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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Richmond,Va
Posts: 2,934
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Should I Wash It?
I bought my truck about a month ago. I've fixed all the electrical issues, replaced the starter and battery, rebuilt the carb, restored the gas tank and sorted some other misc. things. I just need to put on the tires and exhaust before I take it on its first shakedown run. My question is this: When I shake it down enough to take it out for a real drive I wanna take it to a cruise night. I haven't even pulled the first leaf outta the cowl or disturbed the grease on the engine. Sould I take it to work first and blow it out and power wash everything or take it like it is?
I like the idea of going Ruff-N-Ready, but I can't help but think climbing all over it with an air hose, degreaser and the pressure washer might be prudent. Gimme your opinion. |
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#2 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: Should I Wash It?
I wouldn't pressure wash an old vehicle. If you do... you'll definately find out where it leaks.
Just a normal wash job with a hose and mild car wash. gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Richmond,Va
Posts: 2,934
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Shoulda specified. I was thinking motor, trans and suspension. Shouldn't find too many leaks like that. Nothin I couldn't take care of anyway. I'd do a normal wash on the body.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Scranton,Pa
Posts: 423
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Re: Should I Wash It?
I personally like it when plants are growing out of the back, and the vents are filled with leaves. Hell, keep the tree branches between the bumpers.
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"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car. " |
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fall River California
Posts: 2,026
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Quote:
The PO must have thrown all his seeds in the back. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Buckeye Arizona
Posts: 470
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Here's my steps to gettin a new (Old) truck.
1: Pull out of weeds 2: Pressure wash; motor, trans, under the whole thing, front end and rear end housing. |
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#7 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Quote:
Even with a restored truck I will do a hand wash only verses a power wash. JMHO ![]()
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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#8 | |||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Quote:
![]() Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
Last edited by GASoline71; 06-24-2011 at 01:50 PM. |
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#9 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Should I Wash It?
wash it and wax it if it still has paint on it... I usually start with a power wash under the hood and body before I ever get them home.
You can't find whats wrong when you can't see the parts. |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,908
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Pictures would help. If the paint is decent but oxidized, I'd hand wash it and buff it up. If it's a multicolored work in progress like mine- well, I still hand wash it, but buffing it wouldn't have much purpose. (That doesn't go for my new rally wheels and trim rings).
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Richmond,Va
Posts: 2,934
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Yeah, the paint is a joke right now. Just thought it might be cool to get the thing running and driving and show it off how I found it then take it home and start peeling back the layers. BTW, the good ol boy tires are coming off first. The West coast mirrors and trailer hitch are already off.
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Nick Carter 1967 C10 Short bed Fleetside Project Cheap Thrills! 2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments Easiest Alignment Ever! Last edited by BMERDOC; 06-24-2011 at 12:08 AM. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 4,143
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Oh yah, I'd power wash the whole thing.
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1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703 |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Valencia, CA
Posts: 364
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Re: Should I Wash It?
I prefer to use varying amounts of water based degreaser, a bucket, brushes and a hose. (full strength in a spray bottle for dirtier areas). You may end up keeping those good ole boy tires a day longer
![]() . . . Last edited by BlackTopMotors; 06-24-2011 at 12:06 PM. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: Should I Wash It?
I power washed mine the day I brought it to my shop that way I could actually see what I was working with, so to answer your question YES you should
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
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#15 |
VA72C10
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 25,269
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Re: Should I Wash It?
I'd wash it and pressure wash the engine bay.
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Richmond,Va
Posts: 2,934
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Ok sensin a pattern. I gotta take it to work as soon as I feel like it can travel ten minutes in town. Maybe I'll bust out some cleaners. Two of my trusted co workers, on automotive style and taste, agreed with me: Get that thing running, stoppin and steering-all safely and rock that thing for a minute then clean it top to bottom squeaky like.
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Nick Carter 1967 C10 Short bed Fleetside Project Cheap Thrills! 2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments Easiest Alignment Ever! |
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#17 | |
VA72C10
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 25,269
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Quote:
And if you're going to degrease/pressure wash the engine bay....I'd rather do that before I started doing a tune up on it. Would hate to burn up a new coil or something with the water....
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#18 |
Scrapper 1
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Riverside Calif
Posts: 1,649
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Re: Should I Wash It?
if the trust has not had a good running for 4-9 years.All the old men i hang around tell me.To drain the oil go buy some delo diesel gas and put the gallon of diesel oil in it loosen all the rocker arms and let it run for 45 mins That will Clean every Pore and every inch of that motor.then drain it and refill it with regular Motor oil and you will have a smooth and clean engine.Diesel fuel will not peal the bearing coating off the bearings so its safe to use.Power washing is the way to clean a engine.Why do you think Semi trucks have it done every time they get ready for a long haul.Just cover the alternator and the carburetor and the HEI unit and make sure the engine is warm before you add the Gunk stuff let it sit on the engine for 5-10 min's then go to town best off to pull your truck on to some ramps so you can wash the under belly of the truck
Its like going out to dinner with a dirty shirt or taking your girl out in a dirty Car or truck Me i rather have it running perfect and knowing that all the stuff is safe to drive.Remember you have to think about others on the road not just your self |
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#19 |
My Carbon Footprint
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orygun
Posts: 5,527
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Re: Should I Wash It?
lol....I have a 73 farm truck that I have never washed since the day I got it 5 years ago. Usually in the spring the snow running off of it will act as a scrubbing agent. Other than that the only time it gets washed is when a thunder storm rolls through. Granted, I've had the motor and trans out twice so I have VERY familiar with the mechanical side of the truck. She's a tank and I wouldn't trade 'er for anything.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Richmond,Va
Posts: 2,934
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Re: Should I Wash It?
To update: It was washed with a scrub brush and degreaser, every crack and crevice blown out for too long with compressed air the engine degreased and washed twice, almost everything I could hit with window cleaner and a shop rag was rubbed on and all the glass was scrubbed with glass cleaner, a razor blade and 000 steel wool . Tomorrow night may be its first cruise. We'll see!
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Nick Carter 1967 C10 Short bed Fleetside Project Cheap Thrills! 2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments Easiest Alignment Ever! |
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#21 |
Registered User
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Location: St.Petersburg,Fl
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Don't forget to Armorall the tires!
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#22 | |
My Carbon Footprint
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Re: Should I Wash It?
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Richmond,Va
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Believe me it looks the same only cleaner!!
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#24 |
VA72C10
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Location: Midlothian, VA
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Re: Should I Wash It?
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#25 | |
'69 Chevy SWB
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Location: Surprise, Az
Posts: 1,065
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Re: Should I Wash It?
Well it's still dirty and greasy if there are no pics!!
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