Category: RV Tips

Diamond Shield Protective Polish And Removal Guide

Diamond Shield, or any clear front end protection film, can be a blessing or a curse for motorhome owners.

And when you visit RV forums on the internet, you will see both extremes.

Some love their Diamond Shield installation. On the other hand, some don’t seem satisfied at all. So why the extreme opposite opinions?

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Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means โ€“ at no additional cost to you โ€“ I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website.

Diamond Shield – What Does It Do?

The purpose of a clear front end bra for an RV is mainly to help protect against paint rock chip damage.

But it can also be helpful with bug splatter and road grime.

Of course, there are other ways of providing RV front end protection. Like a vinyl RV bra or a plastic RV shield.

But the big advantages of clear protection film is its invisibility and ease of use.

Diamond Shield badge on a motorhome shield
The Diamond Shield badge identifies their installed product

In fact, the average person would usually not even know that Diamond Shield is applied to a motorhome.

You have to get up close to even see the outline of the shield. And there is nothing to remove and clean like other forms of RV front end protection.

Because the front end is clear it also doesn’t interfere with the paint scheme of the RV either.

So why do so many RVers have such a negative viewpoint of Diamond Shield? Especially when it has so many clear advantages?

Front End RV Protection Film Problems

The real problem with clear front end protection film is that it is easily affected by the Sun’s UV rays.

Ultraviolet rays over time can bake the film, causing it to crack, yellow, and fade. In this way, it’s not unlike the paint that it is designed to protect.

Worse yet, when the shield begins to deteriorate, moisture can begin to penetrate underneath. When it does, mold can easily begin to grow.

And once that happens, there is practically no way to stop the mold from spreading.

A failed RV front end shield that is cracked, yellowed and full of mold.
This is an example of a failed RV shield

So the once beautiful Diamond Shield installation can become cracked and filled with mold. When it does, the RV’s front end looks horrible.

And this is why so many Diamond Shield owners are dissatisfied, to say the least.

So is there any way to prevent the deterioration of Diamond Shield? Yes, there is.

The real problem is that in most of these cases, the Diamond Shield RV owners have not maintained the shield.

And yes, some maintenance is required to make sure that Diamond Shield lasts a long time. It is not a product that can be installed and forgotten about.

But clear front end protection film does not require a lot of maintenance. In fact, it shouldn’t take more than about 5 – 10 minutes to do.

And it involves very little effort. Almost anyone can do it too, with products that are inexpensive and readily available. 

Diamond Shield Protective Polish To The Rescue

Remember that the enemy of an RV rock shield is the Sun’s ultraviolet rays.

So the Diamond Shield protective polish that the main office often recommends most to maintain the shield is 303 Aerospace Protectant.

This product is a high-quality UV inhibitor, and is highly reviewed and recommended.

Just spray it on the shield and wipe the excess off with a high-quality microfiber towel. It is just that easy. 

303 Aerospace Protectant UV inhibitor
303 Aerospace Protectant UV inhibitor

Click here to find out more about 303 Aerospace Protectant

Some RV owners take their shield maintenance a step further though. And they also use a polymer sealant on the shield before applying 303 Aerospace Protectant.

This kind of synthetic wax sets up a moisture barrier that further protects the shield from mold.

In fact, you can apply a couple of layers of the polymer sealant if you wish. Then layer the 303 Aerospace Protectant on top of the sealant.

And that constitutes the ultimate Diamond Shield protective polish that you can apply.

All of this protection can be applied to the RV bug shield easily with microfiber towels in just minutes. 

There are plenty of good polymer sealant products for the auto and RV market. Almost any of them would work well.

The one I like to use most often lasts longer than most. But if you have a favorite of your own, I’m sure it will work just fine.

My preference is Meguiar’s Fast Finish. It just wipes on and dries to a very slick finish. Best of all, it really lasts too!

Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish polymer sealant
Meguiar’s Ultimate Fast Finish polymer sealant

Click here to learn more about Meguiar’s Fast Finish polymer sealant

How Often Should You Maintain Your Diamond Shield?

So how often should this protective polish be applied to Diamond Shield? A good rule of thumb is to apply it once a month.

But if your RV spends a lot of time in high humidity areas, you may want to do it more often. Perhaps even every couple of weeks or so.

That way you can be sure that the protection you’re applying is adequate for the area.

This is especially true in lower Texas and Florida, where humidity can be extremely high.

Of course, you don’t have to apply the polymer sealant too. Just 303 Aerospace Protectant alone will do a great job.

But if you have the extra time, adding a synthetic polymer coating to the protection regime can be beneficial too.

The key to RV shield maintenance with a diamond shield protective polish is having a regular schedule for it. Then follow that schedule consistently.

What About Diamond Shield Removal?

Yes, no product lasts forever. And that is true of Diamond Shield as well.

So if your RV front end shield is showing signs of failing, what should you do? Well, let’s talk about how to remove Diamond Shield.

When you first begin to see clear evidence of cracking in the clear protection film, it’s time for Diamond Shield removal.

I can’t stress enough not to wait and delay the removal process. The longer you wait when a shield is failing, the more difficult the removal will be.

That’s because moisture can easily begin to penetrate the outer layer of the RV protective film.

When it does, it’s not hard for mold to start growing and accelerate the shield disintegration. Eventually the shield just breaks into small pieces when you try to remove it.

So don’t procrastinate on Diamond Shield removal when it starts to become necessary.

What Is Involved In Removing An RV Front End Shield?

Removing a clear front end protection film from an RV is not an easy job.

I have done it many times, and it is usually long and arduous. So I recommend that you make a search for “diamond shield removal near me” on Google.

Or you can just call the Diamond Shield home office too. They will be happy to help arrange for a professional removal of your RV shield.

To know more about Diamond Shield removal cost, just call the home office. The number is 888-806-5862.

A professional installer will also know how to remove Diamond Shield too. So they are the best solution for the job. But you can do the job yourself too.

I often get asked about diamond shield removal solvent too. But the truth is that there is no solvent that I know of that can easily remove a shield.

In most cases, it requires heating up the shield in a small area with something like a heat gun. Just be sure not to get the gun too close and mar the paint.

But if you sufficiently heat the protective film, it can often be pulled off with just a little effort.

You can then remove the glue left behind with mineral spirits or another appropriate glue remover.

Another very effective way to remove a front end protection shield is to use a steam machine. One like you might use for extra heavy duty cleaning jobs.

By steaming the shield, it often makes it even more pliable than a heat gun might accomplish. Then the removal is even easier.

Steam cleaner for removing Diamond Shield
Steam cleaner for removing Diamond Shield

You can view this steam cleaner by clicking here now

How To Find A Diamond Shield Installer

Once you have the front end shield removed, you can reinstall it again.

To do that, it’s always best to call the Diamond Shield home office at 888-806-5862. You can also contact them online at diamond-shield.com

They can give you the information you need about Diamond Shield installation cost too.

If they have arranged for the removal of your front end shield, the installation can be done right away.

But if you have removed the shield yourself, you will need to make arrangements for a an installer to do the job.

And yes, they are usually able to come right to your location for both removal and installation.

Conclusion

So if you have Diamond Shield, or any other RV protection film, you can keep it looking great. And it isn’t hard to do. 

Just make sure that your regular RV inspection also includes inspecting your rock shield too.

Then follow the maintenance guidelines in this article to get good results.

If you do, your Diamond Shield should last a long time and look great while it does!

Have safe and happy travels!

RV Ants? Get Rid Of Them Now

It may seem that RV ants have their own classification as they seem to just appear from nowhere.

And before long they just take over your RV. When that happens, camping is no longer fun!

So maybe you want to know how to get rid of carpenter ants in your RV. Or sugar ants or some other kind of ants.

Well first, how do they get into your RV anyway? The truth is that there are plenty of little cracks and holes in most RVs. And ants are persistent!

The colony sends out scout ants first. Their job is to go find the food. Once the food is found, they leave a scent trail for other ants to follow.

Before you know it, you have a steady stream of ants coming and going in your RV.

Watch my video on RV ants here

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means โ€“ at no additional cost to you โ€“ I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website.

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“How To Get Rid Of Ants In My Camper”?

There are lots of ant remedies being discussed all over the internet. Some work well and others, not so much.

Of course, many campers turn to using some kind of insecticide in the RV right away.

But there can be problems with this approach. If you have children or pets, it is possible for them to be harmed by the poison in the insecticide.

And even adults can be affected, if the ant poison isn’t applied correctly.

So you may ask “How to get rid of ants in my camper without using insecticide”?

Well today, we are going to discuss mostly natural remedies for ants instead. They can be just as effective and don’t have the harmful side effects of insecticide poisons.

Some of these natural ant removal techniques can take a little work on your part. But they are also very effective!

Remove the RV ants food source

The first ant removal technique is to simply remove the food source. Ants are not out there just marching around to find a camper that they can irritate. Although it may seem that way at times.

Remember, that scout ants are always on the lookout for food. Only when they find food will you see the rest of the colony in your RV.

So it stands to reason that if you remove the food source, they will leave you alone.

One way to eliminate the food source is to physically move the RV. After all, most likely you have ants in your RV because it is parked close to a nearby nest.

So moving to a different location can often solve the problem.

But often, just moving the RV is not enough. And you still need to remove the food source ants are coming for.

This means that you can’t leave food sitting out where it is easily found by the scout ants. So when your meal is over, put the leftovers away as soon as you can.

And don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink very long either. Of course, it is tempting to leave them for later. But the ants may get to them before you do!

And if you have food along on the camping trip that ants love, protect it! That means that if it is going to be outside the refrigerator, put it in a container that can be sealed.

There are several plastic containers for sale that are ideal for storing foods in this way. Especially foods that are sweet should be sealed away from sugar ants and other prying insects.

Thoroughly clean your RV

After removing the food source, clean your RV thoroughly, especially where the ant trails are visible. This is the extra step that many campers do not take. But it is critical if you don’t want to see any more ants!

The reason for this cleaning is to remove the ant scent trails that were left for ants to find the food. If you just remove the food source, the ants will still keep coming in for a while.

This because the scent trail for food is still in place. So, if you remove the ant scent trails, you reduce your ant problem significantly and quickly.

Many campers use a product called Pine-Sol to clean their RV. This is because Pine-Sol effectively destroys ant scent trails right away.

The ants may still come in your RV for a while, but they find no scent to follow. So they become disoriented and usually leave.

One more thing to do after cleaning your RV. Make sure that you take out your food garbage quickly and regularly.

Trash with food in it that is left behind for even a short time can become an attractant for ants. So make a habit of taking out the trash often!

Use ant bait liquid

The use of ant bait liquid is very effective in removing ants. There are several brands of ant bait liquid on the market. But one of the most popular is Terro ant bait.

It is the product that we have used in our motorhome and it worked great! If you look into Terro ant killer containers on Amazon, you will see that the product is well reviewed. And the reviews are very high too!

I personally use and recommend Terro ant bait containers. Find out more about it by clicking the link below:

Click here for Terro Liquid Ant Bait Containers

(This is an affiliate link for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

It works well because it contains borax, which is lethal to ants. However, Borax has very low toxicity for humans and other animals. So, it is more of a natural ant remedy.

The ants are attracted to the borax ant killer in the containers. They ingest it and take it back to the colony. The colony ingests it and is wiped out. No more ants!

All you have to do is just place the ant bait in strategic areas. These could be in cupboards, cabinets around the kitchen area, along known ant trails, etc.

If you use the Terro ant bait containers, they are simple to distribute and there is no mess.

Kill RV ants outside

All of the ant removal remedies I have mentioned so far have been inside the RV. But why not stop the ants from coming in to your RV in the first place?

Ants must have a way to get into your RV and there are only a few ways to do that. RVs usually only have contact with the ground through the tires, leveling jacks or hoses.

So as part of your regular RV inspection, include these areas where ants can gain entry to your RV.

A product that has worked well to kill ants outside is diatomaceous earth, or DE for short. DE is sold in pool supply stores for use in pool filters.

It’s a white or gray powder that is very fine and is lethal to the skeleton of ants. So if you apply DE around anything that touches the ground from your RV, it can be very effective.

Ants often approach the diatomaceous earth, sense that it is harmful to them and just back away. But if they don’t back away, it kills them quickly.

Conclusion

All of the methods mentioned above work well to get rid of RV ants. But the single best way to do it quickly and efficiently is to remove the food source itself.

It’s actually very simple. Ants are always looking for food. And you won’t see a lot of ants unless a food source has been located.

So it stands to reason that if you provide no food source for them, you will not be seeing them much.

And there are plenty of other ideas for getting rid of RV ants, including the use of pesticides. But these are the ones that have been most effective for us.

So if you want to know how to get rid of carpenter ants in your RV, sugar ants or ants in general, these suggestions are effective.

In review, here are the ideas we have covered in this article:

  • Move your RV to a different location
  • Remove all leftover food and crumbs from open areas and take out the trash
  • Store dry food in plastic containers to prevent their access to it
  • Thoroughly clean the RV to remove all traces of ant trails
  • Use PineSol on solid surfaces to destroy any leftover ant trails
  • Use ant bait containers like Terro to attract and kill them
  • Sprinkle DE outside around any part of your RV that touches the ground

I hope these suggestions help you get your RV ant problem under control quickly and easily.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

Keep My RV Cool – How?

If you are asking how do I keep my RV cool, you are not alone. Keeping a cool RV in the summer when you are boondocking or unplugged from shore power is a challenge. But it can be done.

Why Keep a Cool RV?

Caring for your RV the right way involves keeping a cool RV because heat is an RV enemy. It can cause a lot of the rubber and plastic inside your RV to dry out and crack. It basically sucks out the moisture in many of the wood products as well. Not to mention that it can make the RV owners crabby and irritable!

Of course, summer heat can also damage the exterior of your RV too. And the best piece of advice there is just to try and find some shade where you can set up camp. But the inside of your RV is where heat can silently do damage over time. So RV inspection includes doing your best to kep your RV cool!

Beat The Summer Heat – Here’s How!

YouTube is a great source of information for RVers. And finding information on how to keep a cool RV is is only a click away. So here is a video from a YouTube creator that I follow regularly that will help explain what to do when it is warm outside and you are not using your air conditioner. He explains how just a few small changes can make a big difference in the inside temperature of your RV.

The channel is called “Love Your RV” and the content creator is Ray. He also has lots of other videos about RVing that are very helpful and informative. He and his wife have been traveling in their RV for several years now and they have a lot of wisdom to share. I enjoyed this video and I hope you will too.

Tips & Tricks for Keeping the RV Cool

Please comment below and tell us how you keep your RV cool

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