Establishing a clean rep: Quick detailing tips

“Everyone going down the road notices clean trucks and trailers, and also dirty trucks and trailers,” said Michael Gray, assistant shop manager at K&J Trucking, a Best Fleets to Drive For winning fleet out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Plus, a dirty or poorly maintained truck can signal to Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspectors that a closer look might be warranted. Visual indicators of neglect raise red flags, and can make inspectors question what else you’ve missed.

And neglecting filth for too long can cause real damage. “If you let any type of particles, dirt, debris, pollen, or contamination sit on the vehicle for too long, the vehicle can actually be damaged beyond repair in terms of cleaning,” explained Zeb Alford, owner of Clean Z’s Mobile Detailing in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Wax on, dirt off

A clean, polished truck turns heads on the highway, and with the right techniques and wash intervals, it doesn’t need to be a big to do. Most agree that the best practice is to make sure vehicles are simply washed regularly. Good old soap and water will take off most dirt and grime, maintaining the wax coating for longer.

“I don’t think you need to have a wax and polish every time the truck is in, but the wash itself will keep everything clean and shiny without overdoing it,” Gray said. “Start with a good mix of soap and water to get the grime off.”

Jhonny Interian, detail shop manager at JLE Truckwash, agreed, recommending a wash no less than once per month for most of the year, and at least twice a month in the winter to combat corrosion from chemicals and salt on the roads.

Chris Foley, detail manager at Fyda Freightliner in Columbus, Ohio, advised a wash every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on usage and road conditions. “For fleet trucks, it’s often easier to stay on a more frequent schedule since many fleets have access to on-site wash facilities,” he explained. “However, for owner-operators, washing may happen less frequently due to limited access to facilities. In these cases, we recommend washing the truck every 4 to 6 weeks, or sooner if driving through harsh weather or dirty conditions.”

Hand washing is the preferred method of the detailing professionals who responded, as sometimes the tools can be detrimental.

“Brushes will leave swirl marks,” cautioned Vann Brown, founder and CEO of Brown Ox Ventures and inventor behind the BullSnot! cleaning product line, explaining that more often than not, they just push the dirt and grime back and forth over the paint. “You’ve got to be real careful with people using brushes, especially on black paint.”

“Hand washing is the preferred method for deep cleaning,” Interian concurred. “Handheld pressure washing wands with soft bristle brushes will get rid of the maximum amount of road grime that cannot always be removed by automated systems. Automated systems also cannot adequately wash the engine compartment to provide a good visual inspection.”

Another advantage of manual cleaning is the ability to adjust during the process based on the condition of the vehicle and what you notice as you’re washing.

“I feel as if hand washing is always better,” Gray said. “You get a better idea of what’s coming off the truck and can control the pressure of the water and brushes better than a machine.”

There is also the risk of missing spots when using automated washing tools, Brian Warner, owner of One Touch Detailing, pointed out, listing the inside of the rims, wheel wells, the grille, and emblems as places that are hard to reach without using your hands.

Scratches can sometimes be handled with a good buffing compound and some elbow grease, but it depends on the severity of the blemish.

“There are many good products on the market that need to be used by commercial vendors with the correct power tools and buffing pads,” cautioned Interian.

Deeper issues with paint are another story, however, and usually need to be fixed professionally.
“For paint chips, you really need to just have that touched up and sealed properly so the paint doesn’t peel off,” warned Gray.

Interian agreed, noting that the best bet is to just take the vehicle to a body shop.
And don’t forget the finishing touches, the details that will make the truck pop and stand out to others on the road.

“On trucks, you’re always going to notice a shiny tailpipe or a door handle,” Alford added. “Make sure those are streak-free.”

K&J’s Gray recommends Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream, a non-abrasive solution that can be used on all metal to remove tarnish and oxidation. The cream can be used with buffers and polishers to create a lasting protective coating.