Technical > Tips

Clean Machine

Tips on Removing the Mud and Bringing Back the Shine

story & photos by Steve Temple

Before

Besides being really dirty, our pickup collected a variety of natural (and unnatural) debris as well. That’s what we get for parking it under a tree. This is actually a modest amount of dirt.

After

Is that a clean finish or what? Now we’re ready to go out and get it dirty again, but this time we’ve added a protective barrier to the paint, which should make the new mud rinse off easier.

When you return from an off-road adventure, leaving all that dried mud and muck on your 4x4 is like wearing a red badge of courage. It tells the world that you’ve gotten down and dirty on some really nasty trails and mud bogs where prissy pavement-pounders fear to tread. Of course, in a few days or so the coating of soil starts to wear thin, and kids are writing “Wash Me” fingerprint-signs on the finish and windows. So maybe it’s time to see if there’s still a truck underneath that thick mudpack. Anyway, you can always go back and add another fresh layer of dirt later on, right?

All of which leads us to a few tips on detailing. It’s not simply a matter of pointing a high-pressure hose at your truck, nor driving through an automatic car wash when you stop for fuel. There’s a big difference between detailing your rig and giving it a quick wash job. Doing a half-job means you’re only half-done, and your vehicle’s still half-dirty. It’s much easier to find the right cleaner or polish for each project, and use the correct tools.

Careful detailing has an added benefit. It’s a great time to check out the safety of your vehicle and make sure everything is in working order and not excessively worn or damaged. That’s especially true for an off-road vehicle, where areas you need to look over include tires/wheels, suspension/shocks, drivetrain, brake lines, etc. You can also keep an eye out for dents, chipped paint and scratches left by your last rocky road excursion.

Another reason to do a thorough detail job is to apply a slippery, protective coating on the paint, so you don’t have to worry about dulling the finish. Automotive polishing and waxing agents can remove surface oxidation and leave a high gloss. This clear film acts as a protective barrier for your vehicle’s surface.

Since we had a sample of the Turtle Wax Best Looking Rig Award winner’s prize duffle bag of their products, we decided to give ‘em a try.

For purposes of illustration, we chose a pickup that’s painted black, which shows dirt and shines better in the photos. However, it happened to be a sport truck (So don’t waste your time writing us letters asking why it’s lowered instead of lifted. Besides, it’s a tow vehicle for an ATV and boat trailer.)

Once you determine how much detailing your vehicle needs, you may feel a bit overwhelmed if it’s especially dirty. To make things easier, break down the job into smaller tasks to be done in a set order.

Generally speaking it’s better to work from the inside out and from the top down (with one exception — take care of the wheels and tires first). You should also do any scratch repair or spot removal before polishing and waxing. Once you’re done you’ll have a vehicle to be proud of, even without a badge of courage.

SOURCE:

Turtle Wax Inc.
5655 W. 73rd Street
Chicago, Il 60638
www.TurtleWax.com

Wrench Rating: 1/10 of a wrench (even a little girl and a hairy armed old guy can do it). Ratings Explanation		A. A smart way to deal with really heavy dirt, sap, bird droppings and other stuck-on stuff is to pre-treat the extra-dirty sections of the body. Soak the offending area liberally, and allow the solution to penetrate before washing the entire vehicle. Why use a formulated car wash and not a dish detergent to wash your vehicle? Household detergents, even “mild” dishwashing soaps, are designed to work in hot water and cut through grease, which can strip away wax, leaving your paint unprotected. Turtle Wax’s Platinum Ultra Gloss Car Wash & Conditioner is a non-streak, pH neutral formula that gently cleans, rinses thoroughly and leaves no spots. For already existing water spots on glass and paint surfaces (caused by mineral deposits), a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water does a great job of neutralizing these marks.
B. Dry completely after washing with a soft cotton cloth or microfiber towel. To avoid spotting, it’s a good idea to avoid washing in your vehicle in midday sunlight. Early morning or late evening is the best time, or at least wash in a shaded area.		C. For the exterior, clean wheels and tires first with chemicals before wetting and soaping. One of the reasons for doing that is because chemical wheel cleaners can lose their strength on wet surfaces. Use a generous amount of cleaner and let it soak thoroughly before brushing. Don’t let it dry, however, and be sure to rinse the wheels thoroughly.
D. You can use either liquid or paste wax to bring back the shine. Both types work well, so it comes down to a matter of personal preference. Liquid wax can be applied heavier than a paste, and about four fluid ounces is required to wax a small truck. Don’t apply wax onto surfaces that cannot be easily buffed or that haven’t been recently washed. The ideal waxing temperature is between 55 degrees and 85 degrees F. Do not apply wax in direct sun, especially on dark finishes, as this makes polish and wax removal difficult.		E. After applying liquid wax to the towel, work only one section at a time, using a circular motion. Be sure the towel is free of any grit or debris. If you drop it in on the ground, get a fresh cloth.
F. Let the wax dry to a haze before removing.		G. Rub with a clean cotton or microfiber cloth to bring out the shine. You can use an electric buffer, but don’t bear down hard, or the friction may damage the paint.
H. A sponge applicator is included with Turtle Wax’s paste wax. You’ll probably need to clean the pad occasionally as you apply the wax. Average vehicle care should include applying a coat of wax three to four times a year, but for off-road rigs may require more frequent waxing.		I. Since paste wax is thicker, apply it in thin coats. Turtle Wax says that applying additional coats of wax at one time is not necessary. However, following with a second coat may assure protection in the areas you may have missed, and add some shine to older finishes.
J. Paste wax on right has dried to a dull haze, ready to be buffed to a gloss (left side).		K. When you can see a clear reflection, the finish is nicely protected, and the wax is doing its job. For touch-ups, it’s also a good idea to spray and lightly buff with some Platinum Series Ultra Gloss Detailer after a wash to boost the shine and protection of the wax. Weekly use of Detailer will help prevent incidental swirl marks and leave a high gloss shine. Detailers don’t have cleaning agents but do contain shine and protection polymers to renew shine and protection.