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How the heck do you wash this thing?

Ron045

Ron045

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This is by far the largest vehicle I have ever owned. The temp was north of 40 the other day so I decided to give it its first wash.

It's not easy. I'm 6'4" and have a pretty good wingspan, yet I still needed a pole and had to stand on the running board to reach everywhere.

What are your tips and tricks to washing your big truck? Any special tools or techniques? What about the wheel wells? There is a lot of open space there. It looks good when its clean. How do you di those?

Ron
 
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I take it to one of those DIY places. Between the brush on a stick, and the pressure washer, it makes pretty quick work. Plus the isotonic water or whatever it is for the spot free rise is a godsend. Doing it home, sucks.
 
Dail a few numbers and have the mobil detail guy come over on a Friday at work. When it's time for me to go home, I hand the guy $75 and the giant beast is detailed and polished inside and out.

It would take me an entire Saturday to get done what this kid does to my truck. Best $75 I spent on it haha

I think I'll book him at least once a month.
 
It's a big job for sure. First I wash the wheels and tires, tube steps, lower rockers then inside the wheel wells, shocks, springs etc. I use a combo of a soft bristled scrub brush that either can be on an extension or not. For this use. mostly not. I have a handy little lug nut brush from Griots Garage that works well also. Then I mix up a fresh batch of wash water and start top down. I use a combo of a 6' ladder and standing in the bed to reach the high places. I will be picking up this microfiber on a pole from griots to make this part easier and quicker. If it's nice out I then do it again top down with a ceramic wash from griots. I use that second because it's not very sudsy, but it definitely leaves a good shine. Then after a good rinse I hit it with griots ceramic quick detailer as a drying aid and wipe it down with waffle pattern microfiber.

It's a big job, but I've found taking the extra step of using the spray detailer during the drying step seems to keep the shine and slickness and help future wash jobs go easier. If it's really dirty to start with I'll swing by the carwash and use the high pressure spray to get the bulk of it off before starting
 

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It takes about an hour for me. It’s a big job for sure.

I wet it down with the hose, use some Meguiars car soap, and use a car washing mitt to scrub. I then spray it down and dry with microfiber dry cloth.

Most of it is fairly easy except for the roof which I will stand in the bed, or open the doors and stand in the door sil and scrub it, trying to reach all of the roof.
 
Totally agree! This is a chore and then some!

My '06 I would run through the car wash but the paint took a beating after many runs. The '22 I'll try to wash once a month myself. Wax twice a year. I use a 4ft ladder to get the middle of the hood and the roof. That middle section of the roof really requires a pole brush. I just started using this one I bought for washing my travel trailer. First use it helped speed up the process. Hoping the brush doesn't trap dirt and scratch the paint.

Regardless how you do it, it's definitely some good exercise!
 
I’m more on the fanatical side when it comes to washing.

  • Wheel wells first
  • Then Wheels and tires
  • Foam canon truck
  • Rinse
  • Clean bucket with about 6 mitts, I never reuse the same mitt during a wash
  • Werner platform for windshield/roof
  • Get in bed for back window and rest of roof
  • Dry
I’m 5’ 11” and reach everything without a pole brush.
 
It’s pretty easy really, well the hardest part is finding a river deep enough to get the roof.

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I’ve only washed it a couple times, so still trying to figure it out lol. Going to try ceramic coating to see if it helps.
 
Surf2snow1 said:
It’s pretty easy really, well the hardest part is finding a river deep enough to get the roof.

View attachment 31399


I’ve only washed it a couple times, so still trying to figure it out lol. Going to try ceramic coating to see if it helps.
Click to expand...
I applied ceramic to my wife’s subie and Turtle Wax Seal and Shine to my truck.

I think long term I’ll stick with Seal and Shine or their new Hybrid Ceramic spray. Super easy to apply and you get basically the same protection. Lasts 4-6 months and isn’t as finicky to maintain as ceramic coating.
 
Surf2snow1 said:
It’s pretty easy really, well the hardest part is finding a river deep enough to get the roof.

View attachment 31399


I’ve only washed it a couple times, so still trying to figure it out lol. Going to try ceramic coating to see if it helps.
Click to expand...
It’s all fun and games until you die of dysentery
09205B90-A4BE-455D-ACB9-9D8F6B462925.jpeg
 
I use a drive thru car wash with a high clearance height. My place is real easy and does a good job but some places suck. Know how tall your truck is to the top of the antenna and be sure to account for weight and tire pressure differences from when you measured it.
 
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