All the hard work has paid off — you’ve finally bought your dream truck! Now, you must figure out how to keep it looking beautiful.
Of course, if you spent a lot of money on detailing products and services before you purchased your new truck, then congratulations are in order because this is already taken care of. But if not, don’t worry; this guide will show you eight tips and tricks that can help you achieve great results without breaking the bank!
1. Clean The Interior
Spend a little time cleaning the interior of your truck, and you’ll see that all of your hard work won’t go unnoticed! Here are some easy and cheap methods:
Use an old toothbrush and dish soap to scrub the tough stains in the cup holders and center console. Then, follow up with any type of vinyl protectant.
Remove any excess dirt from between/under the seat cushions. If there is dirt in between crevices, use a thin piece of wire (coat hanger works well) to pick it out. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove pet hair that’s stuck to the seat covers, then follow up with a vinyl protectant.
2. Take Care Of The Carpets
One way to keep your new truck looking beautiful is by removing tough stains from the carpeting. And the easiest way to do this is with a steam cleaner.
Now, here are some valuable tips on how to use it properly: Use warm water instead of hot water, especially if there are food/liquid spills that could potentially burn you if they’re too hot.
Sprinkle baking soda all over the carpeting before you begin steaming it-it will help suck out any moisture.
If there are stains on the floor mats, you can clean them by hand or machine (e.g.-in your washing machine). Just make sure to use cold water if using this method!
3. Clean The Dashboard And Other Plastic Surfaces
Just like how sugary spills stuck to the cup holders and center console can be complicated to get rid of, so can sugar that sticks to your dashboard and other plastic surfaces.
If this problem affects your truck, then there’s a cheap solution: Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then spray onto the affected areas and use a scratch-free microfiber cloth to wipe them clean.
4. Protect The Plastic Surfaces
If you’re going out of town for a few days or taking a long trip across the country, then remember that direct sunlight can have damaging effects on your plastic surfaces. To prevent this from happening, purchase masking tape at any automotive supply store.
With a pair of scissors, cut small pieces of tape and attach them to any windows which will be left open/exposed to the sun. This will also make the interior look great when you return!
5. Pressure Wash The Exterior
Pressure washing is an easy way to get rid of bug marks and dirt that get stuck onto your truck’s paint job. Remove any exterior accessories (e.g.-mud flaps, running boards) and tape off any sensitive areas (e.g.-”Paint” decals, trim, lights).
Then, use a pressure washer or garden hose with a spray nozzle to remove the grime from your truck’s body. Follow up using a dual-action polisher, then a microfiber cloth.
6. Get It Painted Every Once in a While
If any of your truck’s body panels have been damaged, then it might be a good idea to get them painted. You can go to paint stores with automotive paint booth systems or equipment installed for low prices.
These systems do a great job of prepping the vehicle and applying automotive paint-so you don’t have to worry about it!
7. Polish The Paint
Polishing your truck is one of the best ways to restore shine neglected paint jobs. Not only does it make for a good wax job, but it also removes stubborn swirl marks that can appear on dirty paint jobs.
Remove all masking tape before beginning this step!
8. Wax-Time!
Wing your truck is probably the best time to wax it. If you don’t know what professional automotive waxing is, then here are some quick instructions on how to do it.
Use paste wax and a dual-action automotive polisher — apply a small amount of the product onto a clean microfiber cloth, then remove any dust with a dry version of the same towel. Remember to work in even motions!
Now that you know how to keep your new truck looking fresh and clean, go ahead and do some detailing! Also, don’t forget that these tricks can also be used for older trucks.
