Car wash?

[fcaramadre]

I have been driving my new truck in all the crap and salt we have here in new york. It need to be washed badly. I have done the self spray wand one and it really dosent take off everything. Still leaves some stuff on the sides of the truck after it dries. Has anyone taken theirs thru a touch less wash or one of those ones that spin? I know that this truck is wider than my old 2002 silverado and dont want to damage anything. Also wondering if high pressure wash would hurt the very expensive tailgate?

 

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[john151ama]

I don’t, most are not tall enough for the truck. I use a foam cannon to soap the whole truck and let the soap soak in. That works really well for me. I use an electric power washer a few times throughout the year underneath to get mud out of cracks and hiding spots. No salt where I am at though.

 

[phobby]

short answer- pay someone to wash it by hand if you don’t want to do it. Cheaper and easier than damage once bc they’ll never admit or pay for it.

Or pictures/video before going in and coming out, Stay on the property. Once you leave their liability is 0.

 

[FlipsAT4]

Never ever use a drive through wash unless you like the look of paint swirls. I pay a guy $40 once month and the rest of the time I hand wash.

 

[BigLaker]

Both touchless types always miss areas and they use pretty rough cleaners. The rollers work better but they can swirl your paint. I bucket wash and in the winter we have an indoor DIY car wash that I bucket wash at.

 

[pinebaron]

I never take my car or truck through any type of car wash. Armed with a lots detailing polishes and equipment, I do it all myself. With proper hoses, water pressure, warm water hose bib, car shampoos, I thoroughly wash the truck topside and underside, using a sea sponge and bucket for the final the final manual rinse. Thankfully we have a huge whole house 7 filter reverse osmosis commercial plant in the mechanical room for ultra clean water, yet I don’t take chances and blow dry the entire truck once I’m done washing.
Then it goes in my garage where I do my detailing magic; sure it’s time consuming but depends on the end result you want; stands out in a crowd.

 

[Koolbreezeya]

Hand wash, hand dry, polish and buff that's what I do as well, not quite to the extent of pinebaron but almost as good.. No salt here though.

 

[phobby]

The only brush wash I consider again are the Buc-ees car washes. Truck always came out perfect and smelled new, idk what system they use. They are made for large trucks bc, Texas. The car wash is to keep customers on the property longer, not make a ton off it like the rest. Fuel up, car wash, you go inside to piss, and end up spending more than you did outside.

 

[BlueBrute]

 

[AT4BC]

I got a ceramic coating on my truck. Car wash doesn’t give you the swirls.

 

[gemarsh]

I got a ceramic coating on my truck. Car wash doesn’t give you the swirls.

Welcome.

 

[pinebaron]

I got a ceramic coating on my truck. Car wash doesn’t give you the swirls.

Somehow I’ve never ceramic coated any of my vehicles and it’s clearly not due to funding.

 

[Rowdy]

I cringe having to drive in a salty mess with a new truck so I have a beater to drive in the winter time. I realize this isn't practical for everybody. When looking for a pre-owned truck to purchase I want to find someone like pinebaron but those guys are few and far between.

 

[R467X]

Yeah unless you don't care about your paint, then take it to a traditional car wash. Touchless washes don't remove anything whatsoever.

If you don't have a pressure washer, get a garden hose and soak your entire truck with water. Next get a bucket with ***vehicle specific car wash soap*** (never use dawn/dish soap or you'll take off your clear coat).

Next get a car wash mitt and use that along with your soapy water to wash your truck by hand before hosing it off with water and drying with a microfiber drying towel.

All that being said, that is the cheap way of washing your truck. I recommend investing in a decent pressure washer (I just have a cheap electric Ryobi from HD) with a foam cannon and decent soap with various wax sprays.

Here's what I personally use:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

It's a couple hundred dollar investment to start with but if you wash it often, minus the cost of water / soap each time, you'll be saving way more doing it yourself in the long run. Especially if you wash frequently.

Ryobi also sells a "broom" attachment to your pressure washer that you can use to wash your frame / underbody. There are a few other companies with similar designs.

 

[pinebaron]

I cringe having to drive in a salty mess with a new truck so I have a beater to drive in the winter time. I realize this isn't practical for everybody. When looking for a pre-owned truck to purchase I want to find someone like pinebaron but those guys are few and far between.

I’ll keep you in mind when I’m ready to sell.