Any truck washing tips and advice?

gave the truck a cleaning yesterday and realized there are some areas thats harder to get to. such as the roof and top middle windshield area. I have a pressure washer and a handheld extended brush to scrub. but when it comes to detailing and scrubbing exact areas I find I have to put arms and legs on things I rather not if I dont have to as to not scratch the paint by mistake and the likes. with warmer weather coming also bring the bugs and having to get to that one spot to scrub the bug guts in difficult spots.

I'm 5'7 on a good day so any advice would be appreciated

 

Foam Cannon
Two bucket system
Use good wash mits and brushes and have specific ones for different parts of the truck.

This is a good video to get ya started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxuf6s8I0p4

Use good drying towels or air. i use absorbers first and micro drying specific towels to finish.

Also I use a small step ladder to reach places, even at 5'11"

 

skip a brush on the paint and use a microfiber wash mop with a handle. Toyota paint is frail and a typical brush on a pole will scratch it up over time.

 

I hate dirty vehicles and I try to wash mine as much as possible. One of the best things I have ever done was get my Tundra ceramic coated. It makes cleaning unbelievable easy. The vast majority of the time I only use ONR or CarPro ECH20 in a spray bottle and literally wipe. I physically wash the truck maybe 4 times years (bucket method-regularly spray and wipe with distilled water).

My good friends who live close are always joking how clean my truck is after rain storms and such. Nothing sticks.

I feel your pain because I am only 5’5. I had mine professionally coated and swear it’s worth every penny.

A six foot ladder is an important aid as well…

 

I hand wash it 4 times a year. Dry it off with a leaf blower instead of a towel. Then apply Bugslide 4 times a year. Done.

 

Depends on what you mean by "brush" I use one of these to get the hard to reach areas (5:30 mark):
https://youtu.be/qSz9pykZRM0?t=330

 

i tower over you at 5'-8", so take my info with a grain of salt
check out a small step ladder or working platform like shown below. you can get them at lowe's and places similar. when i had my truck on a 6" lift and 35s, i would use a small step ladder that boosted me up about 18-22". but i would get in the bed of the truck to do as much as i could while doing the back glass. then i would also stand on the front tires. i am a fairly active guy and hop up and down fairly easily. not sure of your capabilities/age/ailments/etc. aside from your height. the platforms went on sale before and i missed them. they were like $30 bucks or so. i was upset. i have a van and sequoia now and use my little step ladder and just do the up and down method (maybe that's why i have so many kids ). any other questions, just ask. i wash my vehicles about once a week by hand. i have ceramic coated both myself, and that makes it a lot nicer/better/easier than not being coated.

 

I'm thinking about getting mine coated as well. If you don't mind, how much was it?

 

I'm 5'6 and with only a 3/2 level kit, I Carry a 4' folding (3-step) ladder in back, just for roof and windshield, and drying all of it ,works great and takes up no room in bed.

 

I got a wicked deal on mine. It was just over 900 for the paint/wheels coated and PPF (clear plastic) over the headlights/fog lights. This was in the middle of COVID and I was getting absolutely ridiculous qoutes, 2k plus. They guys I had do it were extremely professional and did an unbelievable job. My brand new Tundra was by far the cheapest vehicle in their shop and parking lot …seriously though.

And I have a four year warranty but you have to go in very 12 months for a refresh which has been $150.

 

The roof is easily accessible from the bed. I'm 5'5" on my best day, and that's how I reach mine. My wife has a GMC Yukon, and she takes a dim view of me standing on the center console with the sunroof open washing the roof. Two things have made the job much easier....a 3-step ladder from Cosco...and the MicroFiber Madness Incredipole. Griots Garage also sells an extendable wash mitt on a pole. I did not like the quality of the Griots mop heads, so I went with the Incredipole. Only down side so far is that is it very heavy when saturated.

Getting a ceramic coating does make washing the truck easier, but it does not mean these areas do not need to be washed....so you're in the same boat whether you have it coated or not. My truck is coated, and it's at the end of it's life. Doubtful if I will bother coating it again.

 

Thanks for the info. Got a couple things to get before I decide to get a coat like which air freshener I want to get from BB&B.

 

I just use a step stool and a ladder to get where I need to. A friend once told me, you gotta go where the work is.

 

Find a rich single woman and bury your face in it while her detailer cleans your truck.

 

I keep telling you guys.....Bugslide FTW!

 

I got one of these at Home Depot and it is the way to go. So much better than a step ladder.

 

Same here. I use this in combination with a foam cannon. It makes things a lot safer and easier.