ScottyRam Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Hey guys, I figured I would take some time and document some of the process I go through when cleaning not only my truck, but some of my customers cars when it comes to wash/wax/paint correction etc. This is my first write-up so go easy on me As for my truck, it is well maintained, washed and cleaned up about once a week. Where I park for work is a gravel lot and is quite dusty, so my truck is usually covered in heavy dust on a daily basis. Today it was beautiful out, and my day off, so I took some time to do a maintenance wash. I had already washed, clayed and sealed it a couple weeks ago, so it is fairly easy to clean it up now. Process.... Wash - Sonax Gloss Shampoo (foam cannon & bucket wash) Bug & Tar - 1Z einszett Anti-Insekt Bug + Tar Remover Tires - Adams All Purpose Cleaner Wheels - Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner Wheel Wells - Adams All Purpose Cleaner Detail/drying - Adams Detail Spray Protect.... Sealant - Sonax Net Polymer (sealed the truck 2 weeks ago) Trim - Adams Super VRT Wheel Wells - Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray Tools.... - Kwazar Venus Pro + Compression Sprayer w/ Foamer tip (Adams APC is fantasic in this) - Kwazar Mercury Pro (Sonax Wheel Cleaner) - Wheel Woolies - Uber Detail Brush (Boar's Hair) - Auto Finesse Waxmate - Sonus Der Wunder Microfiber Drying Towel Before Bugs, dirty and dust throughout Mirrors always get hammered Debris shot up from tires Dirty wheel faces & barrels Now, when I start a detail, whether it be a maintenance wash like today, or a full paint correction, I always start with wheels and tires/ wheel wells. Adams APC has been my go to for tires, running boards, engine bays etc. This magical cleaning fluid works amazingly well in a Kwazar Venus Pro + Compression Sprayer w/ the foamer tip. In action, left to dwell on tires, wheel wells, and running boards Then I hit up the wheels with Sonax Wheel Cleaner. This stuff smells terrible, but works wonders. The product is sprayed on green/yellow, and after 5 minutes or so will change to a redish/purple once it comes in contact with any iron from the brake pads/rotors etc. so you know its working. While the wheel cleaner was left to dwell, I went back to the tires and scrubbed them with a Tuf Shine tire brush. Honestly, the perfect brush for tires and small enough to hit the wheel well plastics. I then went back to the wheel, but this time to agitate the Sonax Wheel Cleaner with my wheel woolies. Cleaned the faces and the barrels, then rinse. Not the best picture, but you can see how dirty the soap is, and the reddish hue of the wheel cleaner. Rinse off thoroughly, no pressure needed here. Minty fresh wheels Once all four wheels, tires and wheel wells were completed, I carried on with the Tuf Shine brush on the running boards. Adams APC works very well here, and foams nicely with this Now it was time to actually wash the truck, we're only an hour into this already lol. Gas pressure washer, Uber foam cannon ready to go. I LOVE this setup, makes washing so much fun. Only need about 1/2"-3/4" of product, fill the rest with water. Sonax Shampoo is great in the cannon, and is safe on sealants - won't strip wax or coatings and leaves a great gloss shine when finished. And away we go, suuuuuper thick foam to cover the truck, let dwell for 5 minutes or so. Hey, did you hear it snowed in July? Got a little artsy lol While the soap was working on breaking down dirt and grime on the truck, I prepared my seperate wash bucket with a little more Sonax Soap and my microfibre wash mit. More suds the better! I hit up all the tight areas, window trim, mirror housings, grill etc with my Uber Detail Brush. Can't forget the gas filler lid After thoroughly washing the truck, give it good rinse. Nice beading action from the previously applied sealant. Now, to eliminate the chance of hard water spots, it's time to dry. I use a waffle weave towel and Adams Detail spray. Once everything was dried off, I hit up the door frames and jams with some more Adams APC and some shop towels Next up was the faded running boards. I hit them up with Adams SVRT, and applied it with an Auto Finesse Foam applicator. Before.... After.... Finished version. Not perfect, but looking great, nice gloss to it, and I know it's protected with the products I use. Tough to see, but nice cloud reflection on the hood. That's it for now, if I have time, maybe I can continue this write-up with the interior tomorrow. Your thoughts/comments? Captain Slow and Michael@Adams 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Bowtie Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Great job all the way around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyRam Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Thanks mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneck08sierra Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 dang those steps came out killer with the vrt. great job ScottyRam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Great looking truck! If I wasn't in my Tacoma I would definitely be in a Ram and one just like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gen9Rolla Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Your truck looks great, and for a first time write up that was very well done. Bravo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HydroBlueJK Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I really wish my truck was white instead of black lol Dan@Adams 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyRam Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Thanks a lot guys! I've been into detailing for as long as I've been into cars. I like to be quite thorough when cleaning, and even more so when doing a customer's car. This is my first white vehicle, it usually looks clean when to me, is actually quite dirty, but when it's black, it stays clean for about 12 seconds lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HydroBlueJK Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 seriously..lol mines lifted with tires that stick about 1.5 inches out and it slings stuff eerywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyRam Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) My summer car is jet black. If I look at it the wrong way it gets dirty lol Edited July 24, 2014 by ScottyRam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsRamTruck2012 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Truck looks great. My truck is outside all the time so it makes it tougher to keep clean, but I do my best. Have you tried Adam's Carpet & Upholstery cleaner? It works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Nice write up and we appreciate your taking the time. The truck looks 100% better. Nice job. ScottyRam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Bobby Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Keep it going with the interior job man! I like the mixed use of products/brands (I believe you may also be a Phil @ DD customer as well as I?), reminds me I really need to get another Venus sprayer or a Mercury + for wheel cleaner. Believe it or not if you have any Revive sitting around or some other cleaner polish products they work great on protecting, cleaning and keeping the grime off those white door jambs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Hey! I have one of those green things too. They're great for reaching way inside the wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sicoupe Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Awesome write up buddy! White on black love it:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 She looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fierce5 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 That looks nice. Don;t mean to hijack the thread but do you know what's a good PSI for a gas-powered power washer used for detailing purposes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I think most car washed are around 1400..... Fierce5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Bobby Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 That looks nice. Don;t mean to hijack the thread but do you know what's a good PSI for a gas-powered power washer used for detailing purposes? Keep it under 2000 and electric is usually a better option. Better suds and less water used when using with a foam cannon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fierce5 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Keep it under 2000 and electric is usually a better option. Better suds and less water used when using with a foam cannon... Do they sell power washer with psi regulator this way I can tone it up and down depending on my needs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Nice write up, and photos!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMMJAY Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 nice write up mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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