Best Wash for preventing Rust Corrosion for Cargo Van?

T270_Dreamin · Jan 4, 2017

Looking to do a wash and I'd like to just use a self serve car wash but I don't think that will be as thorough and was wondering if any locals up in the rust belt states could chime in and share some of the tips to keeping the rust away. I think the flying J charges around $20 for a truck wash but they includes the under carriage.

Worn Out Manager · Jan 5, 2017

That's easy, rust can't form if you keep driving.

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T270_Dreamin · Jan 5, 2017

Worn Out Manager said:
That's easy, rust can't form if you keep driving.

Sent from my hand-held Etch-A- Sketch

Wish it was that easy to deter.

Moot · Jan 5, 2017

Go to a coin-op and do it yourself.

Worn Out Manager · Jan 5, 2017

$20 at Blue Beacon as needed, especially in winter, is better than $10 in coins and doing myself which I do on a nice day. Biggest problem is Transit with AC on roof is 10'6".

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T270_Dreamin · Jan 5, 2017

Worn Out Manager said:
$20 at Blue Beacon as needed, especially in winter, is better than $10 in coins and doing myself which I do on a nice day. Biggest problem is Transit with AC on roof is 10'6".

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Where is Blue Beacon is it a nationwide chain?

xiggi · Jan 5, 2017

It's probably what you referred to as flying j wash in your first post. I think blue beacon has an app you can download.

NorthernBill · Jan 6, 2017

We use the Blue Beacon for the undercarriage wash and, because it's easy. Also, they offer a Rainex brand spray protectant. The TruckerPro app, has truck washes listed.

T270_Dreamin · Jan 9, 2017

Saw a Blue Beacon today in Weatherford Tx. They want $18.50 for a wash and plus $5 for the undercarriage.

Mines well wash it myself and pay the $5 for undercarriage if they will let you do it that way...

Not sure if a $24 truck wash is worth spending on a 06 Sprinter with over 200k.
I could definitely justify on a 2014+

Treadmill · Jan 9, 2017

T270_Dreamin said:
Saw a Blue Beacon today in Weatherford Tx. They want $18.50 for a wash and plus $5 for the undercarriage.

Mines well wash it myself and pay the $5 for undercarriage if they will let you do it that way...

Not sure if a $24 truck wash is worth spending on a 06 Sprinter with over 200k.
I could definitely justify on a 2014+

I wash mine at BB and mine has 500k+ and it's a 2012 sprinter.

xiggi · Jan 11, 2017

T270_Dreamin said:
Saw a Blue Beacon today in Weatherford Tx. They want $18.50 for a wash and plus $5 for the undercarriage.

Mines well wash it myself and pay the $5 for undercarriage if they will let you do it that way...

Not sure if a $24 truck wash is worth spending on a 06 Sprinter with over 200k.
I could definitely justify on a 2014+

Clean is clean not sure what age has to do with it?

Moot · Jan 11, 2017

xiggi said:
Clean is clean not sure what age has to do with it?

A pressure wash could blast holes through rust spots on an older Sprinter. Swiss cheese, please.

guido4475 · Jan 16, 2017

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guido4475 · Jan 16, 2017

Here is my list of self serve washes that I have used over the years both in my 10 wheeler and in my van, which is close to 11ft tall with the a/c unit. These door measurements are not accurate, so use caution.

The thing about Blue Beacon is the chemicals are so harsh that eventually a paint finish loses its shine and luster. And that rain-x isn't really a wax.

I carry a wash brush with an extendable pole, and my own old Dawn bottle with the squirt top full of turtle wax car wash, and use the rinse cycle at a car wash and wash it myself. If i do it right, i can hand wash this whole van for 5 bucks. And get some much needed exercise in the process. I wouldn't suggest using Dawn to wash a vehicle, as that will strip wax off as well.

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piper1 · Jan 16, 2017

While I use the Beacon for most washes, given how amazing Guido's truck always looks I'd say that the above is very good advice.

The chemicals at the Beacon are harsh...and some locations are better than others at giving you a thorough rinse to get rid of it all. About the only paint that stands up to it regularly is Imron. A fair number of big trucks come from the factory with Imron, and some big truck collision shops have the equipment to re paint using it...but it is very expensive paint...and worth it.

T270_Dreamin · Jan 16, 2017

Good to know, I will use blue beacon strictly for the $5 undercarriage wash and stick to the hand wash technique.

guido4475 · Jan 19, 2017

piper1 said:
While I use the Beacon for most washes, given how amazing Guido's truck always looks I'd say that the above is very good advice.

The chemicals at the Beacon are harsh...and some locations are better than others at giving you a thorough rinse to get rid of it all. About the only paint that stands up to it regularly is Imron. A fair number of big trucks come from the factory with Imron, and some big truck collision shops have the equipment to re paint using it...but it is very expensive paint...and worth it.

Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate that. It's an 03. I just feel that a vehicle is a reflection of the company it is leased to.

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ucfd608 · Jan 19, 2017

guido4475 said:
Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate that. It's an 03. I just feel that a vehicle is a reflection of the company it is leased to.

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I have always felt the same way try to keep them clean inside an out sometimes it is hard to do

Moot · Jan 20, 2017

T270_Dreamin said:
Good to know, I will use blue beacon strictly for the $5 undercarriage wash and stick to the hand wash technique.

You can still do the undercarriage at a self serve but it requires kneeling on a wet, dirty floor. I carry a foam gardener's knee pad.

Like Guido, I carry my own wash concentrate, sponges, chamois etc. in a plastic 5 gallon bucket. The trick is filling the bucket with the high pressure wand.

Bill G. turned me on to a self serve RV wash at a casino about 10 miles from my house. It has a catwalk along the side for washing the roof.

There is a self serve car wash in Auburn, AL where you pay a flat rate to enter and then have unlimited time on the wash. Only one like this I have ever seen.