Many truck owners use their trucks for work, play, or helping a friend move, but even if an owner only uses his truck for his daily commute, it’s still going to get dirty. Knowing how to properly wash your truck bed when tricky spills happen will keep it strong and sturdy for life.
Truck Bed Types
Unlined beds have no added protection to the painted metal in the bed. Wash, scrub, and wax unlined beds with the same care as the rest of the truck. Spray-on liners, however, are durable, permanent liners in the truck bed. They’re not removable and can take stronger cleaning chemicals and scrubbing than standard truck beds.
Some drop-in liners are removable and some aren’t. Removable drop-ins should be taken out and cleaned once in a while. Make sure to clean underneath thoroughly. Bed mats are simple liners that are easily removed for cleaning. It’s not advisable to leave bed liners in when washing the truck to avoid water sitting underneath.
How to Clean a Truck Bed
Start at home by taking out any debris including sticks and rocks. Sweep the bed from front to back using a regular broom. The small cracks and crevices that fill with dirt don’t require a hand broom.
Spray the bed liner down with water from a pressure washer. Start at the front of the bed working backwards while moving the water stream from side to side. Spray into the corners or into any crevices with cakes on dirt for a few seconds to loosen up built on soil.
Wash the bed with a cleaner. Use car wash soap for minor dirt, such as a degreaser for oil and paint or a citrus cleaner for hard-to-remove spots. Degreaser is a stout cleaner, so don’t use it every wash. For really stuck-on dirt, use a stiff, nylon scrubbing brush, but be careful not to scratch up the liner.
Use the most powerful setting on the rinse cycle to wash the soap from the bed. Make sure to get into the corners and cracks. Rinse from front to back, moving side to side. If the water isn’t running out of the bed during the rinse, sweep out the remaining water and dry with a microfiber cloth. To keep it clean, treat bed liners with wax or protective coating.
Difficult spills will happen during the life of any truck. Use a citrus cleaner or dishwashing liquid to cut grease and oil. Sometimes it takes several scrubbing session to remove a large oily spill. If paint spills, try to wash it out before it dries. Remove paint from bed liners and mats with paint thinner on a rag. Don’t pour it on as it can eat away at the plastic. Paint on unlined beds or spray-on liners will usually lift with a high-pressure washing and patience. Gently scrape away left over paint to remove.
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