Last month I talked about the history of Hook & Loop and about the differences between consumer Hook & Loop and High Temp Sticky Back. This month I will deal with application of the product so you have more success and get into some specifics on how you can use it in the rig.

This month we will talk about and show you some pictures of using sticky back in the rig and include links to other pictures on our website. If you are ever at an RV rally where we are doing a seminar, please check it out. We get tons of kudos about the seminars.

The Three Rules of Hook & Loop:

Thee are three basic rules of Hook & Loop that will greatly enhance your success. These rules were designed by me as a result of making so many mistakes when I was using Hook & Loop. As a result of not doing things properly I had many 'learning experiences'.

Rule 1: Have A System
Doing things the same way all the time will greatly improve your success with Hook & Loop. Always put the hook (sharp side) on what doesn't move and put the loop (soft side) on what does. Example: Put the hook on the wall and the loop on the TV controller. Why? When you pick up the TV controller you want the soft side, not the sandpaper side, in your hand. Seems obvious when you think about it but most people have told me after my seminars that this is one tip that would really help them in the future.
Another reason for doing this is that when you hang a picture on a wall, if you always put the hook on the wall and the loop on the picture, you can move pictures around and not have to remove the hook from the wall. Saves time, money and exasperation! Another point, always put the Hook & Loop on the wall horizontally, not vertically when hanging pictures. If you get into this habit you will find it easy to move things around. If one picture is hung with vertical strips and the other with horizontal ones they won't match up.

Rule 2: Use Enough

How much is enough? Tough to say for sure. We cut the strips in our packaged product into six inch lengths as that seems to be the most convenient size for RVers. A six inch strip at the top and bottom of most pictures will be sufficient. A a rule of thumb, a piece about 60% of the width of the picture will be adequate to hold it. I don't recommend putting one piece in each corner of a picture as it is too difficult to line up on the wall. It is a measuring nightmare!

Rule 3: 24 Hour Rule

In this instant on society that we live in, waiting for 24 hours seems like a lifetime. But when you want that picture to stay on the wall, or that clock, you have to give the adhesive time to setup properly. So put it on the picture, TV controller or clock and put it on the wall and then wait until tomorrow to introduce them to each other. You will dramatically increase your success rate. If you are using it on a flat surface like a counter the 24 hour rule doesn't apply. In this case gravity is your friend, not your foe.

I said there were 3 Rules of Hook & Loop but there is really some other caveats. Make sure the surface is clean and use the right product for the job. You can buy 1/2 inch wide Hook & Loop and it might work but probably won't. 1" Hook & Loop will work better in the majority of cases. You usually don't need anything wider than 1". Throw the 1/2" stuff out. Even at that, regular Hook & Loop will NOT handle heat. In a rig, where the temperatures rise when we close the doors, the traditional Hook & Loop adhesive will melt off. High Temp Sticky Back has a temperature rating of 212 degrees so it will work much better.

You will notice in the picture and on our site, how we have created so much more space by using Hi-Temp Sticky Back to create a spice rack which moves the spices out where you can see them. It will save you a ton of time if you Hook & Loop things down to the counter instead of filling up the sink. When you get to your destination it will take so little time to get setup you will be amazed.

Stay tuned next month for more Tips & Tricks!

Over the years I have tried many brands of Microfiber and was always disappointed at the results. There was always lint being left behind, mirrors that still weren't clean and dust that was being recycled around the room so I got to clean it again and again and again.

I gave up on spray window cleaners and went back to the tried and true Vinegar and newspaper. Recently we were approached about carrying a "revolutionary new Microfiber". You can imagine my reaction. I have tried everything on earth and haven't been that impressed. "Try this" the guy said, so I did and WOW what a difference. Finally something that lived up to its claims!

There are three cloths that I am really excited about and I am trying some other specialty cloths and evaluating them. These cloths are made by the inventors of microfiber, Starfiber in Korea. They decided to make a monstrous jump in technology and their goal was to make a new generation of cloths that were up to 10 times better than anything they had made in the past. That was their benchmark and they succeeded. These new cloths are being used in museums, on show cars, airplanes and in every area where concerns about scratching is a concern. These won't scratch!

You and I know you only get what you pay for. Cheap cloths are not made of virgin polyester and polymide. They use filler material of melted down soda bottles, milk bottles and other recycled products. These CAN AND WILL SCRATCH. The mirror cloth from this company is being used to clean the mirrors in huge telescopes. Now that's one area that a scratch is critical.

The Window & Mirror cloth has cut my time down to 1/3 of what it used to take me to clean the mirrors and windows in the rig. I am not cleaning and then glancing at the mirror from an angle anymore to see what streak marks are still there. I just spray a little water on the mirror, no Windex or vinegar and wipe it clean. I have also noticed that I don't have to clean the mirrors and windows as often anymore either.

I had a lady at a show who said she was happy with the cloths she was currently using but after hearing my enthusiasm she said she would try them out but that she had just cleaned her mirrors that morning so she said she would wait a while. I told her this was the best test of all. Go home and try them on the mirrors and see what you think. She came back with her girlfriends in tow, within a half an hour and bought two more packages for her. She said these are 'noticeably and materially different than anything I have used before!"

The Dust Cloth is like a magnet. You hold it by the end of the cloth in one hand and then wrap your other hand around it and slide your hand quickly down the cloth. Repeat a few times. This creates static electricity in the material and dust just clings to it. Great for dusting the dash and those dials and gauges that are so hard to get at. You will be amazed at how this cloth works. No more recycling the dust for me.

The Scrubber has a honeycomb look to it and does it clean. Its incredible. Ken uses it on the windshield and front of the rig to get the bugs. I use them everywhere you can imagine from cleaning pots, pans, counters, floors and just everything. They work. They will make your cleaning simpler and easier. Try them, you'll love them. If not, send them back for a full refund! PS: As with all microfiber, don't wash in bleach or use fabric softener.

Judy Wilton

Technical Input from Ken

For those that are not familiar with microfiber here is a short introduction that might help.

The term "microfiber" is based on the size of a fiber measuring below 1.0 denier (the diameter or fineness of a continuous or filament fiber. The lower the number, the finer the fiber, which in turn is more effective for cleaning surfaces). Aqua Star, Inc, the parent company of Starfiber, has advanced Microfiber technology by splitting the fiber, producing a 0.20 - 0.15 denier, making it the finest, thus, highest quality microfiber on the market today.

Each strand of Starfiber Microfiber is comprised of two components - wedge - shaped polyester filaments and a core of nylon. Mode of both oil-attracting and water-attracting polymers, these strands are woven into masses of tiny "hooks & loops". The sharp edges of millions of these fibers cut through dried-in stains, attracting and absorbing dirt and micro-particles, eliminating the need for additional chemical cleansers. Starfiber is not treated with any chemicals. The capillary effect between the filaments and nylon core creates a high absorbency, which in turn, enables the fiber to clean and polish at the same time. Therefore, only water is needed as a detergent to clean any type of surface.

What's more fun than sitting around a campfire and roasting a hot dog or marshmallow with family or friends? Try out our Telescoping Rotisserie Roasting Forks! They are a blast! Everyone who sees them wants them. As a result they make a great gift idea.

The fork extends from 13" to 42" and has a knob on the handle that you can turn with your thumb and the entire fork rotates! Your own personal rotisserie. You get absolutely the best hot dog, marshmallow or bratwurst done to perfection.

The forks are made of stainless steel and won't rust. They come in a convenient storage sleeve that holds 2 forks. Keep them in the drawer so they don't get lost or bent.

The DIY Network does TV shows on all kinds of subjects including RVing. Gary Bunzer, better know as the contributing editor to many publications as the "RV Doctor" is the host of this show. Gary is highlighting 10 of our products over the 13 shows they are doing this season. The show is broadcast on Friday and you can find your local listing by clicking on the link and then going to the top right corner where it says "Get DIY on TV". You will find Gary very entertaining and full of helpful advice.

We have had many comments about our first newsletter last month. All of them were positive in nature. Here is some of the feedback.

Your newsletter is just like your products, fantastic! Keep up the good work. B Beers Portland.
Love the newsletter. I have been to your seminars and the content of the newsletter is just great. I can't remember everything in the seminar, so this info is really helpful. Can't wait until the next one.

We also got some questions as well.

Will the High Temp Sticky Back work on my windshield. My GPS keeps falling off. H Tanner, OK Answer: Yes it will. The adhesive on the Hi Temp works well on almost any surface, but particularly well on your dash and windshields. Give it a try, I know you will be pleased.

I bought your Hose & Faucet Connector and think I should have bought more than 1. My friends tell me I can use them on the filler and flusher on the rig as well. Is that true. Answer: Your friends are correct. The Hose & Faucet Connector is the ONLY one piece connector in the market. Screw it to the filler and then take the end of your hose and push it up against the washer on the connector. Slide the locking sleeve forward and you're connected. No twisting, no leaks and no channel locks.