Washing the L
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
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From: Houston, TX
Washing the L
Bought my new L yesterday. Floored it a few times but im so paranoid about flooring it cause its brand new and hurting it, I havent really thought about it and enjoyed it cause im so paranoid. Im going to wait till 500 miles to be ok with flooring it. But anyways, what are the best ways to wash the L, mines black, im really scared because i have swirl marks from the dealership already and i dont want to make the paint fade in color, i want to stay as black as it is now, what do i do, wash it normally, wash it with something special, wax it, what... i dont know what to do, im so paranoid, i love my truck, and i want to love it for along time
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From: Monrovia, CA
I'd try a search on this for details, but basically keeping black clean is fairly time-consuming and painful 
Try a clay bar treatment to start with to get rid of the rail dust, paint impurities, etc., and follow up with a good wax or polish/wax combo.
Between washes, a good quick detailer spray works great.
Oh yeah, and the advise from many here on the break-in period is "what break-in period?"
Try a clay bar treatment to start with to get rid of the rail dust, paint impurities, etc., and follow up with a good wax or polish/wax combo.
Between washes, a good quick detailer spray works great.
Oh yeah, and the advise from many here on the break-in period is "what break-in period?"
Last edited by DB; Oct 10, 2001 at 11:48 PM.
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From: Houston, TX
a clay bar? i dont know anything about those, kinda scared to use it, might scratch the paint? well, this will be my frist time to wash it, so, you really do recomend the clay bar? or should i go over it with the california duster to get rid of the dust
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From: Monrovia, CA
As long as your truck is really clean before you clay bar it you won't get any scratches. Just follow the instructions carefully, kneading the bar at intervals to reveal fresh clay. Sounds worse than it is.
It will look better after the clay bar and good wax than it did coming from Ford...
It will look better after the clay bar and good wax than it did coming from Ford...
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: New Mexico
Andrew,
Just wet it with a low pressure garden hose then wash with sponge and dish washing liquid. That should remove the dirt. The clay bar does a great job. Be careful keep the paint very wet and soapy. Use light pressure, you will feel the surface become smoother. Good luck and congrats on the new ride
Oh then apply ZAINO
Just wet it with a low pressure garden hose then wash with sponge and dish washing liquid. That should remove the dirt. The clay bar does a great job. Be careful keep the paint very wet and soapy. Use light pressure, you will feel the surface become smoother. Good luck and congrats on the new ride
Oh then apply ZAINO
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
andrewjhaley,
As stated earlier, I do recommed that you wash your truck for the first time with a dishwashing soap. This will remove all the old wax from the dealership. Then you should spend some time with a claybar to remove all the impurities. Remember, If you want something done right, do it yourself. The claybar will remove rail dust and dirt impurities that stick to the paint. You should then wash your L with some type of show car wash. Remember, dont use nothing but 100% made in USA cotton towels. Use plenty of them and frequently to avoid the swirl marks that you are talking about. You should then put a good coat of wax followed by some type of gloss enhancer. If you do all this, it takes some time the first time around but your truck will look awsome.
This will cut down on future washes because it will allow you to dust it with ease about 2-3 times a week. Doesnt take long.
For some good starter kits out there I would recommed ZAINO products. Visit:
WWW.zainobros.com
Hope this helps,
Joel
As stated earlier, I do recommed that you wash your truck for the first time with a dishwashing soap. This will remove all the old wax from the dealership. Then you should spend some time with a claybar to remove all the impurities. Remember, If you want something done right, do it yourself. The claybar will remove rail dust and dirt impurities that stick to the paint. You should then wash your L with some type of show car wash. Remember, dont use nothing but 100% made in USA cotton towels. Use plenty of them and frequently to avoid the swirl marks that you are talking about. You should then put a good coat of wax followed by some type of gloss enhancer. If you do all this, it takes some time the first time around but your truck will look awsome.
This will cut down on future washes because it will allow you to dust it with ease about 2-3 times a week. Doesnt take long.
For some good starter kits out there I would recommed ZAINO products. Visit:
WWW.zainobros.com
Hope this helps,
Joel
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From: Chesapeake, VA USA
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From: Warner Robins, Ga, CSA
Ditto........
the "all cotton towels". The brand to use is 'Cannon-Fieldcrest'. The 'nap' is 'all cotton' but so is the 'thread' in the hems. Most towels use a polyester thread which will scratch your clearcoat. I've found the big, bath-size towels at a C/F discount/outlet center for about $5/ea.
After the initial spray-washing with the nozzle, take it off the hose. Then when you rinse off the soap with a gentle 'flow' instead of a high pressure spray, you reduce the water 'spots' left on your finish. The water/soap 'sheets' off--especially on the top of the cab & hood. When you're ready to dry it off, take the big, all cotton towel and 'float' it out, over the cab roof, let it settle down and then drag it across the finish instead of 'rubbing' or 'swiping' the water off.(This 'floating' method is my idea and may not be the 'best' idea--comments are welcome from more experienced detailers.)
Btw, use the clay/bar--it works but, IF YOU DROP IT YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY THROW IT AWAY!!! It will 'grab' every piece of grit it lands on and then it is worthless.
These trucks are worth the extra time and effort we put into them.
Good luck,
Dan
After the initial spray-washing with the nozzle, take it off the hose. Then when you rinse off the soap with a gentle 'flow' instead of a high pressure spray, you reduce the water 'spots' left on your finish. The water/soap 'sheets' off--especially on the top of the cab & hood. When you're ready to dry it off, take the big, all cotton towel and 'float' it out, over the cab roof, let it settle down and then drag it across the finish instead of 'rubbing' or 'swiping' the water off.(This 'floating' method is my idea and may not be the 'best' idea--comments are welcome from more experienced detailers.)
Btw, use the clay/bar--it works but, IF YOU DROP IT YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY THROW IT AWAY!!! It will 'grab' every piece of grit it lands on and then it is worthless.
These trucks are worth the extra time and effort we put into them.
Good luck,
Dan
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
Ditto on the Zaino. Complete detailed instructions can be found at their web site. Figure on spending the better part of a weekend doing this. Cost for a good basic coat or two will be about $90.00. I think you will be most pleased.