What's your truck cleaning process?

[tuxandbowtie]

I just purchased a 2017 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 Midnight Edition. Already got the windows tinted, and started my list of parts to get for it!

 

However, I've never owned a brand new truck before, and I'm wondering what products you guys use to keep the interior (leather) and exterior of your trucks clean (and dry), and what your process looks like? I've owned it four days and I've already run it through the touchless car wash twice, but it doesn't get all of the dirt. I'm afraid to put a brush or sponge on that new paint!

 

Thanks in advance to everyone!

[Sierra706]

I just purchased a 2017 Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 Midnight Edition. Already got the windows tinted, and started my list of parts to get for it!

 

However, I've never owned a brand new truck before, and I'm wondering what products you guys use to keep the interior (leather) and exterior of your trucks clean (and dry), and what your process looks like? I've owned it four days and I've already run it through the touchless car wash twice, but it doesn't get all of the dirt. I'm afraid to put a brush or sponge on that new paint!

 

Thanks in advance to everyone!

Foam gun first, let it soak, rinse from the bottom.

Then I start a normal wash with a microfiber mitt. After that I dry with microfiber towels. Spray wax after every wash and standard wax every month or so.

 

Interior gets armorall on all plastics, leather wipes on seats, then leather conditioner. Finish off the interior glass with some auto safe cleaner and rain-x the exterior glass.

 

I used to gel my tires with black but living on a dirt road now I skip that step.

 

 

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[RyanbabZ71]

Moved to the vehicle appearance section. Tons of threads on this subject

 

 

Ryan B.

[SippiSierra]

I bit the bullet and bought a small pressure washer, it has made life 10 times better as the owner of a black truck as well I know what you go through. I use pretty much the same technique as Bushleaguechew except I rinse from the top down. I also only use waffle towels to dry. I have heard about F11 Topcoat but have not tried it as of yet.

[duquephart]

Do a search on "two bucket wash method".

[aseibel]

not to hijack this thread, but how do you go about getting the truck rinsed off and dried with your towels before the previous step starts drying on the surface? By the time I get around with the pressure washer, the other side is already drying and leaving streaks. And once I shut off the washer and start hand drying, same problem, I can't get all the way around before its drying on again.

[tuxandbowtie]

Moved to the vehicle appearance section. Tons of threads on this subject

 

 

Ryan B.

 

 

Sorry about that! Thanks for moving it to the right place.

[tuxandbowtie]

not to hijack this thread, but how do you go about getting the truck rinsed off and dried with your towels before the previous step starts drying on the surface? By the time I get around with the pressure washer, the other side is already drying and leaving streaks. And once I shut off the washer and start hand drying, same problem, I can't get all the way around before its drying on again.

 

I used to have that problem with my last truck, also. I'd get my wife to help me dry it!

[duquephart]

not to hijack this thread, but how do you go about getting the truck rinsed off and dried with your towels before the previous step starts drying on the surface? By the time I get around with the pressure washer, the other side is already drying and leaving streaks. And once I shut off the washer and start hand drying, same problem, I can't get all the way around before its drying on again.

 

Rinse with just a gentle flow so water sheets off. Leaf blower then finish with towels. Wash/dry in shade.

[Kevinreitan]

Lexol for the leather, i use it on all my upholstery including motorcycle seats.

[Back in a Bowtie]

not to hijack this thread, but how do you go about getting the truck rinsed off and dried with your towels before the previous step starts drying on the surface? By the time I get around with the pressure washer, the other side is already drying and leaving streaks. And once I shut off the washer and start hand drying, same problem, I can't get all the way around before its drying on again.

what i do is rinse all the way around the truck after every panel. drivers fender, rinse whole truck, drivers side doors, rinse whole truck, drivers bedside, rinse whole truck.... you get the picture

[Sierra706]

I bit the bullet and bought a small pressure washer, it has made life 10 times better as the owner of a black truck as well I know what you go through. I use pretty much the same technique as Bushleaguechew except I rinse from the top down. I also only use waffle towels to dry. I have heard about F11 Topcoat but have not tried it as of yet.

I used to do the top down method, until someone explained the drawbacks. If your spraying from the top, your runoff is washing the soap away from the surface below, but not all of the dirt. When you hose from the bottom, you get the soap and the dirt with each pass.

 

 

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[SippiSierra]

I used to do the top down method, until someone explained the drawbacks. If your spraying from the top, your runoff is washing the soap away from the surface below, but not all of the dirt. When you hose from the bottom, you get the soap and the dirt with each pass.

 

 

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Interesting, rain is moving through Mississippi right now, when it lets up I will pull the wash gear out and try that out. Thanks for the input!