Wash and Dry on my Avalanche

[bshef]

Haven't washed my Avalanche for last couple weeks so I decided to give her a bath late this afternoon. This is the rainy season here in SoCal but today was pretty nice.

One thing I noticed was how dirty my wheel wells had become, so after my initial rinse I sprayed a healthy dose of Simple green in the wheel wells. Then I got my big nylon brush and gave each a good wipe. This trick took all the tar and grime right off. I also noticed alot of black grime on the cladding around my exhaust. The simple green and brush do a really good job on this. I don't think simple green will hurt the cladding. I know lots of guys that spray their whole engine compartments with it and then hose off.

Now the other 1st for me today was the "drying". I read about this tip some time ago on the LS1.com sight and decided to give it a go. I hooked up my 215mph, Toro Electric leaf blower and dryed off the whole truck in about 15-20 minutes. Works like a charm! The other benefit of this is all the water in the nooks and crannies gets blown out and doesn't "drip" everywhere leaving mineral trails and streaks. It was a little awkward at first and I got some people staring kinda funny at me but, "whatever".

BTW, I am a loyal user of Zaino and wouldn't use any other protection for my rig.

 

Brad in SoCal

[Guest Friz]

Simple Green is one of the most corrosive cleaners available. Make sure that you use LOTS of water to wash it off. Then rinse again, repeat.

[WS6Y2K]

I like to use Castrol's Super clean purple stuff to clean under the engine and wheel wells. I also found out that Home Depot has the same purple cleaner and degreaser and comes in 1 gallon. Much cheaper than the castrol's super clean. Haven't had to wash my Av. yet. The first wash it had was done at the local car wash. I plan to do a real good cleaning this weekend. Starting with Dawn soap and finishing with Zaino. I myself use the leaf blower to remove the excess water from my car. Learned that from Ls1.com as well.

[mikeb]

Brad I use zaino also and the 1st application I even zainoed the wheel wells, makes it easier to clean off.  I live in so cal also it was a nice day to wash the truck, but I was too busy working.  Maybe this over the holidays I'll get it done at my parents house, might get another coat of zaino on, but if my sisters and dad are around I might have to do their cars also, oh well.

[jst4f]

Which Zaino product do you use on your AVs cladding?

[bshef]

Good morning,

I'm currently "not" using anything on the plastic other than the zaino carwash. I have found that the nylon brush and some diluted Simple Green takes off the stuff that soap and water won't remove. I looked at using the 303 product but just haven't gotten around to buying any yet.

I am not much worried about "protecting" the cladding although some opinions have been aired about the Sun possibly "fading" and then eventually "cracking" the plastic.

Hell, sounds like we could replace all the cladding for pretty reasonable price if it does ever go south?

Let me know if you have any "insight" to all this.

Here is my Avalanche getting a new front bumper skin.

 

 

Merry Xmas.

 

Brad in SoCal

[RyanbabZ71]

wow you cant even tell its an avalanche in the pic

 

is it all better yet?

[DigUout]

Never would have thought to use Simple Green on a vehicle.  My first experience with that stuff was in restaurants, cleaning the nastiest ovens, fryers, hood vents etc.  What that stuff does do commercial kitchen grease is astounding, so I agree with Friz.  Dilute at least 50-50 and rinse like mad when you're done -

[bshef]

Yes, the Av is all fixed and buttoned up. Only took the shop a day to turn it around for me. The lady that hit me, her insurance company gave me a new Trailblazer while my Av was in the shop. Pretty sweeeet but doesn't "even" compare to an Avalanche.

 

I will heed the advise on the Simple Green. I have only used it the one time and didn't notice any discoloration or other ill effects. Hosed it down real good. Sure did clean all the tar and "muck" off really good!

 

Merry Xmas everyone.

Brad in SoCal

[chevy4x4trucks]

Glad to hear you got you AVY back and it's looking great.