Tried the two bucket wash method but feel like I failed miserably..

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AliMusa

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I filled up each bucket with about a gallon of water, a little higher than the grit guards. I wasn't sure whether or not they had to be filled to the top and I was afraid of wasting soap if I filled the whole 5 gallon bucket up with water and the proper amount of soap, which I believe is 5 oz. Is there a proper amount to use for a typical car wash? And is there an easy way to measure the correct amount every time?

After beginning to wash the car, the soap would fill up the rinse bucket eventually until it looked exactly the same as the wash bucket. Is it because I didn't fill it up to the top with water?

Also, when rubbing the wash mitt against the grit guard, it didn't seem to be working as well as I thought it would. I'd rub it for about 10 seconds and would find that there was still some dirt of some sort on it. Is this also because of the lack of water?

Finally, after completely soaping up the car with the wash mitt, I tried the sheeting method but also failed miserably at that. The car was still soaked and by the time I got around to drying the entire car, it eventually started to dry and leave water marks. Are there any tips to help with the sheeting method? Also, is it better to wash a car, sheet and dry by panel? Or is it better to do it all at once?

TL;DR

1. Should I be using 5 gallons of water with 5oz of soap? Or can I use less?
2. Is there an easy way to measure gallons and oz?
3. Why did my rinse bucket fill up with foam/soap? Is it because I didn't fill it to the top with water?
4. The grit guard didn't seem to work with my wash mitt, is this also because the bucket wasn't filled to the top?
5. Are there any sheeting tips & is it better to wash, sheet and dry by panel or all at once?

Hope you guys are able to help me out!
 
Okay. Fill the buckets up to about 2 to 3 inches from being full of water. Follow the directions the soap says on the bottle. Usually its one ounce per gallon of water. to wash dunk your wash media into the saop. the do one or two swipes then go to rise bucket and grind it against grit guard then wring it out then go back to wash bucket and put soap on car. I find the sheeting method to be ok on a car that has been propperly waxed and polished but if you dont have any of that on it it is a little hard to pool. Get yourself a good drying tool like a absorber ( lots of people will not agree with that) but if you wash your car really well and dont miss spots you will not scratch it. you can try doing it panel by panel but if you wash your car in the shade or when the sun is going down and its cool out you will be ok.
 
Are you using soap in your rinse bucket as well? The rinse bucket should be just plain water. It takes about a gallon to reach the top of the grit guard, I think you want at least 2-3 gallons in your rinse bucket, and yes, it will foam up in there if you are using a good foamy soap.

I usually use a foam gun so I don't have a wash bucket, but if I was using a wash bucket I'm not sure I would use a grit guard because you can't get to the last gallon of wash. If you want to use the GG in your wash bucket I'd want 2-3 gallons of wash in there.

Is there an easy way to measure? Yes, you can get buckets that have markings on them and you can get measuring cups/spoons to measure the soap. Some of them are sold here along with bottle pumps and proportioners.

Sometimes your wash media will get dirty/stained and it won't come out when you rub it against the grit guard. The most important thing is that you get the grit or any twigs or that kind of thing out of it.

You've got to keep the car wet while you're washing if you want to avoid water spots. You've got to go back and re-rinse the sections you've done before the water dries.
 
sharpreflection said:
Okay. Fill the buckets up to about 2 to 3 inches from being full of water. Follow the directions the soap says on the bottle. Usually its one ounce per gallon of water. to wash dunk your wash media into the saop. the do one or two swipes then go to rise bucket and grind it against grit guard then wring it out then go back to wash bucket and put soap on car. I find the sheeting method to be ok on a car that has been propperly waxed and polished but if you dont have any of that on it it is a little hard to pool. Get yourself a good drying tool like a absorber ( lots of people will not agree with that) but if you wash your car really well and dont miss spots you will not scratch it. you can try doing it panel by panel but if you wash your car in the shade or when the sun is going down and its cool out you will be ok.
Click to expand...

I actually have the absorber. Should I dry using patting or dry normally? Also, should I wash it in the washing machine after every use?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Are you using soap in your rinse bucket as well? The rinse bucket should be just plain water. It takes about a gallon to reach the top of the grit guard, I think you want at least 2-3 gallons in your rinse bucket, and yes, it will foam up in there if you are using a good foamy soap.

I usually use a foam gun so I don't have a wash bucket, but if I was using a wash bucket I'm not sure I would use a grit guard because you can't get to the last gallon of wash. If you want to use the GG in your wash bucket I'd want 2-3 gallons of wash in there.

Is there an easy way to measure? Yes, you can get buckets that have markings on them and you can get measuring cups/spoons to measure the soap. Some of them are sold here along with bottle pumps and proportioners.

Sometimes your wash media will get dirty/stained and it won't come out when you rub it against the grit guard. The most important thing is that you get the grit or any twigs or that kind of thing out of it.

You've got to keep the car wet while you're washing if you want to avoid water spots. You've got to go back and re-rinse the sections you've done before the water dries.
Click to expand...


No, in the rinse bucket is only water. I use a foam lance and a bucket with soap and water. I don't know if that's overkill or not but I figure better safe than sorry.
 
Sheeting method is useless if your car doesn't bead water well, or o I've found out on some cars
 
BlackHawk said:
Sheeting method is useless if your car doesn't bead water well, or o I've found out on some cars
Click to expand...

This is probably why I was having such a tough time with it. I've never waxed my car, lol.
 
Take a gallon jug and fill with water X 3, 4 etc. and mark some graduations with a Sharpie and you'll get the dilution right every time (add the soap last after the water)

IMG_3772.jpg
 
I have a small 5oz jug which, as above, is marked with a texta in 1oz increments, as are my wash buckets (in 1 gallon increments.)
This way I fill the bucket to the second texta line, the jug to the second texta line & I know my ratio is good...
As mentioned you need to add the soap at the end so you can see the lines. I add the soap then foam up the bucket with my pressure washer by putting the lance underwater.

Regarding the amount of water used, I generally use 2 gallons of wash water & have maybe 3-4 gallons in my rinse bucket.
This is for a mid-size sedan (94' BMW 5 series)
To me any more seems wasteful unless you're washing a very large car or a truck...
However I don't currently use a grit guard so I can get to the full 2 gallons. You may need 3 as you are really losing one gallon due to the space taken up by the grit guard.

Regarding your rinse bucket foaming, that will happen.
I found that wringing the mitt between the car & rinse bucket helped &/or you could also add an oz of ONR to your rinse bucket as this seems to reduce foam a bit.
 
RedXray said:
Take a gallon jug and fill with water X 3, 4 etc. and mark some graduations with a Sharpie and you'll get the dilution right every time (add the soap last after the water)

IMG_3772.jpg
Click to expand...

neat e34 said:
I have a small 5oz jug which, as above, is marked with a texta in 1oz increments, as are my wash buckets (in 1 gallon increments.)
This way I fill the bucket to the second texta line, the jug to the second texta line & I know my ratio is good...
As mentioned you need to add the soap at the end so you can see the lines. I add the soap then foam up the bucket with my pressure washer by putting the lance underwater.

Regarding the amount of water used, I generally use 2 gallons of wash water & have maybe 3-4 gallons in my rinse bucket.
This is for a mid-size sedan (94' BMW 5 series)
To me any more seems wasteful unless you're washing a very large car or a truck...
However I don't currently use a grit guard so I can get to the full 2 gallons. You may need 3 as you are really losing one gallon due to the space taken up by the grit guard.

Regarding your rinse bucket foaming, that will happen.
I found that wringing the mitt between the car & rinse bucket helped &/or you could also add an oz of ONR to your rinse bucket as this seems to reduce foam a bit.
Click to expand...


Solid Tips. :xyxthumbs:
 
If you don't wish to fill up your wash bucket to at least 3 gallons then you can, if your vehicle isn't very soiled, get away from using a GG in your wash bucket so you can access easily your solution using 1-2 gallons. You will definitely need it in your rinse bucket though and make sure to agitate your mitt thoroughly before dunking it in the wash bucket.

To help control foam in your rinse bucket, wring out your mitt before putting it in the rinse bucket. You will still get foam in it but it will reduce it some. I fill up my rinse bucket using 4-4 1/2 gallons of water and scoop out the foam with my hand if it gets too foamy. It should be easy to scoop out as it will be sitting right on top of the bucket.
 
I fill my rinse bucket with 3 gallons, no grit guard as my cars don't get terribly dirty and I rinse after every panel. Then I fill my soap bucket with 1 gallon, add 3oz of soap, then put another 2 gallons in the soap bucket. Nice and frothy!
 
Simple:

1 oz rinseless wash to 2 gallons of water in one bucket

And then....

2 gallons of water in the other bucket to rinse your wash mit or grout sponge

One section at a time, wipe off the dirt and dry and repeat all the way around the ride and then your done!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
RedXray said:
Take a gallon jug and fill with water X 3, 4 etc. and mark some graduations with a Sharpie and you'll get the dilution right every time (add the soap last after the water)

IMG_3772.jpg
Click to expand...

This is an excellent idea. I don't know why I've never thought of this.
 
Klasse Act said:
Simple:

1 oz rinseless wash to 2 gallons of water in one bucket

And then....

2 gallons of water in the other bucket to rinse your wash mit or grout sponge

One section at a time, wipe off the dirt and dry and repeat all the way around the ride and then your done!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

This sounds like the rinseless wash ...not the 2 buck method that
Alimusa is asking about.. Just saying.
 
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