Everything You Need to Know About RV Detailing

Here's a Quick Summary

RV detailing goes beyond a typical car wash by addressing every surface—inside and out. It involves techniques like paint correction, wet sanding, polishing, headlight restoration, and water spot removal to keep your RV looking its best and protect it from the elements.

Main benefits of getting a detail

• Preserves value and appearance
• Shields finishes (paint, gelcoat, etc.) from UV rays, dirt, and oxidation
• Improves interior comfort and air quality

Different surfaces need different approaches

• Gelcoat: Thick, glossy, and prone to oxidation—ideal for wet sanding/polishing.
• Clear Coat (Painted): Similar to modern car finishes; polish and wax regularly to prevent scratches.
• Aluminum: Lightweight, found on retro models like Airstreams. Requires metal-specific polish or mild cleaners and wax if painted.

Oxidation is natural and can be avoided by

• Regularly washing and waxing your RV twice a year
• Or, applying a high quality ceramic coating that protects an RV's surface for two years or more
• If your RV is already oxidized, a restoration can bring it back to life

Professional vs. DIY

• DIY can save money, but requires time, research, and the right products (which we recommend here).
• Professionals bring specialized gear, experience, and efficiency—great for busy RV owners or those with severe paint damage.

Bottom Line

Keeping your RV spotless involves specialized products and methods tailored to different surfaces. Regular detailing—whether done yourself or by a pro—helps you preserve your RV’s beauty, functionality, and value for years to come.

The Problem with saying, "I'll just run it through the wash"

From Class A motorhomes to compact tow-behind campers, professional RV detailing is becoming increasingly popular as more people recognize its benefits.

It goes beyond standard car detailing. These giants span up to 45 feet and are going to need extra care. They sport special materials like gelcoat and fiberglass, and unique components like large rubber roofs, awnings, and exterior seams.

In other words, you can't just run it through an RV wash and call it day. Automated brushes will leave swirls all over your rig, and "spotless washes" may miss all those nooks and crannies.

Your RV isn’t just a mode of transport—it’s an investment in freedom and adventure.

Regular RV detailing is crucial for preserving its value, appearance, and functionality. But not all RVs are created equally, so figuring out what kind of RV you have (and the specific care it needs) matters.

A professional detailer often uses specialized techniques and tools that go beyond a simple wash. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown.

What is detailing?

Detailing is the thorough cleaning of a vehicle. As the name implies, a detail goes beyond a standard wash by focusing on every surface component. This is where techniques like paint correction, clay bar, wet sanding, polishing, headlight restoration, and water spot removal are used to rejuvenate and preserve the vehicle's appearance, protect its finishes (paint, gelcoat, etc.), and maintain its value.

Detailing can come with other great quality-of-life perks like:

• Wax Protection - Adds shine and protects paint from dirt, water, and UV rays for up to 6 months.
• Ceramic Protection - Creates a hydrophobic shield against UV damage, chemical etching, and water and dirt.
• UV Protection - Prolongs the life of the roof by preventing fading and cracking; reduces the heat inside the RV as well
• Rain Repellant on Windows - Hydrophobic treatment that repels water
• Plastic Conditioner - Conditions and protects plastic, vinyl, or rubber surfaces from fading or cracking
• Tire Shine - Gives tires a deep black finish and adds to the RV's appearance

Here's an example of what a detail can look like:

1. Roof Cleaning: Start with a deep clean using Dicor Cleaner Activator for EPDM, TPO, or fiberglass roofs. Scrub with a medium-bristle brush and rinse thoroughly.
2. Roof UV Protection: Apply Dicor Roof Guard with a microfiber cloth to prevent UV damage, cracking, and discoloration.
3. Exterior Foam Soak: Use a foam cannon with a high-quality RV soap to remove surface dirt, followed by a soft-bristle scrub and rinse.
4. Window Cleaning: For spotless stain-free windows use RainX and microfiber towels.
5. Tire and Wheel Cleaning: Use a heavy-duty cleaner and soft-medium brush to scrub the wheels and tires thoroughly to remove any dirt and/or road grime.
6. Tire Shine: Use your favorite tire shine to complement your freshly detailed RV.
7. Wax or Ceramic Spray: Apply GLIDECOAT Ceramic Spray in sections to protect against oxidation and the elements, leaving a smooth, glossy surface.

Looking for more? Read our detailed step-by-step guide: How Professionals Detail an RV or Motorhome.

Don’t Forget the Inside

While the outside is what everyone sees on the road, the inside is where you’ll actually spend your time. A clean interior:

• Improves air quality by reducing dust, allergens, or mold.
• Extends the life of upholstery, carpets, and other materials.
• Makes your trips far more comfortable (and impressive if you’re hosting guests).

Your RV's Surface Matters: Gelcoat vs. Clear Coat vs. Aluminum

Depending on the RV's surface, a detail will look different.

Types of RVs: Super C, Diesel Pusher, Conversion, all Terrain, Class A, Class B, Class C, Truck Camper, 5th Wheel, Teardrop, Trailer, Expandable/Popup

Gelcoat RVs

Gelcoat is thick and glossy, prone to oxidation (chalkiness and fading), and often restored through wet sanding/polishing. Gelcoat is a polyester or epoxy resin-based outer layer commonly applied to fiberglass RVs and boats.

When applied in the factory, gelcoat is glossy and beautiful. But, over time it will fade and oxidize from UV rays, moisture, and general wear. This can be avoided with regular washing and waxing (we recommend every 6-months) or a one-time ceramic coating application.

What is oxidation?

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when a surface, like paint or gelcoat, is exposed to oxygen and environmental factors (UV rays, moisture, pollutants) over time. This causes the surface to appear dull, chalky, or faded. In other words, ugly.

For older or heavily weathered surfaces, gelcoat restoration is needed which involves an extensive wet sanding process. Click here to see our restoration process.

Car Paint/Clear Coat RVs

Car Paint/Clear Coat is the same transparent top layer over a painted surface, commonly found on modern cars, many RVs, and trucks. It needs routine polishing and coating to maintain shine and prevent scratches.

Clear Coat is more resistant to UV damage and environmental contaminants than uncoated paint, but it’s still prone to swirl marks, minor scratches, and clear-coat chipping/peeling if neglected.

When applied at the factory, clear coat creates a shiny, protective finish over your vehicle. But over time, debris, UV rays, and normal wear can degrade its surface, making it look dull or scratched. Routine polishing and a ceramic or wax sealant can help maintain its gloss and extend its longevity.

For severely scratched or faded surfaces, paint correction (polishing or buffing) is often needed to restore clarity and depth. Click here to see how to tackle paint correction.

Aluminum

Aluminum is lightweight, common on older or retro models like Airstreams, and can be anodized, bare, or painted.

When brand-new or freshly polished, bare aluminum has a brilliant shine, but it will develop oxidation (a thin white layer) or dullness from environmental exposure over time.

For bare or anodized aluminum, metal-specific polishing can help restore and maintain a sleek, reflective appearance.

Painted aluminum, on the other hand, responds well to mild cleaners, regular waxing, or ceramic coatings—just like a clear-coated surface.

Some of Our Expert Tips

Seasonal maintenance prevents expensive maintenance

A regular maintenance wash & wax, especially before and after trips or winter storage, keeps your RV in peak condition. If you're getting a ceramic coating done, we recommend getting one done every 6 months to prolong the life of the coating.

Check your seals anytime you're standing around your RV

Your seals are the last defense against water intrusion. Over time, dust, rain, and the sun's UV rays will erode them. If you check your seals once before and once after the season, you'll be ahead of the game.

Repair those rock chips!

Small rock chips can disrupt protective coatings. Timely paint touch-ups maintain your RV’s polished look while preventing further damage.

Hard water spots are easy to avoid

Using deionized water during detailing prevents hard water spots so you don't have to deal with them later. If you’re using regular water, just be sure to dry all surfaces thoroughly with a microfiber towel to avoid spotting.

Professional vs. DIY RV Detailing

While some detailing tasks can be DIY, professional services offer superior results thanks to specialized equipment and expertise. Thinking about doing it yourself? Our "How to Detail an RV" article includes the products we use and the professional process we've developed over years of detailing.

Contact us if you're looking for a professional detail.

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