You're trying to get it right. You research products, compare prices, and invest in quality chemicals for your fleet washing operation. But every time a truck rolls out of the wash, you’re disappointed.
The grime could be gone, but you might also be left with dull, streaky surfaces without the eye-catching shine you expect. It’s a frustrating feeling shared by many truck drivers and fleet managers. It feels like you waste thousands of dollars every year chasing a better clean (and you probably do).
Your fleet is your brand on the road. When trucks look streaky and dull instead of clean and professional, it hurts your company's image and costs you money. The secret isn't buying more expensive chemicals — it's understanding which products work in the right situations.
Why Your Truck Washing Isn't Working
Most fleet managers face three big problems related to truck washing:
1. Trucks Still Look Dirty
- Vehicles come out of the wash looking only slightly better
- Road film and grime stick around after cleaning
- Your brand appears unprofessional on the highway
- Drivers and leadership complain about the fleet's appearance
2. Too Many Confusing Product Choices
- There are dozens of products with no clear guidance
- No one explains the difference between presoaks, acids, soaps, and other terms
- It’s hard to know which products work for your specific dirt and grime
- Matching chemicals & dilutions to your washing system is difficult
3. Wasted Washing Budget
- Products don't deliver the results they promise
- Chemicals that aren't right for your specific needs
- Cleaning that takes too long means not all units get washed in the desired time frame
- The cost per wash ends up being too high, sending your cleaning process over budget, or not all units can be cleaned
- Higher maintenance costs from trucks that aren't truly clean
If you're already devoting labor and budget costs on truck washing, why not get the best possible results from your time and money?
Understanding Your Truck Fleet Washing Options
Before choosing the right cleaner(s), it helps to understand the basic washing methods:
- 1-Step Touchless. High-pressure spray with detergent, very little or no brushing for quicker and less detailed “maintenance” cleaning.
- 1-Step Brushing. Detergent and full-contact brush wash for more detailed and labor-intensive cleaning.
- 2-Step Touchless. Separately apply low pH & high pH detergents with little or no brushing to neutralize road film for more detailed touchless cleaning.
Each respective method works better with specific types of chemical products. For details on the interesting science behind truck soaps, check out our Truck Soap Science guide.
Cleaning Solutions: Low pH Presoaks vs High pH Soaps
There are two main types of products for truck fleet washing. Understanding when to use each will transform your results.
[LINK: No Brush Needed]
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Low pH, Brighteners, Acids:
Step 1 Presoaks
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High pH, Degreasers, Neutralizers:
Step 2 Soaps
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What they do
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Very specific cleaning applications: brighten metal surfaces, reduce oxidation, neutralize salt, break down mineral scale and rust deposits
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Incredibly versatile cleaners for many applications: attack greases, oils, soot stains, and road film, dissolve bug residue, neutralize acids & low pH cleaners
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Key features
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- Low pH (slight to very acidic)
- Mild to aggressive brightening power
- Use as an aluminum brightener or applied first in a 2-step washing process
- Some can be hazardous to delicate surfaces
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- High pH (slight to very alkaline)
- Mild to aggressive cleaning power
- Best for carbon-based grime and organic soils
- Use as a 1-step wash or neutralize acids in a 2-step washing process
- Add shine and protection
- Some can be hazardous to delicate surfaces
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Use when you have:
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- Dull or oxidized metal surfaces
- Winter salt that needs removal
- Mineral deposits from hard water
- Rust stains
- Fleets requiring highest quality touchless results using a 2-step process
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- Cleaning nearly any surface on all vehicles
- 2-step washing systems
- Hard water rinsing issues or need a “wash & wax” finish
- Insect residue or baked on/caked on film
- Degreasing engine bays, shop walls, and concrete floors
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Popular HCS options
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- Panda - Polish-safe, pairs well with presoaks
- #2 Film Fighter- For hard or cold water applications
- #2 Surefire - Affordable and aggressive formulation that works for the final rinse
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How to Choose the Right Products
Follow this simple guide to pick the best acids and soaps for your trucks and fleet washing operation:
Step 1: Assess Your Dirt
Why are your trucks dirty?
- Light soil: Regular road dust and light grime
- Heavy soil: Thick road film, bugs, salt, or mineral buildup
- Mixed conditions: Some trucks are dirty, others are just dusty
- Miscellaneous: Specialty materials (asphalt, cement, etc) require specific chemicals and cleaning processes
Step 2: Check Your System
How do you wash your fleet?
- Touchless systems: Potentially need more concentrated or specific chemicals and proper dwell time to do the work
- Brush systems: Can use milder products since brushes help, but increases wash time and potential for scratches
- 2-step systems: Use both low pH and high pH products for best touchless results for all types of road film
- Retail Truck Washes or Mobile Washer: Define your expectation level and make sure it’s in line with the budget. This will help ensure they understand the needs of your fleet
Step 3: Consider Your Fleet
What types of surface(s) are on your fleet?
- Polished aluminum: Use gentler, aluminum-safe formulas
- Painted surfaces: Most products work well
- Vinyl graphics & wraps: Use compliant washing practices & cleaners.
- Mixed fleet: Choose products safe for all your surface types
Step 4: Match Your Schedule & Mileage
How often are you washing your fleet?
- Daily or weekly washing: Milder products for maintenance cleaning
- Bi-weekly washing: Medium-strength products
- Monthly or less: Stronger products, occasional brushing on really heavy buildup
- High weekly mileage: 2,000-3,000+ weekly mileage accumulates more film and a stronger surface bond in a given time period
Get the Clean Your Fleet Deserves!
Every time you wash, you risk making the wrong choice with your cleaning products or wash process. This could mean poor results, wasted chemicals or even damage to your vehicles. Our 50+ years of chemical formulation expertise can help you match the right products to your specific needs.
Ready to see your fleet shine again? Your truck washing operation could be delivering better results – starting with your very next wash!