How to Detail a Large Vehicle (Van or RV)

In this video we show you how to effective detail the exterior of your large van or RV. We have modified our techniques from what a professional detailer would do on a small car to scale it for the size vehicle we are dealing with. See our article: ourkaravan.com...
FULL LIST OF SUPPLIES USED IN THIS VIDEO LOCATED HERE:
ourkaravan.com...
Instagram: our.karavan
Website: ourkaravan.com
Clicking on the Amazon links will direct you to the products I purchased and used in this van build. It will not cost you anything to use the links, however as Amazon Associates we will make earnings from qualifying purchases. I am not sponsored by any of these companies. Thank you for watching!
#autodetailing #cardetailing #sprintervan

[@paulloesch]

"Mitt on a stick" from Autofiber is the jam for the high roof. Great video!

[@ourkaravan]

Oooo I’ll have to look into that, thanks!

[@gearradar]

Still showing us all what done right looks like. Thanks for the tutorial man. 👍🏼

[@jacquesgoulet699]

Extremely important video here 🙏💯

[@ourkaravan]

Glad you liked it. Just finished my annual detail yesterday.

[@bogged9820]

Great minds think alike.. About to do my Transit! For the plastic trim I've tried many and always end up going back to 'Meguiars Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer ' Top-Up treatments every month or so especially in the Summer months. I'm gonna do the same as you except add in a citrus clean for lower regions, and get the Dual Action Polisher out for a compound then polish then wax. I also clay-bar the windows and lights too before using something like invisible glass. Once it's done its done for the year then normal cleans should be a lot easier.

[@ourkaravan]

It's a lot of work for sure but for anyone that keeps their vehicle for a long time it's definitely worth it. I'll check out the Meguiar's as they have a great product line. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@_poseidonmd]

Try Shine Supply "Clutch" Silica Spray.....the best for bringing back the deep black finish on plastics

[@peterdods425]

Outstanding Ken!

[@HuangXingQing]

I use 3M's 303 spray for the black plastic monthly in warmer month's but if it rains within a week the excess will run. The label says apply conservatively so at least they warn us. It does for the plastic trim what Armor All purports to do but I'm still planning to have 'bed liner' sprayed on the trim to avoid the maintenance time each year. Just today I saw a bottle of '303' in a Costs Less auto parts store so 3M has the ultimate compliment (impersonation) I suppose but I wouldn't go near anything but the original. You didn't mention the glass so I'll add that I use powdered Barkeeper's Friend on my glass to make it look new, until the next rain of course, each summer.

[@ourkaravan]

303 is what I use. I like that it adds protection for the rubber and plastic, but wish it could restore the black a little more. I haven't tried the Barkeeper's....I'll keep that one in mind, thanks!

[@nickpmoody]

Awesome video. Like yourself I also keep my vehicles a long time and spend hours maintaining them. I was glad to hear at the end of the video it takes you 6 hours for the van. I thought I was slow as it takes me all day to detail my SUV when some say it only takes them a couple of hours!

[@ourkaravan]

This would be sooooo much more gratifying if I had a shop to do the detailing in, not to mention a place to keep it clean. Maybe someday. ;)

[@hbsprinter]

Great video. I actually detailed my sprinter yesterday, using a very similar process. Do yourself a favor and get a DI water softening canister. They are kind of pricey but I think they are worth it. I use it on the final rinse no drying and no water spots. It allows me to wash my Sprinter in about 40 minutes which I do twice a month. If I can carve out some time I’ll do a demo video on the unit I have in the near future.

[@ourkaravan]

I've actually been looking at the DI units (the CR Spotless). You are happy with yours?

[@koko-rl9zm]

Looking good! Both vehicles.

[@ourkaravan]

Thank you! Now if only the van will look as good as the 4Runner after 20 years...

[@aclarke9479]

Gtechniq C4 for plastic trim! By far the best solution for bringing plastic back to black, lasts 2years approx and it works on a molecular level. KZbin it....I highly recommend it. Nice detail on your van, always thorough and well researched 👍🏻🤙🏼🎯

[@ourkaravan]

2 years? That’s an improvement over the 2 days that other products last, thanks for the info I’ll check into it.

[@LDR1100RS]

You are a better man than me! Great info...it will be difficult to follow through!

[@ourkaravan]

It’s a lot of work but also protects an expensive investment.

[@KatyInNH]

Thanks for the detailed explanation!!!!

[@svrds10]

Best method to restore the black plastic is water, detergent, sponge, then use a hot air gun which helps restore the shine and lasts longer than any chemical product. Several videos on YT. Love your build and videos! We have the same year, model, & color.

[@ourkaravan]

Interesting, I’ll look that one up, thanks for the tip! I sure love the graphite gray color. Easy to match interior design to the exterior as well.

[@mgmatiasek]

Dang your van is looking good!

[@ourkaravan]

Thank you, super happy with it!

[@ConsidertheWonders]

Great video👍. We have a travel trailer and it takes an entire day to clean it! 😁

[@ourkaravan]

Not my favorite way to spend time but it's always good to protect your investment!

[@Danim24]

Great job, thanks for sharing your excellent process. I notice in your kit list you have Meguiar's D15601 Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax, at what point do you use this product?

[@ourkaravan]

I only use the X-Press spray wax during routine washings. I wash as you normally would and spray the X-Press wax on the wet vehicle as I am wiping it down. It simply adds a bit more protection between my once-a-year sealant treatment.

[@cliveneilands1449]

Try Solution 7 for the black plastics. I would of used a metal fallout remover before washing, something like IronX followed by a citrus degreaser. I have used the same paint sealer but have gone over to a ceramic coating. I top this up with turtle wax ceramic spray. Amazing results on our salted roads in Sweden. I subscribed to your channel as your logical way of doing things right is good. Nice van!

[@ourkaravan]

Thanks Clive! I found Mother's Back to Black works fairly well but I'll check into the Solution 7 as well. Welcome to the channel!

[@denisberthiaume3259]

Hi, from Quebec, maybe i can share this with you, i use black liquid polish in bottle, Kiwi or other brand for detalling black plastic parts even tires, it last a long time and it does not have a greasy look. Thanks for sharing your van experience

[@ourkaravan]

I'll give it a try, thanks!

[@chiurazzik]

This is super informative! Do you recommend the same process for the white cargo vans absent of clear coat?

[@ourkaravan]

Yes, I use the same techniques on my white 4Runner with no clear coat.

[@denisberthiaume3259]

Hi, do you have recommendation for detailling black plastic trims ? the black liquid polish that i specified earlier does not last long

[@ourkaravan]

I do! Going on two years now and haven't touched the plastics: ourkaravan.com/trim-restoration

[@jeremyecton3659]

How often do you recommend washing it (standard wash)? Any special coating or soap you would recommend after standard wash?

[@ourkaravan]

I only get to mine every couple of months. I use Maguire's soap but just make sure it's a carwash-specific balanced pH soap so you don't strip the wax.

[@jeremyecton3659]

​@@ourkaravan thanks for the great video and response/tips

[@kapnkerry]

I’m a subscriber and I’ve used your “store” to Amazon link for a few of the things you used on your van...thanks very much! I’m looking for the Plusnut tool that you use and any info on sizes used and so forth. Thanks in advance!

[@ourkaravan]

Sorry for the delay, I thought I had responded. Here's the link for the 5/16 version: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FPlusnuts-5-16-25-pieces-with-installation-tool-%2F153537928326&campid=5338288596&toolid=10001&customid= I used a lot of 5/16 plusnuts to attach my cabinetry to the van, including the overhead cabinets. I believe the only place I used the smaller 1/4-20 plusnuts were to attach the L-track to the wall on the passenger side of the van. Thank you for use of the links, very much appreciated! Let me know if I didn't answer your question or you need anything. -Ken

[@bikesbeersbeats]

Ken, I appreciate your attention to detail. If you were a professional detailer you would go far in this business… maybe be the best. Are you available to detail my van this Tuesday? I refuse to pay above the going rate but I will give you first shot at winning the business. If you offer a no-regrets price I will allow you to use me as a reference for future business.

[@ourkaravan]

I really appreciate the offer but my time is pretty limited these days.

[@kirkcameron620]

Solution finish for black trim

[@vangeezerexperience]

First thing that made me go...."WTF?!?! " was.....let me tell You the backstory first. For close to 25 years now I have lived in countries where washing your car/vehicle on the driveway has been forbidden and close to given a death penalty...I have been a little brain washed since the "neighborhood watch" is very eager to report You if you so much as just rinse your rims outside. It has to take place on special washing stations and no "biological" excuses in the world helps. Watching this is just like watching porn for me :) Looks like this is not a problem in your state? Very good video though, with lots of good advices. Thanks for sharing :)

[@ourkaravan]

Definitely not an issue here, except during a drought.