Cleaned: 94 Dodge Dakota (56k warn)

[TexasTB]

Well, I will not call this a detail by ANY means. My Father-in-law wanted me to "knock the mud off" his truck. LOL So let's see. I have known my wife for 5 years, and the whole time, this truck has been washed 1 time....in 5 years He has his own Painting Business, and well....as you can see, does not up keep the truck. It used to be white. So I figured I would give the truck a wash and vac. The inside is just shot. Shampooing it would just make a mud pie. Pictures will explain that... I wanted to run a rotary on it with some Megs #66, but I was on a time crunch. I ended up washing this thing 3 times to get it clean. The chrome rims....well....looked like steel wheels.....

1994 Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck
used to be white
202k+ miles on the odometer
washed one time in 5 years

So here are some pics. I did not do any afters of the inside....it was useless..

Befores:





Had to write the business name in the dirt...LOL




Back rim was already done. Then I went to grab the camera












Chrome rim????

[justin30513]

Dang.
Can't wait till the Afters.

[TexasTB]

Afters:

Guess they were chrome after all!

[justin30513]

THE cleanest tire I have ever seen!

[TexasTB]

The plastic wheel moulding was shot. I tried everything on them.
He was very happy. Hopefully soon, I will break the buffer out on it and shine it up. The inside really needs new carpet...only way to bring it back. The seats and fabric on the door panels need to be cleaned. I put a new headliner in it not too long ago....
Just a wash on a work truck.
I used Megs NXT with simple green in the wash. Had to wash 3 times.
Wheels, I used Simple Green as well.
Rims and bumpers, I used Megs wheel brightener with steel wool. Had to work the rims twice.
Here is the water after wash number 2....



All in all, I was happy with the outcome. Coulda been better, but it will be back in that shape in no time......LOL

Now I need to install the impact strips back on the sides of the truck...........make it look half decent

[supercharged]

Washed only once in 5 years??? This could seriously damage the paint. But good job, you really brought it back to life. I would though work with with XMT or SSR swirl removers and PC to shine it up.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

Couple of hints ... remove all the body side molding (black areas) and consider the Wolfgang Lens Kit for headlamps. Other than that, your clearly heading in the correct decision.

[TexasTB]

Ahhh.....
Father in law could care less about the trucks paint. If you couldn't tell by the 1 wash in 5 year deal. It is actually covered in paint splatter and overspray from them painting houses and such, with the truck nearby.

If I spent all that time on the truck doing a proper detail, it would be in the same condition in a week or so. I personally wouldn't put the time in to do it. I imagine another 8-10 hours, and it would look half presentable. He is hoping to get a different truck anyways...so he says.
I am hoping I can pick this up from him afterwards. New tranny and engine, along with a utility bed........would be perfect for the business.

oh......and gut the inards of that bad boy. Rubber on the floor instead of carpet. New door panels, seat covers.......
too much wishful thinking I guess.....LOL

[supercharged]

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

Couple of hints ... remove all the body side molding (black areas) and consider the Wolfgang Lens Kit for headlamps. Other than that, your clearly heading in the correct decision.

I forgot to mention it.

[Reddwarf]

Wow that was one dirty truck. As you said, the interior is hopeless. But I'm impressed that he has 202K on it!

Like you said, why spend the effort detailing it right when he doesn't care.