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Do you wash your truck before a road trip?

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by 1UPPER, Apr 28, 2017.

  1. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:36 AM
    #1
    1UPPER

    1UPPER [OP] Not A New Member

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    Flux capacitor!
    I'm curious if anyone besides myself likes to wash their truck before a long road trip? Yes I know it will get bugs and dirt all over it. I just enjoy having a clean ride inside and out before a long trip. I also like having a clean windshield while driving. Anyone else feel the same way? IMG_7196.jpg IMG_7197.jpg
     
  2. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:37 AM
    #2
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Hell no. o_O I don't even wash it after the road trip. :D
     
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  3. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:39 AM
    #3
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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    Nah I wash it after road trip.
     
    SouthBoundSteve likes this.
  4. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:43 AM
    #4
    1UPPER

    1UPPER [OP] Not A New Member

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    Flux capacitor!
    It's a lot easier to wash it after road trip if it's clean before though. Maybe it's just me wanting all those other truck brand owners to wish they had a Tundra as well. Lol
     
    Bob, Tophergt99, Hasteen and 5 others like this.
  5. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:43 AM
    #5
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Yep, I definitely wash it before a trip.
     
    Tophergt99, 15whtrd and 1UPPER[OP] like this.
  6. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:45 AM
    #6
    boardude

    boardude I am Batman

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    I feel ya on the inside part but I wash afterwards
     
  7. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:49 AM
    #7
    boardude

    boardude I am Batman

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    I also wash her at least once a month with a spray on wax and apply a hand wax twice a year so I plan these around road trips
     
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  8. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:52 AM
    #8
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Spray on wax??? How does that work? No wiping on or off?
     
  9. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:56 AM
    #9
    boardude

    boardude I am Batman

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    It's a wax as you dry. Spray it on when the car is still wet then I squeegee and dry with a microfiber. Works pretty well
     
  10. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:58 AM
    #10
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    i wash it both before and after.....i'm weird..
     
  11. Apr 28, 2017 at 8:59 AM
    #11
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Any good particular brand? I throw my back out trying to wax. Need to try something new.
     
  12. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:07 AM
    #12
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

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    I always wash mine before and after, sometimes even while I'm at my destination. I keep small bottles of 303, spot cleaner and instant detailer in the truck all the time. My wife says there's something wrong with me o_O
     
  13. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:09 AM
    #13
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    I wash it just to sit in the garage, LOL. So yes, I would clean before a trip (unless the trip is to get it dirty :mudding:, then no).
     
  14. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:20 AM
    #14
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    Inside before a trip. Depends how dirty it is outside. If I'm going somewhere it's snowy/ rainy. Nope. Not until after trip.
     
  15. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:25 AM
    #15
    boardude

    boardude I am Batman

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    This is what I have used on the Taco and Tundra for years. Using a jelly blade to squeegee the car is not only a ton faster but A LOT easier too.
    7ab9c7ea9adfffa95655f7b4d09d45ed_a2eed657ca43aed268d269555c1999446a9b5bac.jpg
     
    1UPPER[OP] and joonbug[QUOTED] like this.
  16. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:27 AM
    #16
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    Jelly blade? Never seen those. Local auto parts places carry them?
     
  17. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:30 AM
    #17
    Newm

    Newm New Member

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    Fellow foam cannon user I see....nice!

    Hell yeah, I wash it before and after a long trip. Family and friends think I am weird but if you start with a clean truck it's easier to get back to a clean truck after the trip. That's my thinking anyway.
     
  18. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:30 AM
    #18
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    Yes, i also wash them generally before a rain storm. That said, my tundra has been deprived, have only washed it once. But I generally wash 1-2 cars every weekend.
     
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  19. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:31 AM
    #19
    boardude

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    Haven't seen them in any auto stores but Amazon has them.

    https://www.amazon.com/California-C...396892&sr=8-1&keywords=california+jelly+blade

    I bought it in a package that came with a California duster too. It has a special wax on it so you can wipe off dust without scratching the car in between washes. The neighbors think I'm crazy for washing so often, but when they see me dusting it they think I am nuts lol

    https://www.amazon.com/California-C...rd_wg=ntIus&psc=1&refRID=VPG0GG66AMKWCA9MAQ61
     
    1UPPER[OP] likes this.
  20. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:35 AM
    #20
    Vector W8

    Vector W8 Old guy with a lot of expensive habits.

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    Yeah, I try to wash it all the time. But we get a lot of rain, so I usually wash it, then 15 minutes later it rains and its a mess again.

    20170421_191437_zpsjswxawud_25abd297a2704f2d1ccb16a6e7d370c74b0f38f6.jpg
     
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  21. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:36 AM
    #21
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    do not use EITHER of those products above. Esp the duster, all it's doing is moving dirt around your paint and scratching it. The jelly, your car better be spotless of dirt otherwise it's doing the same thing. Trust me on this.


    Learn how to sheet water off the car after a wash, or if you like wasting money, do a full RO/DI system setup like I've done. Don't ever dry a car, water dries spotless. Still will bust out an air compressor or the leaf blower to get it out of jams, etc.


    CRspotless makes great RO/DI units.
     
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  22. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:38 AM
    #22
    TNTundra08

    TNTundra08 New Member

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    Road trip part is irrelevant. I barely wash my truck lol.
     
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  23. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:40 AM
    #23
    Newm

    Newm New Member

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    I wasn't going to say it, being somewhat of a new guy here, but everything mentioned above is correct.
     
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  24. Apr 28, 2017 at 9:58 AM
    #24
    boardude

    boardude I am Batman

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    Coming from personal experience I've used these products for more than 7 years on multiple vehicles with no such issues. I'm pretty anal when it comes to washing and keeping a clean car and considering the frequency at which I wash I would have had an issue by now. I can see if you didn't know how to properly use the products it could cause some issues. #scratchfreesince93
     
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  25. Apr 28, 2017 at 10:33 AM
    #25
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    coming from multiple experiences as someone who detailed cars for a living for some time, has cars with $10K paint jobs, once did product developing and testing for a very popular car care product company.....and has chatted with some of the industries top detailers. There was a time where I thought they were safe too, and my experience showed me they aren't. I've got multiple california dusters that are 20+ years old.....that haven't seen a car in 15+ years.


    You'd be amazed how often the conversation of "how people think these two products are safe to use" i've had.....

    You keep doing your thing, but I would never even come close to recommending these products for use; nor do I know anyone who has examined a cars paint in depth that would.


    Will the duster get the dust off? Absolutely (as long as you get all that wax coating out with a few weeks of wrapping it in newspaper so you get no more streaking)....will the gel glide get water off? Absolutely. (although, learn about water sheeting....much more efficient).


    But, take a look with a good light or the bright sunlight at your paint....and you'll see the damage they've both created.


    bottomline, you are trapping dirt between your paint an an object and dragging it across your paint...
     
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  26. Apr 28, 2017 at 10:37 AM
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    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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  27. Apr 28, 2017 at 10:45 AM
    #27
    BlueFalconActual

    BlueFalconActual Field Day Inspector Extraordinaire

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    I wash it before the trip, right before I get to the destination and when I get back.
    :anonymous:
     
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  28. Apr 28, 2017 at 10:52 AM
    #28
    VBSR5

    VBSR5 New Member

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    I always do a wash before and after, I put that Chemical Guys stuff to work. And I would for sure rather have dirty wheels and paint than a dirty grille and windshield.
     
  29. Apr 28, 2017 at 10:54 AM
    #29
    boardude

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    I respect your experience and opinion but I'll stick with my experiences as none of youre statements have been an issue for me. I agree that people have mixed feelings on these but most from what I have heard and conversed are positive.

    Again usung the product incorrectly could do what you say. I mention this again because of how you described the use of these products. The jelly is meant to squeezee water off of a clean vehicle after wash. If you are still trapping dirt between the blade and jelly you aren't washing the vehicle properly. As for the duster its not meant to be used as a tradional duster in a swirling motion rather than in a light swipe.

    In the end we can agree to disagree. Now if you excuse me I'm going to go wash my truck.
     
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  30. Apr 28, 2017 at 10:54 AM
    #30
    Patriot

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    I wash mine before a trip if it's not raining. Usually when ever it needs it.
     

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