing kit to clean up the cut fabric ends. A custom wooden clamp the full length of the top keeps it in place. I fabricated a spacer to keep the upper area of the shade off of the side of the trailer. The spacer is made from a chromed shower rod and foam pipe insulators. That space is important to keep an air gap along the entire length of the shade. 

I use a couple of clamps designed for that purpose on the bottom with a bungees at a slight tension to hold the bottom out from the RV.  I attached the bungees with 1/8 nylon cord to a couple of bricks.

Cover the Roof Vents
A Maxxair vent cover is nice. It keeps the sun from directly striking the lid of the roof vent and it keeps bugs and birds away from an open vent. We added one to the Roadtrek.

However, the previous owner of our TT didn't install these covers and it has three roof vents. While on the roof I noticed that the covers were showing some distress after being in the sun for about 6 years. We also noticed a lot of heat in those areas during hot sunny days. One can install a insulator.  Camco has one which has a bright aluminized surface, which can be pointed up. These aren't very convenient if one wants to open the vent lid frequently. However, in cool weather we use one in the bedroom to keep the heat inside and provide some insulating value.

I decided to cover the vent covers with heavy duty aluminum foil. That reflects the heat away from these covers. It really made a difference in the travel trailer. I used a tube of exterior silicone caulk and after applying a bead on the edges, sides and in a pattern along the top I simply placed the aluminum foil and smoothed it into place. I trimmed the foil and folded the edge under the vent cover lid.  The travel trailer has 10 windows and frosted glass in the doors, so we get ample light even with the vents opaqued.

Camco vent insulator, aluminum side up:

Refrigeration
Our Roadtrek has a Dometic 3-way absorption type refrigerator. When we first encountered 103F we were on a site with the refrigerator side of the RT in full sun. The refrigerator had some difficulties keeping things sufficiently cold.

We had one of those battery operated fans and it was useful. An internal thermometer mounted on the top shelf told us the real condition inside. I did some research and read the Dometic manuals about "Power Ventilator Installation" and concluded that improved ventilation would be helpful. I added two very low power 12V DC fans and a thermostat with an in-line fuse.

Refrigerator interior fan

Ventilation Fans

Refrigerator Thermometer

The "Mini-Ship" has landed

We hear a lot about "the mother ship" in RV circles, However, because I've added a sun sail I have decided to call our little home on wheels a "mini-ship." Why  "mini?" No it isn't an automobile. The choice was dictated by the PC norms here in the U.S. in which midgets, dwarfs and other small people are denigrated if we use such terms. As of today, the term "mini" has not yet been relegated to the dustbin of racism or whatever, and so I will use it. I know, to call my little home on wheels a "mini" is neither poetic or awe inspiring. and that's the way I prefer it to be. Remember, this journey is about "A life of moderation."

So we arrived at our "tiny home on wheels" and set up the sun shade (I did it myself; rather easy, actually) and then I prepared a teriyaki ribeye steak while G made a salad of lettuce, cucumber, daikon root and onion with a splash of ranch dressing.

Sun Sail

The sun sail was a stunning success. It took three tent poles, one 4 ft wooden dowel and a 9 ft triangular sun sail. However, after two days of use we decided that it made a significant improvement in comfort.

We've been at a number of camp grounds or areas where there is limited afternoon shade. If the vehicle is pointed into the sun, even with Reflectix in the window the interior temperature at the front of the vehicle can become very warm. Last year, in Texas heat, the front of the vehicle was so warm I couldn't open the engine compartment without burning my hand.

The sail is held in place with two carabiners. This allows quick removal in the event of a storm. The poles and guys can be left up at night, or when storms move through, as they are this evening. So I lowered two of the poles, unclipped the shade and then folded and wrapped it, and put it in the storage compartment for the night, with our folding chairs.