Yesterday we did our big annual caravan wash where we do as thorough a clean as we can, including the roof. For the rest of the year we just give the sides a quick wash over whenever they need them. However, I noticed yesterday that the caravan was stating to look dull rather than shiny (it’s a 2018 model). I don’t want to do anything that takes a lot of effort (yesterday nearly finished us both off as my husband is in his late 70s and I have joint problems), so is there any simple, minimum effort, product that will give us a bit of a shine again?
Yesterday we used Fenwicks Bobby Dazzler, as we always do after a wash, and it brought the shine back a little but does anyone use an alternative they can recommend?
Minimum effort is our object here. In the past on our former caravan we have used Autoglym Super Resin Polish and a specialised caravan wax that had to be applied with waxing pads and then buffed up, but this is beyond our physical capabilities now.
My suggestion was going to be Autoglym Super Resin Polish as it's one of the easiest ones I use.
What about getting a car valeter in just to polish it?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We haven’t done anything yet. I think I am going to try some spray on wax that just needs a light buff with a microfibre cloth. There are a few out there but I haven’t explored them fully. My husband has hurt his back so I don’t think we will be doing anything for a while!
The spray wax / polish does not give the same longevity of shine, which is their downfall.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
The dullness is usually due to the oxidation of the paint surface, which usually occurs over time, assuming any accumulated 'dirt' has been washed off properly. It usually requires some physical effort to shift it, maybe with the assistance of some 'polishing' product, but the fact is there is really no way to avoid putting in the hard graft of hands on polishing in some form!
I'm not a big fan of washing the caravan, it's hard work and takes hours to do properly, and it makes my already aching ageing back really give me gyp for a few days, so it's a once year job, in fact my recent visit to the van in storage for the first time in 5 months, made me wonder if I can get away with not washing it this year, as it was not at all bad!
I wash the van with Fenwicks Cleaner followed by Bobby Dazzler, which do a pretty good job of removing the muck, but what really puts the shine back on it is using a synthetic 'Chamois' cloth to dry and 'polish' it all over (not the roof though! - that's too big an ask!!!). It's a 9 year old van that lives in the open (no cover) all year round, but still looks nearly as good as new, even the mobile service engineers on their annual visits often comment on how good it looks, so must be doing something right.
I use a long handled, large soft headed wash brush, with a sponge for the detailed bits, to clean the van, that means the panel surfaces are actually mechanically washed as opposed to just spraying on cleaner and rinsing it off with no mechanical contact.
The synthetic 'Chamois' cloth I use is quite large at 24"x32" with 'pockets' in two corners to put your hands in, so you can do quite large two handed 'sweeps' with it, which covers the vast expanse (well, if feels like a vast expanse!) of bodywork much quicker than a tradition 'chammy' held in one hand.
I can't pretend it's not hard work, and I know I've done a 4 hour workout afterwards, but the results are worth it.
Avoid abrasive products like 'T cut' to restore the shine, the paint layer on caravans is incredibly thin, far thinner than cars, you risk polishing right through the paint to primer and even the Aluminium/Fibre Glass panels themselves.
You can get professional valeting done, but at a cost! As a guide: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/caravan-cleaning-prices/. It may be worth having it done once just to recover it from a particularly bad state, to get the shine back and save you the hard graft! Beware of 'unprofessional' professionals though, I've seen tales of so called professionals using kitchin surface cleaners and the like, which may be very inappropriate products!!!!
Another vote here for Autoglym Super Resin Polish. Far easier to apply and longer lasting than any wax polish. It doesn't need buffing, just wipe off the residue with a microfibre cloth.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Making Caravan Shine
via mobile 11/4/2026 at 8:54pm
