Washing/Maintaining LARGE Trucks/Vehicles

[Detailed Josh]

I've always owned and also worked on smaller vehicles with the biggest being your regular size SUV.

Recently acquired a large lifted Ford F-250 diesel for towing/hauling/etc. I get it dirty fast and almost daily that even with my detailing mindset I'm tempted to run through car washes to maintain it, but can't bring myself to it.

For my own sake, and I'm sure as I pick up detailing, what is the best way to maintain and wash very large vehicles? More bugs, more dirt, and challenges with reaching seem harder (roof/hood/etc). Also had in the possibility of being even more difficult with rinseless?

 

[jamesboyy]

A work platform, and a boars hair wash brush(soak for 30 mins before use) should help, and even carpro hydro2 is a good lsp that does not take much to apply

 

[jaxtalonturbo]

Stupid question (or stupid person asking), but being that sometimes standing on a platform is awkward and tiresome for long periods, is it unprofessional or unwise to physically stand in the bed to wash or polish the top of the cab?

 

[EWtheDETAILER]

A work platform, and a boars hair wash brush(soak for 30 mins before use) should help, and even carpro hydro2 is a good lsp that does not take much to apply

I utilize two werner step ladders at all times. I would recommend the use of the foam cannon when detailing big vehicles as well. In southern Indiana, a rural farming area, we detail alot of big trucks and SUVs. I also recommend hitting your vehicle early on with a good coating for protection and to ease clean up down the road!:dblthumb2:

Stupid question (or stupid person asking), but being that sometimes standing on a platform is awkward and tiresome for long periods, is it unprofessional or unwise to physically stand in the bed to wash or polish the top of the cab?

No... not at all... always take advantage of the bed when washing the roof and rear windows. It is however unperfessional to climb in customers vehicle door ways to reach areas of the roof.

 

[Detailed Josh]

How do detailers who are rinseless take care of muddy trucks? How do you remove the large amounts of mud effectively?

Kind of like a mechanic who own vehicle is broken and need of servicing, I sadly have neglected this truck I got. Previous owner did exactly what i don't want to do which was constantly run it through automated car washes so it's swirled to death, but at the same time I can kinda of understand as this thing is a moving brick wall down the highway so tons of bugs and dirt accumulate FAST.

 

[TurboToys]

i second the second post... i dropped a few coins on a boars hair brush to make doing my larger vehicles (sequoia/tundra) an easier chore. and it does a good job of it... with a gallon of megs hyper wash and some soak time with the brush in a warm water wash bucket. they come out great, and are super easy to take care of.

 

[TurboToys]

How do detailers who are rinseless take care of muddy trucks? How do you remove the large amounts of mud effectively?

Kind of like a mechanic who own vehicle is broken and need of servicing, I sadly have neglected this truck I got. Previous owner did exactly what i don't want to do which was constantly run it through automated car washes so it's swirled to death, but at the same time I can kinda of understand as this thing is a moving brick wall down the highway so tons of bugs and dirt accumulate FAST.

you take it through a touchless wash, or to a self spray bay unless you have access to a pressure washer or garden hose.... you cant wipe away dirt piles, you have to blast it away, soap it up and let it soak, then blast away again.

 

[Toxix]

How do detailers who are rinseless take care of muddy trucks? How do you remove the large amounts of mud effectively?

Kind of like a mechanic who own vehicle is broken and need of servicing, I sadly have neglected this truck I got. Previous owner did exactly what i don't want to do which was constantly run it through automated car washes so it's swirled to death, but at the same time I can kinda of understand as this thing is a moving brick wall down the highway so tons of bugs and dirt accumulate FAST.

Rinseless and muddy don't go well together. You'd be doing more harm than good in this case.
Pressure wash/handwash or run it through the touchless prior to getting to work on it.

 

[Detailed Josh]

I get why you wouldn't want to "wash" that dirty of a vehicle with rinseless, but how are people doing it in heavily water restricted areas? CThere has to be something else you can do than rely on a local car wash and/or a pressure washer if once again are limited on water.

 

[tigerwash]

I would advise stocking up on a variety of brushes and also use a power washer to help remove and loosen the dirt (be sure to use soft pressure nozzles, though).

 

[Detailed Josh]

I would advise stocking up on a variety of brushes and also use a power washer to help remove and loosen the dirt (be sure to use soft pressure nozzles, though).

That is a possibly avenue, but I'm curious how those without pressure washers and in very strict water areas do this.

 

[brondondolon]

Ive owned quite a few vehicles in the past 4 years. All but one were lifted trucks. Well my ram wasnt lifted but it was big and took time to wash. My long bed f350 was pretty difficult in a sense. As every one said get a long reach brush. A boars hair is most desired but they are expensive. You can find cheaper ones if money is an issue that will work fine. I have a foam cannon and a pressure washer and frankly i think in the time it takes to set the pressure washer up hook up the foam cannon and go to town i can get half the truck done and all the dirt removed.

if its a customers car you should invest in a work platform. Some might be just metal on the top which can be dangerous since it will get wet and soap on it. To solve this problem find a skate shop and buy a couple pieces of grip tape. Thats of course if your hardware store doesnt have anything similar.