DIESEL TECH’S
BY Seth Harper
Spring Cleaning
A look into automotive cleaning products
Spring cleaning doesn’t just apply to your work desk and your shop. That poor diesel of yours sitting in the garage could use some assistance this time of year too. The paint may have lost its shine, those leather seats still have the stain from that Mountain Dew mishap, or maybe dried mud still coats the exterior, documenting your last adventure. Whatever it may be, it’s time to show off the hard work you’ve put into your truck and that means it’s cleaning season.
Cleaning On Wheels
The SPX3000 XTREAM carries a detergent foam cannon that shoots up to 15 feet through a 34-inch spray wand with all the bells and whistles to help you get a proper cleaning. Wheels provide easy transportation around your diesel as you get the dirt and grimes off your wheels and exterior. Along with four different removable spray tips for a variety of cleaning options, you’ll receive a utility bristle brush and a wheel and rim brush to get in the hard-to-reach spots. With this product, you won’t have to stress over a dirty truck bed ever again.
(866-766-9563 // www.sunjoextream.com)
No Cord, No Stress
The BISSELL AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum is designed to quickly pick up unexpected messes. It’s cordless, so it can clean almost anywhere, like in your truck, home or office; plus with its sleek design, it blends into practically any home. You can customize your clean by using the included 2-in-1 Crevice Tool & Dusting Brush, which conveniently stores right on the vacuum’s storage stand, so you always know where it is.
(800-237-7691 // www.bissell.com)
Clean Seats
Leather Honey’s leather cleaner concentrate is a natural, nontoxic cleaner ideal for all your leather goods, including truck interiors. Use on genuine leather, as well as faux leather, leatherette, vinyl, rubber and plastic. Their proven restoration formula is powerful, odorless and chemical-free. This concentrate offers great value and makes 32 ounces when diluted with water. It quickly and gently removes dirt, oil, tough stains and grime from car seats, truck seats and other upholstery. Effectively cleans new and old leather of all colors, including black leather, white leather, brown leather, red leather and yellow leather.
(434-226-0115 // www.leatherhoney.com)
Ultimate Hybrid Products
Mothers is known worldwide for its premium-grade polishes, waxes and cleaners, and offers a broad array of finish care products. Now, caring for your vehicle has never been as simple and easy. Mothers all-new line of Ultimate Hybrid products combines the ease-of-use of traditional carnauba wax with the benefit of nano-ceramic technology – all while providing a timeless, liquidy-gloss shine. It’s the best of both worlds, a balanced blend of advanced science and traditional vehicle care, the Ultimate Hybrid. Products include the Ceramic Spray Wax, Ceramic Wax, Ceramic Detailer and 1-Step Ceramic Clay & Coat.
(714-891-3364 // www.mothers.com)
Wash Mitt
The Hybrid Wash Mitt features a two-sided, color differentiated feature that helps users conveniently identify which side to use. The ‘wash’ side is constructed with chenille microfiber to hold onto suds while gently lifting away dirt and grime to minimize swirling. The ‘wax’ side is a plush microfiber to grab hold of the Hybrid Ceramic SiO2 Boost and spread it out evenly for maximum water beading protection while you wash.
This premium wash mitt is specifically designed to optimize your results and washing experience with the newly-released Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax. However, it can also be used with other Meguiar’s vehicle washes for gentle and effective cleaning. This luxurious mitt is also machine washable and reusable so you can use it wash after wash for amazing results.
(800-347-5700 // www.meguiars.com)
A Quick Fix
Caring for your truck goes beyond the mechanical. Keeping it clean, inside and out, will prevent unsightly dirt and grime buildup, keep road soils from damaging auto finishes, and maintain the beauty of your upholstery, mats and carpeting. Messes are bound to happen, so a quick-fix stain solution is important to have on hand, and a regular cleaning routine can help prolong your vehicle’s health and longevity.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a powerful, non-caustic cleaner and degreaser that can be used to clean aluminum, chrome, titanium and other high-tech alloys. It also removes unsightly dirt and grime buildup from painted and gel-coated surfaces, anodized and electroplated parts, carbon fiber, metals, plastics, rubber and even carpet. The concentrated formula can be diluted to provide up to 30 times the cleaning value.
Take pride in your vehicle and care for your truck to enjoy a longer, more beautiful life on the road, or command better resale value.
(800-228-0709 // www.simplegreen.com)
Fresh Start
As much as the outside of a truck needs cleaning, so do the parts you don’t see. Red Line’s SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner works to remove harmful deposits while preventing new ones from forming in injectors, carburetors, intake valves and combustion chambers. Drivers using SI-1 are less likely to experience start issues that might occur when a vehicle has been stored away for winter or driven less throughout the year. The product improves oxidation stability of fuel stored in a vehicle’s tank and cleans to nearly 100 percent efficiency in one treatment. Users will only need one bottle per tank for the most effective results.
(707-745-6100 // www.redlineoil.com)
Xtreme Protection
Turbo Wax Paint Sealant Xtreme is a long-lasting synthetic sealant with two proprietary strength additives inside that boost the product’s performance. This paint sealant creates a shield that protects the painted surfaces from high temperatures and the synthetic formula shields against most common environmental contaminants. The shine and protection are incomparable, lasting for months at a time. Turbo Wax Paint Sealant Xtreme anti-Stick properties prevent dirt from sticking to the surface. Very easy to apply and remove, it’s specially formulated with synthetic polymers to enhance the luster of today’s finishes. It’s also great for maintaining ceramic coated surfaces and is safe on glass, carbon fiber, chrome and powder-coated surfaces.
(888-225-0666 // www.turbowax.com)
Power Cleaner
The 20V MAX* 550 PSI Power Cleaner joins the 200-plus products in the DEWALT 20V MAX* System and delivers 10 times the pressure of a garden hose. For added versatility, the Power Cleaner can connect directly to a garden hose or draw from a fresh water source with the suction hose. Four quick-connect nozzles offer various degrees of spraying including turbo spraying, and additionally, the unit is equipped with a soap bottle making it ideal for a range of cleaning applications. The Power Cleaner includes two spray power settings controlled by a Hi/Lo power switch and is available bare or kitted with a DEWALT 20V MAX* 5.0 Ah Battery.
Cleaner Degreaser
The Original Tough-Task Cleaner Degreaser. Pull the trigger and Super Clean goes to work, dissolving grease and removing grime, oil, wax, dirt and tar. Super easy. Super fast. Use it at full strength for super cleaning power or dilute it for everyday messes and you’ve got super value. It has industrial strength, yet is biodegradable and phosphate-free. Super Clean is available at most automotive retailers.
(651-365-7590 // www.superclean.com)