Doing some cleaning...
#1
Doing some cleaning...
Got any recommendations before I start? I haven't washed my truck since, well... this post: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...=315775&page=1
So I was thinking of maybe getting 3 washes in this year.. just to keep on top of things.
I plan on thoroughly washing the underbody too....
Should I wash the truck with Dawn soap? Then wash it again with regular car soap?
As I was looking at others' processes... I was thinking if I did it this one particular way...
I was thinking of a process like this:
-Wash underbody and door drains with dish soap
-Remove rims and clean inside (packed with sand giving me a weird ride)
-Wash bed with dish soap
-Wash body with dish soap
-Wash body with carwash
-Claybar entire truck
-Wash with carwash
-Wax with Megs Gold class using the DA
-Wax with NXT Nanowax using the DA
-Tire shine the frame and axle
-Tire shine wheels
-Re-treat windows with Rain-X
-Mothers Back-To-Black black trim
-Clean interior
Sound like a good way to do it?
So I was thinking of maybe getting 3 washes in this year.. just to keep on top of things.
I plan on thoroughly washing the underbody too....
Should I wash the truck with Dawn soap? Then wash it again with regular car soap?
As I was looking at others' processes... I was thinking if I did it this one particular way...
I was thinking of a process like this:
-Wash underbody and door drains with dish soap
-Remove rims and clean inside (packed with sand giving me a weird ride)
-Wash bed with dish soap
-Wash body with dish soap
-Wash body with carwash
-Claybar entire truck
-Wash with carwash
-Wax with Megs Gold class using the DA
-Wax with NXT Nanowax using the DA
-Tire shine the frame and axle
-Tire shine wheels
-Re-treat windows with Rain-X
-Mothers Back-To-Black black trim
-Clean interior
Sound like a good way to do it?
#4
After I wash a vehicle I move on to detail the interior for some reason. After the interior is cleaned and detailed it can be closed off and kept nice. If you do the interior last, it is possible to rub up against that freshly waxed exterior, or rub some of the hyper dressing off onto your pant leg while cleaning the inside of the vehicle. Not to mention that pesky vacuum cleaner's exhaust seems to blow crap all over the place no matter how clean the filter is.
Just my $0.02
Other than that, it seems like you have the basics covered.
Just my $0.02
Other than that, it seems like you have the basics covered.
#5
#6
Got any recommendations before I start?
Yep. Read the sticky.
I haven't washed my truck since, well... this post: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...=315775&page=1
Oooh... Long time no wash... SHUN THE NON BELIEVER!!!
So I was thinking of maybe getting 3 washes in this year.. just to keep on top of things.HA! Okay... (changes attack plan...)
I plan on thoroughly washing the underbody too....
Good. Chances are it will need it.
Should I wash the truck with Dawn soap? Then wash it again with regular car soap?
Personally, I would do it EXACTLY like that. However, there are a bunch of people who say not to. I figure that it will make the cleaning easier and it cuts through bugs easier, so why not? It's not like one wash a year with Dawn will do THAT much damage IMO... I typically attack all 1st time customer vehicles like that unless otherwise specified. I want to remove EVERYTHING, and this before clay seems to help out.
As I was looking at others' processes... I was thinking if I did it this one particular way...
I was thinking of a process like this:
-Wash underbody and door drains with dish soap
-Remove rims and clean inside (packed with sand giving me a weird ride)
-Wash bed with dish soap
-Wash body with dish soap
-Wash body with carwash
I would wash paint with dish soap, then wash paint with carwash, then wash bed with dish soap. Keep the dirt from the bed localized-- dont spread it to the paint.
-Claybar entire truck
-Wash with carwash
No need to wash entire truck again. You can just as easily QD the residue away.
-Wax with Megs Gold class using the DA
-Wax with NXT Nanowax using the DA
Uhhh... What is NXT Nanowax? NXT is a Meguiars product, Nanowax is Eagle One... In either case, do this BEFORE you wax with Gold Class.
-Tire shine the frame and axle
-Tire shine wheels
-Re-treat windows with Rain-X
-Mothers Back-To-Black black trim
Personally, I hate B2B. Every time I have used it or seen it used, it looks great for a day or 3, then looks like CRAP after that. I would use something like 303 Aerospace Protectant, Natural Shine, etc. Heck, even Tire shine will do better. (I have used that option MANY times, and will again in the future...HINT)
-Clean interior
Sound like a good way to do it?
I'd say you were spot on in some areas and darn close in others. Just remember the cardinal rule: take plenty of befores/afters!!!
Yep. Read the sticky.
I haven't washed my truck since, well... this post: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...=315775&page=1
Oooh... Long time no wash... SHUN THE NON BELIEVER!!!
So I was thinking of maybe getting 3 washes in this year.. just to keep on top of things.HA! Okay... (changes attack plan...)
I plan on thoroughly washing the underbody too....
Good. Chances are it will need it.
Should I wash the truck with Dawn soap? Then wash it again with regular car soap?
Personally, I would do it EXACTLY like that. However, there are a bunch of people who say not to. I figure that it will make the cleaning easier and it cuts through bugs easier, so why not? It's not like one wash a year with Dawn will do THAT much damage IMO... I typically attack all 1st time customer vehicles like that unless otherwise specified. I want to remove EVERYTHING, and this before clay seems to help out.
As I was looking at others' processes... I was thinking if I did it this one particular way...
I was thinking of a process like this:
-Wash underbody and door drains with dish soap
-Remove rims and clean inside (packed with sand giving me a weird ride)
-Wash bed with dish soap
-Wash body with dish soap
-Wash body with carwash
I would wash paint with dish soap, then wash paint with carwash, then wash bed with dish soap. Keep the dirt from the bed localized-- dont spread it to the paint.
-Claybar entire truck
-Wash with carwash
No need to wash entire truck again. You can just as easily QD the residue away.
-Wax with Megs Gold class using the DA
-Wax with NXT Nanowax using the DA
Uhhh... What is NXT Nanowax? NXT is a Meguiars product, Nanowax is Eagle One... In either case, do this BEFORE you wax with Gold Class.
-Tire shine the frame and axle
-Tire shine wheels
-Re-treat windows with Rain-X
-Mothers Back-To-Black black trim
Personally, I hate B2B. Every time I have used it or seen it used, it looks great for a day or 3, then looks like CRAP after that. I would use something like 303 Aerospace Protectant, Natural Shine, etc. Heck, even Tire shine will do better. (I have used that option MANY times, and will again in the future...HINT)
-Clean interior
Sound like a good way to do it?
I'd say you were spot on in some areas and darn close in others. Just remember the cardinal rule: take plenty of befores/afters!!!
#7
Sorry - now I see that you have a DA.
I'd still just wash it then clay it - then use whatever intermediate steps are appropriate (NONE that contain "wax" are appropriate, just correction products), and use the NXT 2.0 as your LSP. I'd do the NXT by hand.
What correction products are necessary depends on what it looks like after claying. I'd have some ScratchX around regardless of what else you use.
I'd still just wash it then clay it - then use whatever intermediate steps are appropriate (NONE that contain "wax" are appropriate, just correction products), and use the NXT 2.0 as your LSP. I'd do the NXT by hand.
What correction products are necessary depends on what it looks like after claying. I'd have some ScratchX around regardless of what else you use.
Trending Topics
#8
#9
I think you will like Color-X. It is a sort of a one step type product that has some abrasives and such, then leaves a synthetic wax behind. I would guess the swirl removal abilities to be around 25% with one application. It's not a bad product-- I still use it on a wash/wax on cars that need polishing but aren't going to pay for it. Granted, it is not a miracle in a bottle, but it can certainly be a crowd pleaser in terms of the ease of use, speed, and results for time and money invested. Both this and S-X are discussed in the detailing sticky...
Let us know if there are any other questions about the "weird detailing stuff" you picked up.
BTW- I think you will rather enjoy NXT 2.0-- it is a definate improvement over the original.
Now I am getting curious... Dont forget when you post befores/afters to let us know which products you used... I think yours may just turn out pretty dawggone impressive considering the product choice and $ invested...
#11
I've been detailing it slowly for the past 3 days... going on 4.
The underbody was packed with sand. I was scooping it out of crevaces with my hand in large gobs. It was gross. Luckily I was wearing shorts and no shirt... and it was like 75F out. But I was covered in sand. What was wicked cool was that I found parts of the yellow line in the road, because during the winter, the plows kinda force you to drive in the center of the road a bit.
I had a lot of industrial fallout and rail dust on my truck. Not to mention a lot of tar. The rims were packed with sand, as were the brakes. The brakes are in great condition.
The underbody was ok... I came by again with some Rustoleum and repainted the entire underbody. It came out alright.
I did the NXT 2.0 stuff... and it came out decent.
Tomorrow I plan on cleaning the interior and such...
Argh... I just wanna sit down and do nothing... been soooooo busy.
The underbody was packed with sand. I was scooping it out of crevaces with my hand in large gobs. It was gross. Luckily I was wearing shorts and no shirt... and it was like 75F out. But I was covered in sand. What was wicked cool was that I found parts of the yellow line in the road, because during the winter, the plows kinda force you to drive in the center of the road a bit.
I had a lot of industrial fallout and rail dust on my truck. Not to mention a lot of tar. The rims were packed with sand, as were the brakes. The brakes are in great condition.
The underbody was ok... I came by again with some Rustoleum and repainted the entire underbody. It came out alright.
I did the NXT 2.0 stuff... and it came out decent.
Tomorrow I plan on cleaning the interior and such...
Argh... I just wanna sit down and do nothing... been soooooo busy.
#12
#13
#15