Hand washing or High Pressure - which is better?
 

I have always washed my truck at a local high pressure bay. Since the addition of the black Crew the high pressure wash just doesn't seem to be cutting it.

How many of you are washing your trucks by hand? Is there a trick to the high pressure car washes? I came out of one the other day after feeding it 5.00 in quarters and there was still a film of dirt left on the truck. Argh!

I have always assumed the less you actually touch the paint the better but...

Black is such a pain in the a$$ but - wow - it sure looks nice when it is clean!



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Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
Solid Black , 5.4 Triton, 3.55 Limited Slip, 6750# GVWR Package, Skid Plates, Moon Roof, Sliding Rear Window, Trailer Tow - Class III, Cargo Cage, Grey Leather Captains Chairs, 6-Disc CD Changer

Mods:
305/70/16 Goodyear ATS
American Racing Atlas 16x8
Chrome Westin Steps
Flowmaster, Delta Flow 50 SI/DO
Cranked Torsion Bars 1"
Mobil 1 @ 1,000 miles
Concept II Deflecta Shield

Planned:
Toneau Cover
Expedition Console Mod. (Been there, done that - didn't like it so I sent it back!)

Another great Ford truck site -www.fseries.com

Truck Pictures

my experience has always been the same as yours. high-pressure car washes will only remove the big stuff. while they are great for cleaning the undercarriage of a truck, only sometimes during the winter do I use them on the paint to remove the road salt, etc.

i'm surprised that you have not noticed this on your previous vehicles.

you are right that black is the most awesome color when clean, but the toughest to keep that way.

speaking of cleaning, time for me to go handwash mine!!

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'99 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercab 4x4 ORP
5.4L Triton V-8
Deep Wedgewood Blue

http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark.../1215/F150.jpg

MODS TO COME:
K&N FIPK
Gibson Dual Sport Truck Exhaust
A.R.E. LSII Hard Tonneau Cover

http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/bbutbut.gif Sadly, as part of the metro Atlanta area, we are stuck with a water ban. This means no water lawns, pools, cars...etc. I have been reduced to actually paying to have my vehicles washed at a brushless (not touchless...just brushless) car wash.
I long for the days of washing in my driveway, taking extra care on the parts you know need special care...sigh...
http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/btear.gif


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http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/drwaitil.gif '99 Ford F-150 Lariat, 4WD, SCab, ORP, LS/3.73, Tow Pkg, 5.4L
* Superchip
* K&N FIPK GEN II
http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/gasmoke.gif '99 Chrysler 300M, PHP, Sunroof, Premium Infinity Sound, 3.5L
* Borla Cat-Bak
* K&N Filtercharger
www.atlantagamerz.com
www.f150online.com
www.300mclub.org

I only use those power spray dealies in the winter when it's absolutely too cold to take the crud off by hand.

Hand washing is ALWAYS the way to go if at all possible.

BTW Murfster, what the heck is that green head smoking?

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* 2000 F-150 XLT Black FS; 5.4L; 4x4 ORP
* Da Flip Chip! * 3.55 Limited Slip * Stepups
* Sliding Rear Window * 6-Way Power Seat
* Remote Keyless Entry
* Lund Trident Bug Shield * Custom Exhaust
* Fumoto Oil Drain Plug Valve (a must for do-it-yourselfers!)
* Wise Bedrug

So many mods, so little cash! On the up side, no wife to create a filibuster.

The soap used in these washes are of a very high ph like Dawn dishwashing soap and will strip any wax or other surface treatment.

Hand wash if possible.

I always hand wash. The only difference is in the winter I have to go to the coin op, but I only use the water. I bring my bucket to the car wash. I found a great place that lets you do that.In the summer, it's the bucket on the driveway.

I used to have a black vehicle and it looked great when it was clean but it really showed the dust. Now that I have white, I was surprised that it doesn't show dirt as much.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...981&p=44452602
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...981&p=44452598

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1999 F150 XLT 4X4 5.4L Supercab
Sport
Styleside
White
remote keyless
manual shift 4X4
power driver's seat
tinted windows
chrome step bars
chrome grille cover
Ford bedliner
Vent Shade-ventvisors
Lund bugshield
Pace Edwards Roll-topcover
P275/60R17SL,OWLAll-Season Tires
17" Cast Aluminum Wheels
DEH-P400 Pioneer CD
Boston Rally speakers

Sounds like handwash is the way to go!

But my question is...anything special about the soap you add to the water or are you guys just using straight up warm water?

2001,
I use soap and water. I have read other posts on what to use for washing and people are saying never ever use dish soap but I have and have never had a problem. I have tried car wash products and have not found a difference.I also wax at least once a month.

I may get lots of replies back for that statement but have found it works. I have used it on 5 different color vehicles.

ragarm I have no idea what that green head is smoking. I'm sure it can't be good for him, that's why he saddled up next to my Chrysler.
I think it might be a bug attached to my windshield...remember, I can't use water. http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/wsaint.gif



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http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/drwaitil.gif '99 Ford F-150 Lariat, 4WD, SCab, ORP, LS/3.73, Tow Pkg, 5.4L
* Superchip
* K&N FIPK GEN II
http://www.handspun.ie/bf/em/gasmoke.gif '99 Chrysler 300M, PHP, Sunroof, Premium Infinity Sound, 3.5L
* Borla Cat-Bak
* K&N Filtercharger
www.atlantagamerz.com
www.f150online.com
www.300mclub.org

jb,
I was on Zaino products site and they recomment using dish soap (dawn) to wash just before waxing. It removes all wax, grease, etc.. from the paint to allow for the wild man wax finish. I kinda wonder about using dish soap all the time though. If it works for ya, good deal, but could be why you are needing the wax job every month?. I'm not picking, just curious. Iuse that 5 gallon jug of Castle super shine soap down at the firehouse, and a nice coat of Mothers carnauba (sp?) 2-3 times a year. I've read about the clay bar, but havnt used one. I hear that they do a nice job.......
Rick..

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"99" F-150 4x2,SC, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.
"Gutless thing!!"

I would use a Car Wash soap made for washing cars and not a dish soap. That is unless your truck has baked-on grease or melted cheese on it. Dawn "takes grease out of your way", but it also takes wax out of your way.

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The GO 4D IT SuperCrew '01 SuperCrew XLT 4x2 (Generation II): 5.4L, Limited Slip, Black, 5-Spoke Rims, Dark Cloth, Capt. Chairs, Power Seat, Steps, Extender, Moonroof; Ford/Duraliner, K&N filter, Ford mudflaps, Tinted windows, Jason Dimension hard tonneau.

(for sale) The GO 4D IT Ranger: '93 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x2: 65K miles; 4.0L; Limited Slip; Black; Alum. Rims; A.C.; Power windows, mirrors, and locks; CD Player; Hard Tonneau; Running Boards.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...nce=0&res=high
If it weren't for trucks, we wouldn't have tailgates.

High pressure spray is bad, with soap or not. Think about it, any dust is basically fine abrasive so a high pressure spray forces that fine grit back into your trucks finish. Not a big deal with white or silver, but if you have black.... I could just imagine the microscopic divots being taken out of your paint.

Kirt, man, I would not be using the car wash as they dont really remove all the crud as you mentioned. Plus, if you use the brush that applies the suds, you are scrubbing someones elses wheelwell grime all over your paint. Extreme?, perhaps. I rarely drive through the automatic car wash unless we're on a trip and have a real road dust problem. I swear by my bucket, soap, and wash mit. Luckily, I'm in the local volunteer F.D., and we're allowed to wash out vehicles in the maintenance bay year around, and up here in "road salt country", thats a plus!!. Enjoy!!
Rick-


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"99" F-150 4x2,SC, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.
"Gutless thing!!"

I use both,hand wash,then rinse with high pressure. I bought a little K'archer high pressure washer about a year ago https://www.f150online.com/f150board/smile.gif That's what I use when I'm home,but that's only about 4 washes out of 15 or 20. At the auto wash,I rinse the brush thoroughly with the high pressure before it ever touches my baby. I try to stay away from the really dirty(poorly maintained)car washes........98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam,Sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!
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Thanks guys! I have always sprayed mine. I think I will try hand washing this summer. Thanks for your replies!