15 Can't-Miss Truck Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Your truck is constantly facing the elements, are you giving it the care it needs? Get started with these 15 can't-miss truck cleaning tips and tricks.

More than 3.5 million Americans drive trucks as part of their job. These unsung heroes keep us stocked and refilled with everything the country needs to function. But are you giving your truck the love it deserves?

If your vehicle is looking a little lackluster, it may be time for a spring clean. Read on as we give 15 essential tips for truck cleaning. 

1. Always Pre Rinse

A pre-rinse is always a great idea. It stops you from rubbing in the grit and grime from the road, which can damage the truck detailing and paintwork. It should be done with clean water, using a sponge, or a low-pressure jet wash.

Make sure you don't just pre-wash the chassis. Get into the wheels as well. You will find the soap lathers up much better once applied if you have done a pre-wash. 

2. Use a Shampoo and Mit

When cleaning the chassis of the truck, it is important to use an all-purpose shampoo that works on all body types. Common soap can remove the layer of sealant. Using a similar wheel cleaner will help prevent rust. 

While it is not always possible to reach all the spots on your truck, the ones that can should be lathered with a wash mitt. Work in circles with a woolen blend glove to remove the dirt. 

3. Don’t Forget the Underneath

When drivers learn how to clean a truck, they often concentrate on getting the body clean. However, the underbody is far more important.

As the part closest to the road, it accumulates dirt and grime that can cause corrosion. In snow and ice, salt from roads can cause the most damage. Use a pressure washer to clean underneath and remove harmful dirt and minerals. 

4. Wash Windows

Windows should be rinsed from the top down using clean water. For a deep clean, use household vinegar on newspaper. This prevents streaks that may occur when using water. 

5. Rinse From the Top Down

Rinse from the top-down, moving in sections so that you are not wasting any water. The water should be clean and you should aim to remove all traces of soap residue. 

6. Manually Dry It

If you let the truck dry in the air, it can cause streaks to appear where the water was. When the size of your truck allows it, manually dry all the spots you can with a microfibre cloth. While it may seem like an arduous task, it will be worth it in the end. 

7. Dust and Vacuum

Start any interior cleaning by dusting the dashboard and vacuuming the rest of the cab. This ensures that any dust will fall to the floor, which can then be removed with the vacuum. If not, you will be adding dirt to spots you have already cleaned. 

8. Replace the Floor Mats

When thinking about how to clean a truck's interior and give it a freshen up, don't overlook floormats. These utilitarian items play a large part in the look of the cab. They take a lot of punishment, yet seldom get replaced as much as they should. 

Vinyl, rubber, and plastic are the best materials for a working truck. They may not have the look of carpet products but they will last longer. In addition, they will be easier to wash down when you clean the vehicle. 

9. Wash the Seat Covers

The second part of the cab that will get dirty quickly is the seat covers. Take them off entirely and give them a machine wash. If not, you can scrub them with a soft brush and let them dry before replacing them. 

10. Purge the Trash Regularly

When it gets cold, it can be easy to let the trash pile up in the cabin. Your first step for interior cleaning is to remove it all. Ideally, keep a trash bag in the cabin and replace it every few days to stay on top of the task.

11. Give the Bed Some Attention

If the truck has a bed, then sweep out dirt, dust, and pebbles. Any removable liners can be taken out and hosed down. Should you have a cover, make sure you use a cleaner with UV protection to prevent cracking. 

12. Deodorize

You may not even notice it, but the interior of the cab can get quite smelly. Food, drinks, and your sweat can cling around to fabrics and fittings. This is exasperated if you smoke while driving. 

Purchase a high-quality odor neutralizing spray. Keep it in the cabin so you can freshen up while on your travels. 

13. Polish the Body

Many people believe that polishing and waxing are the same things, but they should be done separately. Polishing will remove imperfections and shine the paintwork. Wax will add protection. 

Purchase a car polish and apply it to a soft pad. Work in small circular motions, rubbing it into the body of the truck. Move slowly so that it spreads evenly across the surface, or use an electric polisher. 

14. Scrape off Stickers

While they may be a badge of honor to you, any stickers on windows can make the cleanest of trucks look unsightly. Scrape them off then remove any glue residue using rubbing alcohol. 

15. Add Wax Last

Once all other steps are complete, including polishing, then you can begin to wax. There are several products on the market and each will produce a slightly different finish on the vehicle. It all depends on the look you want to achieve.

Rub the wax into the body using a foam applicator. Some waxes may leave white residue on plastics or trim, so try to avoid these areas. Finally, wipe off any excess using a microfibre towel. 

Regular Truck Cleaning

Now you have these expert tips for truck cleaning, you need a maintenance schedule. Break tasks down into weekly and monthly jobs then set a date. The more frequently the jobs are done, the easier and quicker they will be to finish. 

Looking to add an extra layer of protection to your truck? Solar Shade Truck And Car Paradise is the one-stop shop for tints and vehicle services. Contact us here and let us give you truck a new lease of life!