Tricks and Tips!
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
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Tricks and Tips!
Maybe we can get a thread going where we can share some general tricks and tips to help us with our trucks. I have no connection to the automotive industry in my line of work, just a guy who likes nice cars/trucks, so im all ears to hear from others about how they take care of their vehicles. Below are a few things i can think of off the top of my head.
Interior:
-Wipe cloth seats with dryer sheets since i cant stand air fresheners.
-Laptop screen protector cut to fit the infotainment screen to avoid scratches etc.
-Tire shine on weathertech mats to keep them dark black.
-Never slide out of my seat, hate worn out seats!!
Exterior:
-I use two buckets to wash, one for rinsing and one for soap.
- Wash from the top down, getting bumpers and rocker panels (where all the bugs/dirt hide) last.
-Use a new rag for each side of the truck (not necessary, i just hate swirls).
-Dry with blower (leaf blower) instead of a towel.
-Wax all the glass, seems to help in the rain.
Mechanical:
-Use a 5 gallon bucket to drain the oil in instead of those terrible oil catches they sell at automotive stores.
-Never had a powerstroke, so not sure location of oil filter, but i prefer a filter socket instead of the band type wrenches.
Obviously these arent any secrets, but hoping some others may chime in with some helpful ideas. Ill add more as i think of some.
Interior:
-Wipe cloth seats with dryer sheets since i cant stand air fresheners.
-Laptop screen protector cut to fit the infotainment screen to avoid scratches etc.
-Tire shine on weathertech mats to keep them dark black.
-Never slide out of my seat, hate worn out seats!!
Exterior:
-I use two buckets to wash, one for rinsing and one for soap.
- Wash from the top down, getting bumpers and rocker panels (where all the bugs/dirt hide) last.
-Use a new rag for each side of the truck (not necessary, i just hate swirls).
-Dry with blower (leaf blower) instead of a towel.
-Wax all the glass, seems to help in the rain.
Mechanical:
-Use a 5 gallon bucket to drain the oil in instead of those terrible oil catches they sell at automotive stores.
-Never had a powerstroke, so not sure location of oil filter, but i prefer a filter socket instead of the band type wrenches.
Obviously these arent any secrets, but hoping some others may chime in with some helpful ideas. Ill add more as i think of some.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
I was looking for a product a few years ago for my weather tech floor mats in my 11 F250. I found the Mothers VLR works well!
Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-06524.../dp/B004N63S9W
Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-06524.../dp/B004N63S9W
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,122
Likes: 657
From: NH
Tire shine can be sprayed on black plastic components, as well as rubber hoses, under the hood to keep the engine bay looking freshly detailed.
Be very cautious when wiping the instrument cluster plastic..it scratches easily and then looks terrible with the bright screens and gauges lit behind it. Use a microfiber cloth with the lightest of touches.
For cloth seats, the Ford upholstery cleaner works incredibly well - it will remove tough stains and not discolor seats.
For leather, I use King Ranch leather conditioner. It smells great. Buy it straight from the King Ranch, $10 / bottle.
Even if you do nothing else, frequently clean the leather-wrapped steering wheel. You'd be amazed the amount of grime, grease, and solvents that get transferred to the wheel and start to eat the leather.
Taking the time to use an aluminum wheel polish on each of your rims will amaze you at how much more easily road grime and brake dust is removed the next wash...and how long the stuff stays on keeping your wheels looking good.
Clean the sunroof both on the outside and inside...you'll appreciate the sharper view out of it. Stand on the top of the rear bed wall and kind of lay out across the roof while still keeping some weight on top of the box wall. You can reach the entire sunroof, even the new panoramic roof.
Be very cautious when wiping the instrument cluster plastic..it scratches easily and then looks terrible with the bright screens and gauges lit behind it. Use a microfiber cloth with the lightest of touches.
For cloth seats, the Ford upholstery cleaner works incredibly well - it will remove tough stains and not discolor seats.
For leather, I use King Ranch leather conditioner. It smells great. Buy it straight from the King Ranch, $10 / bottle.
Even if you do nothing else, frequently clean the leather-wrapped steering wheel. You'd be amazed the amount of grime, grease, and solvents that get transferred to the wheel and start to eat the leather.
Taking the time to use an aluminum wheel polish on each of your rims will amaze you at how much more easily road grime and brake dust is removed the next wash...and how long the stuff stays on keeping your wheels looking good.
Clean the sunroof both on the outside and inside...you'll appreciate the sharper view out of it. Stand on the top of the rear bed wall and kind of lay out across the roof while still keeping some weight on top of the box wall. You can reach the entire sunroof, even the new panoramic roof.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 2
From: Hatfield's side of river
Weathertech floor mats do get a little worn looking after a year or so. I hate to goop them up with tire gel as it makes them a bit too slippery for me.
When mine get a little tired looking I just shoot some SEM Landau Black interior dye on them. They look like brand new again for another 6 months to a year.
The SEM dye is great for touching up black carpet that has light spots from wear too. Just use a stiff bristle brush to brush the edges of the repair out to blend it in.
Here's a link https://www.amazon.com/SEM-15013-Lan...m+interior+dye
When mine get a little tired looking I just shoot some SEM Landau Black interior dye on them. They look like brand new again for another 6 months to a year.
The SEM dye is great for touching up black carpet that has light spots from wear too. Just use a stiff bristle brush to brush the edges of the repair out to blend it in.
Here's a link https://www.amazon.com/SEM-15013-Lan...m+interior+dye
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Brett Foote
Senior User
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[QUOTE=troverman;16844211]Tire shine can be sprayed on black plastic components, as well as rubber hoses, under the hood to keep the engine bay looking freshly detailed.
Be very cautious when wiping the instrument cluster plastic..it scratches easily and then looks terrible with the bright screens and gauges lit behind it. Use a microfiber cloth with the lightest of touches.
Good point. AND, use a light mist to clean with micro fiber rags only.
Sam
Be very cautious when wiping the instrument cluster plastic..it scratches easily and then looks terrible with the bright screens and gauges lit behind it. Use a microfiber cloth with the lightest of touches.
Good point. AND, use a light mist to clean with micro fiber rags only.
Sam
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
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Yea, it does make them a bit slick, but i prefer that over the dusty look they get after a bit of use. However i will definitely be trying the products some of y'all listed as I definitely don't look forward to them being slick.
As for the instrument cluster, i usually use some compressed air in a can for computers and what not to blow all the dust and sediment off before wiping.
As for the instrument cluster, i usually use some compressed air in a can for computers and what not to blow all the dust and sediment off before wiping.
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