Grit Guard design flaw

theory816

theory816

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2015
Messages
57
Reaction score
0
Hi all. Just got me a grit guard and this is the biggest problem with it:

The Guard sits too low.

This is bad for a couple of reasons:

1.Bad for sponge users. If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle. Not mitts not mf towels or anything of the like. So if im using a sponge and I need to squeeze out the dirt, Im suppose to push my sponge all the way to the bottom and push it against the guard. However, in doing this, youll splosh up the dirt and oil back onto the sponge . If the guard sat closer to the top, you wouldn't have this problem as there's no way for any water currents to be strong enough to disturb the dirt and oil at the bottom.

2. Bad for people who use gloves. I use rubber gloves. I just don't like any chemicals on my hands no matter how safe they are. If im having to put my hands all the way to the bottom in order to clean my sponge, water enters my gloves defeating its purpose.

Solution?

get a pvc pipe, cut 2 cross sections on one end so that the guard can sit higher than halfway in the bucket.
 
I have stacked two grit guards in a bucket. You can use long latex gloves (the ones used for washing dishing) to reduce the chance of getting wash solution in them. They are reusable and more durable many of the nitrile gloves.
 
Buy those buckets where the grit guard doesn't go to the bottom.
 
Take your grit guard to Lowes and try it in their blue buckets--they have a couple of different manufacturers--the one I have only allows the grit guard to go half way down in the bucket.

I would like to see the testing that you or someone has done to back up your statement "If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle. Not mitts not mf towels or anything of the like."

In my years of hand washing cars I found sponges do not release dirt as well as a quality merino wash mitt and the surface of the sponge can drag grit across the surface creating swirls/RIDS. Here's an example of a great wash mitt that is extremely soft, keeps dirt away from the paint and rinses well--
autogeek_2270_232291792
 
Bunky said:
I have stacked two grit guards in a bucket. You can use long latex gloves (the ones used for washing dishing) to reduce the chance of getting wash solution in them. They are reusable and more durable many of the nitrile gloves.
Click to expand...

:dblthumb2:
 
theory816 said:
1.Bad for sponge users. If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle. Not mitts not mf towels or anything of the like. So if im using a sponge and I need to squeeze out the dirt, Im suppose to push my sponge all the way to the bottom and push it against the guard. However, in doing this, youll splosh up the dirt and oil back onto the sponge . If the guard sat closer to the top, you wouldn't have this problem as there's no way for any water currents to be strong enough to disturb the dirt and oil at the bottom.

2. Bad for people who use gloves. I use rubber gloves. I just don't like any chemicals on my hands no matter how safe they are. If im having to put my hands all the way to the bottom in order to clean my sponge, water enters my gloves defeating its purpose.
Click to expand...

Just a couple of comments--I've been using Grit Guards for a long time, over 10 years, and I've never observed a tendency for debris to "splosh" it's way out of the Grit Guard. Sure we talk about it, and plenty of people use and/or recommend two, but heck, I can't even get all the grit out of the bottom by dumping the bucket, I have to take the Grit Guard out and do a rinse with it removed to thoroughly clean the bucket.

Also, as far as overflowing your gloves, some of us use 3.5 gal buckets, which are the same diameter as the 5 gal but shorter, so you can use less water, if that solves the problem.

That being said, the "washboard" idea is overdue from Grit Guard, having been pioneered by the now defunct Dirt Dropper.
 
theory816 said:
If you don't know,
sponges are the best media
for washing your vehicle.

Not mitts not mf towels
or anything of the like.
Click to expand...

I highly disagree with this theory of yours.

theory816 said:
So if im using a sponge
Click to expand...
After being such a staunch sponge supporter
you now have the audacity to go and say:"If"?

Make up your mind! :laughing:


Bob
 
I use grit guards in both my wash and rinse buckets.

I see very small if any amounts of grit/debris in the bottom of my wash bucket. The bulk of any grit/debris will be in the bottom of rinse bucket.
 
theory816 said:
...
If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle. Not mitts not mf towels or anything of the like.
...
Click to expand...

:confused:

ski2 said:
...
I would like to see the testing that you or someone has done to back up your statement "If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle. Not mitts not mf towels or anything of the like."

In my years of hand washing cars I found sponges do not release dirt as well as a quality merino wash mitt and the surface of the sponge can drag grit across the surface creating swirls/RIDS.
...
Click to expand...

:iagree:

I know a lot of people likes sponges but they just give me the creeps. Like ski2, I always use CarPro's Merino mitt or Microfiber Madness' Incredimitt (this later one is less enjoyable but also less work intensive).

Bunky said:
I have stacked two grit guards in a bucket.
...
Click to expand...

:iagree:

This has been the standard solution for years and years.
 
theory816 said:
1.Bad for sponge users. If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle.
Click to expand...

I disagree with that. Sponges are a very good way to damage paint because the dirt gets trapped between the sponge and the paint then rubbed around creating a sand paper effect.

Microfiber mits are the best way I know to clean paint. Followed by thick wool mits.

For the rest of you comments, you don't have to rub the sponge (or mit) againt the grit guard. You simply shake it in the water several times then ring it out. If any dirt is left, repeat.
 
RMM said:
I know a lot of people likes sponges but they just give me the creeps. Like ski2, I always use CarPro's Merino mitt or Microfiber Madness' Incredimitt (this later one is less enjoyable but also less work intensive).
Click to expand...

I know right! I remember watching a Paul Dalton video and he starts washing this super expensive car (I believe it was a Ferrari) with a sponge and my jaw dropped. To be fair, the car was to be fully detailing including a paint correction... but still... ;(
 
theory816 said:
Hi all. Just got me a grit guard and this is the biggest problem with it:

The Guard sits too low.

This is bad for a couple of reasons:

1.Bad for sponge users. If you don't know, sponges are the best media for washing your vehicle. Not mitts not mf towels or anything of the like. So if im using a sponge and I need to squeeze out the dirt, Im suppose to push my sponge all the way to the bottom and push it against the guard. However, in doing this, youll splosh up the dirt and oil back onto the sponge . If the guard sat closer to the top, you wouldn't have this problem as there's no way for any water currents to be strong enough to disturb the dirt and oil at the bottom.
PHP: 
Theory816, is this your theory or fact?
Click to expand...
 
Congrats on the invention, we'd like to see some pics of it.

The Grit Guard is both cunning and baffling. There is so much controversy over it. Basically, the trick is to bring it to the hardware store with you to make sure it fits in the bucket the way you like. If not, try another store.

Then there used to be something years ago like a Grit Guard called a Dirt Dropper. This never caught, and the name always reminded me of the term "panty dropper". IIR, the "Dirt Dropper" was a lot like the new GG debuted at SEMA.
 
The point of the Grit Guard is for the fins to touch the bottom of the bucket. This keeps the water from "swishing" around. If you raise it up and don't extended the fins, then the water can "swish" around.

I'm a sponge user (depending on my mood) and I don't have an issue with using one at the bottom.

I have enough Grit Guards now though (one for rinse, soap, wheels, and one I keep in my rinseless solution bucket) that I run one in my soap bucket and 2 in my rinse.


While sponges are nice and cheap and easy to rinse free of debris,

I still prefer my Microfiber Madness Incredimitt and Incredipad. Otherwise I'll use Meguiar's wash mitts. But I must say that I do enjoy using sponges on occasion.
 
conman1395 said:
The point of the Grit Guard is for the fins to touch the bottom of the bucket. This keeps the water from "swishing" around. If you raise it up and don't extended the fins, then the water can "swish" around.

I'm a sponge user (depending on my mood) and I don't have an issue with using one at the bottom.

I have enough Grit Guards now though (one for rinse, soap, wheels, and one I keep in my rinseless solution bucket) that I run one in my soap bucket and 2 in my rinse.


While sponges are nice and cheap and easy to rinse free of debris,

I still prefer my Microfiber Madness Incredimitt and Incredipad. Otherwise I'll use Meguiar's wash mitts. But I must say that I do enjoy using sponges on occasion.
Click to expand...


... Or the point could be to keep the wash media from falling into the dirties part of the wash solution - the bottom of the bucket. In that case - the higher the Grit Guard the better. This theory could also be used to make the case for why some people stack multiple Grit Gaurds.

See, never has such a round piece of plastic been so cunning, mysterious, and baffling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top