Historically I treated my trucks like a truck, but given this F350 cost more than my first house I have vowed to take better care of it. So some detailing questions...


Leather - I purchased some leather care wipes at AutoZone, did a test on one of the rear seats, it gives the leather a shine, a bit glossy for my taste. But is advertised to keep the leather soft and in good condition. What are you guys using on the leather? How about that dash pad which I'm guessing is some kind of vinyl or synthetic?


Headlight/Taillight - in a couple of months it will be bug season again and I'm anticipating a 3,000 mile trek across country this summer. Do you guys wax the light housings, I'm thinking that might make bug removal easier?

 

If you have a King Ranch, I recommend the King Ranch conditioner. Worked great for my 2008. Never cracked, looked great when I traded it in.

My 2017 is a Lariat and I'm using Meguiars with good results.

 

I've used Lexol for over 20 years now. They make a very good quality cleaner and conditioner. A friend of mine in Washington D.C. works at a Rolls Royce dealership and its all they use. My seats have always looked like new without cracking.
What ever you do, DON'T use Armorall or something like that on your leather. It will cause it to crack up badly. I learn that one the hard way.


Meguiar's makes a very good wax. I hate to call it wax because its not actually wax, however, they call it that so people will buy it. Its actually a polymer sealer. It has done well for me, and I'm pretty picky and have about 20 different cans of wax in my cabinet that I've tried over the years. The Meguiar's Ultimate did best job for me. Its not the best for black as it does streak. Meguiar's makes a "Black wax" that makes black look really good. I have Ruby Red which is a dark color and it works very well on it. I don't work for Meguiar's. I just found some of their products work pretty good. I'm sure some others will chime in with their likes. Wax is like oil, everyone has a favorite.

As far as the lights lenses. You can wax them, and while it doesn't hurt anything I found it best to use a sealer on mine. (link below) I've never had an issue with my lights yellowing using this stuff. They always look like new. It's a bit pricey, but you only use a little bit and a bottle lasts a long time. 3M makes a clear protective film that you can put over your headlights. I've never used it myself, so I can't tell you how well it performs.

I ordered chrome bumpers on my King Ranch because of upkeep. Bugs splatter all over the front of these moving "Hoover Dams" in the summer and between the bugs and rock chips,,, well I'll take chrome any day over that worry. If you do have a painted bumper, I would get it wrapped with a 3M clear covering. That product works well to keep your investment protected. (yeah, I called it an investment at $80,000, those are large potatoes for anyone) I've detailed cars for years and found that these products work well and aren't hard to find at reasonable prices at Walmart or Advance Auto. I put a link to Amazon for you incase you live in the sticks. (like me)


I can relate with you about the price of these trucks. This truck cost more than 3X the cost of my first home. ($25,000)
I hope this helps you. -Bob

https://www.amazon.com/Lexol-908-Lea...keywords=lexol


https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G182...t_sims?ie=UTF8


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXO98Q9...K8MQ8QJ1&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/Scotchgard-Cl...2%3A2661618011

 

Turtle brand spray wax, works well to keep the bugs easy to remove. You can spray wax as you dry.

 

The leather wipes are ok... I use a product called CroftgateUSA. Amazing eco friendly products that work! The leather cream is awesome. Also for a paint sealant they have a product called Quick N Slick. Spray on wipe off technology. Google CroftgateUSA ..awesome stuff. Only products to touch my 2017 Super Duty, 2015 Custom Mustang GT, 2012 Custom Harley Street Glide...you see the direction I'm going here! YouTube them also... Awesome products!!

 

I have a King Ranch. I will be using king ranch conditioner on the seats. On the body I always hand wash and I use a product call AMMO from a guy in new york. He is a detailer that has a company that details very high end cars for a living. Like priceless ferraris and porsche. He decided one day to formulate his own line of detailing products that he uses for his details and sells them online through his website. He posts lots of youtube videos about how to use his products and how to detail a car. The guy is very passionate about what he does for a living. I use his entire line of products kind of like a like a kit.

The meat and potates of his product line are 3 products called, skin, hydrate, and spit. The skin is his polymer sealer, hydrate is a drying liquid to eliminate hard water spots, and the spit is detailing spray. Basically you wash it then dry it with towels sprayed with hydrate, then apply the skin like wax. In between cleanings you use spit to spot clean clean off bugs and bird poo.

I have used his stuff a couple of years and its amazing. The skin will easily last on the truck for 6 months. Nothing sticks to it bugs literally wipe off. Its pricey stuff but it works very well.

The last thing I recently bought is CR-120 hard water filter from amazon. This thing is a life safer and is very effective. Its a filter you plug into your water hose that make 100% pure water for a spot free rinse. Its a life saver for me because I live in Texas and we have hard water here and there is no way I could rinse and dry this truck in one go without some of the water drying and leaving spots its just too big. With this water filter you literally do not have to dry it. Just rinse and walk away and literally there is not a single spot on it. The resin has to be replace every now and then now then, but by my calculations I will get 7 wash or so before its needs to be replaced. It literally cut my truck washing time in half. Just remember to only use it for the rinse otherwise the filter media will not last very long.

 

I have a King Ranch. I will be using king ranch conditioner on the seats. On the body I always hand wash and I use a product call AMMO from a guy in new york. He is a detailer that has a company that details very high end cars for a living. Like priceless ferraris and porsche. He decided one day to formulate his own line of detailing products that he uses for his details and sells them online through his website. He posts lots of youtube videos about how to use his products and how to detail a car. The guy is very passionate about what he does for a living. I use his entire line of products kind of like a like a kit.

The meat and potates of his product line are 3 products called, skin, hydrate, and spit. The skin is his polymer sealer, hydrate is a drying liquid to eliminate hard water spots, and the spit is detailing spray. Basically you wash it then dry it with towels sprayed with hydrate, then apply the skin like wax. In between cleanings you use spit to spot clean clean off bugs and bird poo.

I have used his stuff a couple of years and its amazing. The skin will easily last on the truck for 6 months. Nothing sticks to it bugs literally wipe off. Its pricey stuff but it works very well.

The last thing I recently bought is CR-120 hard water filter from amazon. This thing is a life safer and is very effective. Its a filter you plug into your water hose that make 100% pure water for a spot free rinse. Its a life saver for me because I live in Texas and we have hard water here and there is no way I could rinse and dry this truck in one go without some of the water drying and leaving spots its just too big. With this water filter you literally do not have to dry it. Just rinse and walk away and literally there is not a single spot on it. The resin has to be replace every now and then now then, but by my calculations I will get 7 wash or so before its needs to be replaced. It literally cut my truck washing time in half. Just remember to only use it for the rinse otherwise the filter media will not last very long.

 

X2 on the meguires leather wipes. Worked great on my 2005, for 13 years, they were like new when I traded.

I use meguires 3 stage wax, or spray wax on everything exterior of the truck except my tonneau cover. In between waxing I wash with boat wash product which is a soap and wax in one.

For the bugs, add a product called bug off to your windshield washer fluid. If your lights are getting covered, spray some on paper towel to clean the lights, it works good by breaking down the bugs with enzymes. May flies up here the worst.

Oh, for the interior, I use damp cloths, kissable microfiber. No chemical residues in the cab. I use a high end winfpdow cleaner on the inside of Windows too. Kids finger prints, dog nose prints ect.

 

I use drive-through car washes and usually select whatever is the 'medium' or 'best' choice. I do have to clean in the wheel wells (and other tight spots) every once in a while myself. My SUV still looks new.

About once a year, I'll use a product called Honda Spray Polish. I've used it for 15 years. It sprays on and buffs off. I think it works great.

My 5.5 year old leather looks new, I just use leather boot conditioner once a year.

My vehicle is parked in garage, I think that also helps. When I get my new truck, I'll just continue doing the same thing since it's kept my vehicles looking new so far.

 

Thanks guys! Looks like I chose wisely, I purchased Meguires rich leather wipes for my test, so I'll give the interior a wipe with these. Also have Meguires ultimate wax from my previous vehicle. Some #7 chrome polish, I do have the chrome bumpers. I also found some Turtle Wax bug and tar remover in my cabinet. I also have a can of 3M adhesive remover which works great on globs of pitch from our Fir trees.

A major issue with this truck is, even with the Ford mud flaps front and rear, stock wheels and tires, is road muck flies all down the side of the truck, all the way back across the rear doors. The truck needed more wheel lip or flare. Maybe its the air flow sucking tire spray back along the truck. Not sure I like the look of fender flares but may not have a choice. White Platinum, there are already a few dozen spots of road tar I need to remove from the sides of the truck.

I have the double CR Spotless water filter, awesome. Wash, rinse, let it air dry zero spots. The minerals in our city water otherwise leaves hard water spots everywhere which are a bear to remove.