What Parts of a Caravan Can Be Protected? Inside and Out

When people think of caravan protection, they usually picture the walls. But a caravan is made of dozens of different materials, inside and out, and most of them can be protected. Knowing what can be covered helps you compare quotes and make sure nothing important is left out.

Exterior surfaces

Painted and gelcoat panels

The front, sides, rear and roof (where accessible) are the main job. These large surfaces take the most UV, grime and black streaks, and they're where chalking and fading show first. A coating keeps them bright and makes them easy to rinse clean.

Checker plate

Checker plate on the front and lower panels collects mud, dust and road grime in its pattern. A coating makes it much easier to clean and helps keep its shine.

Toolboxes and front boxes

Usually painted or checker plate, and right in the line of fire from the tow vehicle. Worth including.

Decals and stripes

Decals are thin vinyl and often the first thing to fade and crack in the sun. Coating them along with the walls helps protect them from UV, as long as they're still in good condition.

Solar panels

Dust and droppings on solar panels reduce their output. A suitable coating helps rain and a rinse keep them cleaner.

Windows, hatches and skylights

Suitable glass, acrylic and perspex windows, hatches and skylights can be protected where the product is compatible. Acrylic needs care: never use solvents or abrasive pads on it.

Lights

Headlights on motorhomes, and tail lights and indicators on all vans, can be protected to slow hazing.

Interior surfaces

The inside of a van takes just as much wear as the outside, in a much smaller space. With a package that includes the interior, these surfaces can be protected:

• Lounges, dinette seats and cushions
• Headboard coverings
• Curtains
• Carpets
• Suitable fabrics, leathers and vinyls
• Benchtops and tabletops
• Splashbacks and cupboard surfaces
• Shower screens, shower walls and tiles
• Mirrors

Protected fabrics repel spills so they don't set into stains, and hard surfaces wipe clean more easily. See caravan interior protection.

What can't be protected by a coating

• Stone chips. A coating isn't thick enough to stop impacts. That needs film or a stone guard. Read caravan ceramic coating vs PPF.
• Cracked or crazed gelcoat. Needs repair first.
• Badly faded or lifting decals. Usually best replaced.
• Perished seals and rubbers. Need treating or replacing separately.
• Canvas and awning fabric. Need their own treatments.

Questions to ask when comparing quotes

• Which exterior surfaces are included? Walls only, or the front, rear, roof, checker plate and toolboxes too?
• Are windows, hatches and lights included where suitable?
• Is the interior included, and which surfaces?
• What preparation is done first?
• What does the warranty cover, inside and out?

Two quotes can look very different simply because they cover different surfaces. We explain more in caravan protection cost: what affects the price?

Motorhomes and campers

Motorhomes add a cab with automotive paint, headlights and a dash, and camper trailers often have more canvas and fittings. The same principles apply. See motorhome and RV paint protection.

The bottom line

Caravan protection can cover far more than the walls: checker plate, toolboxes, decals, solar panels, windows and lights outside, and fabrics, benchtops and showers inside. We protect caravans, campers, RVs and motorhomes with OptiVAN, inside and out, at your home or storage yard. See caravan paint protection in Sydney.

Common questions

Can the roof of a caravan be protected?

Yes, where it can be safely accessed. The roof takes the most sun and is the source of most black streaks.

Can checker plate be ceramic coated?

Yes. A coating makes checker plate much easier to clean and helps keep its shine.

Is the interior of a caravan included in protection?

It depends on the package. Our OptiVAN package protects the interior as well as the exterior.

Can a coating protect against stone chips?

No. Stone chip protection needs paint protection film or a stone guard on the front.