Owner guides
How to polish a motorhome: complete step-by-step guide
)
Pretty much all van owners are keen to keep their vehicle as spick and span as possible. This includes having the exterior looking as good as new – especially important for those hiring out a motorhome! Not sure how to polish a motorhome?
To help you, we’ve explained the essential steps involved in how to polish a motorhome below, including links to what you need to buy. These cover cleaning products plus whatever polish or wax is best suited to your motorhome (check with your motorhome dealer or ask online at motorhome social groups and fora if you’re not sure).
Gather your supplies before starting to make the process go smoothly:
Motorhome polish
Applicator pads/small cloths
Soft wash mitt or microfibre cloth
Pre-polish cleaning products – caravan and motorhome cleaner, hose or bucket, ladder/step ladder, long-handled brush, black-streak remover
Silicone window-drying blade
Sealant/preservant
Motorhome wax (optional)
Disclaimer: the below information is intended as a general guide only. Please always consult the manual of any product you plan to use, as well as that of your motorhome, before polishing.
How to polish a motorhome in 4 simple steps
1. Wash your motorhome exterior
As with any type of polishing, you don’t want to rush into wax on/wax off without ensuring the relevant surface is prepared. When it comes to how to polish a motorhome properly, you should thoroughly clean the exterior first, getting rid of dirt, dust, mud and other build-up from the road and campsites.
It’s a good idea to clean your motorhome roof at the same time – obviously washing the roof before the walls. Another good tip is to rinse the motorhome body down with a pressure washer first to remove the bulk of attached grime and grit, although be very careful/turn the pressure down on delicate areas like around TV antennae. Use a motorhome cleaning product applied to the end of a long-handled brush or mop, making sure that the product you go for is suitable for your motorhome model.
Motorhome cleaning products to buy online:
Large bucket – Faithfull 60L Flex Tub, £18.54
Ladder or step ladder – combination step ladder with extension, £78.45
Access to water, and a hose – hose pipe, 15m, £14.59
Long-handled brush – 1.8m extendable brush, £24.50
Caravan and motorhome cleaning product – Fenwicks 304 motorhome detergent, 1L, £9.95
Soft wash mitt or microfibre cloth for cleaning solar panels
Engine cleaner for removing black streaks. Autoglym products work well here, such as Autoglym Engine and Machine Cleaner, £13.49
You can also buy motorhome wheel cleaners and products for cleaning motorhome windows and roof lights – it’s up to you.
2. Dry the motorhome
If you’re not leaving the motorhome to dry on its own, use a silicone blade to wipe down excess water from the vehicle body. You can also use a soft microfiber cloth to dry the windows, although as these of course won’t be polished afterwards it’s fine to let the glass air dry.
Kent Car Care Flexy Blade Silicon, £6.98
3. Polish the motorhome sides, front and roof
Once your motorhome is clean and dry, it’s time to polish the exterior. How to polish a motorhome is as simple as applying a small amount of polish on a pad or microfibre applicator and working it into the motorhome surface. Repeat around the motorhome, wait for 10-15 minutes, then use a microfibre cloth to remove any residue. Elbow grease is required here – or invest in a machine polisher to make it easier.
A popular motorhome polish product is Autoglym Super Resin Polish (SRP), which acts both as a cleaner and a protectant.
Autoglym Super Resin Polish, 1L, £15.03
MER MASUP5 The Ultimate Polish, 500ml, £10.99
Caravan Waterless Cleaner Polish, 1L & 2 micro fibre cloths, £17.99
Care-avan Caravan Polish 500ml, £13.99
Autocare Ultra-Soft Microfiber Wax Applicator Pads, Pack of 10, £11.99
4. Seal the newly polished motorhome exterior
The final step in how to polish a motorhome is to seal the polish to make sure the shine lasts. You can go for a sealant on its own, or opt for a dual action product that will seal and preserve the newly applied polish. Another option is to polish and wax your motorhome instead of just polishing, for the ultimate in shine and protection.
Autoglym 325ml Extra Gloss Protection High Gloss Paintwork Sealant/Preservant, £11.99
Krystal Kleen Detail PURITY-X Polymer Concentrate, £5.99 ****
Noticed some marks? Check out our guide on how to remove black streaks from a motorhome!
What to consider when polishing a motorhome
1. What does polishing a motorhome actually mean?
Unlike waxing, which sits on the (cleaned) motorhome surface, motorhome and caravan polish works by removing the upper rough surface of the vehicle exterior to reveal the smoother finish below.
But this means that the surface gel or surface coat of your motorhome will be a little thinner after each polish – so it’s recommended that polish (especially highly abrasive polishes) are used sparingly. And of course, use the correct type of polish for each of your motorhome body panels, e.g. your model might have painted aluminium for its sides and roof, and fibreglass panels front and back, painted with a gel coat. Check with your motorhome dealer or manufacturer if you’re not sure.
2. How often to polish a motorhome
As motorhome polish works by an abrasion process, it’s not something you’ll want to do every week or even every couple of months. About once or twice a year is recommended as a timeframe for how to polish a motorhome – before and after the summer season works well.
Make back the costs of your motorhome polishing products
If you’re new to the question “How to polish a motorhome”, you might worry about how much all the products and equipment will cost. But it’s relatively inexpensive, and every penny you invest in your motorhome renovation can easily be made back by hiring it out to holidaymakers keen to jump into the van life experience.
Even one hire for one night is likely to cover your motorhome polishing costs – read on for why it’s a no-brainer to list your van on Camplify!
Earn a return on your motorhome
Camplify connects owners like you with local and international holidaymakers - all of whom are verified to maximise the safety when you hire out your motorhome. Discover more of our advantages for owners below:
It's free to list your motorhome.
If you don’t have all-risk insurance, we can provide you with it when you sign up.
We give your van a 24/7 RAC breakdown cover.
You have complete freedom to approve or reject guests interested in hiring your motorhome. Your wheels, your rules.
We provide you with tips and step-by-step guides on how to improve your service and your motorhome to get more and more bookings!
The sooner you set up your listing, the sooner it will start to receive visits and bookings! See how much you could earn if you hire out your motorhome with ourfree income calculator or sign up now to start enjoying the above advantages today.
If you still have questions, want to discuss your income potential with an expert or get more information on how to list your motorhome, call us on ☎ 0330 808 1811 or visit www.camplify.co.uk. We’ll be happy to help you with anything you need!