Monaco DIPLOMAT 2004, Owner'S Manual

Page: 114 / 446

DIPLOMAT 2004
3 •114
EXTERIOR & INTERIOR CARE
Drying chamois cloths come in natural and synthetic materials. Either
type is acceptable as long as the surface is clean. Soak the chamois in clean
water until all chamois material has absorbed water. Wring excess water from
chamois. Start at the top and work towards the bottom. Use a downward “S”
pattern to remove water from the surface and wring out the chamois as
needed. Using a chamois cloth to remove the rinse water is not necessary, but
the effort can be worthwhile.
To wax or not to wax? This is a good question. There are many schools of
thought on this issue. The two most common thoughts are:
• The clear coat needs to “breathe.” A layer of wax will seal the clear coat
not allowing it to breathe, possibly leading to failure of the clear coat.
• If the surface is not waxed, what is protecting the surface from the
environment (road salts, acid rain, road tar, ultraviolet light)?
It is recommended to wax the motorhome twice a year: spring and
fall. Many types of protective barriers are available today that may be
applied to the clear coat: glazes, waxes, polishes, rubbing compounds or
combinations of these products.
INFORMATION: When selecting a product for use follow the
product manufacturer’s recommended application instructions.
Types of Products:
Glazes: Glazes are generally used to fill very fine scratches in
the clear coat, being applied either by hand or by using a polisher
with a special pad.
Waxes: Waxes come in many types of chemical make-ups. The
popular Carnauba wax is a natural occurring wax from the leaves or
fronds of the Carnauba palm tree. Mineral waxes have a paraffin
base. There are also other topical application products which contain
silicone.
Polishes: Polishes usually contain a combination of wax based
substances with an abrasive, getting the two for one idea. These
products can be too abrasive for clear coats and are not
recommended for use.
Rubbing Compounds: These types of products are generally
applied by using a buffer. The use of rubbing compounds should be
left to professionals as undesired results can quickly occur. These types
of products are generally used to correct or flatten a surface by
removing high spots or small amounts of material.
Drying
Waxing