Owners of Ford trucks are a proud bunch, aren’t they? That’s only because they have a right to be proud. You’ve probably even noticed that many of them keep their truck looking spotless with a nice little shine. Now that the summer days are winding down, here are some tips for giving your truck one last wash to help it shine as much as possible through the winter.

Park in the shade. The sun causes the soap and wax to dry quicker than usual if you’re not parked in the shade. It won’t usually damage the paint job, but it will make the washing and waxing process much more difficult.

Hose the truck down. Give the truck a nice coat of rinse water to start the process. Don’t miss any spots or else the soap won’t work as well.

Begin washing. Use a soft sponge or rags. Old t-shirts work great if they are made cotton because they are soft and absorbent. Give the truck a rich, full layer of quality soap. Some companies even make special soap with soft abrasives that help get the dirt and grease off easier. Take your time with this step of the process as it’s the most important step.

Rinse the truck. Make sure to get all the soap off the truck before letting it dry. If soap is left on the truck, it will show streaks and marks.

Dry the truck. Grab a couple soft towels and just start drying. There isn’t much of a process to this, but using a circular motion works best.

Give it a good waxin’.A good wax job is the key to keeping your truck shiny and glossy for the coming months. Make sure to get all the wax off or else it will leave streaks.