How do I care for a new truck with a utility bed?

[sahls01gmc]

My new work truck is a 2016 RAM, and it has a utility bed.  I'm more or less a mobile diesel mechanic, and I haul a lot of equipment as well (about 1,500 miles a week). 

 

What would be the most efficient way to keep a lil bit of shine on this ride?  My thought is the cab could use a regular wash, but the utility bed would need a bit more strength to get the oil and grease removed from the boxes.  I'm not worried about the bed section, it's got a Line-X coating and it will always be dirty. 

 

So would an efficient effort be to strip wash the utility bed first, then 2 bucket wash the entire truck?  I'm looking to do a similar process to Adam's Daily Driver video.  I've used the Wash & Wax on my other daily drivers, and I love it!  Since it's a work truck, I won't be able to pamper it with any polishing.  Has anyone followed up a Wash & Wax with H2O G&G?

 

Suggestions welcome!

[BretFraz]

In a former job, I used to oversee the company's truck fleet; mostly service vans and trucks with utility beds like yours.   Lemme tell ya, it wasn't easy keeping them somewhat clean.   Forget about detailed.

 

Anyway, if it were mine, I'd use a shampoo with some real cleaning ability, like Strip Wash.   Mix in some APC if you have to cut grease and grime.  Once clean, a good coat of paint sealant will provide solid protection.   Regular washing would always end up with H20 G&G.   That combo should maintain the shine and be easy to use.

[LFairbanks]

With that many miles in a week, where do you find the time to make repairs?  

[sahls01gmc]

Long days! I average at least 50 hours a week. Typically, it's a 500 mile driving day at a time, with some small wrenching on those days. The other days of the week I turn wrenches all day long either at the shop or on the customers site.

 

My "detailing" time for the work truck usually happens when I'm at the hotel.....such as I am right now. Too bad my birthday is Tuesday (7th). Nothing like spending your birthday away from your family! It's all worth it though, I make time for what's important to me. I coach my daughters softball team, and tournament season is just about to kick off! Weekends are about to be booked solid til the middle of the summer.

[Dan@Adams]

Happy birthday James!

 

Me personally, I would protect it with Paint Sealant as soon as possible while the truck is new, before it starts to get too dirty, then maintain with a weekly wash if possible and H2O Guard every 1-2 months. I wouldn't use Strip Wash much, since it's a very strong cleaner and would weaken the sealant protection.

[sahls01gmc]

Thanks Dan!

 

I suppose I could spring an extra hour to put a coat of Paint Sealant on, then maintenance would be a lot easier.  Much like anything else, the better the prep, the better the result.

 

 

I suppose I could fill up a shopping cart for my birthday!  Hopefully it will be at home when I get there.

[mc2hill]

If possible, try a coating on the truck.  The plus for the coating is you can use a degreaser to clean it, and it will not remove the protection.  My son's car has a coating on it, and I only get to wash it every few months.  I use Strip Wash to clean it and it comes out great.  The coating has to be removed by mechanical means (polishing).