F150 Owners - A?4U

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imported_seres

New member
Hi all!!



We're scheduled to detail a 2002 F150 Harley-Davidson edition next Friday.



My question is this -- what do you guys do about the truck bed? (As you can tell, I don't own a truck and haven't detailed one!!)



Do you just wash it when you wash the whole truck and then leave it be? Do you apply any protectants to it or anything?



I feel pretty stupid for asking these ?'s -- but as teachers say, "The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask!"



TIA!! :wavey



quick edit -- also any tips or hints or things we need to know about detailing this truck?
 
Well I'm not a professional detailer, just an enthusiast but here's what I do.



I have only waxed the bed area once in the 10 months I've owned the truck. I do wash it but since it's covered by a soft tonneau and has a thick rubber mat in it, UV, rain, etc is not a major concern. I also use it as a hauling stuff for the house/ garden, cub scouts camping, and mostly sporting gear like my canoe, fishing and hunting gear. So it does get used and muddied but that's why I have it. I also plan on getting it sprayed with Rhino-Lining (a spray in bedliner) so again, I'm not stressing over the bed.



The Harley Supercrew is a top of the line truck (and a gorgeous one at that) that usually are used as commuter and family vehicles more so than trucks. I would think at the minimum the bed should be washed and QD'd. Also the Supercrew beds are smaller than regular F150s so that helps a little. Of course, if there is a bed-liner your problem is solved.



Could you simply ask the customer what they expect re: the bed? I know if I were paying for a professional detail I realistically wouldn't expect the bed area to be polished and/or waxed without incurring an extra charge. I think that is fair.



I would love to see pics of the finished product!
 
I believe the Harley edition trucks come with a bed mat with the Harley logo on it, so you might not have to wax/seal the bed.
 
If the bed has a removable bed mat I would remove it and wash separately and then apply some 303 on it as it does not effect the stiction these mats need to keep cargo from shifting....Do not apply too much and make sure you buff off the excess or when they put stuff in there it will fly around and they may not expect it too since it was stickier before....



I would then wash the bed...dry and apply a sealant to it to help prevent rust...



I have a truck with a rubber mat and I apply Klasse AIO under the mat twice a year....I save the Zaino for the regular body panels....The AIO really cleans the paint well and leaves a polymer layer down which I feel helps prevent corrosion from forming due to there being moisture under the mat most of the time.



I would charge extra for this though...So ask them if they want the bed waxed/sealed.....



Attention to details and they may pay more...



Now if you are doing this for free or family let them do the bed :D It does hurt the knees crawling around in there on them ridges formed in the sheet metal:D
 
All the trucks I have done have had some sort of be lining in them.



If they are spray in or the drop in plastic ones, then I hose them down, spray some simple green on, scrub down, and hose out.



I don't have any problem with water getting into my bed since I have a snugtop cover on my bed. I'm sure he has something similar on his truck.
 
here's a hint.



on the side view mirrors. You will think the trruck is dry then gallons of water will fall out of the crack under them.



same with the bedrails (black plastic on the top of the bed.
 
Thanks for the suggestions and tip on the mirrors everyone!! I'll ask the customer what he would like done with the bed first -- I'm not sure if it has the spray-on liner or what.



I'm pretty sure this truck will be used as a "car" instead of truck just from the communication we've had about it.



I'm looking forward to checking out this Harley edition in person! I'll definitely post pics of the detail afterwards.
 
Yeah the mirrors are a PITA...I usually use a leaf blower for the bed rails and mirrors to get all the water out.
 
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