RV Wax
So many opinions, so many choices!

Many RV owners start their search for protective coatings with standard automotive waxes, only to wonder: *“Shouldn’t these specialized vehicles require specialized care?”* That’s likely why you’re here—to find the ideal wax for your RV’s unique materials and surfaces.

It’s logical to assume purpose-formulated products exist, but very quickly you learn it's a complete maze of marketing terms and bold claims.

What begins as a straightforward quest quickly becomes overwhelming, leaving even seasoned owners questioning which solutions truly deliver.

You Have Questions. I have Answers

• Does my RV really need to be waxed?
• Is there any truth behind these "Marine Grade" waxes?
• Does my RV really need a special wax?

The questions are many, and one question seems to produce and endless list of additional questions.

Finding the Best RV Wax

I have found that most people are looking for a simple approach when it comes to their RV's. Waxing any RV is no small undertaking!

And for this reason I will start out by giving my ultra-simple answer to your quest for the best RV wax.

3M Light Cutting Polish+Wax

3M Light Cutting Polish and Wax on Amazon

Why This Wax:

Because I know that in virtually every case, on every RV there will be a combination of fine scratches and oxidation in varying degrees.

Which is why I like this product that can accomplish two tasks at once. Also because it will work on any type of RV you may have: 

• Full body paint
• Partial paint, partial gelcoat
• Full gelcoat
• Gelcoat with decals

This polish and wax combo will remove smaller scratches along with mild oxidation while also adding a layer of protection in the form of wax.

You can apply it by hand or machine. It is versatile and will match your level of experience...or lack of experience.

I am also a fan of starting simple, and working from there.

Meaning this: washing and waxing your own RV is a monster of a job! You don't want your search for the best RV wa xto also be a monster of a job. 

So keep it simple with this product and then once you have actually washed and waxed your RV, then you can consume days on end reviewing the hundreds of reviews regarding RVs, polishes, waxes, etc., etc.

RV Wax for Brand New or Almost New

There are a few of you out there reading this that might have an RV that is either brand new, or it has full body paint like the one below.

And even though the product above would still work in these situations, you may shy away from the RV wax and polish above thinking that you would prefer not to take any "risk" with a polish and wax combo.

While I know the 3M wax and polish will be perfectly safe, I also know the emotional attachment of people with their RV's and wanting to play things "safe".

For this reason you may want to opt for a marine/RV grade wax alone.

3M Perfect-it Wax

3M Perfect-it Boat Wax on Amazon

Yes, I realize this is labeled as a boat wax and this may confuse you. Remember as I noted at the beginning what a maze this topic is due to manufacturers playing whack-a-more with us as consumers.

They prefer to keep us ignorant so they can sell us more and more specialized products. And their strategy works!

The point being, that any wax, polish, or compound you could  use on a boat, can be used on an RV. And remember that in simple terms, you remain in control by how you choose to apply these products:

• By hand or machine.
• You control the speed and pressure of either.

I have been using 3M products of all kinds for decades.

3M is a global innovation company known for its high-quality industrial and consumer products, including a specialized line of marine waxes designed to protect and enhance RV/boat surfaces. Their Perfect-It Boat Wax offers:

• High-Gloss Finish – Enhances shine and depth on gel coat and fiberglass.
• UV Protection – Shields against sun damage and oxidation.
• Long-Lasting Formula – Provides durable protection in harsh marine environments.
• Easy Application & Removal – Wipes on and off smoothly for a professional finish.

Airstream RVs

Airstream trailers are high-end trailers with just as much confusion as any other type of RV, trailer, or toy hauler. 

Much of this confusion originates from the fact that these trailers were originally made with bare, aluminum panels which required the use of a metal polish to restore and protect them.

The Airstream trailers of today are clear coated and are no longer made with bare aluminum. This is the same clear coat you will find on car paint and full body paint RV's.

I have delt with many Airstream RVs and their passionate owners and this product from Walbernize also has cult following.

While I didn't carry it with me from job to job, I had many Airstream owners insist I use this wax on their RV.

Which I was always willing to do. I can tell you a few  things about it also:

• It is super easy to apply and remove.
• It doesn't get any easier than this product.
• It will be extremely limited to removing any type of oxidation or scratches (and by limited, I mean it won't remove either of them at all)

With that said, most airstream owners keep their trailers stored indoors so oxidation isn't the problem that most other RVs contend with.

Walbernize RV Wax on Amazon

Difference Between Fiberglass and Gel Coat

Now that I have delivered my super-simple solution to waxing your RV, let's go in for a deeper dive of understanding.

What is the difference between fiberglass and gel coat?

That is a common question and certainly a valid question when it comes to choosing the best RV wax. This problem arises due to a lack of standardization in terminology.

The reality is that virtually all RV's are made using both materials. Gel coat is the final, or top material, while fiberglass is used to reinforce the overall structure.

The above picture shows how the side walls of most RV's are constructed using wood as the core material, then reinforced and finished with either gel coat only (gel coat is typically a polyester or epoxy resin), or gel coat in conjunction with fiberglass in the form of cloth, or fiberglass particles.

Unless you have a full body painted RV, you will be dealing with this gel coat material when waxing your RV and choosing some kind of wax that people will simply refer to as RV wax.

RV Wax or RV Cleaner Wax?

In most cases, any search on the topic of RV wax will soon be a topic about "cleaner waxes".

Cleaner Waxes are versatile waxes that also have chemical "cleaners" added to them with the goal of removing oxidation while you are applying wax.

These cleaner waxes are effective, but severely limited on their ability to remove anything other than extremely light amounts of oxidation.

Since most RVs are kept outdoors being exposed to the elements, I think every RV owner should at a minimum, opt for a cleaner wax.

the 3M polish and wax combo at the beginning is actually better than any cleaner was since the 3M product actually has abrasive technology that will not only perform the "cleaning", but will allow you to more effectively remove superficial scratches and oxidation as you use it.

With that said, once again I accept that many RV owners will shy away from a wax product that also contains abrasives of any kind. for this reason you can opt for the clear wax product below.

And just like the 3M products above, this cleaner wax will be safe to use on all types of RVs:

• Full paint: entire RV box
• Paint, gel coat, and decals: These are the most common RV's. Isolated areas of paint, with the majority of the RV being gel coat, then embellished with graphics in the form of vinyl decals
• Gel coat only with vinyl decals
  
• Corrugated aluminum siding with decals
• Corrugated fiberglass siding with decals

Meguiar's Cleaner Wax on Amazon

• Marine/RV cleaner wax formulated for fiberglass/gelcoat
  
• Can be used by hand or machine
• If you want a cleaner wax with added chemical cleaners only, then this product would be your pick

Darren's Tips: Once again I will repeat myself as that I think the 3M polish+wax product at the beginning of this page to be the default choice for any RV owner. But for the overlay cautious RV owner, then I would recommend this as your default choice as this will prove to provide better results than just a wax only product.

Just like the 3M polish+wax product, this allows you to accomplish two tasks with a single product.

Heavy Duty RV Fiberglass/Gel coat Restoration:

If you have a traditional RV (gelcoat, some painted areas, with lots of decals) and you are dealing with lots of deferred maintenance (your RV has lots of oxidation) then I would opt for this kit from Meguiar's that can be your all-in-one kit for your RV restoration project.

Meguiar's Marine/RV Full Restoration Kit on Amazon

This kit is your all-in-one restoration kit. This kit represents a simpler approach to dealing with your RV or boat as opposed to sourcing the different products separately:

• Oxidation remover: this is your first step of removing oxidation
• High-gloss polish: this is your second step to bring maximum shine to your RV or boat
• Wax: your last step of protection

RV Wax Summary

Hopefully I have offered additional insight into not only your RV, but in choosing an RV wax or polish that will actually produce more of the desired results you are after.

When it comes to proper RV care and maintenance, most RV owner simply do not understand how quickly the topic can get complicated and send many RV owners into panic.

My goal has been to help educate you so you can get more results, and less panic!

Sincerely,

Darren Priest