How to clean the white plastic waistline strip.

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How to clean the white plastic waistline strip.

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How to clean the white plastic waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:02 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

Every year at about this time when I give the van its wash and wax ready for the summer, I find that the rubber strip that covers the joint at the waist of the caravan is covered in a dirty, sticky residue that can be very difficult and time consuming to remove.

My van is parked with the hitch facing west and the south-facing side and the front of the van are affected much worse than the north-facing side and east-facing rear. This leads me to conclude that the deposits are somehow related to exposure to the sun and possibly due to ultra violet light.

Some time ago I experimented with various specialised car, caravan and household cleaners concluding that the simplest way to remove the muck and restore the rubber to its original appearance was to rub it gently with a cloth soaked in ordinary methylated spirits. Be aware that meths will also remove the wax finish so clean the rubber strip before you wax the van bodywork.

The picture below shows a cleaned and uncleaned area.

P1000985.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

The only thing that I've done differently this year was to apply some of the 303 Aerospace Protectant that I used on the gel coat on the roof (see article) and then wipe it off while still wet in the hope that it will provide some protection over the summer.

The rubber strip is now very smooth and shiny and looks a treat.

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2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

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Last edited Thu May 21, 2015 11:34 am | Scroll up

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:10 pm
by Steamdrivenandy (deleted)

You still using that black and white box Brownie Mr Calder?

Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.

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RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:12 pm
by Pop540 (deleted)

Eriba troll 540 likes constant hugs, and buffs and the odd cuppa.

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:18 pm
by Pop540 (deleted)

did you apply aero to the fairing, wheel arches and rear lights, front lights, to help prevent blistering, or do you think not a good idea?

Eriba troll 540 likes constant hugs, and buffs and the odd cuppa.

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:46 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

Quote: Pop540 wrote in post #4
did you apply aero to the fairing, wheel arches and rear lights, front lights, to help prevent blistering, or do you think not a good idea?

Mmm, I didn't think of that and simply waxed them. The wheel spats and rear lights are still as new but the fairing is starting to craze on its horizontal surfaces.

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2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:49 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

Quote: Steamdrivenandy wrote in post #2
You still using that black and white box Brownie Mr Calder?

It does look a bit monochrome now you come to mention it.

Forum Administrator
2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:16 pm
by Poptop320 •

| 2.631 Posts

I like to pop my top when I go on holiday

Eribanut likes this post!

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:48 pm
by Piccolo (deleted)

Not on my lovely widescreen, it doesn't Brian.

Last edited Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:48 pm | Scroll up

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:12 pm
by Keith and Sue •

| 79 Posts

We had the same problem with the rubber trim on our Triton, and asked AL how they clean them up so well on the vans they prepare for sale.

Their answer is a kitchen wash-up scourer pad - the green one - and a strong solution of washing-up liquid.

They told us it was a big task requiring lots of elbow grease - and it was - but the results were very good.

Keith

#10

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:25 pm
by Agger (deleted)

I use white spirit and if i need a bit of grunt i use dura glit (which is very underrated)

#11

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:27 pm
by Steamdrivenandy (deleted)

One answer is to renew the vinyl strips, you can even change the colours and pretend your van is older or younger than it really is.

I renewed the narrow white waist trim on our '01 Troll, mainly because it had lost its tautness and springiness and when it got warm it would detach along the nearside and droop like Nora Batty's stockings. If I recall it cost a couple of quid from Jandi for enough to go round in one continuous loop. You have to remove and refit retainers and the four handles and by the end it's agony on the thumbs pushing it into the slots. I considered going red a la 2005 onward Trolls but decided to stay original. It did smarten the appearance though and doesn't go sticky for a few years.

Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.

Last edited Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:28 pm | Scroll up

#12

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:37 pm
by Eribanut •

| 2.026 Posts

Use D****L mould and mildew Cleaner great stuff

Sermo datur cunctis; animi sapientia paucis
Tempus fugit; carpe diem

#13

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:38 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

I think some of you are missing the point; if you use meths (which is water soluble and leaves no harmful residues), you don't have to scrub at the deposits or clean anything off afterwards.

Washing-up liquid, white spirit, Duraglit and Dettol mould killer are nowhere near as effective. I've tried them all.

I cleaned the strip on my van in a no more than five minutes with no hard rubbing and it now looks as good as new.

Forum Administrator
2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet

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#14

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Apr 25, 2014 10:23 pm
by Steamdrivenandy (deleted)

This is almost as hard for me as congratulating Petulant Pepe, but in this instance I concur with the Dorseck Lummock.

Amber a Lunar Quasar 464 Sussex Amberley Sussex Caravans dealer special pushing a '59 reg. Kia Cee'd 3 SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic, a rough towing ratio of 86%.

#15

RE: How to clean the rubber waistline strip.

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:39 pm
by Aaron Calder •

| 3.834 Posts

Quote: Steamdrivenandy wrote in post #14
This is almost as hard for me as congratulating Petulant Pepe, but in this instance I concur with the Dorseck Lummock.

Wow! Coming from Coalfireddick that a real compliment.

Forum Administrator
2003 Triton 420 and Audi A4 2.0Tfsi S-line SE Cabriolet