Black in winter

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MaizeNBlue

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So winter is in full force here in Michigan, which means one thing...salt! Lots and lots of salt! My black truck looks like a salt lick everyday. I've been taking it to the quarter wash every couple of days, just to spray it off and give it a once over. Drying isn't a real option, since it will freeze up with in a few minutes. I feel forced to take it to a regular car wash every couple of weeks and run it down that tunnel of doom, just to make sure the underbelly gets a good rinse. Before winter hit, I made sure I detailed it, wash, sealer, wax, top layer of detail wax, door jams and all.

So I guess I'm asking, what do the serious detail guys recommend for the dead of winter time care? Best things to do to ensure come spring, that my truck has survived winter?
 

bhonshell37

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So winter is in full force here in Michigan, which means one thing...salt! Lots and lots of salt! My black truck looks like a salt lick everyday. I've been taking it to the quarter wash every couple of days, just to spray it off and give it a once over. Drying isn't a real option, since it will freeze up with in a few minutes. I feel forced to take it to a regular car wash every couple of weeks and run it down that tunnel of doom, just to make sure the underbelly gets a good rinse. Before winter hit, I made sure I detailed it, wash, sealer, wax, top layer of detail wax, door jams and all.

So I guess I'm asking, what do the serious detail guys recommend for the dead of winter time care? Best things to do to ensure come spring, that my truck has survived winter?
If you can wash your truck more than once a week in the winter, I recommend Optimum No Rinse or ONR. This product is quite versatile. Can be used as a waterless wash, clay lube, and detailer.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
 

Andrew09HEMI

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Sounds like your on the right track, I get in the habit or rinsing out the frame rails as well as spraying where the fender and fender liner meet with the high pressure hose. Anywhere salt and moisture can hide I try to get to. The exterior really isn't going to be worrisome with a good detail like that every season change, it's the undercarriage, frame rails and hidden places.
 

Chisox

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I bring my truck to work every Saturday and wash it, rain, shine or snow. I let is sit in the dock for almost 4 hours just to dry as much as possible. I am lucky to have access to the heated dock otherwise the salt would drive me crazy.

HcE5dK.jpg
 

dkmesa

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I bring my truck to work every Saturday and wash it, rain, shine or snow. I let is sit in the dock for almost 4 hours just to dry as much as possible. I am lucky to have access to the heated dock otherwise the salt would drive me crazy.

HcE5dK.jpg

Nice! That is very handy.
 

Pull Ya

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You could look into a coating to protect the paint. The down side is that they are pretty pricey. Other than that sounds like your on the right track with the sealant and wax. I understand your situation with the weather and the salt, but damn I hate those "tunnels of destruction". I guess sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Jay
 

THETANK

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does not help your situation but I always store my toys for the winter. I told you I could not help you lol. Actually as long as you spray the underside at least once a week you should be fine, luckily were I live they do not use salt as it's to cold and salt would be a waste. Again even though salt is not used in my vicinity I take the car to an indoor facility and give the underside a good spray, if not busy I dry the car off and let the underside drip dry. The wash holds approximately 12 vehicles so if I go 1/2 hour before closing i's not busy and I can hand dry etc. Good luck fighting Mr Salt.
 
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MaizeNBlue

MaizeNBlue

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It's the same regiment I used for 12 years on my 04 Dakota (minus the sealer) at the end there was just a little rust stating at the bottom of the doors. It was Gun Metal in color, and did have plenty of swirl marks. This being a black truck is a entire different world for me, and my ocd and black paint to don't play well together. I cringe the entire way down the tunnel of doom, and I always wave away the girls with the dirty towels, that come out to dry it (I still tip them a cpl of bucks for standing in the cold) .
 

Ram Night

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Maize, if you are close to the Kalamazoo area I would contact Great Lake Chemical and have them give your truck the Paint seal and rustproofing job. I have never had a truck or car rust or paint fade since the 80's. But driving a salt block looking truck is a drawback on owning a black auto in Michigan. I wash my red/black Rebel as often as I can at a local auto wash in the winter with there unlimited monthly card.
 

THETANK

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buy a beater and put the truck away, I do this with all my toys. Of coarse the term beater is different to most people. The only other option is find a great rustproofing shop and ater wash wash wash. Good luck.
 

Pull Ya

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When I lived in Colo and had a new Ram(Dodge then) I went to the dealership on Saturday afternoon, after all the bosses had left for the day and talked to the guys working in the "get ready" dept. Over time we got to be sorta friends and they would let me use one of the stalls to wash and wax my truck during the winter for a couple of 12 packs. You have to spend some time developing some friendships but in the long run it paid off for me. I also took them a few donuts once and awhile----sometimes bribery can go along way :naughty:
Jay
 
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