Keeping Your Caravan or Camper Looking Brand New: The Real-World Guide

Before any water touches the van, walk around and check the SikaFlex or silicone. If it's peeling or cracked, you'll end up with a wet mattress or worse, rot in the frame.

Sounds obvious, but I've seen blokes flood their kitchen because they forgot the rangehood vent or the skylight was cracked open an inch.

Take off the spare tyre covers, gas bottle covers, and any clip-on mirrors. Red dust loves to hide behind these and bleed out for weeks.

If you can't find shade, you've gotta work in sections. Washing a hot van is the fastest way to get permanent water spots.

Get on your knees and blast out the wheel arches and chassis rails first. You don't want to be splashing mud back up onto a clean roof later.

Cover the whole van in a thick layer of snow foam. Let it sit for 5 minutes (but don't let it dry!). This lifts the abrasive dust off the surface so it can be rinsed away safely.

Start from the top and work down. Use a wide fan nozzle. Never point a high-pressure jet directly at seals, decals, or fridge vents.

It's the dirtiest part and the most neglected. I once spent 3 hours cleaning a silver Granturismo van only to have bird crap and black streaks run down from the roof the second I rinsed it. Use your extendable brush and a stable ladder.

Now that the heavy grit is gone, use your wash mitt or soft brush. Dip in soapy water, wash a section, rinse the mitt in the plain water bucket, repeat. Work in 2x2 metre sections.

Those annoying lines under windows and gutters are caused by oxidised rubber. If soap doesn't move them, use a dedicated 'Black Streak Remover' or a very mild polish. Don't scrub them hard or you'll thin the paint.

Unroll the awning. Spray it with a mix of mild soap and warm water. Roll it back up for 15 minutes to let it 'marinate', then unroll and scrub gently. If there's mould, you'll need a specific awning cleaner that won't kill the waterproof coating.

Most Aussie vans use acrylic windows. They scratch if you even look at them funny. Use a fresh microfibre and plenty of lubrication. Never use Windex or anything with ammonia, it'll turn the windows cloudy over time.

Clean the rims last. Use a separate brush so you don't get brake dust on the paint. If you've been in the mud, make sure you get the back side of the rims too, otherwise, your wheel balance will be shot on the highway.

Rinse the whole thing with a low-pressure hose to help the water sheet off. This makes drying much easier.

Don't let it air dry in the sun. Use your big microfibre towel. I like to use a cordless leaf blower to get water out of the window tracks and awning arms so it doesn't drip later.

Apply a spray sealant or wax. This is the most important step for UV protection. I reckon a good ceramic-infused spray sealant is the way to go, it lasts 6 months and makes bugs much easier to wash off.

Apply a rubber protectant to all window and door seals. This keeps them 'plump' and prevents the drying and cracking that leads to leaks.