Truck Wash - I'm Sold!

Submitted: Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 12:05

ThreadID: 85989 Views:22009 Replies:6 FollowUps:13

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Vehicle Care

This article outlines options for prolonging the life and looks of your vehicle - especially one that is used for outback travelling where it is subjected to temperature extremes, excessive dust,

Sand Man (SA)

Have just spent a couple of productive hours cleaning the Tug and Camper.

Having returned from our Cooper Creek trip late Wednesday, this weekend was the first opportunity I had to scrub up the Rig after its "dirty week".

Thursday, as I contemplated the task of removing the yellow coating of Locust carcasses and gunk from the vehicle, I remembered a post or two some time back on the forum of Truck Wash, so I decided to give it a go.
Bought 5 litres on Friday ($20) with just a hopeful thought that it would assist in the removal of the gunk.
I kind of followed the instructions, except I diluted the Truck Wash detergent more like 10:1 instead of the recommended 20:1 water/detergent mix on because I was a little bit sceptical on the affect of the product.
I mixed the contents in a garden spray (usually use for weed poison) and sprayed all over the front of the Colorado and anywhere else I could see insect gunk, etc.....
Waited around the recommended 15 mins or so, then used a hand brush to lightly agitate the mess, before application of the K'archer pressure spray unit.

WOW! - It works!
The bull bar, grill, number plate and frontal area where the majority of Locust impact occurred came up squeak clean.
I then placed a little of the Truck Wash in a bucket of warm water at the recommended 20:1 mix and sponge washed the vehicle and camper like I normally would.

I now have a clean vehicle and camper and all without too much effort of hard, vigorous scrubbing.

I will now use the truck wash detergent in place of the normal car wash crap I have been using till now.

I'm sold folks!
Do yourself a favour and try it.

P.S. No affiliation with the product's Manufacturer. In fact, I think there is more than one brand of "Truck Wash" but I am now a happy customer.

Bill.

Bill

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Reply By: Shaker - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 12:10

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 12:10

Be very careful with the mix ratio, truck wash can be damaging to both paint & plastics.

AnswerID: 452907

Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 13:27

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 13:27

hi shaker
i totally disagree with your damage claims

i have been using truck-wash for 27 yrs and on every vehicle caravans trailers you name it

( yes even me when i got dousted with round-up chemical mixture when a hose burst while spraying weeds on my farm)
it been washed with truckwash and various other items around the home windows /canvas tents /plastics etc and household ite

what i have found tho
is using a high pressure cleaner up too close can and has damaged some paint work

and that was with-out truck wash
just plain water and maybe this has actually been the cause of your damage
not the truck wash

i even spray the truck wash on and leave it over night before washing it off and all i get is a very shinny vehicle or other item
i highly recommend the truckwash for all items
but
warn users of high pressure cleaners do not to get to close to paint work with the nozzle
i worked in a hire and machinery outlet cleaning bay for many years so can justify my personel opinion and reasons given
cheers barry

FollowupID: 725668

Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 16:38

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 16:38

I have seen first hand the damage that it does to motor bike plastics.

FollowupID: 725685

Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 20:48

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 20:48

hi shaker
i dont know what brand motorbike your evidence involved

but i used it on both my 2 old postie honda's and my honda trx 400 4wd regulary over several years without one problem with the many plastic parts i guess theres plastics and theres plastics
cheers

FollowupID: 725728

Follow Up By: peteC - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 17:21

Monday, May 02, 2011 at 17:21

Shaker I have seen the damage as well to cars. Yep it works great but too strong and left on too long will do some damage ( CT18 ).

FollowupID: 725817

Follow Up By: Shaker - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 09:13

Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 09:13

CT 18 is the product to which I was referring, my brother used to have a panel shop & he is also convinced that the increase in use of truck washes, is the main reason for the inceasing incidence of the break down of the clear coat on metallic paint finishes.

FollowupID: 725891

Reply By: dublediff - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 12:20

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 12:20

It is also very good for the caravans with the fibreglass walls. It does not contain ammonia like a lot of car shampoos do. Normal car shampoo will cause your white van to turn yellow....not a good look, always rinse well and don't let it dry on the surface before rinsing.

AnswerID: 452908

Reply By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 13:47

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 13:47

I also recommned using CT-18 Truck Wash, have used it for years on the 4x4 and camper but mainly on my MX bike. Hose off the thick mud, then using one cup of truck wash in a 5ltr garden sprayer give a good coating. This is normaly leave overnight, give another spray in the morning and then hose off, no rubbing or scrubbing.
I recently tried the cheaper version of CT-18 truck wash from Supercheap, never again, it dries leaving a white powder that can be difficult to remove.
Chris

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AnswerID: 452913

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 11:05

Monday, May 02, 2011 at 11:05

Cheaper version ?? Could not have been real CT18 truckwash then , Real stuff is made by Chem Tech hence the name.

FollowupID: 725770

Follow Up By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 11:31

Monday, May 02, 2011 at 11:31

The cheaper version of CT18 I was refering to is Septone TW20, looks similar and by the product discription should be as good but definently is not.

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FollowupID: 725773

Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 12:56

Monday, May 02, 2011 at 12:56

What's the go with Chem Tech CT20 Wash and Wax? Is it worth the extra or should I just use the bare bones CT18?

PS - It would be nice if posters were a little more specific in their descriptions. There are a few different truck wash products on the market. Being specific saves confusion and having to post a number of times.

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FollowupID: 725782

Follow Up By: Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 13:26

Monday, May 02, 2011 at 13:26

Peter, I only use Chemtech CT-18 as it is a more heavy duty cleaner compared to the CT-20 Wash and Wax.
There are many truck wash products available but only one CT-18
I usually purchase the CT-18 from Supercheap in the 20ltr drum when on special, which gives you 5ltrs for free when compared to buying 5ltr bottles.

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FollowupID: 725786

Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 15:49

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 15:49

I agree it's a top product & you bought it at I think a good price. Only this arvo I purchased five Litres at Supercheap which cost $29.00

Like you & use the garden sprayer to put it but I dilute it 15:1 & I do allow it to dry which the instructions says allows it to penetrate the dirt & grime. Cheers

AnswerID: 452924

Follow Up By: Member - Paul&Bill M riverton- Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 18:35

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 18:35

I recommend gold if you can get it.
It waxes as well very good product we leave on for a few days with a couple of coats then just pressure wash off.
roadtrain driver.

FollowupID: 725703

Follow Up By: P and JM - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 20:40

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 20:40

Please tell us, where is the best place to purchase this truck wash and what brand ?
I have used dish washing detergent ,but hosed off straight away.
Cheers

FollowupID: 725727

Follow Up By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 09:12

Monday, May 02, 2011 at 09:12

As stated, Supercheap carry it. Most Automotive places like Repco, Auto One etc also carry it. Cheers.

FollowupID: 725761

Reply By: Trev6 - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 23:04

Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 23:04

I use "Dobatex Gold" it's put out by shell , I got mine from the fuel supplier

AnswerID: 453228

Reply By: blown4by - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:49

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:49

ALL truck/car wash detergents are bad news, Truckwash, CT-18, Morning Fresh, etc. The reason the truck wash types work so well is that they contain caustic which strips the protective polish layer off immediately and over time removes the paint pigment leaving the paint "chalky" and unable to be restored by polishing. You might save a few hours cleaning but you will wreck the paintwork in a short time. Best thing is to wash with clean running water and any marks, ochre stains, etc left behind can be polished out. If you don't care about your paintwork and the vehicles are just "bush bashers" then Truckwash, etc is fine.
A better way is to keep the vehicles highly polished with Kitten Liquid polish, the dirt and bugs stick less easily, are easier to wash off and you get less scratches on the sides going down narrow tracks too as the bushes slip over the surface rather than dig in to the paint surface. I am not saying you don't get any scratches but far less of them and any you do get are easier to polish out. Truckwash is not such a problem on heavy duty transport equipment because it is mostly painted using two pack epoxy coatings but it still makes the paint go chalky over time.

AnswerID: 454231

Follow Up By: blown4by - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:02

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:02

Forgot to say if you want to remove the bugs easily leave the vehicle out overnight so the dew (if you get any) will soften all the gunk and then wash before the sun dries the dew. Otherwise when you wash the rest of the car keep the leading surfaces, bull bar, top of bonnet, backs of RV mirrors, w/screen and leading edge of roof wet all the time wjile you wash the roof, sides, wheels, rear end and then wash the front using running water and an Oates plastic scrubbing brush. Agree with the comments about using HP cleaners with care. Keep the nozzle away from decals, the plastic strips between the body work and guard flares on Patrols, any sound deadening material under the bonnet and on the firewall and also away from intercooler, transmission and steering cooler, radiator and air con heat exchanger aluminium fins.

FollowupID: 727075