How to Clean the Vinyl Floor in a Truck
by Dakota WrightRegular truck detailing with the wrong cleansers can damage the finish on vinyl floors. Vinyl floors have a waxy protective layer meant to provide protection to the vinyl underneath. Harsh cleansers remove this vinyl sealant or soften it enough to allow dirt to penetrate and build-up in small pores. The result is a murky or deglossed appearance. Restoring vinyl floors to their factory finish requires a little work, but the renewed sheen and appearance are worth it.
Step 1
Sweep out the truck. Clean vinyl floors after you have detailed the rest of the interior to prevent dust and debris from caking up on new vinyl sealant. Use a can of compressed air to get into hard-to-reach areas. Vacuum the floors to remove any dirt left behind.
Step 2
Dip a towel in clean water. Apply pH-neutral floor cleanser to the towel and use it to scrub the vinyl floor. Toss out the soapy water, rinse your bucket and use clean water to rinse the truck floor thoroughly.
Step 3
Use a towel to dry the floor with a lint-free cloth or allow it to air dry. To speed the process, use a compressor and blower nozzle to dry the interior.
Step 4
Mix vinyl floor stripper and water according to the directions on the bottle. Keep in mind a truck floor is a smaller area than a kitchen floor, so you won't need as much product. Apply this solution liberally over the vinyl floor with a sponge. Let the stripper stand for five minutes.
Step 5
Scrub the truck floor with a stiff bristled brush. When sure all the muck has loosened, rinse the floor with clean water. Rinse the floor a second time to prevent contamination of the new floor sealer.
Step 6
Squirt vinyl floor sealer into a disposable cup. Apply it with a bristle brush using smooth brush strokes overlapping each stroke as you go. Work one area and move to the next until you have covered the entire floor. Let the finish dry two hours before you put floor-mats back on the floor.
Tips
- Apply stripper with a paintbrush in hard to reach areas. Use a water based sealer on truck floors. Once resealed, use a vinyl floor cleanser made for waxed vinyl to keep the floors looking good.
Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Towels
- Bucket
- Ph-neutral soap
- Vinyl floor stripper
- Vinyl floor sealer
- Paint brush
Warnings
- Do not shake the vinyl floor sealer, as it will create bubbles that pop and mark the new finish. Vinyl floor stripper is a harsh chemical; wear gloves and work carefully.
Writer Bio
Dakota Wright is a freelance journalist who enjoys sharing her knowledge with online readers. She has written for a variety of niche sites across the Internet including “Info Barrel and Down Home Basics.” Her recent work can be seen in “Backwoods Home Magazine.”
