Two-Bucket Wash Method

[Draw007]

Underrated and under utilized. ?

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[powerboatr]

i used to use their stuff , handles wash pads etc
but then i found the exact same thing at lowes for 1/2 the price
i kept breaking the suv truck wash pole thing.. then boom i was at lowes and saw the exact handle ??
thier soaps work well although

 

[Davexxxx]

I bough a foam cannon for my power washer last yr.
It doesn't get you out of hand washing if the vehicle has been super neglected but if the finish is otherwise slick, works pretty well.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

2 bucket wash method is outdated. Folks do one wash soap bucket with 5+ separate wash mitts. It is much more convenient than the 2 bucket wash method. This is just my 2 cents..

 

[HammaMan]

I bough a foam cannon for my power washer last yr.
It doesn't get you out of hand washing if the vehicle has been super neglected but if the finish is otherwise slick, works pretty well.

The only thing I've had the foam cannon do is eat a whole bunch of soap. If a pressure washer can't blast it, 5 minutes of suds won't do much good. I wish we had magic soaps.

 

[scott011422]

2 bucket wash method is outdated. Folks do one wash soap bucket with 5+ separate wash mitts. It is much more convenient than the 2 bucket wash method. This is just my 2 cents..

This is what I do. Cross contamination is not possible in this way. I use 4 double sided mitts. But I really think I need 1 more.

 

[scott011422]

The only thing I've had the foam cannon do is eat a whole bunch of soap. If a pressure washer can't blast it, 5 minutes of suds won't do much good. I wish we had magic soaps.

It could loosen up stuck on grime, but the main reason is lubricity. Keeps that paint slick so you don’t scratch it.

 

[powerboatr]

i have found doing the airplane cleaning approach to be pretty good
avoid direct sun until its clean
1 rinse entire truck top to bottom, frame, wheel wells etc
then bottom to top
2 suds up the bad areas and let the suds break up the bugs and dirt
popping sudds is what removes the crud anyway
3 keep truck wet where suds are doing the nasty work
with a mist of water
4 wash mitt with a bit of soap and scrub
5 rinse,
6 rinse
7 rinse till all the soap is gone

repeat #2 for bad spots
then hand wash again if required and rinse till water is clear and no soap is left

yes it takes me about an hr to wash and dry the truck

 

[HammaMan]

It could loosen up stuck on grime, but the main reason is lubricity. Keeps that paint slick so you don’t scratch it.

That's what the soap in the bucket is for. I've found zero benefit to foaming despite trying several times.

 

[Draw007]

i have found doing the airplane cleaning approach to be pretty good
avoid direct sun until its clean
1 rinse entire truck top to bottom, frame, wheel wells etc
then bottom to top
2 suds up the bad areas and let the suds break up the bugs and dirt
popping sudds is what removes the crud anyway
3 keep truck wet where suds are doing the nasty work
with a mist of water
4 wash mitt with a bit of soap and scrub
5 rinse,
6 rinse
7 rinse till all the soap is gone

repeat #2 for bad spots
then hand wash again if required and rinse till water is clear and no soap is left

yes it takes me about an hr to wash and dry the truck

?

 

[scott011422]

i have found doing the airplane cleaning approach to be pretty good
avoid direct sun until its clean
1 rinse entire truck top to bottom, frame, wheel wells etc
then bottom to top
2 suds up the bad areas and let the suds break up the bugs and dirt
popping sudds is what removes the crud anyway
3 keep truck wet where suds are doing the nasty work
with a mist of water
4 wash mitt with a bit of soap and scrub
5 rinse,
6 rinse
7 rinse till all the soap is gone

repeat #2 for bad spots
then hand wash again if required and rinse till water is clear and no soap is left

yes it takes me about an hr to wash and dry the truck

I basically do the same. I add a step after #2. I'll agitate all the emblems, grooves, hard edges ect with a brush. Then I'll do a quick rinse and then re-sud the truck.

I also only use this method occasionally. I try to run the truck through a touchless laser wash every week or so. Its quick and gets the undercarriage too. Once in awhile i'll hit the manual wash first and spray out the door jams and use the scrub brush on the glass to get the scum off. Then drive it through the touchless in the next bay.

Does all of this REALLY matter? I'd like to think it does. Especially if you are keeping your truck for the long haul. I had my 05' F150 for 15 years. Paint had a hard life, Whole truck was scratched from years of washing. Automotive scrub brushes and AutoZone soaps and wash-mits using a two bucket method without grit guards absolutely left their mark.

This is my first new truck and was my chance to start right. Prolly have this truck another 15+ years. Time will tell.

 

[Cb Mw]

Tis the season for us northerns. Was able to give it a nice wash today but not enought time for the full sealant process. Did give it a quick coat of meguiars d156 - my winter maintenence wash drying agent.

Need to get rid of the iron contaminants and give it a couple good coats of collinite 845.


I really dislike washing top. Maybe I can linex it. ?

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

Yeah I feel like my methods are lacking. I typically rinse, put the suds (usually Costcos meguires carnauba OR polymer wash/wax) on a microfiber then lather it in, let dry a little (not completely), then either hand buff or rinse depending on how dirty the vehicle was.

I also tried using CG Jetseal on the mustang and new f150 with great results. It still seems to attract dust and shit just as bad as any other option I've tried, but the beading is really good. I'm mostly concerned about the UV protection.

 

[tbinmd]

ceramic coated my truck, makes cleaning that much easier.

 

[eharri3]

Single biggest time and effort saving change to my routine has been drying with a leaf blower and then just going over it with detail spray and a cloth. Also seems to keep swirls down far more on the last couple vehicles I've been doing it this way.

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