Should I Wash It?

[BMERDOC]

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.

[GASoline71]

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

[BMERDOC]

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.

[Frkypunk70]

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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[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by Frkypunk70

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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Thats funny, my brother in law (ex) bought a 70 k5 and the first spring about 20 pot plants started growing in the back, he let them grow all summer, even adding more dirt to cover the roots. The thing made a perfect greenhouse! It stunk like pot forever. I don't know how he never got pulled over other than the fact it was about 25 years ago and the little town I live in was even smaller.
The PO must have thrown all his seeds in the back.
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[Beat68CST]

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.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

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

Even with a restored truck I will do a hand wash only verses a power wash. JMHO

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Even with a restored truck I will do a hand wash only verses a power wash. JMHO

I agree 100% amigo...

Gary

[Longhorn Man]

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.

[truckster]

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).

[BMERDOC]

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.

[Lee H]

Oh yah, I'd power wash the whole thing.

[BlackTopMotors]

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
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[big_al_71]

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

[VA72C10]

I'd wash it and pressure wash the engine bay.

[BMERDOC]

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.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

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.

My reasoning behind cleaning now is you might find something while cleaning that you want to fix before driving it.....especially in the engine bay...

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....

[stsalvage]

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

[prostreetC-10]

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.

[BMERDOC]

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!

[bigsnookmaster]

Don't forget to Armorall the tires!

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

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!

[BMERDOC]

Believe me it looks the same only cleaner!!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Believe me it looks the same only cleaner!!

[stealthy '69]

Well it's still dirty and greasy if there are no pics!!