Anyone have a way to clean work truck dimpled plastic floors?

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KirkH

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Does anyone have a good method to clean work truck plastic flooring?

I have a contract to clean and maintain a fleet of work trucks. Some have the dimpled plastic flooring rather than carpet.

54076975490_dded7fd32d_w.jpg

I tried several methods to clean the floors. I blew out the floors with air. I tried Optimum no rinse, degreaser and Meguiars all purpose. I tried a brush, mop, vapor chief steamer, and then the steamer brush. Then I even tried the pressure washer. i quickly blew the water out of the cab with air.

This is the best I could get:

54076519996_a39274fbbe_w.jpg

Backseat
54076699368_58cee04bfc_w.jpg

It's good enough for the price I am getting paid for these vehicles, but not good enough for my individual customers in my opinion.

If you have any tips I would appreciate them.
 
I use Mckee's 37 floor mat & liner rejuvenator after I scrub them with water and let it work in for a number of minutes with a soft tire brush. Hose off and redo it again if needed. Then dry and treat with Koch Chemie Gummifix.
I found the Mckees cleans great - it's strong stuff, don't get downwind while spraying it - but it didn't leave the finish.... as nice as I liked. Bought the Gummifix to give a nice finished look. And it lasts.
 
Thanks! I order a lot of MCKees stuff so I will order some.
 
Let us know how the McKees works, I’ve never been able to get these to look perfect when the mats start in a similar condition as that. It’s one thing to maintain it since new, but I feel like these can get truly stained. Maybe I’m wrong.

When it comes to legit work trucks, I’m sure the crews appreciate the results you’ve been able to achieve. I’ve seen some NASTY trucks that look like a full remove/replace with new materials as being the only option. That or a gas can and a lighter. Lol


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Mckees is a great cleaner, it just give that closer to newer look when all dry. The Gummifix fixed that aspect. It leaves a closer to newer finish.
 
KirkH said:
Does anyone have a good method to clean work truck plastic flooring?

I have a contract to clean and maintain a fleet of work trucks. Some have the dimpled plastic flooring rather than carpet.

View attachment 137015

I tried several methods to clean the floors. I blew out the floors with air. I tried Optimum no rinse, degreaser and Meguiars all purpose. I tried a brush, mop, vapor chief steamer, and then the steamer brush. Then I even tried the pressure washer. i quickly blew the water out of the cab with air.

This is the best I could get:

View attachment 137016

Backseat
View attachment 137017

It's good enough for the price I am getting paid for these vehicles, but not good enough for my individual customers in my opinion.

If you have any tips I would appreciate them.
Click to expand...
Is this just "normal dirt" and the like or are these work trucks subjected to some kind of chemicals or paints or something out of the ordinary that would shrug off normal detailing chemicals and cleaning methods

I will use the red dirt in Hawaii as an example

It is just "dirt" but it is so high in iron oxide that it penetrates and stains rubber, vinyl, etc and cleaning it can be a nightmare if it is allowed to sit for even short periods of time
 
If I was doing this I would do the following. I would use Fire Power from Superior products diluted 1:1.
I would agitate that with a drill brush.
I would also drive onto/jack up and insert/ some way of getting one side, front and rear tires on couple pieces of 2 x 8 lumber. This is so I could use a hose or pump sprayer of water on the opposite side to rinse and have the rinse water drain right out.
Give it a try. You may be surprised.
 
chilly said:
Is this just "normal dirt" and the like or are these work trucks subjected to some kind of chemicals or paints or something out of the ordinary that would shrug off normal detailing chemicals and cleaning methods

I will use the red dirt in Hawaii as an example

It is just "dirt" but it is so high in iron oxide that it penetrates and stains rubber, vinyl, etc and cleaning it can be a nightmare if it is allowed to sit for even short periods of time
Click to expand...
Just regular KY farm dirt
 
BLM said:
If I was doing this I would do the following. I would use Fire Power from Superior products diluted 1:1.
I would agitate that with a drill brush.
I would also drive onto/jack up and insert/ some way of getting one side, front and rear tires on couple pieces of 2 x 8 lumber. This is so I could use a hose or pump sprayer of water on the opposite side to rinse and have the rinse water drain right out.
Give it a try. You may be surprised.
Click to expand...
Lifting the vehicle so water runs out is a great idea.
 
Do you have access to a steamer, that might be worth a try.
 
DFB said:
Do you have access to a steamer, that might be worth a try.
Click to expand...
Yes I have a Vapor Chief 100 pro steamer. I tried it. It works well on the floors that aren't too bad. Not as well on those just caked with mud in the dimples.
 
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That Coch Chemie product should work.

This Mothers product works as well. As dirty as those floors look it’d probably be best to do the initial cleaning with APC and use this product as a finishing step as it darkens plastic & rubber without leaving any slickness behind.

161b0d5e526e822268e321b7e71758f1.png


I’ve seen many vids of people testing that Mckee’s product and it doesn’t make a lick of difference. I wouldn’t bother with that one.
 
Eldorado2k said:
That Coch Chemie product should work.

This Mothers product works as well. As dirty as those floors look it’d probably be best to do the initial cleaning with APC and use this product as a finishing step as it darkens plastic & rubber without leaving any slickness behind.

161b0d5e526e822268e321b7e71758f1.png


I’ve seen many vids of people testing that Mckee’s product and it doesn’t make a lick of difference. I wouldn’t bother with that one.
Click to expand...
Hmmm interesting. I will have to pick up a bottle and try it. I have to strike a balance between making it look good enough for my expectations and not eating into my profits too much. I have 70 vehicles in this fleet I am maintaining.
 
I would consider using a Tornador Black Z-020 cleaning gun with their cleaner solution. The Tornador works best if you have an air compressor capable of 5 CFM at 90 psi.
 
Once scrubbed cleaned and dried its not going to look any better than what you are seeing
I apply a (very) watered down water based dressing.
You don't want it shiny or slick. You could end up causing a wreck or slip-n-fall
Not worth it imo
 
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