Jayco Legacy Fifth Wheel 2009, Owner'S Manual

Page: 110 / 132

SECTION 9
STORAGE & MAINTENANCE
98
The exterior sidewalls of your RV are
fiberglass. Refer to the general instructions
that follow for care information. We
recommend that you do not take your RV
through automatic car washes. Extreme
caution should be used if utilizing any type of
pressure sprayer around all attachments,
doors, windows, appliance vents, etc. Avoid
forcing water inside the RV, which could
possibly damage component parts.
Foreign material
Industrial fall out, road tar, bird droppings,
tree sap, insect remains, seawater and other
foreign materials can damage the finish of
your RV. Generally, the longer the foreign
material remains in contact with the exterior
finish, the more extensive the damage. Wash
your RV as soon as possible if it becomes
contaminated with foreign material.
Washing
Chemicals contained in dirt and dust picked
up from the road surface can cause damage if
left on the RV for a long time. Frequent
washing and waxing is the best way to protect
your RV from this damage. Frequent
washings also protect your RV from
environmental elements, such as rain, snow
and salt air.
Do not wash the RV when it is in direct
sunlight. Park the RV in the shade and spray
it with water to remove dust. Next, using an
ample amount of clean water and a car-
washing mitt or sponge, wash the RV from top
to bottom. Use a mild car-washing soap if
necessary. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry
with a chamois or soft cloth. Carefully clean
the joints and flanges of the slideout (if so
equipped), doors, hood, etc., where dirt is
likely to remain.
Some types of hot water washing equipment
apply high pressure and heat to the RV. They
may cause heat distortion and damage to the
resin parts and may flood the RV's interior.
Therefore, be sure to observe the following:
•
Keep the washing nozzle about 16 inches
(40 cm) or more away from the RV body.
•
When washing around the glass areas,
hold the nozzle at right angles to the glass
surface.
During cold weather
Salt and other chemicals that are spread on
winter roads in some geographical areas can
have a detrimental effect on the RV's
underbody. If your RV is exposed to these
conditions, spray the underbody with a high-
pressure hose every time you wash the
exterior of your RV. Take special care to
remove mud or other debris that could trap
and hold salt or moisture. After washing your
RV, wipe off all water drops from the rubber
parts around the slideout and doors.
If the slideout or door is frozen, opening it by
force may tear off or crack the rubber gasket
that is installed around the slideout or door.
Pour warm water on the gasket to melt the ice
(wipe off the water thoroughly after opening
the slideout or door). To prevent the weather
stripping from freezing, treat it with a silicone
spray.
Waxing your RV
Wax your RV once or twice a year, or when
painted surfaces do not shed water well. Use
a soft cloth to apply a small amount of wax to
the painted surfaces. After the wax has dried,
polish the RV with a dry, soft cloth.
Do not wax your RV in direct sunlight. Wax it
after the surfaces have cooled. Do not apply
wax to any area having a flat black finish as it
can cause discoloration. If the finish has been
stained with wax, wipe off the area with a soft
cloth and warm water. When waxing the area
around the various openings, do not apply
any wax on the weatherstrip. If it is stained
with wax, the weatherstrip cannot maintain a
weatherproof seal around the opening.
When washing the RV, wear a pair of
rubber gloves to protect your hands. Avoid
spraying or splashing water on the
electrical components. Avoid using car
washers that use rotating brushes. This
type of washer may cause scratches on
the RV exterior.