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Keep it looking sharp

How can you keep your truck looking like new? If it's a used truck, it's probably already damaged and you can use the tips here to stop further damage. If it's a new truck, you will be able to take it back to the truck dealer and show them that it looks better than the trucks and trucks on the showroom floor. I'm not exaggerating. I do mean better.

And in my own case, it's the salesmen who have taken me aside and quietly asked me why my vehicle looks better than the new ones they are selling. Did I have it repainted? Nope.

The main thing to understand is that it takes about six months for the finish on the truck to truly dry. Many people make the mistake of waxing their truck before the 6 months have passed, or they use one of those godawful carwash soaps that contain wax. The truly paint damaging people use the "dry wash" sprays, a sure way to ruin the finish.

Here's what you do. When you get your truck home from the dealer, park it in the sunlight. Be sure you put towels on the dash, to protect the dash. Otherwise, it may fade or crack. What you want to do is bake the exterior finish, not destroy the interior.

Before you bring the truck in for the night (if it's a new truck, you are garaging it, correct?), hose it down with cold water. No soap. Don't use a sprayer, either. In fact, don't wash your truck until it's had several days of good sun-baking. After the truck's had several good days of sun-baking, you can wash it with a wax-free car soap. Follow the directions on the container, and keep your truck clean.

When washing the truck, use very gentle pressure. The harder you scrub, the more you abrade the paint. The abrasions will show.

After six months (see the door sticker for the actual date the truck was built), your truck is ready for prep and exterior sealing. This is a grueling job, one that's best done with a friend to help you. It will take an entire afternoon, at the very least.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Rinse the truck. Use a sprayer set on "shower" or no sprayer at all. You do not want to use high water pressure. This just jets particles into the paint.
2. Wash the truck. Mix the soap per the directions on the container, don't guess. And use a good soap, not some cheap stuff and not something with wax in it. Wash from the top down.
3. Rinse the truck.
4. Dry the truck, using first a "California blade" (a sort of squeegee) and then a chamois.
5. Apply a paint cleaner. This is a product that often comes in a multi-step detailing kit, like the high-quality one Maguire makes.
6. Wipe the truck down, using diapers or similar cotton cloths that have not been home-laundered. Do not use these again (you can wash them and use them for something else). Always work from the top down.
7. Apply a paint polish.
8. Wipe the truck down, using diapers or similar cotton cloths that have not been home-laundered. Do not use these again (you can wash them and use them for something else). Always work from the top down.
9. Inspect the truck carefully. Use a very bright light to inspect every surface from multiple angles. Now that your hands have had the oils dried off them, you can touch the paint with your bare hands (you will just need to wipe the truck again with a clean cloth as you go). Run your hand over every square inch of the truck. When you come to a place that doesn't feel silky smooth, apply the paint polish to that area.
10. When you are sure you have the truck all polished, wipe it down again with clean cloths.
11. Now, if you are still standing, you are ready to apply the sealer, wax, or polymer. Follow the directions on the container. Typically, you will do a panel or area at a time. Always work from the top down.
12. Let the wax or polymer dry. Then buff it out with soft cloths. You might want to use a car polishing cloth made just for this work.
13. The next day, inspect the truck using a strong light. Buff out any remaining wax that you didn't get yesterday. Use an old soft-bristled toothbrush on the places where a cloth won't work.

This finish will be so deep that it should seem like your reflection is coming from under several layers of paint rather than from the surface of the truck. Dealers seldom see the trucks they sell look this good. And when you bring your truck in for service, you will get respect. Your truck shows you care about your truck, and the dealer mechanics will notice this right away.

Tips for avoiding truck paint damage:

• Never touch any painted surface with your bare hands.
• If "friends" close your truck door by putting their hands anywhere other than the door handle, ask them to use the handle next time. If they touch the paint, their finger oils will damage your paint. If they push by the window glass, they will distort the window glass rail.
• Remove bird crap right away, but not by rubbing with a wet hankie or other abrasion-maker. Just gently use a sponge and soapy water, after first running water on the affected area. Run water while cleaning, too.
• Never use bath towels to dry a truck. Unless you are one of those very rare people who actually uses a good laundry soap in the right amount, your towel is loaded with abrasive particles from the laundry soap.
• Never sit or lean on the truck. Sitting on it deforms the panels, causing minor defects in the paint. Leaning on it pushes dirt particles into the paint surface.
• Do not park under trees. It's not just sap that you have to worry about.

Got kids? Get them into trucks with these truck toys.

Tonka Toughest Mighty Truck
Young engineers are sure to have hours of fun with this authentic-looking dump truck. Giant wheels make even the most rugged sites accessible. Indoors or out, the Mighty Truck gets the job done. Crafted in the Tonka trucks tradition, this dump truck is made with steel, rugged plastic and guaranteed for life.

Hasbro Tonka Wheel Driver Scoot 'n Scoop 3-in-1 Ride-On
This 3-in-1 dump truck helps little ones transition from crawling to walking, then converts to a ride-on toy for added fun. Toddlers will love the scooping action that picks up the included shape-blocks and other small toys, and then tosses them into the dump bed.

When your child is ready, the seat easily converts to a walker handle, and the gravel guard becomes a ride-on handle. The wide rear axle provides extra stability. You can attach the Revvin Beepin' Wheel toy to the truck or kids can play with it separately. A simple turn of the key gets the fun started, activating sounds and vibrating motions -- just like a real steering wheel. Blinking directional lights, a clicking gearshift, adjustable mirror and realistic road vibrations give drivers-in-training loads of options for busy driving fun.

Mattel Disney Pixar's Cars Mack Truck Playset
This Mack truck "bachelor pad" playset inspired by the hit Disney/Pixar movie "CARS," opens into Lightning McQueen's action-packed home on wheels. Here you can hang out with Lightning McQueen after a long day of racing. Play features include weight machine, rocking lounger, car lift, game station and more.

MAN crane truck
Kids will reach new heights with this functioning crane truck! Pop on the stabilizing legs that store in the back and crank out the crane to move heavy loads and reach the tallest points, or tilt the truck cab forward to reveal a detailed engine. The telescopic and height-adjustable crane unit swivels 360 and features a locking mechanism for the hook. Other features include rubber-like wheels and a toolbox that opens and closes.