I've been washing my car all wrong all these years.

[jmykel86]

You don't need their whole setup. You can buy 2 5 gallon buckets at Lowe's for under $10, a couple of Grit Guards for $25 or so w/shipping, a nice lamb's wool mitt for $10, and another $5-10 for your favorite car wash concentrate, and you're good to go. I'd say $50-60 for the peace of mind of knowing that you're not putting scratches and swirls in your paint is a small price to pay.

That $130 you talked about is for their overpriced buckets with the dollys, lids, and seats. All of that is nice, but you don't need it all to protect your paint.

couldn't say it any better myself.

 

[MarcZ28]

I never wash my car, water is the enemy. I have had my car done for close to 6 years and have never washed it with a water hose. I keep the car covered, when I get it out I dust it off and either use a spray bottle with water in it or a quick detailer and a cloth diaper or terry cloth to wipe it down. I figured I spent enough time and money removing all of the cancer and replacing it with new metal so why give it another oportunity.

id be way to afraid to scratch it up!!!!!

but I guess rust is worse...

 

[RSA'81Berlinetta]

Costs and arm and a leg
No pun intended

 

[glanceAta]

o wow...thanks for the tip

 

[chevyJeff1]

Hmmm....I see that as a waste of $$. heavy sediments are going to sink to the bottom with or without the strainer. Seems like all it does is prevent some who doesnt know better to wipe the rag on the bottom of the bucket.

Yep...After washing cars for 25 years I don't think my cloth or sponge ever once hit bottom. Just ' dip ' in gently so any sediment doesn't get kicked up.

 

[Red 69]

Yep...After washing cars for 25 years I don't think my cloth or sponge ever once hit bottom. Just ' dip ' in gently so any sediment doesn't get kicked up.

Same here, my wash cloth is never thrown into the bucket and only wet with the non wax cutting suds at the top. If you need a grit guard, why not buy a $1 colander and drop it inverted into your wash pail. Another solution is to buy a $1 plastic wash pail, cut it to the desired depth and drill some holes in the bottom and invert into your wash bucket? These are cheap solution options to the grit guard and save $$$ for speed equipment.

 

[Procharmo]

I never wash my car, water is the enemy. I have had my car done for close to 6 years and have never washed it with a water hose. I keep the car covered, when I get it out I dust it off and either use a spray bottle with water in it or a quick detailer and a cloth diaper or terry cloth to wipe it down. I figured I spent enough time and money removing all of the cancer and replacing it with new metal so why give it another oportunity.

Same here. Good body work is difficult to get done in the UK. So after painting it in '93 I have very rarely got it wet other than getting caught in rain.

Water and heat/sun are the enemy when it comes to rust and paint fade...

 

[73Camaro383]

Mr. clean car wash system is the best. all you need is a hose and a good mitt. Mr clean does the rest and doesnt spot. no towel necessary.

 

[BondoSpecial]

2 bucket method, one soap, one water, after every pass you wash the mitt. It does not sit in soap, it does not sit in grit.

 

[Twilight Cruiser]

I don't get how to clean your car without first hosing off all kinds of dust, sand, flies ect. When driving the car gets dirty sometimes. With some bad luck it will rain, with who knows what in it landing on your car.
How to clean that with only a quick detailer and microfiber rag without scratching the precious paint?!