Let's talk about cleaning these beautiful trucks!

Rymack10 · August 11, 2015

I normally go through the touch less automatic wash and finish with Turtle Wax Ice Detailer spray. For the inside, Meguiars Leather cleaner on the seats, arm rest and steering wheel, followed by Leather conditioner on the seats. In between that regiment, I use Turtle Wax Ice Interior a Detailer spray. I know there are way better products then Turtle Wax, but the Ice line is readily available at Wally World and won't empty your pocket, plus it's really easy to use. I can finish my truck start to finish in 30 minutes.

Sadly I haven't found any touchless automatic car washes around me. I have went through a automatic car was a few times, I know shame on me. I haven't noticed any scratches or swirls in the paint, but I'd prefer not to go through those any more. I think a hand wash looks much nicer anyways.

Do most people use microfiber towels for cleaning their windows and windshield on the inside?

nadrojcote · August 11, 2015

Leather conditioner is pointless on our seats as they have a coating on them. Maybe once they're really worn down it would be needed.

SkiBum5.0 · August 11, 2015

Here is my method for twice annual polish and wax on all my vehicles.

1. Wash truck with two bucket method mentioned already

2. Dry with microfibre towels and compressed air for all tough spots

3. Clay bar with detail spray or spray bottle with car wash and water (1:20 mixture)

4. Quick wash/rinse and dry as before

5. Tape off all plastic trim or parts you don't want to get polish and wax on

6. Apply preferred polish based on paint damage with Flex XC3401 and appropriate backing pad - do one body panel at a time. Step up abrasiveness of polish as necessary. Move to a finer polish to get the small stuff, and then a finishing polish for shine.

7. wipe off excess polish with microfibre

8. Admire handy work and check for swirls etc re-do step 6 if still present or continue if lazy and ready for beer

9. Apply wax or sealant of choice with Flex and proper wax backing pad - some waxes/sealants will have a "cure" time on panel

10. Remove glazed wax with microfibre cloth - use small micro brush to get all seams and around trim.

11. Peel off tape and inspect

12. Go buy flowers for wife as you've been in the garage for 8 hours

JerryCanada · August 11, 2015

Need a hose fore sure. Even if some products mention you can wash it without water I Would rather hose off the dust and mud off instead of wiping it off. If I really want it to shine, I use FW1 after it's been properly rinsed. Use it mostly on my motorcycle as it does a great at shining and covers swirls and small scratches in clear coat. So the truck gets it few times a year to keep it like new. Any other time is just a bucket with soap.

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Silverado Steve · August 11, 2015

I hear you, I try to stay away from the auto car washes with the brushes, luckily here most if not all are touchless. Since I live in an apartment to with no access to a hose, automatic or the coin wash is my main option. Another reason I like silver is it doesn't show dirt as much.

Sadly I haven't found any touchless automatic car washes around me. I have went through a automatic car was a few times, I know shame on me. I haven't noticed any scratches or swirls in the paint, but I'd prefer not to go through those any more. I think a hand wash looks much nicer anyways.Do most people use microfiber towels for cleaning their windows and windshield on the inside?

Silverado Steve · August 11, 2015

That's true, I personally like the feel of the seats after I put conditioner on then, they have a nice Shen andslight slick feel to them. Makes it easier sliding in and out of the seats, that and dust and particles brush right off.

Leather conditioner is pointless on our seats as they have a coating on them. Maybe once they're really worn down it would be needed.

Debra in Cali · August 11, 2015

I have a hand car wash that is a drive through for the wash and then you get directed to a lane for them to clean the interior and do the finishing details. It costs me $55 a month + tips. I can wash every day if I want to, so this is a killer deal. They have a one year package that I am seriously considering, which is an every better price than the monthly fee.

The staff knows me and know to fold in my mirrors with they are pre-washing. They also know I tip very well, so they really do a good job.

nadrojcote · August 11, 2015

Leather should not be oily/greasy or shiny, it should be dull and clean looking.

TJay74 · August 11, 2015

I dust mine off almost daily with a California duster and use a clean MF towel and Adam's detail solution to get any bugs off. If it gets rained on while sitting and is dry then I will just rinse with high pressure water from the car wash, if I had to drive in the rain then it will get soap and water from the car wash. I never use the brush on the truck and never go thru an automatic car wash. Then I dry and detail from there.

I clay bar the cars 3x a year, then spot polish anything that needs attention, then seal it and then wax it. All with Adam's products.

Interior I keep it dusted and vacuumed, pretty much stays immaculate all of the time. About once every 2-3 months I use Adams interior cleaner to wipe the dash and doors off and then I use the leather cleaner on the seats. As said using a leather conditioner is pointless since all GM leather has a clear top coat that wont allow it to soak in.

Rymack10 · August 11, 2015

I would like to get in the habit of washing the truck once every two weeks. I have a garage at my place that me and my roommate share and a parking deck at work, so every two weeks would hopefully be enough. I've had the truck a little over three months and I'm ready to get a full deep clean on the truck and clean the interior really well.

I think I will look into clay barring it and polishing and waxing but this would be my first time doing those.

Any specific clay bar or spray I should look into? I've seen a lot of people recommend Adam's and Meguiars. I saw Meguiars has a clay bar kit with qwik detail spray and a MF towel. Also, is the liquid wax good or should I try something different?

Rymack10 · August 11, 2015

Also, people with the nice chrome wheels, what do you usually use or do to keep those babies in tip top shape?

Robert.jean1 · August 11, 2015

Chrome wheels= Water and a microfiber cloth then ring out cloth to dry lastly a clean paper towel. Always stays shinning like the truck.

Rymack10 · August 11, 2015

Chrome wheels= Water and a microfiber cloth then ring out cloth to dry lastly a clean paper towel. Always stays shinning like the truck.

No wheel cleaner? Just wash them while washing your truck then after rinse and use MF cloth? Sounds easy enough!!

crushNchowda · August 11, 2015

Hate to admit it, but I pick up my new black on black '15 CC A/T 6.2 truck on Thursday (had a '14 black/black AT 5.3 previous that was totaled in wreck) and I'll probably only wash "by hand" in my driveway (actually mostly w/ extendable brush) MAYBE once a month, other than that I tend to spray it off in the self wash bay w/ high pressure because it is just easier. When the weather is nice I'll follow up w/ Adams or Meguires detail spray/wax stuff and some tire dressing maybe couple times a month. When I had a vinyl tonneau 3-4 times a year I'd wipe it down w/ 303 aerospace. I don't put it in the garage EVER because its just too big, and its a truck and I'll use it as such, so cleaning it isn't a huge priority. I do have it waxed professionally twice a year minimum as well - in spring and right before winter. I clean the interior when it starts to bother me - Lexol is my favorite for the leather.

My vette on the other hand - whole other story, that b***h gets wax by my own hands!

It may sound silly, but I've always been super anal/ocd when it comes to my vehicles....because I typically had sport cars/sedans that I tried to double as DD duty, and that is just maddening. That's why I like having a truck - in my opinion its OK to let it get dirty and get some dings and scratches, but I keep it in top mechanical condition and all that.

Robert.jean1 · August 11, 2015

That's what I do. Back in the day I would use all kinds of polishes and cleaners and spend hours making my vehicles look clean. Several years ago I just stopped buying stuff and you what? My vehicles are as clean and sharp as any around, and it doesn't take me all efn day. I run the sprayer over my cloth as I wipe and it gets my vehicles pretty clean. Then I wring out the cloth and start the drying process. Also I don't have the dreaded swirl marks either. I do wax from time to time though, just not very often. Also at least twice a month I do run my truck through a touchless car wash.