Keeping your coachbuilt motorhome in showroom condition is about more than just aesthetics; it's a crucial part of protecting your investment from the elements, road grime, and damaging black streaks. Using the wrong products can degrade seals, fade gloss, and damage acrylic windows over time. Fenwicks, however, is specifically formulated for the job. It's not a re-badged industrial cleaner but a highly concentrated, biodegradable formula that safely attracts and surrounds dirt, allowing it to be rinsed away without causing harm.
This guide will walk you through the professional step-by-step process to achieve a sparkling, protected finish using the Fenwicks system.
Your Fenwicks Motorhome Cleaning Toolkit
Before you start, ensure you have the right products and tools for the job. The core Fenwicks range for a perfect clean includes:
- Motorhome Cleaner Concentrate: For general-purpose cleaning; removes algae, road film, and diesel fumes. Safe on all surfaces (plastic, aluminium, acrylic windows, GRP); highly concentrated.
- Black Streak Remover: Targets and dissolves stubborn black streaks. Can be made from a stronger 1:10 solution of the Motorhome Cleaner.
- Bobby Dazzler: Used in the rinse stage to add shine and long-lasting protection. A cleaner, polish, and protector in one; promotes water beading.
- Windowize (Optional): Specialised cleaner for removing light scratches and hazing from acrylic windows. Solvent-free formula is safe for acrylic.
Essential Tools: Two buckets, a soft-bristled brush or washing mitt, a microfibre drying cloth, a telescopic pole for the roof, and a pressurised spray container for Bobby Dazzler.
The Step-by-Step Fenwicks Cleaning Process
Follow these steps for a thorough, safe, and effective clean. A key recommendation is to never use a pressure washer on a coachbuilt motorhome, as it can destroy the seals that prevent water ingress and lead to costly damp issues.
Step 1: The Initial Rinse
First, thoroughly wet your motorhome with a hose or bucket of clean water. This loosens surface dirt and prevents scratching during the wash. Many professionals recommend starting from the roof down, as the run-off helps soften dirt on the lower panels.
Step 2: Pre-treat Stubborn Areas & Black Streaks
Apply Fenwicks Black Streak Remover (or a 1:10 solution of Motorhome Cleaner) directly onto stubborn black streaks. Allow it to soak for 1-2 minutes, but do not let it dry. Agitate with a sponge or soft brush, then rinse off with clean water.
Step 3: The Main Wash
This is where the core cleaning happens with Fenwicks Motorhome Cleaner.
- Dilution: Pour two capfuls of Fenwicks Motorhome Cleaner Concentrate into 5 litres of warm or cold clean water.
- Application: Wash the vehicle from the bottom to the top using a sponge, soft brush, or sprayer. This technique helps keep the surface wet and ensures even coverage, reducing streaking.
- Dwell Time: Allow the cleaner to work for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Crucially, do not allow the product to dry on the surfaces.
- Agitation: Gently agitate with a sponge or soft brush to lift any remaining dirt. For the roof, a telescopic brush is ideal for safety and reach.
Step 4: The Final Rinse & Protect with Bobby Dazzler
Rinse the motorhome thoroughly with clean water, working from the top down to prevent streaking. For a showroom finish and long-term protection, this is the stage to use Fenwicks Bobby Dazzler.
- Using Bobby Dazzler: Dilute one capful of Bobby Dazzler into 5 litres of cold water in a pressurised spray container. Spray it onto the wet surface of the motorhome. You will see the water begin to bead up immediately. Allow the vehicle to dry naturally to a shiny, streak-free finish that also provides long-lasting protection.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Beware the Roof: Motorhome roofs can be slippery and fragile. Work from a stable ladder or using a long-reach brush. Avoid walking on the roof if possible, and if you must, check the manufacturer's guidance first and kneel on a towel for safety and to prevent damage.
- Care for Acrylic Windows: Always rinse off dirt and grit with a spray or hose first before wiping with a cloth or sponge to avoid scratches. Use your hands to feel for any grit during cleaning.
- Clean the Seals: After washing, use a soft brush or toothbrush with Fenwicks cleaner to remove algae and grime from around window and door seals. Once dry, a silicone lubricant can be applied to keep them supple and prevent cracking.
- The Two-Bucket Method: To prevent grit from scratching your paintwork, use one bucket for your soapy Fenwicks solution and a second bucket of clean water to rinse your brush or mitt before reloading with clean soap.
Fenwicks and Towsure: The Perfect Partnership for Motorhome Care
At Towsure, we are committed to providing our customers with the very best products for their adventures, coupled with unbeatable value and service. Our partnership with Fenwicks is a natural fit. We only stock brands we believe in, and Fenwicks' 25-year reputation for safe, effective, UK-made products aligns perfectly with our values. By choosing Fenwicks from Towsure, you get:
- Quality You Can Trust: A product proven to deliver by caravanners and motorhome owners for decades.
- Unbeatable Value: Competitive prices on the entire Fenwicks range, making premium care accessible.
- Service Supported by Expertise: Our team is here to help you choose the right product for the job.
For a showroom shine that lasts, a clean and hygienic interior, and the peace of mind that comes from using the best in the business, the combination of Fenwicks products and Towsure service is the ultimate choice for the discerning motorhome owner.
Explore the full range of Fenwicks Motorhome care products at Towsure and get everything you need for your next adventure in one place.
