Keeping your truck prestine?!

Lucar · Sep 11, 2014

I love taking care of mine

Big_D409 · Sep 12, 2014

ShooterK2 said: ↑

Big D, I'm in the same boat. We run oilfield, so constantly in dust, dirt, mud, etc. It's a lot to keep up with, and some days (depending on where the job is and if it is muddy or not) it's futile to even try. But, I take pride in my ride, and enjoy cleaning it. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction when someone compliments my truck, because oilfield trucks don't often get compliments. It certainly isn't a show truck, and the type of work we do means that it never will be. But that doesn't mean that I can't do everything in my power to keep it clean.

What I have noticed is: 90% of the time you see another vehicle is from the FRONT. Therefore, I spend a lot of time each day cleaning bugs and junk off the front end, windshield, fronts of mirrors, etc. When someone sees a truck coming at them and the sun is shining off the grill, the first thing they think is "Man, that's a nice truck." I keep a bottle of Dawn dish soap, a container with a lid, and a high-powered spray bottle under the bunk. Each day (sometimes several times), I mix up a soapy solution and spray the front end and let it soak (best done either indoors or in the shade). Then, I take my container of soapy water, and use a scrubber (bought at Wal Mart, made for bugs, won't scratch paint) and wipe the bugs away. This will leave streaks, but bugs are gone. Then spray some clean water (or glass cleaner) and use a towel to remove streaks. I use this same procedure on the wheels and other chrome/aluminum/shiny parts.

I also spend a fair amount of time with some Mothers and a couple of clean towels. Hand polish the wheels as time allows. I usually do 2 at a time. The other day I pulled into the shade and did both steers. I find it's not too hard to stay on top of the polishing part, but I just need to wipe the dirt and grime off every day.

Now, this is just how I do things. I'm sure there are better ways. I'm glad you started this thread because I love hearing how others treat their trucks. I can always learn better/faster/easier ways of keeping it looking good.
Click to expand...

I did loads of searching and couldn't find anything sadly. One thing I never paid attention to is the grill, sadly I still don't have it chrome... yet. I'm going to use your idea on the soapy water, I know for the glass I buffed it when I was doing the wax. Bugs come off easily now and amazing how clear it stays running in rain. I have to apply mothers on my tanks more than steers and drives.
Hopefully more chime in because I'd love to learn more of what others do as well.

As for a ladder... I break it out each night to do the roof... #### condo sleeper lol.

dca · Sep 12, 2014

Who has the time to keep up with show room quality. ?

The easiest way is to pay someone else to do it

Pool6710 · Sep 12, 2014

dca said: ↑

Who has the time to keep up with show room quality. ?

The easiest way is to pay someone else to do it
Click to expand...

Apparently they have hours to burn. Bet they don't log it as on duty either

Big_D409 · Sep 12, 2014

Lucar what year is yours? Love the shine of the red!

Semi Crazy · Sep 12, 2014

It takes beer to make elbow grease!

Big_D409 · Sep 12, 2014

Gotta say I drink a good amount of beer on days off, but never resulted with elbow grease

HorsinAround · May 12, 2018

Help! Was just issued brand new 2019 truck. Would like to keep it looking good. My only routine on old truck( and it looks good) was weekly wash and rub down with that Lucas "liquid shine". Never had wheels polished...just kept them clean. I' not familiar with Mother's or clay bar. Was wondering if there was anything I could keep sprayed weekly on tanks and wheels. Our lot is dirt so when it rains we have a muddy mess.
Any help appreciated, but I don't have two hours after work to spend on cleaning it as posted by someone else.

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