HOW DO YOU CLEAN YOUR TRACTOR, PICKUP TRUCK ETC?

[bluebell]

first of all do you bother at all, seen some sights, even the old builders van with enough detrutus around the windscreen can hardly see out of? but going back to farm vehicles, i find the worst is after muckspreading all week , the back of the tractor is caked with dried muck and other parts not far off, i take the view that if ive had it from new and its mine and im keeping it for a few years the appearence is as important even more so that the mechanical side, so for starters in the cabs of both my pickup truck and tractors custom seatcovers on from new, look smart cheap and if muck or grease can be cleaned? also in tractor cheap floor mat helps ? Going back to cleaning down the outside after muckspreading, i brush off carefully as much of the loose muck as possible, then with only using a garden hose under watermains pressure wash off and wet, then mix some shampoo wax detergent in a bucket of water and use a brush on an extendable pole to wash and clean all over the tractor including all the windows, final rinse with hose with water, repeat a few times if really dried on, sometimes have to use small stepladders and sponge or cloth. Seen the videos on using a foam cleaner all over and a contactless clean anyone care to give any advice comments about the foamcleaning way and what equipment you need?

 

[nick...]

I use a foam cleaner as you describe it.you need a foaming attachment that goes on you pressure washer lance and special detergent.i use jennychem snowstorm.dont use it in sunshine because if it dries it’s not good.anyeah wet vehicle and wash of worst.then cover vehicle or machine is foam,leave a few mins and wash off.ive used ‘it’s for 20 years with no ill affects apart from detergent eating fittings in foam applicator and having to replace at least yearly.i was everything pretty much everytime it’s used unless it’s dry and clean,but I’m a bit particular with such things
nick...

 

[ColinV6]

Don’t let it get dirty in the first place! Little and often is by far the best way to clean things.

It’s a proper nightmare to wash something that’s actually filthy!

 

[pauld]

Beware of entering a field of rams with a polished pickup. Some will square up to their own reflection and alter the bodywork. That's my excuse for having a rarely cleaned one.

 

[Foxcover]

A decent wax on the paint and rain-x on the windows stops dirt sticking as much in the first place and helps the dirt come off a lot easier when you do wash it

 

[Robt]

pre clean with citrus , leave to dwell not dry.
pressure wash off
Snow foam, leave to dwell not dry
Pressure wash off
Hand wash with microfibe and oh neutral shampoo.
rinse,
Dry,
Wax or top up from previous wax

 

[TripleSix]

Do what?

 

[Wombat]

Do what?

My lease car gets its yearly clean when it goes for a service

 

[kiwi pom]

first of all do you bother at all, seen some sights, even the old builders van with enough detrutus around the windscreen can hardly see out of? but going back to farm vehicles, i find the worst is after muckspreading all week , the back of the tractor is caked with dried muck and other parts not far off, i take the view that if ive had it from new and its mine and im keeping it for a few years the appearence is as important even more so that the mechanical side, so for starters in the cabs of both my pickup truck and tractors custom seatcovers on from new, look smart cheap and if muck or grease can be cleaned? also in tractor cheap floor mat helps ? Going back to cleaning down the outside after muckspreading, i brush off carefully as much of the loose muck as possible, then with only using a garden hose under watermains pressure wash off and wet, then mix some shampoo wax detergent in a bucket of water and use a brush on an extendable pole to wash and clean all over the tractor including all the windows, final rinse with hose with water, repeat a few times if really dried on, sometimes have to use small stepladders and sponge or cloth. Seen the videos on using a foam cleaner all over and a contactless clean anyone care to give any advice comments about the foamcleaning way and what equipment you need?

Do you have a pressure washer? Better yet a steam cleaner.

I'm good at keeping inside clean, outside not so much, especially tractors. I'd rather make sure everything was blown down with air and the radiators clean etc. Amazing how many 'clean tractors' you see with all kinds of straw and dried grass in places where they could catch fire or make the tractor overheat.

 

[Dave W]

Do what?

I've never understood the obsession for excessive cleaning. The only person who benefits is the next man who buys it.

 

[bluebell]

my view keeping vehicles of all sorts clean sets a good example, look at the to companies from EDDY STOBART, to PIMLICO PLUMBING, also yes im not mad about keeping things clean and tidy but like when you go to a pub, hotel for the first time first impressions count for a lot? Also if its yours, your hard earned money ? it pays to keep vehicles clean and tidy , how many times have i walked round a large local Newholland dealers beginning with D and the state of some of the second hand trade ins is shocking, if your made of money all right but appearence is everything so the tradein value, resale value must be affected?

 

[Clive]

I've never understood the obsession for excessive cleaning. The only person who benefits is the next man who buys it.

and that reflects in the price you receive for it from that next man

ive never understood why people buy expensive cars and machines but don’t look after them

our tractors are washed at least once a week when in use, often daily, sets a big impression to customers imo

 

[Dave W]

and that reflects in the price you receive for it from that next man

ive never understood why people buy expensive cars and machines but don’t look after them

our tractors are washed at least once a week when in use, often daily, sets a big impression to customers imo

Not sure it makes much difference to resale. One good clean to sell it and job done.
Also I wouldn't necessarily say a machine is well looked after just because it gets washed every Sunday. Bit more to it than that

 

[Clive]

Not sure it makes much difference to resale. One good clean to sell it and job done.
Also I wouldn't necessarily say a machine is well looked after just because it gets washed every Sunday. Bit more to it than that

it says a LOT about an operators attitude to machinery imo

 

[Foxcover]

I've never understood the obsession for excessive cleaning. The only person who benefits is the next man who buys it.

I steam clean and wax my 7 year old van once a week, takes me 15 mins max.
Every week I get asked if I’ve bought a new one or get complimented on how tidy it is and that makes me feel good, it’s also a good advert for my business and I have had people put their names down to buy all my previous vans long before I sell them as they know how well they’ve been looked after, they’re serviced on the button and a lot of work like brakes and bushes etc are changed before they’re totally fudged.
Horses for courses but I just think lazy barsteward when I see someone with a dirty tatty car/tractor/van/truck

 

[milkloss]

A protective layer of dust/general sh1te smeared up the side of the truck protects the paintwork when you have to dive in the hedge or go on an unplanned excursion.

 

[deleted user 837354]

You can't beat a steam cleaner, set at about 40-50 degrees for cars. Bit hotter for farm machinery but don't go too mad.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I work for a trucking company with a great big concrete wash pad, into a sump.
All my gear is used just enough "at work" that I use the stuff there: bulk washdown hose, steam cleaner with Fleetwash, air compressor etc.

I don't mind taking my gear through the village to the yard, in order to give it a proper clean now and then. Definitely appreciate having the use of a good wash setup

 

[Foxcover]

A protective layer of dust/general sh1te smeared up the side of the truck protects the paintwork when you have to dive in the hedge or go on an unplanned excursion.

A general layer of dust and grit scratches the paint when rubbed against it.
Seen it before when people have written ‘clean me’ into dust on a metallic black van and the dust has marked the paint permanently until it’s polished out with T-cut.

 

[milkloss]

A general layer of dust and grit scratches the paint when rubbed against it.
Seen it before when people have written ‘clean me’ into dust on a metallic black van and the dust has marked the paint permanently until it’s polished out with T-cut.

perhaps I should have used a smiley of some sort