Having a clean fire truck is imperative to set a good reputation for the fire department and community. Additionally, cleaning the fire truck will ensure the truck stays in good working condition. In a field where dust, debris, and chemicals can easily build-up, it can sometimes be hard to properly inspect the vehicle for damage, making regular cleanings a necessity.
Follow these tips for washing a fire truck to properly maintain and inspect your fire trucks.
One Panel at a Time
Use the panels of the truck as a guide to effectively wash your rig. To leave your truck spotless, wash one panel at a time. Rinse your towel and add fresh soap before switching from one panel to the next. This keeps the cleaning consistent across the truck and reduces the amount of dirt on the towel for each panel.
Wash Top To Bottom
Start from the top of the truck and work toward the wheels. Most of the dirt will accumulate around the lower areas of the apparatus, so this will avoid bringing that dirt up and spreading it all over the rig.
There are many misconceptions about cleaning vehicle wheels. For fire truck wheels and wheel wells, plan to wash them in a separate washing area. As the dirtiest areas of the apparatus, it is best to contain the dirt and grime in one spot.
Skip the Sponge
Sponges can trap dirt, and they run the risk of scratching the paint on your rig. For the best clean, use a cotton microfiber towel. Cotton microfiber towels are cost-effective, have a soft and absorbent material that won’t scratch, and are easily washable.
Follow the Two-Bucket Method
As the name suggests, the two-bucket method uses two buckets, one with soap and water and one with just water. Use the soapy bucket to dip your microfiber towel into for washing and use the water bucket to rinse the dirt out of the towel when switching between panels. Repeat this process as needed to reduce the amount of dirt that accumulates on the microfiber towel.
More Microfiber
Use a new, dry microfiber towel for drying after you have scrubbed and rinsed your truck. When drying your truck, try to use large towels for large areas of the truck and avoid allowing the truck to dry in the sun before you towel dry it. This will help avoid streaking.
An Extra Layer of Protection
The last tip for washing a fire truck is to add a coat of polish and detailer. This will keep your truck shiny and clean for longer. It will also create a protective barrier between the surface of the car and outside dirt or debris.
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