Not every dull caravan needs the same job. That’s the single most expensive misunderstanding I talk people out of.
I’m Cameron — Van Lustre, mobile caravan and RV detailing across South East Queensland. I do every job myself. Public liability insured. 15 years’ detailing experience. Fixed prices by van length, quoted from your photos.
On the site you’ll see two exterior correction packages that get mixed up all the time:
- Gloss Refresh — 1-day machine polish and seal, from $920 incl GST (up to 18 ft)
- Full Restoration — 2-day machine cut, polish and seal, from $1,990 incl GST (up to 18 ft)
Same tools family. Different targets. Different amount of surface removed. Different day on site.
Think in targets, not magic bottles
In The Detailer’s Masterclass I teach correction the same way I quote vans: agree the target first.
| Target | Plain English | Van Lustre package |
|---|---|---|
| Enhancement | Big gloss lift; light dullness and fine marring improved | Gloss Refresh |
| Restoration / substantial correction | Chalky oxidation cut back; finish refined; then sealed | Full Restoration |
| Restoration + long protection | Full cut/polish, then ceramic | Restore + Ceramic (from $3,090) |
A one-step polish is some of the best value in detailing when it matches the paint. It is not a shortcut to “like new” on a neglected, chalking wall. I’d rather sell an honest one-day polish than an oversold restoration — and I’d rather refuse a one-day polish when the photos say oxidation.
Gloss Refresh — when it’s the right call
Choose Gloss Refresh when photos show:
- Gloss still there, but tired
- Light swirls or wash marring
- No chalk rubbing off on a finger or cloth
- A van you’d be happy to improve, not rebuild
What you get: full wash (roof, windows, trims), machine polish, and a sealant. About a day on a typical van. Length bands: up to 18 ft $920, 19–22 ft $1,130, 23 ft+ $1,350 (GST incl).
What you should not expect: every deep scratch gone, or chalky oxidation erased. Deeper marks usually stay, just less obvious. That’s enhancement done properly.
Full Restoration — when chalk (or heavy fade) is the story
Choose Full Restoration when photos show:
- Chalky or powdery residue on a wipe test
- Heavy fading / oxidised gelcoat or paint
- A van that looks dusty five minutes after washing
What you get: a proper cut to remove degraded surface, then polish to clarity, then seal. About two days. Length bands: up to 18 ft $1,990, 19–22 ft $2,190, 23 ft+ $2,490 (GST incl).
This is the multi-stage idea from the trade books, applied to big van panels: cut first, refine second, protect third. More time, more care on edges and ridges, and an honest stop if the surface is cracked, crazed, or through to fibre — that becomes a repair conversation, not a buff.
What “cut” actually means (without the trade waffle)
Polish (Gloss Refresh) refines what’s already sound — lifts dullness and light swirls, then seals.
Cut (Full Restoration) removes a thin layer of degraded surface first. On chalky gelcoat that’s the oxidised skin. Then you polish the new surface clear and seal it so you’re not leaving it open in the sun.
That’s why the days and the prices differ. You’re not paying for a fancier bottle — you’re paying for controlled removal, panel time, and finishing on a house-sized wall that lives outdoors in SEQ.
If your van is chalking, buying a one-day polish to “see how it goes” usually costs more in the long run than scoping the right job once from photos.
The photo rule I won’t bend
If you ask for Gloss Refresh but the photos show oxidation, I’ll quote Full Restoration and explain why. I can still offer Gloss Refresh only with a clear note that results will be limited. That’s in our pricing rules for a reason: a one-day polish can’t fix oxidation in a day.
Send photos of all sides, a couple of close-ups of the worst panels, and the body length. I’ll reply with a fixed price — usually within one business day — no “we’ll see when we get there” games.
How this maps to DIY (without dumping a chapter)
If you polish your own tow vehicle at home with a dual-action polisher, you already know the feeling: start gentle, test a spot, don’t camp on one section. Same mindset on a van — just bigger panels, more heat, decals, acrylic windows, and often gelcoat instead of clear coat.
Home one-steps are for light dullness. When the cloth comes away chalky, you’re out of “weekend polish” territory for most owners. That’s when mobile pro work earns its keep.
Other packages in one line
- Wash & Interior Detail from $450 — dirty, not oxidised
- New Van Ceramic from $2,140 — new/near-new, protect early
- Restore + Ceramic from $3,090 (capped $3,490) — full restoration then ceramic
Motorhomes, fifth wheels and heavily weathered vans are always quoted by me from photos.
Next step
Not sure which column you sit in? Don’t guess from a Facebook comment. Send the photos.
Fixed quote: vanlustre.com.au/#quote
Mobile across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. I come to you. I do the job myself.