Jeep Gladiator detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the Gladiator

Paint and exterior

Removable doors and top expose painted edges that ordinary washes skip. The flares and front bumper are textured plastic that turns gray, and the bed rails scratch from coolers, kayaks and gear sliding in and out.

Interior

Weather-tolerant cloth or leather, a rubberized dash and floor drain plugs on many trims for rinsing out mud. The rear seat lifts to reveal lockable storage that fills with sand, straps and recovery gear.

Living in Houston

Gladiators that run Bolivar Peninsula beaches or muddy lease roads come home with sand packed into the bed corners and salt drying on the frame. Rinse it all the same day.

• Removable roof panels or soft top: drains and seals are cleaned, and soft tops and vinyl windows get their own cleaner.
• Pickup bed: tell us what the bed carries; spray-in liners clean up well, drop-in liners come out for the rinse.
• Sees dirt roads and lease land: mud is softened and rinsed before any mitt touches the paint, and wheel wells are cleaned out.
• Unpainted textured trim: it fades grey in the sun, so it is cleaned and dressed with a matte UV protectant.
• Rubber floors and drain plugs on some trims: easy to rinse, but the seams still need brushing to get the grit out.