Why you should be polishing your caravan’s exterior

One of the tasks that some caravan owners might neglect is maintaining the external finish of their caravan, by giving it a good polish. It’s an important thing to do, at least now and then, for various reasons. In this article we’ll walk you through why you should be polishing the outside of your caravan, and how you can do it properly to protect your investment, to retain that ‘just-left-the-dealer’ shine, and to ideally even improve its resale value in the long run.

Why polishing is worth the effort…

Protection from the elements

Your caravan’s bodywork is exposed to all sorts of things, be that bird droppings, tree sap, dirt, rain or UV rays. Applying a polish helps to create a thin protective shell that protects against the damaging effects of contaminants, making any items that are stuck to it easier to remove. The polish also helps to make the surface hydrophobic so that rain will bead and roll off, rather than linger and cause spotting or staining.  

It keeps your caravan looking good

Let’s face it - we all like our caravan to look smart. A fresh polish brings out the shine, restores the visual appeal of the gelcoat or painted panels, and prevents the finish from looking dull or faded. If your caravan is older, and the fibreglass has started to dry out or go powdery, a good polish will help hide (or at least lessen) that effect.  

It should lead to easier cleaning in the future!

Well, there’s an incentive if ever there was one! Once you’ve polished the exterior, future washes should become a bit easier. Dirt and grime are less likely to adhere firmly to a polished surface, as they wipe off more easily and won’t embed as severely. The protective layer that’s been added therefore helps with your caravan’s maintenance and upkeep.

Hopefully, it will retain or enhance the caravan’s resale value

If one day you decide to sell or trade in your caravan, a well-maintained external finish does count. When a buyer sees a shiny, clean and well-cared-for exterior they will likely trust that the rest of the caravan has been looked after, too. Polishing it is seen a visible sign of care and investment.

It should give a longer life for the finish

Neglecting the external surface of your caravan also invites wear, from UV damage, oxidation, fading, or chalking of the gelcoat. Polishing it certainly helps to slow down those processes, thereby helping your caravan bodywork last longer without the need for costly repainting or major restoration down the line.

How to polish your caravan

So, here’s a step-by-step guide for you to follow, to get the best out of the job…

Give it a thorough clean first

Before you apply any polish, you must clean the caravan thoroughly first. If you attempt to polish over dirt or grit you’ll risk rubbing those particles into the finish, causing micro-scratches or swirl marks. In terms of products, you can use a specialist caravan cleaner (such as Fenwicks or Autoglym) to remove road contamination, grime and other deposits.  

Use a soft brush or sponge and plenty of clean water. Work in the shade if possible (at least avoiding hot, direct sun) to prevent rapid drying or streaking. Rinse it thoroughly and let the bodywork dry fully before moving on to the polishing. Don’t forget the roof - it often gets the worst of it, and many people overlook this! You can read our article on roof cleaning here which may help you to do the best job.

Choose the right polish

Once it’s clean and dry, you can move on to polishing with a quality polish. You don’t necessarily need a product marketed exclusively for caravans - car or boat polishes often use very similar ingredients - but do make sure the polish is suitable for your surface type, though, in terms of it being paint, gelcoat, aluminium or fibreglass. For older or faded gelcoat surfaces you might consider a ‘restorer' product (sometimes called Gelcoat & Surface Restorer) if the finish has deteriorated. 

Apply the polish

With the caravan clean, dry and in a shaded or cooler spot you’re now ready to apply the polish. Use a sponge pad or clean cloth to apply it, and work in a circular motion to rub the product in properly. After applying, allow it to sit for a few minutes (as per the product instructions) until the polish has settled. Then buff it off with a clean microfibre cloth to reveal the shine. It’s a good workout for the arms!

If the weather is hot, aim to do the work in the evening or in the shade when the surface is cooler. This helps prevent the polish drying too quickly or leaving a haze behind, which is a dull or cloudy appearance.  Also, be sure to work in manageable sections rather than trying to do a whole side at once. That way, you can maintain control and avoid sections drying out before you finish them. Make sure you cover the roof, sides and the front!

Final inspection time…

Once you’ve buffed off the polish, check your work! You’re looking for missed spots, streaks, uneven coverage, or any haze. Go over these bits or touch them up as needed.

Going forwards, aim to polish your caravan at least once a season (or more often if it’s used extensively or stored outdoors). After you’ve used it, rinse off any bugs, dirt or bird droppings quickly, because these will degrade the finish if left on for too long. You might also consider topping up with touch-ups - if you’ve applied a high quality polish, one simple wipe over mid-season can help maintain the layer. Remember to store your caravan in a covered or sheltered spot if possible, or use a breathable cover - which also helps protect the polished finish.

Polishing your caravan takes a bit of time and effort - after all, the surface area of a caravan is several times that of a car! But the payoff is significant, when it comes to easier maintenance and better protection from the elements, so do try to make it part of your annual (or seasonal) maintenance routine. Choose the right products, do the prep properly, and you’ll keep your caravan looking its best and ready for each holiday ahead.