I guess I need to wash my truck…

[Kristina]

I did wash my black BMW there from hose when I had it. First time was a disaster. Rewashed right after leaving. Learned from it, tried one more time and quit. Too hard water.
This water softener system, it makes all thing too complicated (Rocket science). Even if the soap has some softener, it’s not helping me later when rinsing. Hard water itself is also not good for washer.
In general washers are all the same, we have here available Kärcher/Kaercher, Husqvarna, Gardena, Clint. Most popular Kärcher.

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[AzScorpion]

and it's perfect for ALL colors

Except blue for some reason and people from TN.

 

[AzScorpion]

I did wash my black BMW there from hose when I had it. First time was a disaster. Rewashed right after leaving. Learned from it, tried one more time and quit. Too hard water.
This water softener system, it makes all thing too complicated (Rocket science). Even if the soap has some softener, it’s not helping me later when rinsing. Hard water itself is also not good for washer.
In general washers are all the same, we have here available Kärcher/Kaercher, Husqvarna, Gardena, Clint. Most popular Kärcher.

The problem with black as you know shows every little spec of dirt. So if you're not fast when washing it'll start to dry and you'll see soap streaks everywhere. That's where a good coating comes in whether it's Graphene or a ceramic coating. It's help shed the water and reduce water/soap spotting. Once you have that taken care of the washing becomes much easier.

Also do not wash out in the sun. I always do it really early in the morning or right before the sun goes down. Then I pull my truck into the garage to dry and detail.

 

[TXRangerTim]

I did wash my black BMW there from hose when I had it. First time was a disaster. Rewashed right after leaving. Learned from it, tried one more time and quit. Too hard water.
This water softener system, it makes all thing too complicated (Rocket science). Even if the soap has some softener, it’s not helping me later when rinsing. Hard water itself is also not good for washer.
In general washers are all the same, we have here available Kärcher/Kaercher, Husqvarna, Gardena, Clint. Most popular Kärcher.

You can rinse with distilled water. Or even add in a product like Jet dry inline to the rinse hose. The key is to dry and wax as soon as you rinse away soap.

 

[subquark]

I've been happy with an electric GreenWorks pressure washer that was on sale for $100 off retail BUT ... there are many very nice and smaller ones out there.

The gear I have:

Greenworks Pro 3000-PSI pressure washer $299.00
https://www.greenworkstools.com/pro-3000-psi-brushless-pressure-washer-gpw3000
Quick connects $21.52
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MY17MGX
50' Uberflex hose $53.97
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018H74H74
Swivel fittings $35.90
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PNWSTDL
McKillans pressure washer gun compatible with foam cannons $38.28
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CV6GYHN
MJJC foam cannon $81.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FMDS2LT
Pressure Washer Undercarriage Cleaner $30.59
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZYSL1Q

 

[chrisakz]

I did wash my black BMW there from hose when I had it. First time was a disaster. Rewashed right after leaving. Learned from it, tried one more time and quit. Too hard water.
This water softener system, it makes all thing too complicated (Rocket science). Even if the soap has some softener, it’s not helping me later when rinsing. Hard water itself is also not good for washer.
In general washers are all the same, we have here available Kärcher/Kaercher, Husqvarna, Gardena, Clint. Most popular Kärcher.

I use a handheld leaf blower to get 90% of the water off as soon as I’m done doing final rinse then follow up with microfiber towel drying. Also avoid doing your truck washing in the sun. Regardless of which tools or products you use this will avoid the dreaded water spots. I would keep it simple if your just learning to wash your truck there are literally tons of different products and every time I think I’ve found the best I find something even better.

 

[Kristina]

The problem with black as you know shows every little spec of dirt. So if you're not fast when washing it'll start to dry and you'll see soap streaks everywhere. That's where a good coating comes in whether it's Graphene or a ceramic coating. It's help shed the water and reduce water/soap spotting. Once you have that taken care of the washing becomes much easier.

Also do not wash out in the sun. I always do it really early in the morning or right before the sun goes down. Then I pull my truck into the garage to dry and detail.

My OCD kicks in when I really decide to wash and work on it. And black is perfect color for that.
Yes, a rainy day later I can only give her a quick rinse and that's all. I'm not some cleaning maniac.
It still doesn't have wax on it what was planned since she got dent at autumn and it was fixed much later. I have an option to take her inside for wash, drying and put on some good coating. That should make it easier to freshen up with graphene later with pressure washer?


Rims. Special wax or same, graphene?
Tires. What is best if gravel roads / sandy roads are also driven or sometimes should skip this part?
Rubber floor mats. In time they turn to grey and seem a little weared out. How to freshen up?

@TXRangerTim Distilled water price here is insane.

 

[TXRangerTim]

My OCD kicks in when I really decide to wash and work on it. And black is perfect color for that.
Yes, a rainy day later I can only give her a quick rinse and that's all. I'm not some cleaning maniac.
It still doesn't have wax on it what was planned since she got dent at autumn and it was fixed much later. I have an option to take her inside for wash, drying and put on some good coating. That should make it easier to freshen up with graphene later with pressure washer?


Rims. Special wax or same, graphene?
Tires. What is best if gravel roads / sandy roads are also driven or sometimes should skip this part?
Rubber floor mats. In time they turn to grey and seem a little weared out. How to freshen up?

@TXRangerTim Distilled water price here is insane.

Distilled water is pricey here as well. I don't use it. I don't have water spots either. I wash and use spray wax as drying aide right away.

 

[AzScorpion]

My OCD kicks in when I really decide to wash and work on it. And black is perfect color for that.
Yes, a rainy day later I can only give her a quick rinse and that's all. I'm not some cleaning maniac.
It still doesn't have wax on it what was planned since she got dent at autumn and it was fixed much later. I have an option to take her inside for wash, drying and put on some good coating. That should make it easier to freshen up with graphene later with pressure washer?


Rims. Special wax or same, graphene?
Tires. What is best if gravel roads / sandy roads are also driven or sometimes should skip this part?
Rubber floor mats. In time they turn to grey and seem a little weared out. How to freshen up?

@TXRangerTim Distilled water price here is insane.

Yes the wheels you can use Graphene or a ceramic coating. I'm not sure what's available to you out there but I use this tire cleaner and this tire dressing on mine.

 

[Kristina]

I use a handheld leaf blower to get 90% of the water off as soon as I’m done doing final rinse then follow up with microfiber towel drying. Also avoid doing your truck washing in the sun. Regardless of which tools or products you use this will avoid the dreaded water spots. I would keep it simple if your just learning to wash your truck there are literally tons of different products and every time I think I’ve found the best I find something even better.

I was also thinking about leaf blower.
As I am terribly lazy I first check out what products others use and in what conditions it's used. If other users say they are good, why should I keep wasting my time on searching - the work is done by others. If I find something good, I don't change it so easily.

 

[AzureRanger]

With a black truck like you have, I would highly recommend a ceramic coating of some sort. I fought the "keeping it clean" battle with my black F-150 for years and it was a losing battle. But, that was before ceramics were readily available. And when black is clean and shiny, it rocks!

 

[Kristina]

Yes the wheels you can use Graphene or a ceramic coating. I'm not sure what's available to you out there but I use this tire cleaner and this tire dressing on mine.

Chemical Guys, Turtle Wax, some other companies products are available here. I look for features and what it contains while choosing.

 

[TXRangerTim]

Welcome to the car wash rabbit hole. Your life will never be the same. muhhuhuhu

 

[Kristina]

With a black truck like you have, I would highly recommend a ceramic coating of some sort. I fought the "keeping it clean" battle with my black F-150 for years and it was a losing battle. But, that was before ceramics were readily available. And when black is clean and shiny, it rocks!

I thought about ceramic and as too many cases where black vehicles were messed up I decided not to go with it. Seems wax is easier to freshen up.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Chemical Guys, Turtle Wax, some other companies products are available here. I look for features and what it contains while choosing.

Turtle wax has some great product... I use their wheel and tire cleaner, it is red and foams nicely. It also does a fabulous job of cleaning.

Most of the tools and equipment you're going to buy is going to work. I have a similar cheap pressure washer as others here, I've upgraded the hose to a 50' hose, a nicer nozzle and foam canon. The hose, nozzle and Canon cost ~twice what the pressure washer cost... But they make a noticeable difference, to me.

As you have a black vehicle that will show every mark... You need to decide what you want out of this. Do you want a pristine wash job Everytime. Or do you just want it to be Shiney and pretty?

I washed a neighbors toyota Avalon a few weeks ago, he thought it was just black - when I was done you could actually see the flake in the paint and the light reflecting off it was fantastic. It wasn't perfect, but it made a huge difference to do a multistep wash and decontamination.

Below is one of the worst areas, it looked like he used brillo to clean this spot...

First pic was just wash and decon, 2nd is after a little hand polishing with a filler polish, 3rd is how it looked in natural light after the polish....

A little elbow grease and a few good tools and you'll be just fine in most cases.

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