Grout Sponge Technique

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spewking

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I am still a newbie when it comes to Rinseless or waterless washes but have picked up on the AG threads about the use of a grout sponge in such.

Can you explain use and technique? I am assuming one pass with sponge and then a rinse in a bucket, perhaps with a grit guard, and then another pass with sponge? I assume you can use different sides of sponge, etc. but is this the basic idea?

Is it better than the MF towel technique? Does the dirt get trapped better with the sponge? Is your experience better with sponge, e.g., less marring?

Thanks.
 
The only time use sponges of any sort is when I am spreading a product onto a surface and want some scrubbing action, like with IronX. For actually trapping the dirt and contaminates from the surface nothing works as well as quality MF. Plus MF can conform to different surfaces and with minimum pressure required, and you have multiple, known, clean sides to use. With a sponge you really only two sides to efficiently work with compared to at least 8 sides with MF.
 
I use the Lowes and Home Depot Grout Sponges and never had a problem. It really keeps from trashing nice microfiber towels plus it saves time on laundry. Here is the technique I use:

.Pre soak the panel with the Rinseless solution in a spray bottle from the bucket
.One pass over the panel , then flip the sponge and make another pass
.Then place the sponge in the rinse bucket against the grit guard
.Place sponge back in the solution and finish the rest of the panel with the clean sponge. Then place the sponge back in the Rinse Bucket
.Then spray the panel with Auqawax and dry with a rung out damp microfiber towel and finish the panel with a dry buffing towel
.Move to the next panel and repeat the process
 
Your best bet is to power wash it first. Then proceed with a RW or WW using a grout type sponge or mf or bone or mitt.

The theory behind the sponge is capturing the dirt safely into the pores and then shedding it with ease into a 2nd bucket of water or using a hose to dislodge the contaminents.
 
Do NOT use a grout sponge with waterless washes!!!! Use ONLY with rinseless washes.
Microfiber towels are the only media fire waterless washes.
 
I've used Lowe's Proline Tile & Grout sponge off and on with my rinseless washes going on 7 winters now. Sponge or MF, always do a pre-rinse when washing with rinseless. I've gotten by with a hose nozzle aimed 2 or 3 feet away from vehicle (so that more force hits the panel) but might get a power washer next year.

If the panel is not that filthy (say, the top-half of verticals), I'll use one sweep across, flip the sponge, then sweep again the other way just a bit lower. Very little pressure. Then dip the sponge in the rinse bucket that has a double layer of grit guards. Alternately rub and squeeze the sponge on the grit guard, both sides. Take it out of the rinse bucket and do a final squeeze, or wring it if you must. Then dip it in the bucket of rinseless solution and do the rest of the panel this way. When I've completed my multiple "section" passes across the panel, I'll do one final pass on the whole panel before drying with a WW towel. Then use a 2nd WW towel for a final dry pass.

If the panel is filthy, say the lower half of verticals, I interrupt my sweep half-way, or even 1/3 of the way (depends on how dirty), and flip.

The Lowe's sponge sheds dirt so easily it comes up clean as a whistle. It will change color if you're using ONR, turning from bright yellow when new, to a dull light orange after a few uses. The discoloration does not affect its effectiveness though - just looks old.
 
Blade said:
I've used Lowe's Proline Tile & Grout sponge off and on with my rinseless washes going on 7 winters now. Sponge or MF, always do a pre-rinse when washing with rinseless. I've gotten by with a hose nozzle aimed 2 or 3 feet away from vehicle (so that more force hits the panel) but might get a power washer next year.

If the panel is not that filthy (say, the top-half of verticals), I'll use one sweep across, flip the sponge, then sweep again the other way just a bit lower. Very little pressure. Then dip the sponge in the rinse bucket that has a double layer of grit guards. Alternately rub and squeeze the sponge on the grit guard, both sides. Take it out of the rinse bucket and do a final squeeze, or wring it if you must. Then dip it in the bucket of rinseless solution and do the rest of the panel this way. When I've completed my multiple "section" passes across the panel, I'll do one final pass on the whole panel before drying with a WW towel. Then use a 2nd WW towel for a final dry pass.

If the panel is filthy, say the lower half of verticals, I interrupt my sweep half-way, or even 1/3 of the way (depends on how dirty), and flip.

The Lowe's sponge sheds dirt so easily it comes up clean as a whistle. It will change color if you're using ONR, turning from bright yellow when new, to a dull light orange after a few uses. The discoloration does not affect its effectiveness though - just looks old.
Click to expand...

ftmfw!
 
Blade said:
I've used Lowe's Proline Tile & Grout sponge off and on with my rinseless washes going on 7 winters now. Sponge or MF, always do a pre-rinse when washing with rinseless. I've gotten by with a hose nozzle aimed 2 or 3 feet away from vehicle (so that more force hits the panel) but might get a power washer next year.

If the panel is not that filthy (say, the top-half of verticals), I'll use one sweep across, flip the sponge, then sweep again the other way just a bit lower. Very little pressure. Then dip the sponge in the rinse bucket that has a double layer of grit guards. Alternately rub and squeeze the sponge on the grit guard, both sides. Take it out of the rinse bucket and do a final squeeze, or wring it if you must. Then dip it in the bucket of rinseless solution and do the rest of the panel this way. When I've completed my multiple "section" passes across the panel, I'll do one final pass on the whole panel before drying with a WW towel. Then use a 2nd WW towel for a final dry pass.

If the panel is filthy, say the lower half of verticals, I interrupt my sweep half-way, or even 1/3 of the way (depends on how dirty), and flip.

The Lowe's sponge sheds dirt so easily it comes up clean as a whistle. It will change color if you're using ONR, turning from bright yellow when new, to a dull light orange after a few uses. The discoloration does not affect its effectiveness though - just looks old.
Click to expand...
Just curious, how many gallons of rinseless wash do you use per car with this method?
 
Real Riders said:
.One pass over the panel , then flip the sponge and make another pass
Click to expand...

You use one side of the sponge to wipe an entire door or fender?

That would destroy the black paint on my car

Are these cars just dusty?
 
conman1395 said:
Just curious, how many gallons of rinseless wash do you use per car with this method?
Click to expand...
I just washed my van yesterday. I used up a little over 3 gallons of rinseless wash but mixed in 2oz of ONR (so a tiny bit on the strong side). Does not include wheels and tires since I clean them with OPC. On my wife's car, about 2 gallons suffice. Home Depot sells 2gal buckets and these are perfect for small cars with either 2BM or GDWM.

Forgot to say, when I stop a sweep, I lift the leading edge of the sponge a fraction to resume, borrowing the technique of rolling the towel. Takes a little practice. I also presoak the lower panels almost all the time.
 
make sure you get the food grade buckets.

The regular buckets won't fit the grit guards
 
Real Riders said:
Will the Home Depot 2 gallon buckets fit a Grit Guard?
Click to expand...
Oh no, this is a small bucket found in the Paint Section. I only use this when I need no more than a 2 gallon solution, such as for doing a rinseless GDWM or rinseless 2BM on a small car. Grit guards should fit regular 5 gallon buckets, at least the ones I've seen.
 
I have always wondered about the Grout sponge. Really just how to use it. Will pick some up next time I am out.
 
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