2-Bucket Wash Technique
 

so whos here uses this technique? is it worth investing on the tools and equipments? thanks for your advice!

I do. Yes its worth investing, helps better avoid swirlmarks.

so you actually follow the process?

rinse..
foam..
wash..
pooling water..
air blower..
etc?

if so any suggestions how to save $$$ on investing on these products/items? where to buy etc?

Find good products and buy the large quantities, many are sold in gallons and wait for sales such as % off all purchases or free shipping since they weigh a lot. autogeek.net you can try

IMO, the two bucket wash methond is the only wash method.

Get the 5 gallon buckets at Home Depot, theyre pretty cheap. Search online for Grit Gaurds. And as previous mentioned, buy your products in bulk. Thats the cheapest way. For example:

A 17oz bottle of Optimum Spray Detailer and Gloss Enhancer is ~$10. A 128oz jug of the concentrated spray detailer is $60. Since its concentrated, you use a 4:1 mixture (water:product). That ends up being 512oz for $60. You'd get 1/5th that amount for the same price if you bought the regular spray bottles.

Ya ive been looking around autogeek.net

Amen to that!

The grit guard is key for the 2 bucket method, also wash top to bottom and i use a seperate microfiber sponge for the lower areas of the car, and always keep the paint wet and soaped up.

black cars are ftw, and then 1 hour later ftl :bonk:

thanks everyone!

I definitely recommend it. You will avoid swirls and have your car sparkling shine, only downside will be when you hit a puddle or something like that and you will be pissed your hard work was for nothing lol.

Ill share with you my process and hope it helps.

-First get your self some good quality soap that produces lots of suds. I recommend chemical guys, Detailers Pro Xtreme, XMT, best over the counter soap i have found is ZYMOL at autozone.

-Get your self a nice microfiber sponge or wash mit auto geek has tons of options

-Leaf Blower or microfiber to dry both work of course the leaf blower will avoid more swirls.

-Two buckets with grit guards, i bought the chemical guys ones but autogeek has some as well.

-Pressure washer and foam cannon are optional but they do a great job in getting the rough stuff loose for ya!

Ok here is my process.

1- I start off by giving the car a light spray of water in the wheels and spray chemical guys diablo wheel cleaner. I let it sit for about 2 mins and then start scrubbing the wheels with the chemical guys gerbil, i like it because you dont only clean the face but you get the inside of the wheel as well. Once all 4 corners are scrubbed i spray the wheels with water again.

2- I pressure wash the car keeping the nozzle at a safe distance and even getting under the car to keep the under carriage clean. I make sure to cover the whole car with enough water so i have no dry spots.

3- I connect my foam cannon to my pressure washer filled with soap, and i spray the whole car since this will create another layer of suds between your wash mitt and your paint.

4- Having foam still on the car i dip my wash mitt into the bucket i have filled with soap and start cleaning it from the top first working my way down to the bottom try cleaning your mitt often by rinsing it in the clean water bucket make sure to scrub your mitt on the grit guard to make sure all the debris stays in the dirty water bucket. Dip in the soap bucket and repeat the process all over the car.

5- I will then rinse the car with clean water and proceed to the drying stage.

6- Leaf blower is the best choice but if not dry it with a microfiber dragging it from once side to the other but not going back and forth try to dry it in one pass and divide your car in sections, always start from the top just in case there is a bit of dirt still in the lower part that could potentially scratch your top body panels which are the most visible. BTW try to try your car inside your garage to avoid any dust particles getting on the paint while you dry it.

7- Make sure to dry your wheels with a separate microfiber.

8-At the end if you want to make it shine some more apply some paint gloss enhancer i recommend the chemical guys one which smells awesome btw.

Here are some pics of my process.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0537.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0536.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0541.jpg


Here are my two buckets i labeled one with a D for Dirty so i dont confuse my self.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0539.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0548.jpg

Foam Cannoned
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0544.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0545.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0554.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...S/IMG_0558.jpg

pcasso for the save!

For me the foam cannon things eliminated my need for the 2 bucket system. Now I just use a foam cannon and a 2 mitt system.


I gotta ask though, why would you leave the tow hook out like that? Are you meeting some racing regulation that states you have to have one in case the safety truck needs to tow you back into the paddock?

i think the tow hook looks cool. why do you use two mitts?

because race car

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11391

When I use my leafblower to dry the car, I always end up with some water spots (b/c of hard water in my area). Anyone have any advice??