Questions About Car Wash Bucket Kits

still use gold class. solid wash in my opinion. no need to overthink the wash. it's the other steps where it gets fun.
 
You can definitely save some $ by not buying the kit buckets, opting for buckets sold locally. The only suggestions I would make for consideration is look at the thickness of the bucket, it is false economy to buy a cheap bucket where the plastic is so thin that it may crack sooner rather than later and usually when in the middle of a wash. I have not looked at the Walmart buckets mentioned for $3.00 but I have used both Home Depot and Lowe's buckets which are sturdy and they have held up well. Also I like the buckets with a screw on lid, which are common on kit buckets but can be had locally. They offer a stool to sit on as well as a secure way to transport them with their contents whether liquid or supplies should the need to arise. Grit guards are worth the cost and will fit into a standard $5.00 bucket.
 
the bucket i bought in the link above is also transparent with gallon markings on the side. that's helpful and possibly worth the cost depending on what products you're using as well.
 
im gona change my original view..based on the wolfgang bucket kit offer for 49.99

IF you have use for all the stuff in that kit...the kit offers value vs price and u r getting a bucket free.....
 
Toolhead said:
i use homedepot $5 5 gallon buckets and cant see paying anymore for the bucket.

1 orange homer which is the rinse bucket and 1 white which is shampoo bucket..both have grit guards

i have a wash mitt that came with a kit purchased elsewhere..some microfiber wash mitt...i use the long handle mothers tire brush..which reminds me i have a boars hair tire brush i bought at AG which i need to try.

i use mckees car wash which works well...but not sure about that 2 pumps per 5 gallons they market...i use about 4 pumps of their wash for a good sudding volume per 4 gallons
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I use the HD and Lowes buckets but not for detailing. The main reason is that they are a slight bit thinner than the more expensive ones. Don't get me wrong, they are a great value but they do tend to spring leaks, especially if you drop something in them and over-stress the bottom or if you set them down harshly when they are full of water or soap. They are just not really sturdy and subject to stress and strain more than the sturdier ones.

That said, I use "painter" type buckets which are heavier and sturdier (i.e. more expensive) and I don't have problems with them springing leaks. I also prefer the smaller ones (3-gallon) that are the same diameter but just a little shorter.

The detailing buckets sold here are very stout and sturdy and suitable for pros.
 
i think the $5 local buckets work well for most...higher grade is always good if you are happy spending the money for them.
everybody buys differently.

with all that said.....i almost bought the wolfgang bucket kit at AG last night....its a good value kit..but at this time i dont need any of the kitted items... good deal on the wg kit tho (49.99).
 
Unless you have a coating - then you’ll need SiO2 infused buckets. They’re very durable - 9H or Moh or whatever that is. Hard as a pencil.
 
I've had the same Home Cheapo buckets now for 10-12 years. No problems whatsoever.

That being said, I do not (and can't understand why anyone would), slam, smack, or otherwise abuse them. I guess if one decided to do that, then yes, they would fail in short order.

Also, I'm no stranger to bullet-proof buckets. I have several at home from my old job that carried hydraulic fluid originally. I don't use them for detailing, but I am aware of the difference.
 
PaulMys said:
That being said, I do not (and can't understand why anyone would), slam, smack, or otherwise abuse them. I guess if one decided to do that, then yes, they would fail in short order.
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You don’t give your buckets a solid roundhouse kick to move them around the car? What do you do? Pick them up by the handle like a barbarian?


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lovenhim said:
Hello everyone. I have some questions about the car wash buckets kits sold in the online store. The kit would be for me. It would be for the DIY guy and not the pro detailer. My current bucket is a flinsy household buck that might hold two to three gallons. I have a green Walmart fiber-ish wash mitt. My brushes are Mothers and thanks to the folks of this forum I have a very nice Griots drying towel. I am seeking value in the kit, the best bang for the buck. I am not concerned with the best but rather great value. I think I need a nicer wash mitt, quality bucket, and grit guard. If you were going to purchase a kit for a DIY guy, what would you get?
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Go buy some buckets from the hardware/paint store.

I use:

  • 5 gal for wash - When done it becomes my bucket for dirty pads
  • 5 gal for dirty towels - I keep polishing towels separate from pads and others
  • 3 gal for washing wheels - Turns into a dirty towel bucket for my MF Rags used on door jams, wheels, dirty stuff, etc.
  • 1 gal pale for rinseless solution and my drying routine
  • 1 gal pale for my nano mitts/soapy lube when decontaminating

As you can see I keep a variety but they all serve a purpose and many serve a dual purpose when I'm moving from the wash stage to the polishing stage. Of course when I'm all done, I wash them out and keep them as clean as my vehicles :)
 
Finick said:
You don’t give your buckets a solid roundhouse kick to move them around the car? What do you do? Pick them up by the handle like a barbarian?


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:laughing::laughing::laughing: Yup!!!
 
PaulMys said:
I've had the same Home Cheapo buckets now for 10-12 years. No problems whatsoever.

That being said, I do not (and can't understand why anyone would), slam, smack, or otherwise abuse them. I guess if one decided to do that, then yes, they would fail in short order.

Also, I'm no stranger to bullet-proof buckets. I have several at home from my old job that carried hydraulic fluid originally. I don't use them for detailing, but I am aware of the difference.
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I don't beat them up by slamming them but when full (i.e. 30 lb of water in them) it is easy to put a lot of stress and strain on them when you just set them down.

HD/Lowes buckets are 0.70 mil thick.

Higher-quality paint buckets are generally 0.90 mil thick. Any thicker than 0.90 mil is going to be very stout and very heavy.
 
Finick said:
You don’t give your buckets a solid roundhouse kick to move them around the car? What do you do? Pick them up by the handle like a barbarian?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
LOL!!,,I got so mad once I gave to a 2 step soccer kick to a bucket,,,it flipped so fast and landed upside down with all the water still inside,,definately something I could never do twice for sure but it was cool.
 
Route246 said:
I don't beat them up by slamming them but when full (i.e. 30 lb of water in them) it is easy to put a lot of stress and strain on them when you just set them down.

HD/Lowes buckets are 0.70 mil thick.

Higher-quality paint buckets are generally 0.90 mil thick. Any thicker than 0.90 mil is going to be very stout and very heavy.
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Yeah, didn't mean to imply that you did.

And you are right. I can actually feel that my heavy duty buckets weigh more when I pick them up.
 
2 hd buckets .dedicated wash buckets...no issues after 2 yrs.

2 other hd buckets been used and abused for all types of landscaping projects..filled with rocks..paver sand, gravel..garbage etc....filling..dumping etc...7 yrs and no issues
 
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