Tourershine I bet you were have palpitations seeing that dirt on there
are those factory fit mud flaps ?
are those factory fit mud flaps ?
I Am Itching To Ask .....
- Thread starter Shredder
- Start date
Tourershine I bet you were have palpitations seeing that dirt on there
Yes. They fit really nice until you drop it fully on B14s, now they just rub on every pebble, but I daren't take them off for fear of stones chipping the sides.
Well ....... that didn't go too badly as questions go 
Reading the answers has made me realise that I actually do get a bit stressed about all the insect kill all over the van on my long journeys. I can be away for 3 or 4 weeks touring mountain ride spots. So, I now feel perfectly 'normal' thinking about and taking some cleaning kit with me to sort it out.
As we all know, insect and bird dirt paint etching in the sun is a very real problem and therefore a logical cause of stress.
What's going to amuse me is the bit where I have to go to hotel reception and say "sorry, would you mind if I used your personal drive and hose pipe to wash my car"
..... that should about do it ..... the Euro's will feel vindicated thinking the Brits are nutters
Reading the answers has made me realise that I actually do get a bit stressed about all the insect kill all over the van on my long journeys. I can be away for 3 or 4 weeks touring mountain ride spots. So, I now feel perfectly 'normal' thinking about and taking some cleaning kit with me to sort it out.
As we all know, insect and bird dirt paint etching in the sun is a very real problem and therefore a logical cause of stress.
What's going to amuse me is the bit where I have to go to hotel reception and say "sorry, would you mind if I used your personal drive and hose pipe to wash my car"
..... that should about do it ..... the Euro's will feel vindicated thinking the Brits are nutters
I thought exactly the same. I had the front of the van done in Xpel Ultimate Plus PPF and because I didn't go for mud flaps I had some custom 'flick-plate' panels fitted to the front and rear where stones etc may flick up. The fitters did a great job and you really can't see it
That actually sounds like a better option.
It seems that the picture I posted of my dirty flaps
isn't actually what I thought it was. We appear to have several roads around Leicestershire that are melting in this heat. It's obvious when you see it, because the road has turned Black, and you can hear the tar sticking to your tyres. Well now my flaps are rock hard, and the gunk you can see in that picture has solidified! I'm actually glad it's only the flaps that are buggered, and not tar all down the side of my van.
I detail mine before I go. If I were to take my detailing gear I would have a mutiny on my hands, or though I do clean Sun cream hand marks of the van religiously. I'm in France at the moment and the bonnet looks like a scene from the battle of the Somme the brake dust you can write your name in it, and dont start me on the damage to my alloys having to swerve 70 year old motorhome drivers who think thery are driving a Honda jazz. Oh well at least now I won't feel bad buying new wheels and it will give me some therapy time when I get home to clean it
. Oh well at least now I won't feel bad buying new wheels and it will give me some therapy time when I get home to clean it
I'm getting worried about some of you!
Our van is for driving, living in and accessing experiences. Yes. I want it looking nice and to last but there is more to life than cleaning it when you are on holiday.....
Use it and enjoy it. Otherwise just buy a big glass case to put it in.....
Our van is for driving, living in and accessing experiences. Yes. I want it looking nice and to last but there is more to life than cleaning it when you are on holiday.....
Use it and enjoy it. Otherwise just buy a big glass case to put it in.....
Yeah .... I think that's probably agreed by all. If it's just basically dirty/dusty, you can wash it properly later.
To me anyway, the issue is that insect spatter and bird dirt actually cause damage. Worse still, in the case of being on holiday, this damage (paint etching) is accelerated by the sun !!
I learnt the hard way. I had paint etching from bird dirt on my last van. It was only on there for about 8hrs, I thought it would be OK till I got home. When I gently washed it off, there it was. A pale blue patch of paint. Several shades lighter than the rest of the van. It basically looked exactly like a bleach stain. I hate having to have any body work done, so I wasn't best pleased.
The washing for me would be to prevent damage and generally keep the vehicle in excellent condition rather than just washing for 'show'
To me anyway, the issue is that insect spatter and bird dirt actually cause damage. Worse still, in the case of being on holiday, this damage (paint etching) is accelerated by the sun !!
I learnt the hard way. I had paint etching from bird dirt on my last van. It was only on there for about 8hrs, I thought it would be OK till I got home. When I gently washed it off, there it was. A pale blue patch of paint. Several shades lighter than the rest of the van. It basically looked exactly like a bleach stain. I hate having to have any body work done, so I wasn't best pleased.
The washing for me would be to prevent damage and generally keep the vehicle in excellent condition rather than just washing for 'show'
Thats not a daft question at all.
I cannot speak for anyone else, but personally when you see pictures of my van on here, or anywhere else, it's always immaculate.
Why? Several reasons really. Firstly, if you're not aware, I own a business that specialises in getting the best out of Caravans and Motorhomes. We take something that's dull, patchy, tarnished and generally tired, and transform it back to it's factory condition, and better. My customers pay a lot of money for what we do, and because of this, they expect to see everything to do with our work looking perfect, be it myself and colleague in matching shirts, shorts, and even matching footwear, right down to our van. It's not unheard of, me pulling into a lay-by before a job, and going over my van there and then with a quick detailer. It might seem nuts, but this effort pays off for me, and my vehicles are often a talking point with my customers, and it's always noted by them.
As for holidays, trips, and general driving, it's the same. I have all my kit with me, and know how to make my van look great in a short time. As a general rule, wheels and glass are a good tip. If your wheels and glass look perfect, they will often make a vehicle look great in a picture. Brake dust is the bane of my life. If you've seen I've changed to the new banded 19's, the main reason for this is not aesthetics, that's just a bonus. The reason I've had to ditch nearly £3k worth of imported wheels is because I spend over an hour every single day the van is used cleaning them, often several hours when I jack up the van and remove each wheel to clean properly. They are hell to maintain, but look amazing when they are. The new 19's are a simple wipe round and within 5 minutes, all four wheels look perfect.
It's in my nature to be OCD with my van, or any vehicle I own. I love the results, and love the fact people appreciate the work involved. I know the best angles to take pictures, and my phone can hide fly spatter quite easily (trust me, it's there on some pictures) am I nuts? Yeah maybe, but the fact you picked out my name in your thread, as have several other members on here, some in jest, just means that all this effort leaves an impression, and that's all I ever want to do
Weirdos generally leave a lasting impression
I'm getting worried about some of you!
Our van is for driving, living in and accessing experiences. Yes. I want it looking nice and to last but there is more to life than cleaning it when you are on holiday.....
Use it and enjoy it. Otherwise just buy a big glass case to put it in.....
Clean it before you go, clean it when you get back. Any talk of a few flies causing damage to paint is justification for some form of obsessive compulsive behaviour ha
Weirdos generally leave a lasting impression
Hence why I asked if you were going to Camperjam the other day. I'm gagging to meet a guy that drives a Pink and White T6, I think we'd get on well
Hence why I asked if you were going to Camperjam the other day. I'm gagging to meet a guy that drives a Pink and White T6, I think we'd get on well
Im actually gutted to not be at Camper Jam - watching the football there today would be immense.
It wouldn't mate. It was jam packed in front of the big screen hours before kick off, and very little shade.
The main screen was horrendous. Like cattle packed into the back of a truck and blisteringly hot.
Our own private viewing area was far more civilised with seating and a damm site cooler.
Also it took less than a minute to get a fresh beer from the fridge in the van.
That is if @Pauly would sit down so everyone could see.
