Spend a lot of time on the road in your RV? Chances are it will get a bit dirty as time goes by. If you want it to remain in excellent condition and be as comfortable as your home you can enlist the help of professional recreational vehicle detailers. A professional service has all of the skills, knowledge and high-quality products to take good care of your RV no matter how many miles she does. Below I will discuss where to find a detailer, the cost, and the cleaning process. I will also share my experience with the RV detailing near me.
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What is RV Detailing?
Many people think that RV detailing is just having your RV power washed and vacuumed. A professional auto detail is much more than that, or at least it should be. Good RV detailers not only focus on making your RV clean, inside and out but also on ensure that it is protected from the elements and the wear and tear. They will use special techniques, equipment, and high end cleaning agents that you couldn’t leverage on your own. This is what sets a service apart from you just doing a routine cleaning.
Recreational vehicle detailers will also detail related vehicle types like campers and travel trailers. All the same techniques would be applied since these are just smaller versions of RV’s.
What Will Be Done on the Interior and Exterior of your RV
Detailing can be done to just the interior or just the exterior if you wish. A full service detailing will cover both. Below I will cover the basic service the place that does RV detailing near me provides…
Exterior Detailing…
- Exterior Hand Washing: Exterior hand washing is the cornerstone of RV detailing. RV detailers will typically use high-quality exterior soap to remove all traces of dirt and debris from your RV. This includes any awnings and slideouts you may have, as well as your vehicle’s tires and wheels. They will use special machinery and ladders to wash the top of your recreational vehicle.
- Clay Bar and Wax Treatments: Once your RV is sparkling, the RV detailers will typically polish your vehicle up using a clay bar treatment to revitalize its paintwork. Once that’s done, they will apply a layer of wax to help protect your vehicle from the elements. They will always use the best products for your RV, so you do not have to worry about them putting anything on your paintwork that should not be there.
- Window Cleaning: They will also ensure that all glass components of your RV are cleaned and streak-free, which is so important, not only for driving safely but so that you can have an excellent view out of your RV windows just like you do at home.
- Chrome Polishing: Chrome trim will normally be polished to bring it up sparkling and buffed to get rid of any scratches.
- Rubber Seal Conditioning: Rubber seals will be conditioned to ensure that they remain tight and effective.
Interior Detailing…
Once the exterior of your RV has been dealt with, the RV detailers will spend a great deal of time working on the interior of your vehicle. This is perhaps even more important than the work they do on your RV’s exterior because you will, of course, be spending a lot of time inside your RV, which is basically a home from home.
- Interior vacuuming: The first thing they will do is vacuum every nook and cranny of your RV. This will be a meticulous vacuuming effort getting in every corner, storage compartment, closet, etc…
- Sanitize the Interior: Because your RV is a home away from home, detailers will spend time cleaning it as such. Basically, doing everything you would do to keep your actual home clean, whether that’s sanitizing the surfaces, including the dashboard and countertops, to scrubbing the toilet. That’s why it’s always worth paying for a full RV detailing service that includes the interior and exterior.
- Shampoo the Carpets: The carpets, seats, and any other upholstery will also be cleaned using specialized shampoo to get them back to looking and smelling brand new once again.
- Steam cleaning: Some RV detailers will go so far as to steam clean the interior of your RV to ensure that it is as sanitary as possible, Steam is great for getting rid of germs and deodorizing fabrics, so it is a really good feature to look out for when you’re looking for reputable RV detailing service.
- Protection Spray: A protection spray is typically applied to leather and upholstery to protect it from spillages.
How Much Does RV Detailing Near Me Cost?
The cost of RV detailing near me is not always so easy to determine. Most recreational vehicle detailers will charge depending on the size and condition of the vehicle. You can get a good idea of how much you may be charged by looking at the average cost nationwide for RV detailing.
The average RV size is between 21 and 27 feet in length total. Having it detailed inside and out will normally cost between $200 and $350 depending on your location and the company you choose. Some places may even offer a RV mobile detailing service, which may cost less believe it or not.
If you opt to have just your RV’s exterior detailed it will cost you on average between $150 and $200. Interior only will cost on average $100-$150.
If your RV is bigger than 21-27 feet in length, it could cost more, and on average, you could be expected to pay between $300-400 for a full-service detail. If it’s over 40 feet long, that could rise to anywhere between $400 and $600.
How to Choose a Recreational Vehicle Auto Detailer
Finding a good company is really important. These are huge vehicles and they are expensive to clean and so you want a professional service. I like to look at companies that have been around for awhile and have a significant amount of 4 or more star reviews. You should also read customer reviews and look for customer posted before and after pictures.
Pricing is obviously going to be a consideration, but you need to see what is included. Some places offer more service at a lower price, but perhaps they aren’t as reputable. Convenience and availability should also be considered. Can they come to and do the detailing on location. Do you need the RV to be ready for the weekend? Can they squeeze you in the schedule and deliver on time?
RV Detailing Near Me – Final Thoughts…
RV’s can be difficult to detail yourself. They are huge like a bus on the outside and are small homes on the inside. RV detailers will use a crew of cleaners into the vehicle to knock everything out in far less the time it would take you. There are many benefits to a good detailing aside from a shiny vehicle. Detailing will help prolong the life of the vehicle and increase the resale value of it. This is what I have learned from the RV detailing near me.