Removing Watermarks from the Surface of Caravans and RV’s.

Removing Watermarks from Caravans and RV’s

What causes watermarks on vehicle surfaces?
Watermarks usually form on a vehicle’s surface when washed with hard water or water containing certain mineral deposits. The minerals dry on the paint, leaving a noticeable mark. This generally occurs when travelling in the northern and western regions of Australia.
The other primary contaminant that affects painted surfaces is Acid Rain. More commonly known as environmental contamination, it is prominent in industrial and surrounding areas. Acid Rain forms a sandpaper-like feel over the paint. For the best process for removing acid rain, click this link: E-Valence Clay Mitt Lubricant.
The final category concerns acidic bird or bat droppings, which, if left, will also penetrate the paint or metal surface and become more challenging to remove, like the other contaminants.

Protection is better than cure. Use E-Valence APD
Applying APD to the surface of your Caravan or RV will significantly reduce the risk of watermarks and environmental contamination. If the surface is protected with APD, insect contamination will wash off with water. For information on the many attributes of APD and how to apply, please visit the website.

For information on the complete cleaning process, click here to read our post.

Removing Watermarks off Caravans and RVs
The longer these deposits are left on the surface, the greater the likelihood of them penetrating the paint. Once they have penetrated the paint, the surface must be polished. Avoid penetrating watermarks by cleaning them off with E-Valence Tar Rubber & Bug Remover as soon as you notice them. This can be achieved by carrying a bottle of the remover whenever you travel. The directions are on the bottle and on our website. However, we have included a short description at the end of this post for quick reference. You can also click on the links in this post to go straight to the product descriptions.
The Correct Process for Washing a Van or Motor Home when Travelling
Inevitably, the process you choose to remover watermarks and wash will depend on the available facilities.
Caravan Park with all the facilities.
Rinse the Caravan or Motor Home with clean water to remove all the loose dirt and surface dust. This will give you a better appreciation of what needs to be done.
If you have watermarks, spray them with E-Valence Tar Rubber and Bug Remover and allow the cleaner to penetrate for 15-45 seconds. Wipe off with a microfibre cloth and examine the result. Repeat the process above until you are satisfied the watermarks have been removed. Once completed, rinse the area you have been cleaning before commencing the wash process.
Then, thoroughly wash the vehicle with E-Valence Wash and Seal with Carnauba Wax. If necessary, increase the wash mix to suit the vehicle’s condition. Ensure the wash water, especially the rinse water, is soft water (normal tape water in a non-hard water area). Wash from the vehicle’s top using a clean microfibre wash mitt. Use a separate microfibre wash mitt and bucket of water to wash the wheels and areas of the vehicle that may have oil or grease on them. Dry off using a microfibre drying towel after the final rinse to reveal a showroom shine.
We recommend the Two-Bucket System at E-Valence: one bucket with wash mix and a second with clean, warm rinse water. Always rinse the wash mitt in clean water before re-dipping it in the wash mix. Always do the wheels and greasy areas last to avoid wiping contamination back over the vehicle.
Caravan Park with Limited Facilities.
Work with what you have available at the time.
Use the above process to remove watermarks, remembering the sooner they are removed, the easier the job will be.
If rinse water is unavailable, you can still use the Tar Rubber & Bug Remover to remove the watermark. However, you must rinse the area you have addressed after using the Tar Rubber & Bug remover. If necessary, this can and should be done with bottled water.
Correcting more Penetrating Watermarks.
If a watermark has been left for an extended period of time, the best way to correct the area is with polish. E-Valence Intermediate Polish is the perfect one-step cutting polish for this correction. Notes on the best process for using Intermediate polish may be found on the website.

E-Valence Technology
Much like the surfaces we set out to protect, we’ve ensured that E-Valence places equal emphasis on the short—and long-term health and safety of our customers while adhering to strict moral, ethical, and environmental standards—something we pledge to uphold unconditionally. The E-Valence products clean and protect any surface they are applied to without penetrating and thus harming that surface, its substrate, or any surrounding seals, whether rubber or silicone—truly amazing technology. I do hope you enjoy the products. Please call me on my mobile if you require further explanation on any application process.

As always, please do not hesitate to email info@e-valence.com.au or call 1300 845 498 if you require further information.