Hey guys, I just wandered on over to the "care + detailing" threads for the first time and am learning more now than almost all my time spent else where on the site (thanks guys!) but must warn you I am a complete NOOB when it comes to cleaning a truck (this is my first truck with a nice shiny paint job! ). I am pretty heavy into off-roading and never expect my truck to look half as nice as some of yours, but I would like to "properly" clean it. I don't like to take the truck out too much (its my tow rig, so it has to see dirt just to get the Suzuki out there) but it tends to be somewhat of a recovery rig and I still have to go out and play in it a little bit.

Now when i come home what would be the proper way to get the mud and gunk off? How should I go about cleaning? Perhaps i should wax or do some sort of protective coating before hand? What about those little scratches from the brush and mud being flung up? Any and all in-put is greatly appreciated. (*note: I am far from **** about cleanliness of my truck, like i said, I off-road heavily) I will keep reading and searching through these threads. Thanks for any help!

 

use a pressure washer on the dirt, then soak the car w/ a hose and brush it w/ soap and water, hose it off, then dry it. make sure your truck is completely dry b4 you wax it or else it wont stick. a good coat of wax should get rid of any minor scratches. or if you dont want to wash it take it to a nearby car wash, then get the finer spots they didnt get.

 

Never let mud or salt dry on your truck, if possible. As soon as you get home (even if it's 2AM & snowing), rinse the UNDERSIDE thoroughly. Be sure the tops of the wheel arches & outer bed skin (inside) are free of dirt & salt since those are prime locations for rust.

I never worry much about the paint since it's designed to protect the steel, but you can rinse it down, too. The more pressure & abrasion (washing with cloth) you put on it, the faster it'll dull down. So start with just your garden hose to get the bigger chunks & most of the sand off. Then use plenty of soap for the residue.

 

Not entirely true.

Scratches must be removed with a polish that has cut in it.

One step products such as Megs Cleaner Wax will get very minor surface marks out however, if you have spider webbing, micro marring etc, you will need to properly polish the surface before waxing.

A standard basic procedure is this:

Wash, power wash to remove dust dirt etc. (off road step, don't forget about the wheel wells and undercarriage)
Hand wash, using two bucket method with proper wash solution
dry
Clay
Polish
wax

Once this is done, it becomes easier to maintain the finish and you don't have repeat that as often unless you become OCD. It happens.


Just my .02 worth

 

I always spray soap on the truck with the pressure washer and let it soak a little and than rinse with the pressure washer a few times, depending on how bad it really is. After that I'll just wash like normal using the two bucket wash method.

 

oscilating lawn sprinkler under the truck, move every 30 minutes. Worked for me.

 

I use one of these underneath when it's good and muddy with the arms pointed up. It will walk from bumper to bumper on it's own.



I try to keep a good coat of a slick wax on it and havn't had much of a problem with small rub marks comming out.

Last trip I got some pretty hefty and numerous rub marks. I had recently done a cleaner wax, polish, wax, and 2nd wax.

There are a few places that mud likes to hide. like that triangle looking spot where the fenders meet the bumper/valance on each front corner. If those arn't cleaned out well, they'll drip mud down the bumper everytime it's washed.

Don't forget the engine bay if you're in the mud/water. Perhaps some WD40 on the connectors, since it's orriginal purpose was water displacement.

 

WOW!! You guys are a wealth of knowledge and I sure do appreciate it. I never let mud dry on and usually get to washing it right away, but I use a garden hose and a normal ole car wash sponge. I will end up under my truck for an hour or so using a crap garden hose (going to try the sprinkle next time) I knew I was doing it the lazy way and wanted to get some good insight from some guys who have done it more than a couple times. I was worried about going to town with a pressure washer, the mud I wheel in up here in North CA has a bunch of little pebbles and rocks in it, wouldn't I scratch the paint as i wash? Also I am hoping for that 18 page sticky on the "how to" as I have never used clay bars and am fairly new to the whole detailing practice. My e-mail is Euroauto@sonic.net (thanks to anyone who can send that my way) Also, what about before hand? I usually know when I am going to get my truck dirty... should I give it a good coat of wax before hand to maybe ease in cleaning and help prevent some scratches?

 

Sent it to you

JP

 

What is Clay? (OK, it is probably so obvious that I cannot see the forest for the trees)

 

Thanks a lot

 

Clay is just what it sounds like. It is a small block of detailing clay that is designed to prep the surface and make ready for polish and wax. It removes rail dust, sap, and loads of other contaminates that are adhered or embedded in the clear.

Using that with a QD will make your paint feel like it has lotion on it=

 

You're welcome. (I know, RR sent it, but I wrote it...)