Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Wiredawg
TDR MEMBER
Friends,
I've been on the TDR for around 20 years and can't believe I spent around 20 minutes trying to figure out the best (and correct) forum to post maintaining the paint with other exterior parts, the interior, and appearance of the tires. So this is where I figured best to post. What made me think about this is we just came back from Houston on a 5 day RV trip and of course it rained. As normal, we returned, washed the RV and the 2017 Ram 5500.
So, Great White is sitting in the shop waiting to be hand waxed, interior wiped down, and carpet vacuumed. Doing this will take 3 to 4 hours, but gets this full treatment once a year. Wax still beads, but still follow this body care treatment. It's stored inside, so is protected from the elements. We live down a quarter mile long caliche gravel road that when dry is like driving on talcum powder.
PRODUCTS: I realize everyone has their favorite products, but for me,
Paint Touchup: Chrysler Touchup Paint. I touchup paint chips every time after washing
Washing Liquid: I usually buy Turtle Wax car wash soap,
Bug/Tar Removal: I like Turtle Wax Bug/Tar Removal that has wax in it too
Wax: whatever carnauba wax is on sale (usually Turtle Wax),
Cleaning Gear: have two soft extension brushes for reaching down and up, a washing mitt,
Carpet: I like using Carpet Fresh on the carpet.
Interior: gets wiped down with damp soft towel.
Tires/Under hood: I like Simple Green for the tires and under hood cleaning and leather conditioner lightly on leather/vinyl seats. I know there are folks who like Armor All, but not me. Tires get nasty with any dressing on the tires. Clean dull black is what I like.
A good friend passed away 4 years ago and I was given all his car care products with lots of Maguire's. So starting to use those too.
EDIT: oops, forgot to mention in addition to extension bushes, a good 4 ft step ladder is needed on our beast as well.
PROCESS:
Washing: I always wash in the shade. I spend 10 to 15 minutes washing UNDER the truck with water sprayer set on high and spray inside wheel wells. Engine bay gets same treatment, but I avoid electrical components and connectors. We wash from the top down, each side, rear and front. Any bugs or tar remaining after washing, gets bug and tar remover treatment. Spray tires with Simple Green and scrub with stiff brush. Floor mats get washed too and get hung to dry.
Drying: I pull the truck into the shop and hand dry using synthetic chamois. I wipe inside the door jams, inside the bed storage doors, and wipe down all the rubber door seals. I wipe the windshield wiper blades of the guck that shortens their life. Windows get wiped inside and out. Engine bay now gets completely wiped down, including hoses and all the plastic.
Paint Repair: I repair chips by wiping down with denatured alcohol, feather lightly with sandpaper, apply touchup paint, let dry, and apply clear.
Waxing: By waxing inside, I apply wax to the entire truck. As big as it is, by the time I finish applying, it's time to remove. Although I have buffers, both circular and orbital, I choose to hand polish removing the wax. When done, I use old tooth brush to remove wax from crevasses and emblems. I used to wax windows and mirrors, but getting harder to reach windshield, so just clean with Windex.
Interior: My wife usually does the interior, wiping down all surfaces with damp soft towel. She lightly sprinkles Carpet Fresh on the carpet and uses the powerful Craftsman shop vac to clean the carpet. I buy the large air fresheners at Home Depot and place one under the passenger seat. Finally, my wife wipes down seats with light leather conditioner on a soft towel, not enough to make slippery.
So, that is what we do. Lets don't start any product wars, just mention what you use, how often, and how you use it.
I'll post pics later.
Anyhoo, time to have some fun.
Cheers, Ron
I've been on the TDR for around 20 years and can't believe I spent around 20 minutes trying to figure out the best (and correct) forum to post maintaining the paint with other exterior parts, the interior, and appearance of the tires. So this is where I figured best to post. What made me think about this is we just came back from Houston on a 5 day RV trip and of course it rained. As normal, we returned, washed the RV and the 2017 Ram 5500.
So, Great White is sitting in the shop waiting to be hand waxed, interior wiped down, and carpet vacuumed. Doing this will take 3 to 4 hours, but gets this full treatment once a year. Wax still beads, but still follow this body care treatment. It's stored inside, so is protected from the elements. We live down a quarter mile long caliche gravel road that when dry is like driving on talcum powder.
PRODUCTS: I realize everyone has their favorite products, but for me,
Paint Touchup: Chrysler Touchup Paint. I touchup paint chips every time after washing
Washing Liquid: I usually buy Turtle Wax car wash soap,
Bug/Tar Removal: I like Turtle Wax Bug/Tar Removal that has wax in it too
Wax: whatever carnauba wax is on sale (usually Turtle Wax),
Cleaning Gear: have two soft extension brushes for reaching down and up, a washing mitt,
Carpet: I like using Carpet Fresh on the carpet.
Interior: gets wiped down with damp soft towel.
Tires/Under hood: I like Simple Green for the tires and under hood cleaning and leather conditioner lightly on leather/vinyl seats. I know there are folks who like Armor All, but not me. Tires get nasty with any dressing on the tires. Clean dull black is what I like.
A good friend passed away 4 years ago and I was given all his car care products with lots of Maguire's. So starting to use those too.
EDIT: oops, forgot to mention in addition to extension bushes, a good 4 ft step ladder is needed on our beast as well.
PROCESS:
Washing: I always wash in the shade. I spend 10 to 15 minutes washing UNDER the truck with water sprayer set on high and spray inside wheel wells. Engine bay gets same treatment, but I avoid electrical components and connectors. We wash from the top down, each side, rear and front. Any bugs or tar remaining after washing, gets bug and tar remover treatment. Spray tires with Simple Green and scrub with stiff brush. Floor mats get washed too and get hung to dry.
Drying: I pull the truck into the shop and hand dry using synthetic chamois. I wipe inside the door jams, inside the bed storage doors, and wipe down all the rubber door seals. I wipe the windshield wiper blades of the guck that shortens their life. Windows get wiped inside and out. Engine bay now gets completely wiped down, including hoses and all the plastic.
Paint Repair: I repair chips by wiping down with denatured alcohol, feather lightly with sandpaper, apply touchup paint, let dry, and apply clear.
Waxing: By waxing inside, I apply wax to the entire truck. As big as it is, by the time I finish applying, it's time to remove. Although I have buffers, both circular and orbital, I choose to hand polish removing the wax. When done, I use old tooth brush to remove wax from crevasses and emblems. I used to wax windows and mirrors, but getting harder to reach windshield, so just clean with Windex.
Interior: My wife usually does the interior, wiping down all surfaces with damp soft towel. She lightly sprinkles Carpet Fresh on the carpet and uses the powerful Craftsman shop vac to clean the carpet. I buy the large air fresheners at Home Depot and place one under the passenger seat. Finally, my wife wipes down seats with light leather conditioner on a soft towel, not enough to make slippery.
So, that is what we do. Lets don't start any product wars, just mention what you use, how often, and how you use it.
I'll post pics later.
Anyhoo, time to have some fun.
Cheers, Ron
