How to Clean Your Truck

Your work truck is a key part of your trade business success - often doubling as a mobile storage unit-slash-office. Keeping your truck clean helps to present a professional font, particularly when using your vehicle as a way to market your business. Cleaning your truck is also an opportunity to organise your tools and supplies, review which tools should move to storage and find the supplies missing down the edge of the seats. 

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Looking for your next work vehicle? Check out our guides before you buy: 

• New vs. Preowned Work Vehicle
• The Best Towing Utes
• The Best Ute for Tradies 
• The Best Tyres for Utes

Low on time? Skip ahead! 

1. Suggested supplies to clean your truck
2. Pre-rinse the body and wheels
3. Wash the exterior
4. Polish the exterior
5. Clean the interior
6. Empty and clean the bed

1. Suggested supplies to clean your truck

There are a few schools of thought when it comes to the supplies needed to properly clean your truck. From the classic soap and water method (note: do not use dish soap to clean your truck as this will strip the protective layer) to rinseless solutions, chemical cleaners and chemical-free alternatives, your supplies will depend on a variety of factors, including price and environmental impact. 

As a starting point, we suggest:

• Two buckets
• Water supply
• Foaming cleaner, paint-safe car soap or shampoo 
• A mobile vacuum 
• Pressure hose 
• Rags, sponge, soft brushes or a cleaning mitt
• Towel, microfiber cloth, leaf blower or hair dryer
• White vinegar or window cleaner 
• Seat conditioner or coconut oil 
• Car wax 

2. Pre-rinse the body and wheels 

Pre-rinsing your truck with water (either with a sponge and a bit of elbow grease, or a pressure washer set to a paint-safe level) means you’ll remove any hard mud and grit stuck on your truck. This step is key as, even if your truck looks pretty clear, pre-rinsing your truck removes the chance you’ll rub grit and debris into the paint and create scratches when using the shampoo. Include the wheels and undercarriage in this step, using a separate bucket, to give the soap the best chance to reach the entire truck. 

3. Wash the exterior 

There are a whole lot of products claiming to give your truck a fresh off-the-factory floor glean. Whichever you choose, first apply a shampoo, exterior foam or cleaning solution and wait the recommended time before scrubbing. Use a cloth, sponge or wash mitt to work the product into the vehicle. Be careful of stripping the sealant — if in doubt look for products suitable to all paint types. Go section by section to avoid missing spots, rinse from the top down and avoid washing on a hot day to avoid streaks. Then, use a microfiber cloth to manually dry the truck, as air drying can leave streaks. 

Rinseless vs. rinse truck wash

• For rinseless solutions, a chemical solution is mixed with water and this mixture is used to wash the entire truck. This option is great for anyone situated in a water-scare area, as it cleans with minimal use of water. To use, apply the rinseless wash solution using a sponge, microfiber cloth, or mitt to the truck's surface. The solution then lifts and encapsulates the dirt. Then, you simply wipe the surface clean.
• Traditional truck washes use a significant amount of water to pre-rinse, wash, and rinse off soap from the truck. It requires access to a water supply and typically involves a hose or pressure washer. The process involves soaking the truck with water, applying the cleaning agent of your choosing, scrubbing with sponges, brushes, or cloths, and then rinsing away the soap and dirt with more water.

Wheels and underside 

Over time, your truck's underbody will be exposed to corrosive elements such as road grime and salt. Using a pressure washer is the easiest way to remove debris before they cause damage. Alternatively, the old-fashioned rag-and-hose method will work, just make sure to work your way into the nooks. Using different rags or mitts for the wheels and undercarriage will save your paint job from scratches from brake dust and other debris.

Windows

Use a window cleaner and a soft, glass-friendly cloth to rinse windows with clean water, and then apply household vinegar with a squeegee for a streak-free shine.

3. Polish the exterior 

Before waxing, polish the truck to remove imperfections on the surface. Use a degreaser to remove any scratches or thinning car wax. Remove outdated stickers and adhesive residues with rubbing alcohol for a cleaner appearance. Lastly, apply fresh wax with an applicator for protection and shine, avoiding any plastics or trims.

4. Clean the interior 

First of all, remove and throw out any trash that's found its way under the seats, in car doors or central consoles (I'm looking at you, lost fries box). The next steps are to remove any seat covers and removable carpets. Vacuum and shampoo the floor mats, wash any seat covers and leave to dry. Dust the dashboard and vacuum the floors and under the seats, ensuring all dust and debris are removed. For an extra luxurious feel, give your leather seats regular conditioning to keep them shining at their best. This can be achieved through either leather conditioner or small amounts of coconut oil gently worked into the leather. 

5. Empty the bed

Don't forget to give your bed the attention it deserves! It might be a pain, but during the proper cleaning sessions remove the large objects from the bed, don't just clean around them!  Sweep and hose down dirt, dust, pebbles, and liners. A power cleaner should get the job done, otherwise, water, cleaner and a broom should remove the debris. Give it a nice foamy clean with some vehicle-appropriate cleaner, before letting it dry in the sun. Finally, apply wax to the bed to maintain its shine and to offer protection​​.

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