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How to Wash a Fiberglass Travel Trailer Without Damaging the Gelcoat

Updated: 4 days ago

By CGI Detailing – Professional Ceramic Coatings


Whether you own a Casita, Escape, Oliver, or Bigfoot trailer, one thing all fiberglass RVs have in common is a gelcoat exterior — and that finish needs special care.


Washing your trailer might seem simple, but using the wrong soap or tool can dull the gloss, strip wax or ceramic coating, or even accelerate oxidation. At CGI Detailing, we specialize in cleaning and protecting fiberglass travel trailers the right way — and in this post, we’ll show you how to safely wash your trailer like a pro.


🚿 Why You Can’t Treat Gelcoat Like Automotive Paint

Gelcoat may look like shiny paint, but it's actually a porous, resin-based surface that requires different care. Washing your trailer with dish soap, strong degreasers, or cheap brushes can:

  • Strip any existing wax or sealants

  • Leave swirl marks in the surface

  • Dry out and accelerate gelcoat oxidation

  • Create patchy, chalky spots on the finish

This is especially true for white fiberglass trailers — where streaks and haze are very noticeable.


🧪 Pro Tip: If your trailer is ceramic coated, the wrong soap will weaken its hydrophobic layer. (More on that below.)


✅ Step-by-Step: How to Wash Your Fiberglass Travel Trailer Safely

Step 1: Rinse Thoroughly from Top to Bottom

Start with a gentle pressure rinse to remove loose dirt and grime. Use a hose or a low-pressure setting on your pressure washer (1,200 PSI or less).🔹 Avoid blasting seals, vents, or decal edges.


Step 2: Use a pH-Neutral, Gelcoat-Safe Soap


Choose a dedicated RV wash soap that’s:

  • pH neutral (around 7)

  • Free of harsh degreasers or wax-stripping agents

  • Safe for ceramic coatings if your trailer is coated

We recommend using a soap like CGI Detailing's Polymer Infused Soap or a similar gelcoat-safe product.


Step 3: Use a Soft Wash Mitt or Boar’s Hair Brush

Avoid stiff brushes or anything abrasive. Use:

Use the two-bucket method (one with clean soap, one for rinsing the mitt) to reduce swirl marks.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry with a Plush Microfiber Towel

Rinse from top to bottom again, ensuring no soap is left behind. Dry gently using:

  • A super absorbent microfiber towel like the Adams Jumbo Plush

  • A leaf blower or air dryer (especially around windows/seals)

Never air dry — water spots can leave minerals that dull the surface over time.


🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing a Fiberglass Trailer

  • ❌ Using dish soap or general-purpose cleaners

  • ❌ Not working in small sections when washing in direct sunlight

  • ❌ Scrubbing with old brushes or towels

  • ❌ Forgetting to rinse under awnings and seals

  • ❌ NOT WASHING OFTEN ENOUGH


🧼 What About Ceramic-Coated Trailers?

If your Oliver, Escape, or Casita has been ceramic coated (especially with Glidecoat ALPHA), maintenance is even easier — but only if you use the right wash method.

🚿 Use:

✨ Benefit:

  • No scrubbing

  • Hydrophobic surface making removing dirt and grime easy

  • Black streaks come off with ease

  • Gloss stays intact for years


🧪 Ceramic coating your trailer makes washing much faster and drastically cuts down on long-term gelcoat maintenance.

📖 Read more about how long ceramic coating lasts


👇 Want the Easiest Wash Ever? Ceramic Coat First.

When your trailer is ceramic coated, especially with a gelcoat-specific formula like Glidecoat ALPHA, you’re not just protecting the finish — you’re simplifying every future wash.


At CGI Detailing, we:

  • Remove oxidation and prep the surface back to like new condition

  • Apply two full layers of Glidecoat ALPHA (2+ years of protection)

🧽 Maintenance washes afterward take less than half the time — and no more waxing required.


🗓️ Schedule Your Professional Wash or Coating Today

Based in Murfreesboro, TN, CGI Detailing serves fiberglass travel trailer owners across the nation Whether you need a safe, professional wash or a full ceramic coating package, we’ve got your trailer covered.

📞 Ready to protect your gelcoat the right way? Book your service here


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