Monaco SIGNATURE 2001 series, Owner'S Manual

Page: 77 / 327

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.
NOTE: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 applica-
tion 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 occur quickly. These types of products are generally used to correct or
flatten a surface by removing high spots or small amounts of material.
When selecting a product the container should be marked, “safe for clear coats”
or “clear coat safe.” Carefully follow all manufacturer’s application instructions
when using a product. Upon first use of a product, try it on a “small test spot” in an
Care & Maintenance
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S I G N A T U R E 3 • 7 7
Drying
Waxing