Non-Mechanical Maintenance For Your Ram (And Other Vehicles)

[Wiredawg]

I'm so type A when I was stationed in Iceland at an aircraft warning and control site (Rockville), I used to wash my 81 Toyota 4x4 Reg once a week, engine running, defrost on high, from a hot water heater, then pull it into a shop to dry it. They had a hard paste wax that really was durable. Back in the day, used to wax weekly, and over time really had a deep shine. I've never had paint related problems.

Anyhoo, wouldn't be complete without a WAR story.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Well Friends, detailed the truck and drove it today down our talcum powder road... A California Duster is amazing to remove dust from your ride without scratches. Anyhoo, the truck is protected and the cycle continues. Ok, I guess something good did come out of California besides 1-10.

Cheers, Ron

 

[SnoKing]

I-5 is a way out of California, however it is a pretty bumpy ride until you get into Oregon.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Living here in the salt belt, even a few months of exposure to the road salt and grime, the engine compartment becomes an absolute mess. Leaving it like that isn't an option either. I'll gladly take the risk.

WATER, NOT chemicals. Chasing electrical connector issues is a no go for me.

 

[JohnM45]

Well Friends, detailed the truck and drove it today down our talcum powder road... A California Duster is amazing to remove dust from your ride without scratches. Anyhoo, the truck is protected and the cycle continues. Ok, I guess something good did come out of California besides 1-10.

Cheers, Ron

Ron - can you go over how you do your engine bay a little more detailed? I've never washed an engine bay....I know, right? That's crazy! But, I want to do my best to stay on top of my new-to-me '18 2500. It's still super clean under the hood somehow...the used truck dealer I bought it from did a super nice job detailing it, although it only had 2500 miles on when I bought it in July.

Anyway, I want to keep it that way if I can. Living in southeast PA, winters can be tough on the truck. I've already been on top of bi-weekly washings to remove salt, etc.

So, under the hood..... Power washer set with lower power (mine has a pressure valve I can adjust) or just regular garden hose? Do you mist on the simple green, let it sit, hose off? How much hand washing do you do under there? Do you just hand wash the accessible areas? So many components just don't lend themselves to being washed by hand.

Thanks.

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron - can you go over how you do your engine bay a little more detailed? I've never washed an engine bay....I know, right? That's crazy! But, I want to do my best to stay on top of my new-to-me '18 2500. It's still super clean under the hood somehow...the used truck dealer I bought it from did a super nice job detailing it, although it only had 2500 miles on when I bought it in July.

Anyway, I want to keep it that way if I can. Living in southeast PA, winters can be tough on the truck. I've already been on top of bi-weekly washings to remove salt, etc.

So, under the hood..... Power washer set with lower power (mine has a pressure valve I can adjust) or just regular garden hose? Do you mist on the simple green, let it sit, hose off? How much hand washing do you do under there? Do you just hand wash the accessible areas? So many components just don't lend themselves to being washed by hand.

Thanks.

I use one of those multi dial head sprayers on a waterhose... no pressure washer under the hood. I wet it down using shower setting, to get wet. I spray mist liberally with SimpleGreen and while setting a few minutes, wash the grill and headlights. I use a washing mit to on everything and again rinse with shower. Cleanining the upper end seems to clean the middle of the engine without actually rubbing it, and rinse thoroughly (thanks DaveC). The lower part of the engine and the undercarriage get the sprayer set on high.

The cowlings and covers on the engine do a pretty good job of keeping road splash down to a minimum, so my engine is mostly dusty. I'm very careful when changing/adding fluids not to spill any. I guess the key is the engine never builds grime.

Truck is dirty again, but when I go out after while I'll snap a pic or to of the engine bay even dirty looks better than most.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

FYI, make sure to rinse the simple green thoroughly as there were reports of it eating aluminum. I personally have not had that happen but I do rinse thoroughly.

 

[Wiredawg]

So this is my engine bay DIRTY. Since I started this thread, I've driven the truck down our dusty road and in the rain twice.

It needs cleaning and will get it when I wash the truck next sunny warm day.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

There is definately no real estate left in that compartment Ron. Makes mine look like an empty warehouse

 

[JohnM45]

So this is my engine bay DIRTY. Since I started this thread, I've driven the truck down our dusty road and in the rain twice.

View attachment 118352

It needs cleaning and will get it when I wash the truck next sunny warm day.

Cheers, Ron

What about some protective boots on those Positive battery terminals?

Thanks for the detail on your wash procedure. I'll have to give it a try come the warmer weather.

 

[Wiredawg]

What about some protective boots on those Positive battery terminals?

Thanks for the detail on your wash procedure. I'll have to give it a try come the warmer weather.

I painted on liquid electrical tape on most of the battery terminal hardware... enough for jumper cables. If you select the photo, it enlarges it more and you can see the detail of the kind of burnt orange color insulation on them. No 4th of July under my hood. Also, you can see Genos air filters on the intakes... more good stuff if you drive where its dusty.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

You guy's may have heard me speak of Optimum Car Wax and how it is the only wax with a patent for UV protection. Now I am very particular when it comes to waxes etc. and will only use the stuff that actually does what it claims. On a detailing forum this wax was brought up and a member mentioned that Ford had actually tested the claims. No one actually provided a link to the info but the result came back stating this.
This was the answer:

"Ford, Chrysler, and Mitsubishi all tested Optimum Spray Wax and confirmed claims of UV and other protection, but did not provide any reports or permission to use their test results."

 

[HPSimpson]

I use Collinite # 476S the paste wax lasts for over one year, spray stuff does not last that long. The claim group offers no verified proof that actual does really give UV protection, wear is proof please.

 

[Ozymandias]

I use Collinite # 476S the paste wax lasts for over one year, spray stuff does not last that long. The claim group offers no verified proof that actual does really give UV protection, wear is proof please.

I second this, fantastic product.
Used it last August and is now still present on the Truck.

 

[DavidC]

I use Collinite # 476S the paste wax lasts for over one year, spray stuff does not last that long. The claim group offers no verified proof that actual does really give UV protection, wear is proof please.

Yeah, no sense believing Ford, Chrysler or Mitsubishi. This is sort of the same scenario of the late 70's early 80's when Chrysler stated not to use Armorall as it can cause drying and cracking. Try to find that document. I read it standing in the parts department of a Chrysler/Plymouth parts dept. Never stated Car Wax spray would last a year. I believe they say it will last UP TO 5 Months. I would not go that long if it was the only wax being used. The person that invented this also worked with the vehicle manufacture's with paint and clear formulas so I do not think he is a fraud. Now I use Collinite as a base and use this over the top at times. I have no idea what it is like to get a patent but there is one on this wax. No one say's you have to pay attention to any of this, I was just throwing any info I had out there.

 

[DavidC]

Here's some more info

https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...i-autogeek-com.html?highlight=optimum+car+wax