Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-30-2022, 08:33 AM   #1
DutchmenSport
Montana Master
 
DutchmenSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #22835
What a difference...

...a little bit of fresh paint can do to the camper!

The last item on my "to do" list on the camper before hitting the road again (tomorrow - Friday) was to paint the under belly / exposed frame / black pipe - gas line / exposed fading and ugly foamy stuff plugging holes / and miss matched screw and bolt colors / and .... any rust.

So, the project took 2 days and 10 cans of Professional black Rust-o-lium. I used my power washer on the under side of the camper a few days ago and let everything dry very well. With our Indiana drought going on right now, it took only an hour for everything to dry out, but I waited a few days anyway.

So, I started simply. Actually, I started with the black gas line pipe that was exposed. That led to the underbelly chloroplast, all the foamy stuff and all the screws and bolts I've added over the last 4 years to hold the camper together. That led to the frame, supports, shackles, even the axles, the attached hitch, and even the spare tire carrier.

The end result of pretty amazing. The body of the camper has always been shiny. I've never put wax on the body. It was treated with Resist-All when we purchased the camper (4 years ago now), and a simply wash and it shines wonderful. But... just like cleaning up a bed room to motel room condition, if the bed is left unmade, the entire room looks messy.

The same is true with the camper. It just started looking dingy, although it was shiny. It was all the exposed black paint, frame and everything under the trailer that made it look ... well ... like that unmade bed in the middle of a motel room.

After I got done with the spray paint, I stepped back and took a look and WOW, the whole trailer looks great again! It's amazing how the exposed frame and structure of the camper can really affect it's looks. Everyone focuses on waxing the sides and keeping it shiny (which is good), but forget about the frame.

So, my encouragement of the day ... if you are one of those who are passionate about keeping your camper clean and shiny, don't overlook what's going on with the exposed portion of your trailer frame ... underneath the unit. Every now and then (like at least every 4 years .... ) it might need attention too.

Photos do not show the true picture. But here's a shot of one example of what I'm talking about. After finishing this section (I thought I got it all), I realized this morning I missed that glob of spray foamy stuff around the low point drains. Look at the difference between the before and after shot. I also repainted that sewer hose holder:





Here's some other shots (again, not the best and only one section of the trailer).

Considering I am having a section of that Draco pealing from under the kitchen slide, and the plywood is exposed, I also sprayed the dickens out of the exposed wood there too (until I can get a proper fix, probably this winter). Meanwhile, the spray paint should protect the wood (some) from water and rain dripping on it. So far, there is no wood damage at all. I think the rain water on mine drips off and misses the bare wood. It's never been wet, even in the most furious of rains:



I also touched up the Lippert Jacks. I only touched up the shaft part, not the motor part.



And don't forget those sewer pipes! They were looking really, really dingy, discolored, poor. What a difference!

 
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
DutchmenSport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 08:57 AM   #2
MandK
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Western NY
Posts: 469
M.O.C. #28430
Looks good. My trailer looks pretty good under there, probably because it's newer but the gas pipe rusted up from the road salt when we went to Florida last winter. Painted it a few weeks ago, it does make a difference.
__________________
Mark & Karen
2021 3121rl - slide toppers, cottage white, TST 507 TPMS, X-Factors, disc brakes
2021 F-350, 6.7L, SRW CC LB - B&W Companion, Bakflip cover
MandK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 11:56 AM   #3
432bartman
Montana Master
 
432bartman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,250
M.O.C. #26190
Came out great.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
432bartman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2022, 05:07 AM   #4
RMcNeal
Montana Master
 
RMcNeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,117
M.O.C. #25165
Quote:
Originally Posted by MandK View Post
Looks good. My trailer looks pretty good under there, probably because it's newer but the gas pipe rusted up from the road salt when we went to Florida last winter. Painted it a few weeks ago, it does make a difference.
I'm amazed at how much the gas pipe on mine has rusted. Only 3 years old now and I'm thinking about replacing the pipe due to rust. BTW, I live in Florida and we almost never salt the roads down here. I got most of the salt under mine in West Virginia.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
RMcNeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2022, 11:34 PM   #5
FreyJo
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Fosterr
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #31279
Here is what I think is valuable to add
Because RV is a compact space with a lot of foot movement in and out, your RV may become cluttered quickly. But a little cleaning goes a long way, and there's nothing like having a nice interior view to compliment whatever's outside your window. Here are 9 ways to cleaning your RV as thoroughly as possible.
1. Clean the refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets.
Take everything out of your fridge, freezer, and cabinets first. Check the expiration dates on cans, cartons, and bottles and discard anything past its prime.
Then, using your preferred disinfectant cleaner, spray and wipe off the interior of your refrigerator and freezer. If there have been any spills or leaks, it may be quicker to run shelves or drawers through the dishwasher or wash them in the sink.
Spray and wipe the inside of your cabinets, being sure to remove any crumbs or sticky residue that may attract bugs.
2. Clean all surfaces and fixtures.
Spray and wipe off all interior surfaces. Concentrate on counters, tables, and the exteriors of equipment like as your microwave, stove, and oven in the kitchen. Don't forget to clean the exterior of your cabinets as well.
Dust all surfaces in living areas and disinfect anything that is often touched with disinfectant spray. Wipe off doorknobs, tables, remote controls, lights, and any non-porous seats, for example.
Bathrooms may always benefit from a thorough cleaning using germ-killing solutions (but that are also safe to use on RV surfaces). We recommend that you use a non-abrasive disinfectant. Also, remember to clean the faucets, knobs, and toilet handles.
3. Vacuum Air Vents and Filters
Heating vents can acquire dust and debris over time, especially if they are positioned on the floor. Taking the covers off allows you to vacuum and clean the air vents, as well as dispose of old food crumbs, stray dirt clods, and other debris. Similarly, dust loves to gather in air filters, slowing the movement of fresh air inside your RV and perhaps triggering allergies. Most air filters can be carried outdoors and hosed down in a matter of seconds, providing you with clean air in no time.
4. Dehumidify the air
Mold and dust mites flourish in damp environments, producing allergic responses and exacerbating severe asthma symptoms. I got an InvisiPure Hydrowave Dehumidifier. Through this review
5. Maintain Window Screens
You can suck or blow—a vacuum attachment and compressed air may both assist clean your window screens while they're in place. If you don't have either, remove your screens and spray them with a hose to remove fluff, old bugs, and general ickiness off your windows.
6. Mop and sweep the floor
Sweeping your RV out becomes a regular effort when you live near to nature. There's dirt on the floor again as soon as you finish sweeping. Give your RV flooring a good cleaning every now and then by sweeping and mopping. To properly get the job done, make sure to target all of the nooks and crannies. And if you want to keep everyone out of your spotless RV for a few hours, we don't blame you.
7. Water and vinegar clean almost everything.
In a world when so many speciality goods are available for purchase, it's easy to overlook the fact that one of the finest cleansers is almost free. In a spray container, combine equal parts white vinegar and water for a non-toxic cleaner that cuts through filth and loosens debris due to its inherent acidity.
8. Don't Forget About the Outside!
Sweep any old leaves or twigs from the tops of your slide-outs using a brush on the roof. If you want a complete top-to-bottom sheen, clean your tires with a spray-on tire cleaner.
9. Treat Your Awnings With Care
For awnings, I do recommend a specialised cleaning for a few of reasons. One disadvantage is that outside awnings are more susceptible to road filth, tree sap, mildew, and dirt. Two, most acrylic awnings are coated with a plastic coating to repel water and prevent mold formation. If you forcefully scrub the awning with a conventional cleaning solution, the finish may rub off or get damaged. Look for a solution that is soft enough to protect the finish of your awning while still being effective enough to cut through sticky pine sap without the need for scrubbing. Wash your awning using a soft sponge or rag, and give it a good hosing down with plain water in between washes.
10. Filling and emptying the Freshwater Tank
Giving your freshwater tank a thorough flush may make a significant difference in the quality of your water, especially if your RV is only used on occasion. To begin, open the valve and allow your tank to drain onto the ground. Then, using a clean hose, put water to your tank and let it drain out the other side. You'll aid in the removal of any stray minerals from hard water or debris that has made its way into your tank. To give your tank an extra cleaning, use a specific freshwater tank sanitizer.
RV Travel in the COVID-19 Era
While it is always vital to maintain your RV clean and neat, there are instances when extra measures are required to protect not just the cleanliness of your unit but also the safety of your passengers. According to CDC standards, here's how to thoroughly clean your RV to help avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Wear a mask, isolate yourself if you have coronavirus symptoms, minimize social meetings, and clean your hands and living environment often to help stop the transmission of COVID-19 and flatten the infection curve.
FreyJo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2022, 07:05 PM   #6
RicknTee
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Meridian
Posts: 49
M.O.C. #28444
Looks real good, I've been meaning to do my 2017 (Just bought last year) haven't got around to it yet.
__________________
Rick and Theresa
2017 Montana 3160RL
2020 Chevrolet 3500HD, Duramax
RicknTee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2022, 07:09 PM   #7
Foldbak
Montana Master
 
Foldbak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,149
M.O.C. #30417
Well done Dutch
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
Foldbak is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:11 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.