What did you do to your Ranger today?

[KNI]

Dang, that sounds so aggravating!

Not that you need any advice from me, but I've been happy with the Greenworks one I have. I was hesitant on an electric one, but it does plenty good. And you're so right about hoses. Any stock hoses are usually pretty craptacular. I don't know much about detailing and get my advice from IMJOSHV and Pan the Organizer.

So I have 75 feet of Uberflex hose on a nice quality reel. I also use Eley garden hose on an Eley hose reel. It was very expensive, too expensive, but it sure seems like quality and has increased the "joy" factor of detailing.

Hey, that's why we're in the forums to share what works and what doesn't so advice is always welcome.

Gardena hoses, sprinklers and quick locks are pretty good and all that stuff it's still in near pristine condition even after few years. The gripe I have is with the hose reel*. Sure it worked for the first year, but after that the cheap plastics starts to show. Seals leak, reel brushes with the quick lock and opens it, guide doesn't work, plastic wheels are drag on gravel, etc.

(* = https://www.gardena.com/fi/tuotteet...etkuvaunu-cleverroll-l-easy--sarja/967798501/ )

Seems that now Gardena offers an upgrade** which might or might not work better.

(** = https://www.gardena.com/fi/tuotteet/kastelu/letkukelat/letkuvaunu-cleverroll-l-easy-metal/967917301/ )

Thay Eley looks pretty good, especially the four wheel one (might need a hand brake...) but is not sold in here. I'll probably upgrade to something like this*** when I get onto it. Looks to be sturdy steel pipe construction with air wheels and no gimmicks.

(*** = https://www.xn--tykalut-b1a.fi/tuote/Agrati-AG320RG-letkukarry-ammattimalli.html/ )

Saw a real nice one on trade show but that was rated for firefighting and costed about 2k$ and might be an overkill

I've never been one to wash cars much, except occasionally at a car wash place (and even using their brushes!).

Now I'm a little more into it, mainly in using the stuff that Kate uses for her schmancy car. She has those pump up sprayers, totes full of microfiber cloths, and even fancy gigantic drying towels.

I do admit that I think the foam cannon is fun.

Most of my washes are just a foam and rinse - no rubbing or two-bucket method (yes, Kate even has bucket grates and bucker dollies!).

When it gets a little warmer, I'll break down and use a bucket and microfiber so that I can do at least one graphene coat this year. Now I'm not all nutty about it and won't do clay bar (not yet anyway!).

But that graphene is easy and I also put 303 Aerospace Protectant on the tonneau.

Same with me. I usually wash the car when it's a necessity (e.g. dirt starts clinging to clothes or enough mud to affect the drive of the car) and usually do it with just foam & rinse. On a nice warm cloudy day I may take the extra time to actually do it properly.

All this ranting to say - I hate having an experience like yours and I hate that cheap crap is even sold. I mean there's cheap and then there's economical. And Karcher's a big name, so it stinks that what should have been an decent pressure washer is junk - like so many other things.

It may be that my expectations for consumer level are above average due to using the professional series. I have a Kärcher warm water washed with 1200l/h (320 gallons/h) output at farm and it has all the swivel joints, guides, etc. and it works. Just bought the consumer one for patio/tile cleaning and for washing the car but would have expected it to be somewhat inline with a real one. But then again, comparing 300$ consumer model with a 6000$ pro model might be bit unfair.

My advice would be to just skip the consumer one and get a 1000$ pro-model from the start. At least the pro model has bearings, can be extended and fixed part-by-part if needed and the swivel joints remove the hose bundling etc. issues.

Just seems to be that cheapest pro model is always better than a best consumer model.

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[ControlNode]

Due to local 36,000 acre wildfires and ash falling on the cars this week, then a storm that coming through Saturday night that was not enough to rinse all the ash off, I washed them all yesterday, including the Ranger. The Ranger and the RS got some touchup paint applied on some chips in the paint from rocks and such. The ceramic protection had worn off on the Ranger so I attempted to put on some graphene protectant, but the spray bottle stopped spraying before I could finish the first panel (roof).

 

[Bob902]

Due to local 36,000 acre wildfires and ash falling on the cars this week, then a storm that coming through Saturday night that was not enough to rinse all the ash off, I washed them all yesterday, including the Ranger. The Ranger and the RS got some touchup paint applied on some chips in the paint from rocks and such. The ceramic protection had worn off on the Ranger so I attempted to put on some graphene protectant, but the spray bottle stopped spraying before I could finish the first panel (roof).

I like the 303 graphene but their spray bottles are junk.

 

[subquark]

Hey, that's why we're in the forums to share what works and what doesn't so advice is always welcome.

Gardena hoses, sprinklers and quick locks are pretty good and all that stuff it's still in near pristine condition even after few years. The gripe I have is with the hose reel*. Sure it worked for the first year, but after that the cheap plastics starts to show. Seals leak, reel brushes with the quick lock and opens it, guide doesn't work, plastic wheels are drag on gravel, etc.

(* = https://www.gardena.com/fi/tuotteet...etkuvaunu-cleverroll-l-easy--sarja/967798501/ )

Seems that now Gardena offers an upgrade** which might or might not work better.

(** = https://www.gardena.com/fi/tuotteet/kastelu/letkukelat/letkuvaunu-cleverroll-l-easy-metal/967917301/ )

Thay Eley looks pretty good, especially the four wheel one (might need a hand brake...) but is not sold in here. I'll probably upgrade to something like this*** when I get onto it. Looks to be sturdy steel pipe construction with air wheels and no gimmicks.

(*** = https://www.xn--tykalut-b1a.fi/tuote/Agrati-AG320RG-letkukarry-ammattimalli.html/ )

Saw a real nice one on trade show but that was rated for firefighting and costed about 2k$ and might be an overkill




Same with me. I usually wash the car when it's a necessity (e.g. dirt starts clinging to clothes or enough mud to affect the drive of the car) and usually do it with just foam & rinse. On a nice warm cloudy day I may take the extra time to actually do it properly.




It may be that my expectations for consumer level are above average due to using the professional series. I have a Kärcher warm water washed with 1200l/h (320 gallons/h) output at farm and it has all the swivel joints, guides, etc. and it works. Just bought the consumer one for patio/tile cleaning and for washing the car but would have expected it to be somewhat inline with a real one. But then again, comparing 300$ consumer model with a 6000$ pro model might be bit unfair.

My advice would be to just skip the consumer one and get a 1000$ pro-model from the start. At least the pro model has bearings, can be extended and fixed part-by-part if needed and the swivel joints remove the hose bundling etc. issues.

Just seems to be that cheapest pro model is always better than a best consumer model.

Holy cow, 140 metre's of 3/4" hose! Mine, with an expansion kit, only holds 150 feet of 5/8" hose. The one you're looking at is a beast! =D

And I didn't know about their impressive commercial line! LOL, here's an explosion proof HEPA vacuum. I think it could probably suck the BedRug right out of my Ranger! =p

Good luck with it all - the things we do for our Rangers! =)

 

[subquark]

Thanks David - we both know it takes a lot to keep them looking good.

The boxes I have on top of my platform rack are Plano Tactical Rifle cases - 42”, I believe - watertight. They are just the right size for my gear - kind of like a swing case laying on its side.

The removable “step” portion of my Westin side steps didn’t hold up to the brine and salt on our roads. I think the stainless version would do much better but even the rest of the side step is suffering a bit - not as much. A Scotch Brite scouring pad on those stainless bits will have them looking like new.

I’m surprised your experience is different - I have a cottage on Prince Edward Island and, just like in Portsmouth, the Atlantic salt air beats the heck out of it. I’ve also lived on both coasts and know first hand that salt is the devil!

I tell you what, you work on those self-buffing side steps and I’ll try to figure out a self-detail spray applicator that uses the wiper fluid nozzles.

Oh, before I forget - clay bar your truck - it will be a life-changing experience. ?

Great pics of your gear in there, and I most definitely approve of your tire iron!

But I'm not sure the other one is @AzScorpion approved, I see no 303 products in there at all. Probably best that you both live in different countries ... =p

Oh wait, upon closer inspection, I see Aerospace Proctectant in there! Phew, I didn't want to get caught in these crosshairs! =D

Thanks!

 

[lukdeg]

I had few hours to spare today, decided to make a bed for the dogs to put on the back seat,

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I had few hours to spare today, decided to make a bed for the dogs to put on the back seat,

Nicely done Luc. ?

 

[lukdeg]

Nicely done Luc. ?

thanks!

 

[Fordup]

Great pics of your gear in there, and I most definitely approve of your tire iron!

But I'm not sure the other one is @AzScorpion approved, I see no 303 products in there at all. Probably best that you both live in different countries ... =p

Oh wait, upon closer inspection, I see Aerospace Proctectant in there! Phew, I didn't want to get caught in these crosshairs! =D

Thanks!

I bought a ryobi electric one a couple years ago and it has seen a lot of use with no problems for under $200. I replaced the hoses with Flexzilla hoses that are easier to deal with. Don't use the bigold gas one anymore because it was just too powerful and used 3x the water. Just have to drain everything and blow it out in the winter. Just pulled it out a couple days ago for spring cleanup

 

[subquark]

I bought a ryobi electric one a couple years ago and it has seen a lot of use with no problems for under $200. I replaced the hoses with Flexzilla hoses that are easier to deal with. Don't use the bigold gas one anymore because it was just too powerful and used 3x the water. Just have to drain everything and blow it out in the winter. Just pulled it out a couple days ago for spring cleanup

That was a great video to watch - nicely done. And I love that platform too, so frigging handy and easy to move around.

And we're Mr. Pink fans too! =)

Thanks for the kick in the butt, I need to do a good wash - the weather's getting nice enough for us - no more excuses (well, I can always find an excuse). =D

 

[Fordup]

That was a great video to watch - nicely done. And I love that platform too, so frigging handy and easy to move around.

And we're Mr. Pink fans too! =)

Thanks for the kick in the butt, I need to do a good wash - the weather's getting nice enough for us - no more excuses (well, I can always find an excuse). =D

I was surprised by how good the Ranger survived it's first winter. No real rust damage. My last new Silverado was totally rusted underneath first winter. Ford did something right.

 

[IdahoRanger]

I was surprised by how good the Ranger survived it's first winter. No real rust damage. My last new Silverado was totally rusted underneath first winter. Ford did something right.

I don't even look under mine.

 

[tm1506]

Installed a backup camera on the front grille today. It's wireless and has a rechargeable battery and supposedly it will solar recharge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVFFSZ4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[subquark]

I had few hours to spare today, decided to make a bed for the dogs to put on the back seat,

That's an awesome bed and you are obviously an awesome person for doing this. Now we need a pic of them in it!

I need to catch Cheech in his but he's so nervous and won't sit still for long.

 

[subquark]

Installed a backup camera on the front grille today. It's wireless and has a rechargeable battery and supposedly it will solar recharge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVFFSZ4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Wow, that's a great idea and fantastic setup!

Thanks for the link!

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