Has any one got an opinion (every one has them, there said to be like b*#*), that can help me with the best way to clean the vinyl stone guard of road dirt & tar at the front of a van. Obviously keeping the vinyl in good condition. See what you can come up with for me.
Regards terry.
ozjohn said
02:08 PM Dec 9, 2010
Terry. If it's stained with good old Ozzie Red Centre dust then you've got a real problem as the pigments in the dust actually dies fabrics and some paints etc. This is very noticable on van A-frames that usually need repainting. With the vinyl front scrub well with a good truckwash like CT18 or warm water and Handiandy. Then remove the tar with a comercial tar remover available in plastic bottles from all auto shops. Then again and allow to dry. After it's dry apply a vinyl restorer such as a Armoural or similar. Allow to dry again and then apply a second coat. Leave for a day or two them buff up with a dry cloth. That's about the best solution I can give you. It's the same method they used a couple of van yards I worked in. Best of luck, ozjohn.
chris & terry said
03:12 PM Dec 9, 2010
Thanks mate, I will give your recipe a go.
terry
Onedodger said
05:09 PM Dec 9, 2010
Do all as John said. A good tar remover that is not costly is a simple wipe with an unleaded soaked rag for the tar spots then treat the vinyl as John said.
The unleaded is also good on tar spots on the vehicle as well.
jimricho said
06:07 PM Dec 9, 2010
I have a galvanised camper trailer that's done a lot kms through NT and Kimberley that's impregnated with red dust that has defied all attempts, including pressure hose, to clean. Like wise the canvas.
I'm open to any ideas.
Jim
brickies said
06:29 PM Dec 9, 2010
Jim it proves you have been there done that ,don't wash away the dreams
ozjohn said
11:15 AM Dec 10, 2010
jimricho wrote:
I have a galvanised camper trailer that's done a lot kms through NT and Kimberley that's impregnated with red dust that has defied all attempts, including pressure hose, to clean. Like wise the canvas.
I'm open to any ideas.
Jim
Jim. Unfortunately I think it's a lost cause. The red soil pigments appear to be a permanent die. I've seen professionals in many dealer yards trying to no avail to clean up vans and campers after outback tours. Cheers, ozjohn
JRH said
11:39 AM Dec 10, 2010
ozjohn wrote:
jimricho wrote:
I have a galvanised camper trailer that's done a lot kms through NT and Kimberley that's impregnated with red dust that has defied all attempts, including pressure hose, to clean. Like wise the canvas.
I'm open to any ideas.
Jim
Jim. Unfortunately I think it's a lost cause. The red soil pigments appear to be a permanent die. I've seen professionals in many dealer yards trying to no avail to clean up vans and campers after outback tours. Cheers, ozjohn
Once the red Kimberley dust gets in you are stuck with it, wear it with pride as a badge of honour.
jimricho said
07:11 PM Dec 10, 2010
It's first lot of red dust was acquired on the Tanami Road in 2002, yes, I think it is a lost cause!
It's red dirt gathering exercise includes Kimberley, Top End, Red Centre, Plenty Hwy, Cape York, and Flinders Ranges/Cameron Corner so expecting it to come up "like new" would be a big ask.
Since buying the Goldstream in 2008 its longest journey has been to get a pink slip (NSW roadworthy). I intend selling it as it's now only cluttering up my back yard (any takers?)
JRH said
07:21 PM Dec 10, 2010
jimricho wrote:
It's first lot of red dust was acquired on the Tanami Road in 2002, yes, I think it is a lost cause!
It's red dirt gathering exercise includes Kimberley, Top End, Red Centre, Plenty Hwy, Cape York, and Flinders Ranges/Cameron Corner so expecting it to come up "like new" would be a big ask.
Since buying the Goldstream in 2008 its longest journey has been to get a pink slip (NSW roadworthy). I intend selling it as it's now only cluttering up my back yard (any takers?)
Nah, got no badge of honour.LOL
Technomad said
08:29 PM Dec 11, 2010
Have used CT18 truck wash, great product but have seen a warning somewhere regarding Vinyl and I think aluminium. Not knocking John's suggestion. Best way is your own research. For me vinyl is a delicate subject and my concerns were deminished with a Milestone Chemical product called KLEENBREAK. Info on the website. Hope you decide as you live with the results. We cleen our jumping pillow with it and I am confident only occassionally my rollout awning and the Quicksilver Hypolon inflatable, my tresure.
-- Edited by Technomad on Saturday 11th of December 2010 08:30:16 PM
ozjohn said
10:57 AM Dec 12, 2010
Technomad wrote:
Have used CT18 truck wash, great product but have seen a warning somewhere regarding Vinyl and I think aluminium. Not knocking John's suggestion. Best way is your own research. For me vinyl is a delicate subject and my concerns were deminished with a Milestone Chemical product called KLEENBREAK. Info on the website. Hope you decide as you live with the results. We cleen our jumping pillow with it and I am confident only occassionally my rollout awning and the Quicksilver Hypolon inflatable, my tresure.
-- Edited by Technomad on Saturday 11th of December 2010 08:30:16 PM
'Quote' CT18 is biodegradable, pH neutral and contains rust & corrosion inhibitor. Safe to use on any surface including modern finish on all vehicles, fibreglassl. all metal types, rubber, vinyl, glass and food preparation areas. 'Unquote' Cheers, ozjohn.
If it's stained with good old Ozzie Red Centre dust then you've got a real problem as the pigments in the dust actually dies fabrics and some paints etc. This is very noticable on van A-frames that usually need repainting.
With the vinyl front scrub well with a good truckwash like CT18 or warm water and Handiandy. Then remove the tar with a comercial tar remover available in plastic bottles from all auto shops.
Then again and allow to dry.
After it's dry apply a vinyl restorer such as a Armoural or similar.
Allow to dry again and then apply a second coat.
Leave for a day or two them buff up with a dry cloth.
That's about the best solution I can give you.
It's the same method they used a couple of van yards I worked in.
Best of luck,
ozjohn.
A good tar remover that is not costly is a simple wipe with an unleaded soaked rag for the tar spots then treat the vinyl as John said.
The unleaded is also good on tar spots on the vehicle as well.
Unfortunately I think it's a lost cause. The red soil pigments appear to be a permanent die. I've seen professionals in many dealer yards trying to no avail to clean up vans and campers after outback tours.
Cheers, ozjohn
-- Edited by Technomad on Saturday 11th of December 2010 08:30:16 PM
CT18 is biodegradable, pH neutral and contains rust & corrosion inhibitor.
Safe to use on any surface including modern finish on all vehicles, fibreglassl. all metal types, rubber, vinyl, glass and food preparation areas.
'Unquote'
Cheers, ozjohn.