So, yesterday I'm working outside and my older and wiser neighbor comes over and says he has some advice for me, since I spend so much time washing and waxing my F150's.

He said a buddy of his who had an immacluate black vehicle used a mixture of 1/2 kerosene and 1/2 water in a bucket. He washed his vehicle in this manner every week and said the kerosene would leave a protective film across the paint to protect it. My neighbor suggested I do this instead of spending my weekends with the PC waxing my trucks.

As he told me this, my mouth was just hanging wide open because I didn't know what to say. I finally said I don't think I'm brave enough to do that to my trucks, but thanks for the tip.

Has anyone heard of such craziness?

 

You should move before he starts telling you to add a quart of water at your next oil change to keep the engine clean.

 

That sounds like something you might try with the lacquer paints, but not sure if I would do that to a clear coat. Not even sure I would try that with lacquer paint. Sounds really harsh.

 

LOL...I would think it would eat the paint! I eats right through a plastic cup. I wouldn't do it!

 

no, but he better hope nobody in front of him flicks a cigarette out the window right after he washes his car

 

LMAO

I would think it would eat your paint/clearcoat pretty quickly. I watched him wash his Ranger across the street and says he does this process every couple months or so.

I think I'll stick to my normal laborous routine. Nothing worth getting comes easily.

 

Being that kerosene is, basically, almost 100% volitile, not sure how putting it on your paint could 'protect' it.

I think your neighbor was offering a bit of sabotage... If you go with it, let us know how much it melts.

 

I had a neighbor about 20 yrs ago who would spray all his cars with kerosene. He'd put it into one of those pressure canisters and spray away. These were never washed, outdoor parked mid 60's Dart, 70's Duster and an early 80's Delta 88 never saw a speck of rust. Those Dusters usually rotted out after 2-3 winters. I doubt any of those cars had clear coated finishes and they all most likely had heavier chemicals in the paint back then. I'll stick with my waxing, it's good therapy for me.

 

lol .. hadn't heard anybody mention that in a long time .. about 25 years ago, an old dealership detail guy told me about that .. he said the thought process behind it is that the volitiles will evaporate away, leaving the oils behind, which are absorbed by the paint .. said he used it on single stage paint all the time, with decent results .. sort of a lazy mans way to prevent rust, and provide some shine ..

I have never seen a vehicle done that way, and would rather trust modern chemistry to take care of my stuff ..

 

Kerosene is great for cleaning cuts. Especially if you get cut working with metal. I don't think i'd put it on my truck though.

 

I think I have heard somewhere maybe to clean your winders? Not for sure...

 

ok i just have to respond to this one. being that i was an auto painter for a few years i am also ppg certified. kerosene will not eat your paint, however it will leave your car very greasy and with a film on it. now that being said i would not wash my truck down with it it is just simply retarted. however!!!! if u ever get gum or hard to remove tar on your truck some kerosene on a rag will take it right off without harming your finish i do it all the time. as for protecting stick to what ever wax u like . my 2 cents

 

Its good for removing tar, thats about it.

 

Tell him he's full of sh*$.

 

1/2 cup of kerosene to 2 gallons hot water makes a great window cleaner.

Back in the day, we mixed about 8 oz. kerosene and 1 qt. motor oil into 2 gallons of Olive Drab paint and did a brush paint job on what became one of the shinest Jeeps around (and yes, I said Jeep, not a HumVee). Took some elbow grease to buff it out, but the Sergeant Major said to do it and we did (it was his Jeep).