Cleaning the raptor - interior and exterior

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mamula

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anyone experienced mind to share product they used in cleaning their car.

Cloth or material/brush used for washing exterior body and the wheels
Cloth or material used for drying the car
Cloth or material used for interior
Cloth for cleaning the interior touch screen
Cleaning solution for exterior (washing and wax)
Cleaning solution for leather
Cleaning solution for the plastic interior

Thanks in advance
 

df4801

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not really sure of the exact cloth fiber type or chemical detergents that my car wash uses but I'm pretty sure it's some sort of foam soap and some sort of rag like cloth to dry the vehicle afterwards.

Also about twice a year they use some kind of substance that I think it's called carnuba. Not really sure though, so may want to check with other people's opinions first
 

Brad404606

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Chemical guys has the best products. They have applicators microfiber cloths. Their silk finish, I believe it’s called, works amazing on tires and all hard plastic. Their leather conditioner brings back the amazing leather smell and a like new finish without any residue. Can’t go wrong with them. They also sell exterior wash. I’m a fan of foam guns.
 

FerdFteen

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I use mostly McKee's 37 brand products. I am looking to get into a 2019 Raptor at some point, but my most recent vehicles are an 18 F150 Platinum and 15 BMW M3. Both are black and ceramic coated, so I don't bother with wax or sealant.

For the exterior, it depends on whether you will be doing a two bucket wash or using e.g. a waterless wash.

For the two bucket, get a high quality microfiber wash mitt. I like Cobra gold plush brand but any decent microfiber will do. Get yourself two buckets with two grit guards. Fill one with just water and one with water + soap. I use McKee's SiO2 concentrate, but again any reputable pH balanced will work (Wolfgang, Adam's, etc.) - it comes down to your preference. Let the mitt soak in the soap bucket while you prep the vehicle.

I use a CR spotless water deoinizer hooked up to my pressure washer and make a pass to remove dirt, debris, etc. Then I cover the vehicle using a foam cannon hooked up to the pressure washer. You can let that soak for a couple minutes to loosen dirt and provide more lubrication to the vehicle surface. Start washing from the top town - you can hit glass and painted surfaces at the same time. Rinse the mitt often.

For maintenance cleaning on the wheels, I just use a wheel woolie to clean the barrels and a microfiber towel to clean the face of the wheels. For a deep clean, I use wheel cleaner and tire degreaser, then something like McKee's Wheel Glaze. I use Mothers PowerBall attached to a drill to apply the product and then a clean microfiber towel to buff it off. For tires, after they are degreased and dry, I apply some sort of dressing. Usually I use McKee's acrylic dressing, but the last couple of times I haven't been happy with it, so I might switch. If you have aggressive tread on your tires, you can use a combination of brush and pad to apply the dressing. For regular tires like on a car, a foam applicator works fine since you don't have to work nearly as hard to fill in the tread.

Hit a final rinse with the pressure washer and then dry the vehicle. The ceramic coating is hydrophobic, so I just use a leaf blower. Any remaining water you can gently hit with a waffle weave towel. The CR spotless really works well if the air quality is good - it will dry without water spots. I've gotten lucky a few times, but in my part of TX there is usually pollen, cedar, etc. floating around to foul things up.

For touch up washes, I mix some waterless wash concentrate in water and use edgeless microfiber towels from the Rag Company. I used to use Cobra gold plush, but even their "scratchless" bands can scratch and swirl black paint. I prefer Rag Shop these days and they have different weights depending on how you will use the towel (buffing, rinseless wash, etc.). I use ammonia free glass cleaner with a waffle weave glass cleaning microfiber when doing waterless washes.

For interior leather, any solid conditioner will do the trick and I just use foam applicator pads. I like wolfgang or pinnacle usually.

Even if you bought a brand new vehicle, it will have paint defects from the factory, sitting on a transport truck, the dealer's make ready group, etc. Do yourself a favor and use some Iron X and clay bar it at least. Paint correction from a reputable detailer is well worth it in my opinion - that will additionally involve compounding and polishing. Then you are ready for ceramic coat or regular wax / sealant.
 
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mamula

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I appreciate the feedbacks. Thanks. Will do my washing tomorrow. The whites gets pretty dirty with the rain
 

srjones51

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I`m going to buy a 2019 Raptor. I have read they are to wide to run through a car wash. Is this correct or not? I currently have a 2004 F150 FX4 (Black) which I bought brand new. I put a leveling kit on it with 315 BFG all terrain tires same as 35 X 12.50. I`ve read in this forum and other places where some guys say they take Raptors through the car wash all the time and then others say they won`t fit. I don`t get it? I have ran my FX4 through the car wash once every 2 weeks for 15 years and have never had a problem with the car wash putting scratches or swirls in the paint job. The 315 BFG tire works fine in the track. I keep my truck in mint condition and it never fails when I go out to buy gas or anything else that somebody does not ask me if that is a brand new truck! After 15 yrs of car washes.
 
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GCATX

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I ran mine through once, no problem. I would ASSUME that since the mirrors are same width as a regular F150 and are not getting ripped off, there would not be an issue as long as the tires fit into the tracks.
 

Slacker

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I ran mine through once, no problem. I would ASSUME that since the mirrors are same width as a regular F150 and are not getting ripped off, there would not be an issue as long as the tires fit into the tracks.

The raptor is 6.4 inches (2019) wider than a regular F-150 when you take off the mirrors. Many car wash places can't handle a vehicle that wide. Add to that the suspension/wheels width is 6.3 inches wider than a regular F-150 and mill likely have a hard time fitting in the track.

With a $70k truck I wouldn't take it through one of those anyway because they take the dirt and rocks from the 100 cars before you and rub them all over your truck. Spend some money, buy some good products, and wash it by hand. You can't go wrong.
 
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