What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, if you've just come back from a trip up the coast or a dusty trek through the red centre, your van is probably looking a bit worse for wear. I've spent over 15 years cleaning everything from tiny teardrops to massive off-road tri-axle setups, and trust me, doing it wrong is worse than not doing it at all. This guide covers how to tackle that baked-on summer grime and protect your van against the brutal UV we get in Feb without scratching the absolute life out of your windows or paint.
The Reality of Summer Touring
The Gear You Actually Need
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Preparation is Everything
Park in the shade
Never, ever wash your van in direct Feb sun. The soap will dry in seconds and leave spots that are a nightmare to get off. If you don't have a shed, start at 7am or wait until the arvo when the sun's low.
Close everything tight
Check every hatch, window, and door. Double check the roof vents. A customer once left their skylight cracked and I turned their bed into a swimming pool. Not a phone call you want to make.
Pre-rinse the heavy stuff
Before you touch it with a mop, give the whole thing a massive hose down with fresh water to get the loose sand and dust off.
The Step-by-Step Clean
Wheels and Underbody First
Always start at the bottom. Use a separate bucket and brush for the wheels and drawbar. If you've been on the beach, spend 20 minutes just spraying the chassis to get the salt out of the nooks and crannies.
Snow Foam (If you have it)
Chuck some snow foam on and let it sit for 5 minutes. This dwells on the surface and lifts that static red dust. Don't let it dry!
The Roof
Start from the top. Use your extendable mop and work in sections. Be careful around solar panels, just use water and a very soft touch there.
The Two-Bucket Method
Dip your mop in the soapy water, wash a section, then rinse it in the plain water bucket before going back for more soap. This keeps the dirt out of your wash mitt.
Gentle on the Acrylic
When you get to the windows, use a fresh microfibre cloth rather than the big mop. Plastic windows scratch if you even look at them funny. Use plenty of lubrication (soapy water).
Awning Care
Roll out the awning. Give it a gentle scrub with the soapy mop. If there's bird poo, let the soap sit on it for a bit to soften it up. Don't use a pressure washer on the fabric, it can strip the waterproofing.
Rinse as you go
Don't wash the whole side and then rinse. Do a panel, rinse it, then move on. You want to keep the surface wet until you're ready to dry.
The Final Rinse
Give the whole thing a final flood rinse from the top down to make sure no soap is hiding in the trims.
Drying
Use your big microfibre drying towels. If you let it air dry in the Aussie heat, you'll get water spots from the minerals in our tap water.
Sealant Application
Once dry, I reckon a spray sealant like Gtechniq C2 or even a simple ceramic spray wax is the way to go. It makes the next wash ten times easier because the dust won't stick.
Watch Out
The Secret to Red Dust
Protecting Your Investment
Common Questions from the Campground
Can I use dish soap on my caravan?
How do I get rid of the black streaks?
Is it safe to walk on the roof?
The sun has already faded my front nose cone, what can I do?
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