Washing big ass trucks…

[SWFLGuy]

I work doing concrete restoration and I can’t keep my interior from getting dusty, it just happens.
Right now I just use the towel after cleaning windows and wipe it down. Is there a better option to clean with? I don’t want any dressing stuff.
I’d like to keep it cleaner, just last week I had to take xylene to it to clean off epoxy that one of my guys “whose hands were clean” got on it.

 

[cr500rider]

Caved to this fkg thread like drinking at prom peer pressure. Purchased the swift touchless wash and ceramic rinse to give it a shot, verdict is still out but my truck was filthy from winter weather (probably 6mo since it's been washed) so the 'apply full strength and rinse after 3 minutes' was not as good as i had hoped. HOWEVER, I will say this, it cut the grime, road tar and other shit where just going over it 2-3x with the wash mitt and it just went away vs having to use say bug and tar remover (Griots product). I'm gonna keep going through the gallon jug but might be swapping from ChemGuys. I need a fire ass wheel cleaner now, what you hoes got?

View attachment 204655
View attachment 204656

I just ordered the Swift wash and wax along with a foam canon too after reading this thread. I am curious how it will work on my black F350.
Nice wheels by the way. Same ones I have on my Jeep

 

[Beast2021]

I mean yeah. this forum costs me so much money. But I still love it.

Boxes showed up the other day from amazon, wife was like "what is all this?" I was like oh just stuff to wash the truck. She stares at me. "you haven't washed it in months?" "well obviously, I needed all this stuff to do it!!!"

"currently hunting if this de-ioninizer thing is needed"

 

[Wasatch 350]

I'm clueless... Please help!

I've read through the the thread, and I'm an old school guy. A lot of folks have praised the foam cannon, and there are lots of options at different price points. I've never used one, and my standard practice is to rinse the vehicle down and use a 5 gallon bucket with grit guard, a wash mitt, and lots of soap. Then rinse. Then hand dry.

It's a time consuming process, but what I'll call "the grime" doesn't come off unless it has been wiped off with the mitt. If I miss an area... it's obvious.

If the foam cannon means you can skip the hand washing with the mitt, I'm interested, but skeptical.

If the hand washing still must be done, I'm not seeing the point.

Please set me straight.

 

[trmrzla]

I'm clueless... Please help!

I've read through the the thread, and I'm an old school guy. A lot of folks have praised the foam cannon, and there are lots of options at different price points. I've never used one, and my standard practice is to rinse the vehicle down and use a 5 gallon bucket with grit guard, a wash mitt, and lots of soap. Then rinse. Then hand dry.

It's a time consuming process, but what I'll call "the grime" doesn't come off unless it has been wiped off with the mitt. If I miss an area... it's obvious.

If the foam cannon means you can skip the hand washing with the mitt, I'm interested, but skeptical.

If the hand washing still must be done, I'm not seeing the point.

Please set me straight.

For me, using the foam cannon and pressure washer gets in those corners and spots easier where a mitt may take more effort. Plus it's great for underneath.

 

[Wasatch 350]

For me, using the foam cannon and pressure washer gets in those corners and spots easier where a bit may take more effort. Plus it's great for underneath.

Thanks for the reply.

Truthfully, I hadn't considered the benefits a foam cannon/pressure washer combination could provide on the underside of the truck.

For me, that's a significant plus.

 

[Churchkey]

I use all Adams products and as others have mentioned, I use a foam canon as a presoak. The truck has been ceramic coated and boosted but the years of fire road driving is beginning to show so I'm not a two bucket guy.

 

[Fozzy]

Here is what I do. I believe if you are really using your truck or vehicle you have to have a contact wash. Truck is pretty clean and just a touch up, I may just foam rinse foam rinse and dry with a drying aid.

Going to the sand dunes or off roading I find the fine particles are hard to get off and can scratch the thin cheap Ford paint and even the glass. Moab mud is one of the worst things out there, it will actually stain. So this is something that many will think is overkill or a waste of time, but I have found it very effective on a dirty truck (especially black, AMB). I foam rinse foam and use 6 mitts, no buckets. I get them all wet and ready and hang them on my detail cart. I split the truck into thirds on each side. 3 mitts per side, each mitt has two sides. These trucks are so big I usually do one side at a time and do a total rinse and blow it off and wipe it down. 5" lift and 37's I have to use a small ladder to get the hood and roof and it takes time to reposition it and the truck doesn't fit under a pop up tent.

The chemical debate is as strong as diesel vs gas, Ford vs Chevy and everyone has their favorite. I try everything and always get what new thing Matt with obsessed garage thinks is the best for the day. You will end up with products from everyone. I really like all of the KochChemie and CarPro products. The McKees rinse less wash is really good.

Must have, but no one realizes it. Water filtration and deionization. A CR Spotless or rental deionizing tank makes a huge difference in water spotting, especially if you are doing a touch-less wash. Hard water and water spotting is the worst.

 

[Wasatch 350]

Here is what I do. I believe if you are really using your truck or vehicle you have to have a contact wash. Truck is pretty clean and just a touch up, I may just foam rinse foam rinse and dry with a drying aid.

Going to the sand dunes or off roading I find the fine particles are hard to get off and can scratch the thin cheap Ford paint and even the glass. Moab mud is one of the worst things out there, it will actually stain. So this is something that many will think is overkill or a waste of time, but I have found it very effective on a dirty truck (especially black, AMB). I foam rinse foam and use 6 mitts, no buckets. I get them all wet and ready and hang them on my detail cart. I split the truck into thirds on each side. 3 mitts per side, each mitt has two sides. These trucks are so big I usually do one side at a time and do a total rinse and blow it off and wipe it down. 5" lift and 37's I have to use a small ladder to get the hood and roof and it takes time to reposition it and the truck doesn't fit under a pop up tent.

The chemical debate is as strong as diesel vs gas, Ford vs Chevy and everyone has their favorite. I try everything and always get what new thing Matt with obsessed garage thinks is the best for the day. You will end up with products from everyone. I really like all of the KochChemie and CarPro products. The McKees rinse less wash is really good.

Must have, but no one realizes it. Water filtration and deionization. A CR Spotless or rental deionizing tank makes a huge difference in water spotting, especially if you are doing a touch-less wash. Hard water and water spotting is the worst.

Fozzy,

Thanks for the detailed reply and the description of your technique.

Actually, Viking 58 touched on the de-ionized water issue several posts ago, and I agree with both of you. I bought a setup from Costco a few years ago, and it makes a big difference. We have a second home and unfortunately that's where both the pressure washer and the de-ionizing water system is.

Looks like I'm going to have to spend some (more) money. I suppose I should do that while there is pre-tariff inventory available....

 

[VIKING58]

@Wasatch 350 if you end up buying a second deionizer setup, I highly recommend OnTheGo and CR Spotless as both the name brands to go with. When I was buying my unit I noticed a lot of companies (Adams, Clean Garage, etc) were private labeling the On The Go unit. I went with the Mixed Bed Business model, and have it mounted on a harbor freight welding cart (my “detailing” cart) to move around. Only bought a jumbo sized unit to not have to change resin often while using it once a week or so.

 

[PrincetonFox]

I need help after this today!

Question: How do I get these tires looking clean again?!

 

[McE]

I need help after this today!

View attachment 205344

Question: How do I get these tires looking clean again?!

Hose off as much as you can, then a few rounds of Bleche White followed by a dressing of your choice.

Pro tip - spray them with WD40 or Lemon Pledge before you hit the mud (both work great) and it will literally sling right off. Inside the wheel wells, too.

 

[MVI]

Hose off as much as you can, then a few rounds of Bleche White followed by a dressing of your choice.

Pro tip - spray them with WD40 or Lemon Pledge before you hit the mud (both work great) and it will literally sling right off. Inside the wheel wells, too.

I fully Agree with Sue's Dad

use this stuff on tires and the dirt bike before hitting a full on mud day

I

 

[JTredway]

I just ordered the Swift wash and wax along with a foam canon too after reading this thread. I am curious how it will work on my black F350.
Nice wheels by the way. Same ones I have on my Jeep

Thanks, I’ve had same wheels but 20x10 on my excursion. Wanted a differ set but everything I wanted was back ordered sadly.

Jeep looks good