Truck Detailing is a process that thoroughly cleans and protects your truck’s exterior and interior. Typically, professionals begin by washing the vehicle and then decontaminating it to ensure surfaces are smooth and free from bound contaminants like tar and iron fallout.
They may also add a layer of protection by waxing the truck. Additional services include shampooing and conditioning seats and mats, air freshening, and ceramic coating (a premium service that costs more).
While upgrades in the cab and under the hood are important, no build is complete without premium exterior accessories that showcase your personality and style. Upgrading the exterior of your truck, SUV or Jeep can also help protect it from road grime and damage. We have a wide variety of exterior truck accessories to suit your needs, whether you’re looking for bug deflectors and car covers, or towing and winch gear. Our exterior truck accessories will not only preserve the appearance of your rig, but they’ll also increase its resale value!
Truck detailing is a comprehensive cleaning of the exterior and interior of a vehicle, including the engine and undercarriage. In addition to washing and polishing the paint, the process also includes removing road debris and applying wax that helps keep the exterior protected against environmental hazards and UV radiation.
A basic detail typically includes a thorough wash, clay bar treatment (which removes invisible microembedded surface contaminants), paint cleaning and polishing, wheel and tire cleaning, glass washing, and interior vacuuming and shampooing. A high-performance wax or protective coating is then applied to the paint, wheels and tires.
When performing an exterior detail, it’s helpful to follow a task order for efficiency. For example, cleaning filthy door jambs first prevents contamination from dripping onto freshly cleaned surfaces. Similarly, rinsing the wheels and wheel wells before cleaning them helps prevent water spots.
After the paint is clean, a sealant or wax is usually applied to the surface to enhance shine and reflectivity and add a layer of protection against harmful UV rays and chemicals. The final step is a coat of tire gloss or wax, which makes the wheels and tires look shiny and new.
While regular washing can remove most dirt, a detailed finish will eliminate even the most stubborn road grime and stains. To make sure your truck looks its best, it’s essential to regularly schedule a professional truck detailing service.
For more information about the detailing process and to schedule a service for your vehicle, contact us at RealTruck today! We can’t wait to see how your rig looks after it gets a detailed finish.
Interior
The interior of your truck will be scrubbed clean and vacuumed, and any carpeting or upholstery shampooed. Stains will be spot treated if necessary. Any cup holders, storage bins and glove boxes will be cleaned and sanitized. Leather seats and trim will be conditioned to prevent them from drying out or cracking in sunlight. Window and glass parts will be steam-cleaned or wiped with compressed air. Usually, all odors will be eliminated during a detail job, as well.
A common service that can be added on to a detailing job is headlight restoration. This process restores the luster of your headlights, making them look new again and allowing you to see better at night. Over time, headlights can become discolored and hazy from road debris, dust and dirt. Adding this service will restore their clarity and make your truck more enticing to potential buyers.
During the detailing process, your truck will be decontaminated to ensure all surfaces are smooth and free from bound contaminants like tar and iron fallout. This is a crucial step to protecting the finish of your vehicle and prolonging its lifespan.
Some people prefer to do their own detailing, and many car detailing companies offer kits for purchase. Typically, these kits include all of the tools and protectants you’ll need to get started. The cost of a kit can range from $25 to $100. Whether it’s worth the investment depends on how often you plan to detail your truck and what kind of shape it’s in.
Some people choose to have their truck ceramic coated to protect it from stains and other damage. Ceramic coating is more expensive than wax, but it lasts for 2 to 7 years and protects the surface of the paint. This makes it a good choice if you want to keep your truck looking and smelling new for as long as possible. It’s also a great option if you plan to sell your truck in the future because it will help you get a higher price for it. In addition to ceramic coating, many detailers offer other protective services such as a clear coat application and a one-step paint correction.
Engine
Trucks are a workhorses and often spend their time hauling heavy loads. This makes them susceptible to rust, corrosion and other damage. The best way to keep your truck safe is by regularly cleaning and detailing it. A professional detailer will wash your truck and apply a protective coating to keep it looking great for months to come. If necessary, they will also perform any corrections to your paint job to remove scratches, blemishes and other imperfections.
One of the most important parts of any detailing service is degreasing your engine. Leaving oil and grease build-up in your engine can cause it to corrode and break down. Degreasing helps to protect your engine and prevent costly repairs. Additionally, removing dirt and debris from the undercarriage of your truck can improve air flow and extend the life of rubber hoses, belts and plastic parts.
After degreasing, your detailer will wash the engine bay by hand using a special wash mitt that is designated for this purpose. They will be sure to cover exposed air intakes and other sensitive electronics with a plastic bag so that they are not flooded with water. Then they will use a soft bristled brush to get into crevices and corners where dirt collects. When they are done, they will inspect the area and repeat as needed until everything is clean. Lastly, they will apply a protective coat to all of the rubber hoses and plastic parts to help prevent corrosion.
The time it takes to perform a detail service depends on the condition of your truck and the level of work that is needed to restore it to its original glory. Many detailers offer packages that can be completed in as little as a few hours. For a complete and thorough detailing, the process will take longer.
Some truck owners like to do the work themselves. They find the process relaxing and enjoyable. Other truck owners prefer to pay a professional to do the work for them. This is a personal preference and it depends on how much time the owner has and whether they enjoy this type of work.
Tires
The tires are one of the truck’s main focal points and a well-detailed set will always draw attention. It’s important to keep them looking clean and dressed as they will take a beating from the elements and traffic. For best results, use a tire and wheel cleaner such as Adam’s Tire & Wheel Cleaner or iK Foam Pro 2 Sprayer. Rinse all brushes and accessories thoroughly to avoid leaving any residue.
The selection of tires for your truck depends on the driving conditions and environment where you typically drive. For instance, if your truck will be used to haul heavy equipment or supplies, consider using LT-metric tires that offer increased traction, superior handling, and longer tread life compared with P-metrics. Some of the top brands in the industry include Bridgestone’s Potenza and Firestone’s Firehawk.
If you will be using your truck for personal or light-duty commercial applications, opt for tires with a load index and speed rating that match the type of work your truck is intended to do. These tire specifications may be found on the side of your truck’s tires and appear as an alpha-numeric code. The letter designates the tire’s construction, the number indicates the tire size and the corresponding letters designate the load capacity and speed rating.
A D in this category indicates that the tire’s cords cross each other diagonally. This type of tire is no longer common as it has been replaced by the more comfortable, long-lasting radial tires. Belted tires, with a B in this category, combine the diagonal design of bias-ply tires with added belts within the construction for extra strength.
When it comes to the front axle, steering tires perform better than other types of tires on a motor vehicle. Steering tires have a special ribbed tread pattern that channels water away from the tire itself. The specialized design makes them suitable for a variety of road and weather conditions.
The LT-metric and steer tire categories are used in conjunction with the HT-metric and trailer axle tires to meet your truck or utility’s performance needs. In general, the tire load rating and speed rating for the trailer axle fitments should be based on the maximum axle loads, static and dynamic load capacities, slippage and other factors. Using “Z” tread patterns on trailer axles is not recommended as they will compromise the ability of the axle to handle load and braking torques, especially in twin mountings.