SECTION 11 –
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
11-2
weight to the vehicle. This, in effect, reduces the
amount of cargo you can carry and remain within
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Corrosive materials, such as those used for ice
and snow removal and dust control, can also
accumulate on the underside of a vehicle. These
materials should be removed by flushing the
undercarriage regularly with water, especially
horizontal surfaces, cavities, and other areas
where mud and other deposits may collect.
EXTERIOR AUTOMOTIVE
PAINT FINISH
The exterior finish of your motorhome is fully
or partially finished with the highest quality
automotive paint and clearcoat.
Follow these precautions to keep the finish
looking its best and preserve maximum gloss and
durability.
Parking
•
Avoid parking under trees –
When this
happens you should rinse the bird droppings
and tree sap off as soon as possible. Tree sap
is a form of sugar and will dissolve after a
couple of rinses. Bird droppings can eat into a
painted surface if left unattended and need
removed as soon as possible. Lukewarm
soapy water can help speed up the cleaning
process.
•
Avoid parking near salt spray –
When this
happens you need to rinse off the salt mineral
residue to minimize the corrosiveness of the
salt.
•
Avoid parking near factories with heavy
smoke or industrial fallout –
Industrial
fallout can eat into your exterior finish when
dew or rain mixes with it to create nitric or
sulfuric acid that gets magnified by the
intensity of the sun. As the water evaporates,
the acid becomes more powerful and attacks
the painted surface.
Rinsing and washing the surface helps remove
the fallout and neutralize the acid. After the
initial 60-day cure stage, a coat of wax or
polish can help protect the surface from these
types of contaminates.
•
Do not scrape ice or snow from the painted
surface.
Brush off gently with a soft-bristled
snow brush – avoid being forceful with the
brush.
If brush scratches show after the motorhome
thaws out, it may be possible to remove them
by hand waxing with a silicone-free liquid
wax.
•
Avoid covering painted surface.
When paint
is covered (especially in outdoor conditions),
water may appear between the cover and the
motorhome due to rapid temperature
fluctuations. The water may vaporize under
certain conditions and migrate into the painted
surface, possibly resulting in blisters and/or
bubbles in the paint. These blisters/bubbles
are not covered under warranty.
Covering your motorhome is at owner’s risk.
Driving
•
Avoid driving on gravel roads.
•
Rinse off bugs and bird droppings with water
daily.
•
Antifreeze, fuel, or windshield/window
solution spilled on the painted surface should
be rinsed off immediately with water and
allowed to air dry. Wiping dry with a towel
may create fine scratches due to the solvent
nature of these types of fluids.
•
Fuel cannot be diluted and dissipated with
water. It must be removed with a mineral spirit
type cleaner (such as
SEAFOAM Bugs-B-
Gone,
or equivalent) or a silicone-free spray
wax and microfiber cloth to remove the stain
left by fuels.
•
Ensure that all motorhome fluids (such as gas,
oil, grease, antifreeze, transmission fluid,
brake fluid, etc.) are completely wiped off of
painted surfaces. Failure to comply may cause
the paint to blister and/or peel.
NOTE: When driving in wintry conditions, the
road surface may be covered with heavy
salts or small rocks to improve traction.
