Washing Poliglow

[Bobbie Mayer]

My trailer still looks pretty good (recoated Poliglow last year) and I want to wash off road grime and do an update coat (they say to recoat once a year.)

But what to wash with that won't remove the finish? I did water only, a little soap, and it did not take off the road grime, just the dust. I hate to seal in any oil or dirt.

(Note: I tried searching for an answer but there is too much on Poliglow vs. RedMax to find a specific like this question so apologies if it has been answered before.)

[D Davis]

Maybe try "Ultra Dawn" liquid dish detergent. That's what I am going to try, have not done it yet. But the ultra is a great grease cutting detergent, they use it on oil soaked birds. Just a thought.

[KevinPete]

Dawn might strip it, it's a powerful detergent. I know it will strip car wax. I use Blue Coral Wash & Wax, but not sure if the PG will stick to it, as it does leave a coat on the surface. When I wash a waxed vehicle with it, it really enhances the beading for a couple weeks. I'm looking into ways to improve the surface of the Zep, thinking maybe a clay bar or even a pass with 2500 grit wet, then a compatible wax or even another coat of Zep.

[Bobbie Mayer]

I guess I should look at their info to see what they suggest to wash it with.

[Bobbie Mayer]

PoliGlow is a unique product.* It will not wash off or be affected by soap and water.* A mild soap will keep your surface shining and clean.* To maintain a PoliGlow shine, reapply one or two coats every 6-8 months.* Avoid contact with ammonia-based products, degreasers, teak or hull cleaners and abrasive cleaning products.

Well, mild soap alone didn't quite do it but I'll add a little more elbow grease and see how it does.

[KevinPete]

That's frustrating, why do they always say "mild" soap. What is mild soap- Dawn? Ivory? Are they telling me I have to buy Lavender Chamomile soap for my egg now?

[Donna D.]

Detergents strip wax. Any vehicle washing soap that contains a wax agent might prevent the Poliglow from sticking. I'd use Ivory liquid soap.

So Bobbi, what did you find out?

[Bobbie Mayer]

Posted above. "Mild soap." Ivory might be a good idea though I don't know if Ivory liquid is pure soap.

[KevinPete]

If I think of it today I'll look through the "soap" aisle. Very few liquids are soap anymore, most are detergents. I think it would be fine if you stuck with a liquid made specifically for washing waxed vehicles. I'm curious now about Ivory liquid, is it still 99.44% pure?

[Bobbie Mayer]

The liquid might not be but they make a baby laundry soap in flakes that I think is soap. I'll check, too. The front is the really dirty part so if I end up needing to do a second or third coat of Poliglow there it will be okay.

[jmark]

Try 'Pink Solution', this is an organic non-toxic cleaner. I came across this product from a demo at Costco. I was looking for a cleaner without harsh chemicals and abrasive. It did the job. I refinished my trailer with zep after cleaning with this product. Zep is similar to Polyglow.

[KevinPete]

I have to wash the Scamp this week before I head out, seems there were some little tiny gnats that hatched, and chose the camper as an ideal place to die. I tried wiping a couple off, they smeared and left dark brown streaks. Going to try the Blue Coral, with a very soft scrubbing pad. The trailer hasn't been on the road yet so there isn't any grit to worry about, I want to see if I can cut some of the roughness in the Zep. Will report back with details.