Washing your truck regularly is a really smart choice, beyond the obvious benefits like a shiny car what you’ll get from washing your car is protective paint from bird droppings bus and other contaminants. Especially if you live in areas with harsh weather conditions, washing is a must. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you wash your truck like a pro and bring that glossy shine.
Start with Supplies:
First things first, you’ll need to get these supplies in order to make a perfect washing of your truck:
- Microfiber towels
- Non-acidic glass cleaner
- Tire brush
- Wheel cleaner
- Car soap
- Two buckets and girt guards (one for soapy water, one for rinsing)
- Soft wash mitt or sponge
- Plastic or rubber conditioner for exterior trims
Find a good location:
Park your truck in a shaded area, direct sunlight can make the soap and water evaporate, leaving residue on your car’s surface. One more thing you’ll get from a shaded area is that it helps prevent water spots.
Rinse Thoroughly:
Star to rinse your truck with a hose or a pressure washer, this way you remove dirt and debris, making it hard for potential scratches while you’re washing the truck. Pay attention to the undercarriage, wheel wells, and those areas that are hard to reach.
Start with wheels:
Start with the dirtiest part first, use a good wheel cleaner like Nexgen wheel cleaner and a tire brush to remove the dirt. If your wheels are quite dirty, you can use a separate wash mitt to prevent cross-contamination.
Two-Bucket Method:
Use the two-bucket method to prevent swirls or scratches on your truck’s paint. What you have to do is simply, fill one bucket with soapy water and the other with clean water for rinsing. Use the grit guards on each of them to trap the dirt at the bottom.
Start Washing:
Start from the roof with your soapy water wash mitt and work your way down in lines, no circular motions because they can lead to swirl marks. Rinse the mitt in your clean water bucket to remove the trapped dirt. If you come across any stains or bugs use a bug and tar remover or a dedicated cleaner, and if you see bird droppings let your microfiber towel sit on the spot for a few minutes and then wipe it away.
Once you wash your truck, rinse thoroughly using a hose or a pressure washer to make sure all soap residue is removed.
Dry:
Use a microfiber towel to dry your truck, pat the surface instead of rubbing it because it can create light scratches. Also, you can use a drying aid or a quick detailer to add lubrication.
Windows and Trims:
Use a non-ammonia glass cleaner to clean your windows for a deeper clarity and for the exterior trims you can use a plastic or rubber conditioner to help prevent fading or cracking.
Final Touches:
You can add a layer of wax or a ceramic coat for extra protection on your truck’s paint and a prolonged shine.
Regular Maintenance:
Wash your truck regularly to keep it sharp and better protection against contaminants and environmental elements.
Conclusion
By following the steps above, your truck will look clean and new. Moreover, it will help your truck have longer well-being and a higher resale value if you’re planning to sell it or change it in the future. Embrace the act of washing your truck, and come back here to check the comprehensive guide with its step-by-step tips whenever you need to.