For the first time ever I did the 2 bucket method of washing my truck and let me say I will NEVER go with a single bucket to wash my truck ever again. I was shocked to see the amount of dirt/grit left in the rinse bucket after I was done. To think that in the past I was simply reapplying this stuff to my truck and possibly even doing bad stuff to my paint.

To those out there still using a single bucket to wash your vehicles give the 2 bucket method a try and see the results for yourself. It'll make you go out and buy a second bucket.

 

yah i tried it a while back, and im hooked too

 

i'll have to try it!

 

I tried it and got hooked as well. It's worth the few minutes it might cost you during a wash. It'll definately save you in the long run.

 

Try one of these if you get a chance. Best thing going to eliminate swirls from grit. Ya just spray it off with the hose nozzle. The dirt never makes it back into the soap bucket. The thing I like most about the ShMitt, it is very, very, ultra soft. And believe me, I was a big fan of the, old school, lambs wool, till I tried one of these. Reason I tried it was, I have black paint, so I figured I didn't have anything to loose except another bucket.

 

A great addition to each of your two buckets is a 'Grit Guard'. These are commonly available from oodles of online retailers. The concept is simple -- and it could probably be home made pretty simplistically as well...

Simply put, it keeps the mitt/sponge/whatever from going to the bottom of the bucket and sweeping up the grit/grime that is resident in the bottom of the bucket. The theory -- one of which I adhere to -- is that the mitt won't pick up that goop and thus, you're less likely to drag it back and forth across your paint inducing swirls/scratches/problems.

Additionally, I should add that you should change the water in one -- if not both -- of your buckets as it becomes dingy.

When water 'looks' dirty -- it is. Suspended solids that will hang around in the water can and will get into your mitt/sponge/dog hair fuzzy dice and will end up on your paint. In the right circumstance, the grit grime in the water can and will damage your paint as well.

In a nutshell, don't expect that only the grime that lands in the bottom of the bucket will be detrimental to your vehicle's finish.

I've changed water in buckets probably 4 or maybe 6 times during a single wash on my truck when I knew I wasn't going to be polishing/detailing after the wash.... Does that qualify as a OCD - yes, it does. But, do I keep my vehicle swirl-free for longer - yes, I do.

 

Two words: Pressure Washer.

I keep a bucket with automotive soap handy for trouble areas however I say the pressure washer does 95% of the work. Just throwing in my 2 cents.

 

What exactley is the 2 bucket method, I think I have a clue but could someone enlighten me.

 

It's basically a method to rid your mitt/sponge of the 'gunk' that it picks up off of your paint to minimize the potential for maring/scratching/etc as the mitt/sponge etc goes across your paint.

It should be noted that the MAJORITY of swirls are induced when washing/drying and or Quik Detailing.

The method is simple... wash a panel, go to bucket #1 (filled with fresh water) and work the 'crud' out of your washing utensil. Then go to your wash solution bucket.

The idea is to keep the majority of your 'gunk' out of your wash solution bucket.

-RP-

 

I use a single 5 gallon bucket but I use a grit guard.

 

Rockpick - Thanks for chiming in on this topic, I truly respect your opinions on care and detailing matters especially since my truck is black and I want to keep it swirlfree for as long as humanly possible. I will be doing a search of some of your other topics for some other hints/tips and then going online to dome some ordering of a few items (i.e. grit guards).

Thanks again.