Here are a few tips to getting your truck looking new again:
Washing
The first thing that you want to do when cleaning your truck is to wash it. You can use any brand of automobile car wash, they all do basically the same thing. Use a sponge for most of the truck and a rag for those hard to reach places, including; the grill, wheels, door handles, emblems, and mirrors. Lift up the windshield wiper blades and be sure to spray underneath. Use some sort of pressure washer attachment to spray out wheel wells and clean off the tires. If the wheel wells and tires appear extra dirty get in there with a brush and scrub away the dirt, make sure to rinse often. Be sure to use a rag to get in all the cracks of the wheels to remove break dust. When you have finished all of these tasks, rinse off the truck once again. DO NOT DRY
Windows
This will require a straight edge razor blade, and a rag. First spray the windows with water and scrub them one at a time with the rag. Be sure to lift the wipers to get all the spots. After scrubbing the windows search for any stubborn spots of sap, or bugs that would not come off and gently scrape away with the razor blade. If you are nervous about this step skip, but if you want to give it a try just be patient and gentle and you will be impressed with the results. After completing all of the windows spray off the truck once again.
Chrome (Tail pipes, Bumpers, Grill)
If your chrome isn't shining the way that it used to I have a secret for you. What you will need is window cleaner and believe it or not, steel wool. Don't worry about scratching up the chrome, you will not see the microscopic scratches by eye and your chrome will be shining again like new in no time. All you need to do is apply a generous amount of window cleaner to all of the chrome areas that you want to clean and gently rub the steel wool in that area making circles motions. This is the same process for the bumpers, grill and the tailpipes. After finishing make sure to rinse off the truck again.
Clay Bar
If you run your hand along the outside of your truck you are sure to find bumps. It could be tar or tons of other things. One way to get rid of these bumps and having your truck feel like it's been freshly painted is use what is none in the automotive detailing business as a clay bar. You can run to any automotive store and they will know what you mean by clay bar when you ask. You need to keep the car very wet and gently rub the clay bar on the painted areas of your car in a circular motion. Repeatedly do this until you feel all the bumps go away and your truck is feeling completing smooth when running your hand across the paint. Make sure to keep the areas wet. Some clay bar kits come with body sprays to use however these are not necessary, they do work and smell great! But not needed unless you want to spend the money. Before you move on of course you need to spray off the truck again.
Waxing
You first need to dry the truck. Be sure to get it as dry as possible using towels, I'd recommend microfiber but the decision is yours. Purchase a paste wax from an automotive store and apply as directed. Be sure not to do this in sun light. Remove after fifteen minutes as directed.
Final Touches
Rinse the truck one last time and dry. Use window cleaner and newspaper to clean the windows. Scrunch up the newspaper and use it instead of paper towel or a rag, I have found that it does a much better job. After this polish the chrome areas with a dry micro fiber towel and you should have a brand new looking truck! Congratulations.
Optional: Dealers Used Truck Tip
If the underbody of your truck is looking fading, one trick that a lot of detailers have the detailer do is spray paint the under body. You can use common household black spray paint and it will do the trick. Just be very careful to watch what you're doing, you don't want to paint areas that you did not intend to paint! Make sure the truck is dry for this. A common area that this is done on is wheel wells.
