Best car washing buckets according to redditors

We found 26 Reddit comments discussing the best car washing buckets. We ranked the 7 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.

1. The Grit Guard Insert (Red) - Fits 12 inch Diameter Bucket

13 mentions
The Grit Guard Insert (Red) - Fits 12 inch Diameter Bucket
Grit Guard is 2 1/2 inches tallDiameter is 10 3/8 inchesA Grit Guard insert fits a 12 inch diameter bucket.The Grit Guard Insert - Red
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2. Chemical Guys Acc_101 Detailing Bucket Kit (5 Items)

4 mentions
Chemical Guys Acc_101 Detailing Bucket Kit (5 Items)
Heavy-duty 4-1/4 gallon detail bucket with (gamma seal built into the lid) spin-off topCitrus car wash - ultra premium citrus wash and gloss; 16 ouncesGrit Guard - clean water in your bucket1 wash pad - scratch-free wash pad
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3. GRIT GUARD - The Original Grit Guard Insert Separates Grit From the Mitt (WHITE)

2 mentions
GRIT GUARD - The Original Grit Guard Insert Separates Grit From the Mitt (WHITE)
SEPARATES THE GRIT FROM THE MITT: The Grit Guard Insert fits in the bottom of your wash bucket and acts as a filter trap, removing dirt, minerals, grit, and grime from the cleaning mitt.RADIAL SURFACE DESIGN: Brush your mitt against the surface of the Grit Guard to extract harmful dirt, mud, and dus...
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4. GRIT GUARD - The Original Grit Guard Insert Separates Grit From the Mitt (BLUE, 2 PACK)

2 mentions
GRIT GUARD - The Original Grit Guard Insert Separates Grit From the Mitt (BLUE, 2 PACK)
Grit Guard is 2 1/2 inches tallDiameter is 10 3/8 inchesA Grit Guard insert fits a 12 inch diameter bucketBluePack of 2
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5. GRIT GUARD - The Original Grit Guard Insert With Washboard Combo Pack (BLACK, RED)

1 mention
GRIT GUARD - The Original Grit Guard Insert With Washboard Combo Pack (BLACK, RED)
The Grit Guard Insert fits in the bottom of your wash bucket and separates the grit from the mitt!It extracts particles such as dirt, grit and grime from your wash mitt, providing a clean, scratch-free wash mitt every time you go back to the bucket for water.The Grit Guard insert fits a 12 inch diam...
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6. Chemical Guys Cyclone Dirt Trap Car Wash Bucket Insert Car Wash Filter Removes Dirt and Debris While You Wash (Blue)

1 mention
Chemical Guys Cyclone Dirt Trap Car Wash Bucket Insert Car Wash Filter Removes Dirt and Debris While You Wash (Blue)
The Cyclone Dirt Trap Bucket Insert eliminates wash swirls and scratches with Cyclone Dirt-Trap TechnologyKeeps dirt and debris trapped under the Dirt Trap Cyclones to reduce scratches, swirls, and paint damage during washingNearly 300 geometrically positioned dirt trap cyclones deliver the perfect ...
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7. Carrand 94102 Car Wash Bucket (3 Gallon Capacity)

1 mention
Carrand 94102 Car Wash Bucket (3 Gallon Capacity)
Made from heavy duty chemical resistant plasticIntegrated washboard for tool cleaningErgonomic grip offers comfortable handlingWide mouth design conveniently allows for large brush headsHolds up to three gallons
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Top Reddit comments about Car Washing Buckets:

u/orlheadlights · 9 pointsr/AutoDetailing

Sure! The two bucket method helps reduce the chance of putting swirls into your paint.

The most common configuration is 2 - 5 gallon buckets with grit guards in the bottom of both of them.

You would use 1 bucket with just plain water for rinsing your wash mitt and the 2nd bucket would be water with soap. You will start by dunking your mitt into the soap bucket, wash a panel on your car, dunk your mitt into the rinse bucket, scrub your mitt against the grit guard, squeeze out any water, and then move back to your soap bucket. Repeat until the car is squeaky clean and swirl-less :)

u/anewatrophy · 9 pointsr/AutoDetailing

If you are planning to detail for the long term, I'd suggest investing in some bulk / concentrated products rather than the consumer-grade & Ultimate Meguiar's line.

I've tried to break down the supplies I'd suggest. Of course, don't just throw out your existing supplies. Use them up and then get the concentrates / bulk.

Note: There's no need to get everything in this list. Just get what you need. There's also cheaper alternatives to several of the products, and probably cheaper sites than those in my links. Some of the products I use because I want to support the manufacturer and/or because I trust the manufacturer. Use what you like and use it often. :)

 

Dust, light bug gut, and light bird bomb removal / lube

u/pbs094 · 6 pointsr/AutoDetailing

Rag Company Starter Kit - $30 - Includes wash mitt and other assorted towels needed to get started.

2 buckets from Home Depot - $6

2 Grit Guards - $18

Megs Gold Class Soap - $9

Megs Gold Class Carnauba - $11

einszett Cockpit Premium - $10

Stoner Invisible Glass Cleaner - $4

Chemical Guy's APC - $10

Optibond Tire Gel - $11


Grand Total of $109

There are obviously some nicer products you could get, but this is a great start for a beginner I think.

u/terroristteddy · 5 pointsr/cars

You can't clear up a solid 2-4 hours to clean your car?

Honestly, some good car soap/shampoo, a bucket/grit gaurd, some good wax, and few cans of engine degreaser should be all you need to look pretty good.

I'd recommend this, this, and these to get started.

After you get the engine clean, and the outside cleaned and waxed, just vacuum out the inside and clean up any dust, grit, or dirt you might see. This should all take about 4 hours if you take your time.

u/jauntworthy · 4 pointsr/AutoDetailing

I've always struggled to keep my vehicles clean because 1) they were always old, 2) I've lived in condos, 3) car washes did a terrible job / detailers charged too much, and 4) I didn't realize you could do all of this yourself pretty effectively.


When I bought a new truck at the beginnging of the year, I randomly stumbled upon an Ammo NYC video and the nerd / clean-freak was intrigued. A couple dozen videos later, and I was hooked. Shout out to Larry for your passion - thank you for the insane amount of information on your channel. (Wish I could afford all of your products, or that you had some of them on Amazon!).

Living in a condo, I have to swing by my local coin wash and take up a bay with a few buckets during off-peak hours, but I've gotten it down to 1.5 hours and looking like this every time.

I've only been doing this for a few months, but thought I'd share the products I've researched and selected based on reviews and costs. Hope this helps save someone time!

TOOLS

  • McGuire-Nicholas 22015 15-Inch Collapsible Tote - https://amzn.to/2HXGsvd - I love this thing. Handle is sturdy and holds every chemical I need.
  • Relentless Drive Ultimate Car Wash Mitt - https://amzn.to/2KJC7td - Great mitt and would strongly recommend it. I've only used the mitt for a few washes so I can't comment on durability, but if I had to guess I think it's going to hold up. My only complaint is that it's so voluminous that it's difficult to rinse / wring out the dirt when using the two-bucket method. Not a big enough problem to look for another mitt, though.

    BUCKETS

  • Chemical Guys ACC_101 Detailing Bucket Kit - https://amzn.to/2KJb552 - a good starter bucket, but it's worth calling out how much of this stuff is BS marketing: the bucket is only 4 gallons, the gamma lid can be bought for cheaper on amazon, the citrus gloss is OK, and the wash mitt is worthless / isn't going to hold up. I barely used the mitt once and fuzz falls off constantly when handling.
  • Adam's Grit Guard Wash Bucket with Lid - https://amzn.to/2IoSflo - Better value than chemical guys, but the bucket is just a regular bucket ($4 at Home Depot) and the gamma lid can be purchased for $10-15 on Amazon. I'm not convinced grit guards are worth it, but more on that later.
  • Grit Guard Washboard Bucket Insert - https://amzn.to/2HW4juZ - the product is well made and does what it's intended to do, but I'm skeptical of its value. Yes, rubbing your mitt on a washboard would intuitively get dirt to fall off, but is it actually more effective than using your hands (which you do anyway to wring out the mitt)? And I'm not buying that the fins "trap dirt." Anybody who looks at their rinse bucket while washing wheels for example can plainly see the water's black. Dirt's floating everywhere.


    CHEMICALS

  • Mothers 08216 California Gold Instant Detailer - https://amzn.to/2KJ2f7t - this stuff has done a pretty good job for quick wipe-downs, spot cleans, etc.
  • Griot's Garage 11108 Window Cleaner - https://amzn.to/2Iq5CSF - The spray bottle itself is awesome and works really well. The solution also seems to work well, though I've only ever used it after washing the truck and so I'm not sure how much it helps.
  • Meguiar's G3626 Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax - https://amzn.to/2jFg3DJ - I used this a few times with the microfiber directional pass method after some serious pollen clouds invaded Austin, and it worked surprisingly well. Ran through 3-4 towels to do my entire truck, then spot-cleaned with an instant detailer. Even though wheel wells and a few pieces were still dirty, it was a huge improvement without the hassle of a full wash. Will definitely be using this as my in-between wash method.
  • Chemical Guys V7 High Gloss Spray Sealant and Quick Detailer - https://amzn.to/2HXiQ9R - I'm new to detailing, but this stuff is probably the most impressive chemical of everything I've used. The combination of a damp microfiber + V7 produces the result everyone thinks about when they think about car washes: a clean car with no streaks or water spots. Wringing out my microfiber towel can get old, but the end result is just awesome.
  • Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss - https://amzn.to/2I1knvx - I don't have the luxury of a frother right now, but from simply adding some in a bucket and using a power washer to generate suds, I get decent foam and the soap seems to work well. That said, it's not earth-shattering and I will probably try other washes when I run out.


    INTERIOR

  • Mothers 06512 All-In-One Leather Care - https://amzn.to/2IlawAg - This stuff works great and smells even better.


    WHEELS

  • Adam's Deep Wheel Cleaner - https://amzn.to/2K09l6f - The spray bottle is terribly difficult to press and I always end up using way more than I want. I'm not confident I need to use this instead of just using soap. Maybe it's for exceptionally dirty cars or those with tons of brake dust, but I'm rarely in either camp so I may not buy some more after I run out.
  • Adam's Hex-Grip Pro Tire Dressing Applicator - https://amzn.to/2HYtb5y - Works well and easy to handle.
  • Mothers Wheel Brush - https://amzn.to/2K0Ky1Y - really like how easy this is to handle and how soft the bristles are. Highly recommended.
  • Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel - https://amzn.to/2KJsxGP - This is a good low-gloss gel, though I need to try additional coats to see if I can get those tire shinier.
  • ABN Car Wheel Rim Cleaning 3-Piece Kit - https://amzn.to/2KFgSIR - Yes the big woolie has good reach and allows you to clean the inside of your rims effectively, but the handle is annoyingly difficult to hold after it becomes saturated / heavy to hold.


    TOWELS

  • Chemical Guys Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towels, Gold - https://amzn.to/2HY8Q0a - these things are outsidanding and are a great value. Definitely watch Larry's video on microfiber care, which fixed all of my annoyances with microfibers accruing fuzz in the dryer.
  • THE RAG COMPANY EAGLE EDGELESS 500 Korean 70/30 Super Plush 500gsm Microfiber Detailing Towels - https://amzn.to/2HYVmky - very high plush and high quality, though I end up using the Chemical Guys towels more often and save these for random spot details. Probably not ideal.
  • THE RAG COMPANY Premium Window, Glass, Mirror & Chrome Korean 70/30 Microfiber - https://amzn.to/2rrveVg - work great for cleaning windows and mirrors.
  • Nylon Laundry Bag - https://amzn.to/2rtYOcP - I have one bag for clean and one for dirty. Has done a great job of keeping dust off the rags during storage.
u/creep_nu · 4 pointsr/subaru

honestly, i wouldn't get either of those. yeah they're both good, but you really don't need all of that.

what i use:

griot's garage clay

meguairs soap

mothers cleaner wax

nu finish

and of course a (or a couple) 5 gallon buckets with a grit guard , which is completely not necessary, but highly recommended by professional detailers. i don't use one, and my car comes out fine. and a good, soft wash mitt. either a good sponge or a wheel brush for your wheels would be needed as well.

my once a year routine is as follows:

wash, claybar, nu polish, cleaner wax

usually wash every 2 weeks or so, and rewax every 6 weeks or so. if i did a bunch of off roading and the paint is gritty i'll clay as needed, but usually it's once a year.

also head over to /r/autodetailing for a lot of tips. beware though that they use a lot of very high end products, and circle jerk over polishing and getting perfect reflections. if all you're looking to do is keeping your paint in good condition, then what i do is just fine. if you're interested in keeping your paint better than factory, follow them.

u/gtlcvbagus · 3 pointsr/newsokunomoral

今まで海外から買ったものって…

  • 本 (東南アジアにいた頃アメリカのAmazonから)
  • CD
  • BD, DVD (ジブリ)　← 安い & 日本語トラックは当然あり
  • ナイフ

    他にあったかな

    今ならGoogle純正のスマホ + Copperhead OSとかだろうか
    https://copperhead.co/android/store
    …これはこのストアからしか買えなかった

    アメリカで激安の製品が日本の『並行輸入品』になるとバカ高くなっていることが極めて多いので、そういうもの（電気製品、クルマ用品など）があればお買い得

    例

  • 洗車アイテム5点セット
    Amazon.com: $39.99
    Amazon.co.jp: ¥18,714

  • 紙やすり（ベルトサンダー）を使った刃物研ぎ機
    Amazon.com: $129.95
    Amazon.co.jp: ¥26,020

    なお、アメリカの家電は120V前提なので、100V対応しているIT機器などでなければ変圧器が必要
    その場合は容量も確認すること
    旅行用の小さなトランスでは最大出力60W程度だったりする
    1KW以上の大容量が必要なら200V→120Vへ変換したほうがいいかも
u/thisonewillsurelybef · 3 pointsr/ft86

Let's start by saying car covers are a pain in the ass for daily use, the car has to be perfectly clean to prevent it from scratching and it just doesn't work that way unless the car is washed every couple of days.

Instead I'd just wash 1 or 2 times a week, and get a gallon-size of Meguiar's spray wax and Last Touch, because you know you'll be in a constant battle against certain elements, might as well stock up (and you save like 50% just buying in bulk this way). In fact I recommend checking out their entire detailer line because you're going to go through a lot of soaps, waxes, etc. Their gallon of shampoo plus for $20 is a great start. And you can find deals like 3-packs of their supreme shine towels for $6 as an amazon add-on item if you're a prime customer.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D11101-Shampoo-Plus-Gallon/dp/B000EZICII

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X3002-Microfiber-Wash-Mitt/dp/B000RXKR6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485457672&sr=1-1&keywords=meguiar%27s+microfiber+mitt

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D15601-Synthetic-X-Press-Spray/dp/B005JPJMI2

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D15501-Touch-Spray-Detailer/dp/B0006SH4NC/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485453717&sr=1-1&keywords=last+touch

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D12001-Glass-Cleaner-Concentrate/dp/B0006SH4KU/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485457691&sr=1-4&keywords=meguiar%27s+glass+cleaner

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Supreme-Shine-Microfiber-Cloths/dp/B0009IQZH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485455013&sr=1-2&keywords=supreme+shine

I just buy all their gallon sized stuff and then reuse my old bottles of spray wax, detailers spray, glass cleaner, wheel bottles, etc. Saves me lots of money, like the difference between $100 now or a couple hundred by next year. For instance their gallon size of glass cleaner is probably enough to set you straight on that for a few years, dilutes 10-1 with distilled water. That's 10 gallons of glass cleaner, put that in an old windex bottle and never run out!

Also the Chemical Guy's bucket kit https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-ACC_101-Detailing-Bucket/dp/B001U522GO was a pretty amazing deal and necessary if you're going to use coin-wash bays. However the mitt included is a bit rough, so instead I use a meguiar's microfiber mitt as its the softest I've found so far. The paint on this car is very soft so it's important to use the softest products possible on the paint.

An Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool has worked out great for cleaning the interior glass and keeping it from fogging up. Great item to have. https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Glass-Reach-Clean-95161/dp/B0017K69MA

And a bird poop tip, keep a plastic container with microfibers, a bottle of water, and a bottle of last touch / spray wax mix in the trunk or behind passenger seat. If a bird hits the car, just soak microfiber with water, apply for 30 seconds, and then clean with the detailer spray / spray wax.

To prevent corrosion, you're going to want to clean deep into the wheel wells and stuff with dedicated brushes and mitts, and then use an anti corrosion product (I ordered some ACF-50 spray recently, getting it in the mail today probably) https://www.amazon.com/Lear-Chemical-ACF50-Anti-Corrosion-Lubricant/dp/B000P1C8UO . You're going to want to check crevices for salt buildup, it can happen on some of the window trim parts, so it might be necessary to remove them and clean them out if it starts to rust underneath. You might want to use dabs of silicone stuff to prevent water and salt from corroding these spots. There are a few posts about corrosion of FT86club forums so read up on them. Also your cabin air filter, leaves and bugs like to get in your cabin air filter and make things nasty. You can easily check / service this yourself, its behind the glove box.


For maintenance, I would NOT go past 5000 miles on an oil change, and be choosy where you take your oil changes. The car likes running on fresh oil period. Buy a 5 pack of oem oil filters and oem crush washers to keep yourself straight for awhile, saves money and time. Or also a fumoto oil valve can save even more effort, as a DIY'er it made my oil changes the easiest thing to do. Check your tire pressure constantly, because a decrease in pressure will make the car drive like crap and will wear your tires out quickly.

Your 60k mile maintenance or therabouts is an important interval. Needs stuff done like spark plug changes, and probably checking the clutch throwout bearing to see if it has become worn. These are expensive and labor intensive, expect a $1000 bill.

u/jkxs · 3 pointsr/SubaruForester

I apologize in advance for this long post. None of these are "must gets", but they are what I got for my 2016 Premium forester. I'm posting this for my own future reference as well as to help some people who are wondering what accessories might be good for their new forester. I highly recommend ordering from Jackie from Annapolis Subaru @ 443-837-1422 as she can get you some good prices on the subaru accessories as well as WeatherTech products! I saved on WeatherTech shipping costs (~$20) by ordering through Jackie and the warranty is the same as if I had bought them through their website.

Please note that some of these accessory links are for my specific car year, model and configuration. I have a 2016 Premium forester without eyesight (affects the Covercraft/heatshield sunshade - they also have eyesight compatible sunshades!).

Also, I personally didn't get my windows tinted, but I think that is something that you should seriously consider doing :)

Speaker kit

Tweeter kit


WeatherTech DigitalFit floorliner (1st & 2nd row)


WeatherTech cargo/trunk liner (without bumper protector)

Weather Tech TechCare floorliner and floormat Cleaner/Protector Kit

Gorilla mud flaps

Covercraft's UVS100 sunscreen - use promo code FREESHIP

Exterior Auto Dimming Mirror w/ Approach Lighting

Luggage Compartment Cover (manual rear gate)

Rear bumper cover

Auto-Dimming Mirror with Compass and HomeLink

Rear Seat Back Protector

Two Home Depot 5 gallon homer bucket

Heatshield sunshade (driver/passenger, second row, rear windshield, sunroof) - note that their website only shows only one side window (driver/passenger), you need to call in to ask them to add the second row side window ones - on my invoice it says part #1425S-A and #1425S-B

Antigravity Batteries AG-XP-10 Multi-Function Power Supply and Jump Starter (check eBay to see if priced cheaper)

Viair 77P Portable Compressor Kit (check eBay to see if priced cheaper)

Amazon stuff:

EZ Pass Holder for VA Flex

Aux cable

Stickershield (parking stickers, etc)

Dropstop seat gap filler (driver/passenger side)

Door panel removal kit (for speaker kit install)

Two grit guards

Microfiber Drying towel

Microfiber cloths (3 pack)

Car wash shampoo

Wheel brush

Resqme (window breaker/seatbelt cutter)

Wheel cleaner

Microfiber wash mitt

Reindeer costume for Christmas

Headrest coat hanger

Road reflective triangles

Duct tape

Odor eliminator

Tire air pressure gauge

OBDII Scanner (Bluetooth)

First aid kit

u/Gad001 · 3 pointsr/AutoDetailing

Definitely look into the Two Bucket method. I'll give a brief explanation though. Basically the idea of the two buckets is to clean dirt and other grime off of the wash mitt after it touches the car. Just dunking a mitt back into the bucket of wash is not entirely effective at this. This is were the Grit Guard come in. One of these is in each bucket, used to rub your mitt on to free up dirt. One bucket has your wash and the other is just water. The process would be: Mitt into Wash. Clean panel. Mitt into Rinse, rub against Grit Guard. Mitt back to wash, rub against Grit Guard again. Back to Car. The Grit Guard will also help trap loose dirt particles at the bottom of the bucket. The whole idea of the whole bucket system is to cut down on transferring dirt from the mitt back onto the paint and scratching it.

As far as other supplies, it's already been suggested to check out the Bare Minimum Supplies List, but also have a look at the Massive Product List.

I'd recommend picking up a tire gel as well. These last longer and won't sling.

Also, a good dedicated wheel cleaner goes a long way. While it may be a bit pricey, Sonax Full Effect Wheel & Tire cleaner is amazing at cleaning brake dust and other grime. It's also pH balanced so it's safe on any surface.

I've used Megs Deep Crystal Wax and it does not hold up very well. Not sure if that's the exact one you have, but if you want something that's going to provide the best bang per buck, I'd go with Collinite #845 Insulator Wax. Amazingly easy application and removal.

If you want a semi-gloss shine for the interior, I'd use 303 Aerospace Protectant. Awesome stuff. Acts as SPF 45 for your interior plastics, rubbers, whatever. Also works great in the engine bay.

However, if you aren't looking to "upgrade" any products, I'd definitely say pick up a clay bar. I've had good luck with Griot's Garage clay bar. Also, I've got the Mother's Clay Bar Kit and that worked quite well also. If you are wondering if your car needs to be clay bar'd or not, there's a simple test you can do. The "plastic Bag" test is very simple and effective and showing how contaminated the paint of your vehicle is. Basically, just put your hand in a plastic bag and rub it along a lubricated surface of your car. If it feels rough, the car needs clay barring. I recently got a 10 year old used car and the paint felt like sandpaper. Took me forever to clay it, but it brought back a lot of the shine because there was so much contamination dulling the paint.

Oh! How many microfiber cloths you have? If you're in need, be sure to check out The Rag Company. The Microfiber I got from them is amazing.

Let me know if you have an questions and hopefully I didn't ramble too much.

u/Fyrel · 2 pointsr/AutoDetailing

So after writing all of this, I realized scratches seem to be your main concern, not overall paint correction. I'll leave all this info here just in case though.

For the scratches specifically, grab the basic Dr. Colorchip kit, and you won't need to worry about polishing! Otherwise doing it by hand is going to be way too much work.


If your budget is $300 you can easily afford an entire budget kit, all the way up to a DA poilsher! This is if you avoid the Meguiar's starter pack, of course.

 

Washing and claying:

  1. Optimum No Rinse ($20)

  2. Nanoskin Autoscrub sponge ($12)

  3. 2 Home Depot Buckets ($10)

  4. 2 grit guards ($20)

  5. The Rag Company starter kit ($30)

     

    Polishing:

  6. Harbor Freight DA Polisher ($50 with coupon)

  7. 3 orange, 3 black 5.5 inch pads ($24)

  8. Meguiar's M205 ($12)

  9. Griot's Garage BOSS FCC ($20)

  10. Isopropyl alcohol ($5)

     

    Total: $203

    And that's assuming you start from absolutely nothing!
u/redditmakesyoudumb · 2 pointsr/AutoDetailing

I'm fairly new, myself. I've driven clunkers most of my life. Spent about five years downtown where I didn't have a car. Now I'm back in suburbia, so I've got a brand new GTI, and it's the first one I've ever cared to take good care of. Here's what I started with:

u/vrynice · 2 pointsr/AutoDetailing

The chemical guys one is on sale on Amazon right now for $6

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-Cyclone-Bucket-Removes/dp/B01CJEBH88/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3FVCVK4PNMO5H&keywords=grit%2Bguard&qid=1563225728&s=gateway&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sprefix=grit%2B%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-7&th=1

u/bmcclure937 · 2 pointsr/AutoDetailing

If you wanna keep it under $30 and want a very basic method of keeping your car clean then I would recommend the tried and true 2-Bucket Wash method.

  1. 2 x 5-gallon buckets (Lowes or Home Depot) - $2/bucket
  2. 2 x GritGuards - $17
  3. 2 x MicroFiber Wash Mitts - $15
  4. Meguiar's Golf Class Car Wash Shampoo - $10

    TOTAL: $45ish

    I know that $45 is over your budget of $30, but I highly recommend using the 2-bucket wash method. You can get away with using 1 grit guard and 1 wash mitt if you want to cut a little bit on cost. You could also buy a smaller size of car wash shampoo... this may get you closer to budget.

    The reason I buy 2 grit guards is to use 1 in each bucket. You can buy only 1 and use it in the rinse water bucket for when you rinse your mitt.

    You can also get away with having 1 wash mitt and look at different brands. I personally use 2 (one for upper half, one for lower half) to reduce contamination.

    ---

    If you want to expand later on to go beyond cleaning the car... then you can put some money into additional products. You will want to look into wheel brushes, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaners, detail sprays, waxes, etc.

    Once you start, you cannot stop!
u/iamnotseanclark · 2 pointsr/cars

two bucket method and grit guard. Dont apply wax in direct sunlight

http://www.amazon.com/Grit-Guard-Insert-Red-Diameter/dp/B000N3W8J0/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1426439413&sr=1-1&keywords=grit+guard

u/kmets4 · 2 pointsr/AutoDetailing

I would reccomend these materials for the two bucket wash method. Its probably the most common method, and one of the safest. There are plenty of youtube how to's on this. These are the materials you'll need.

  • Two buckets that will be used for the two bucket wash method. They can be purchased from a local home center for relatively cheap. $10
  • Grit Guards. Preferably two, in order to prevent grit from reentering the wash mitt. $20
  • Wash Mitt. Something like this will be just fine. $8
  • Car soap. This is completely up to you. Something like Meguiar's Gold Class is fine. $10

  • Wheel brush. Dependent on what you type of wheels you have. A quick amazon search will give you an idea. $10-20
  • Sealant. I use Meguiar's M21. Not the best not the worst. Im sure others will chime in an have recommendations for you. $20.
  • Wax. I don't use a wax because my car is older, and the sealant does just fine.

  • Microfibers. The Rag Company has some great starter kits.

    Not Necessarily essentials, but recommended.

  • Wheel cleaner. Something like Sonax. $15
  • Clay Bar. This will be used to intitially remove contaminants from the car. Plenty of youtube how to's and kits can be found easily through amazon or your local auto parts store. $20

    I don't think you need anything like a DA at this point. Others will have recommendations for you, and I encourage you to take their advice as well. Some great youtube channels are Ammo NYC, Larry is a master at explaining how to's. He has is own line of products but they're expensive. You can even email him with questions and he'll respond quickly and go above and beyond to explain somethingto you. Junkman, also another great channel. Chemical Guys, they have some pretty good products but their customer service is shit. Their youtube videos are pretty good but all they do is upsell their products.

    I'm fairly new to detailing like you. I dont have the best products, but what I use seems to work for me. There are better products out there but budgets can only be so large.
u/DMAC55 · 2 pointsr/AutoDetailing

Well I've just started getting together my own kit and felt I HAD to get these:

  1. Meguiar's Clay bars and quik detail spray

  2. Butt-load of microfiber towels

  3. Waffle-weave drying towel

  4. Grit-guards

  5. Iron X wheel cleaner

  6. Industrial Spray bottles

  7. Meguiar's Gold Class car wash soap

  8. Meguiar's Gold Class Wax

  9. Purple Power

  10. Proper wash mitt

    I still feel like there are atleast ten other products that I NEED!

    -Pressure Washer

    -Foam Cannon

    -Detailing brushes

    -Sealants/Compounds combined with a proper rotor drill

    -ETC

u/thezlog · 2 pointsr/MINI

Prima stuff: http://www.primacarcare.com/

Foamer I use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y190WE/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Grit Guard for your buckets (FFS buy two and two buckets): http://www.amazon.com/Grit-Guard-Wash-Bucket-Insert/dp/B000N3W8J0/ref=pd_bxgy_lg_img_z

Adam's Car Wash: http://www.adamspolishes.com/

Monster MF Extra Thick Towels: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UFK9NM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/cnelsonsic · 1 pointr/bayarea

Or, you know...

(See also "Frequently Bought Together" below.)

u/Kailand09 · 1 pointr/cars

Here's a long thing I wrote for a friend just getting started. It was an email and i don't feel like fixing links.

  1. Menzerna (Now called Jescar) Power lock Sealant:

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050IQH9K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  2. Optimum Spray Wax (this is a topper wax to go on top the sealant, or touch up areas any time):

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GG9FI8I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  3. Meguiar's Drying Towels (I HIGHLY recommend these, super effective) I got 2:

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IQZFM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  4. Mother's detailer kit (gives you detail spray, clay bars, and micro fiber towel as a bonus)

    https://smile.amazon.com/Mothers-07240-California-Gold-System/dp/B0002U2V1Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1476666101&sr=8-3&keywords=mother%27s+detail+kit

  5. Applicator pads

    https://smile.amazon.com/Viking-862400-Blue-Microfiber-Applicator/dp/B0051MYL8E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1476666178&sr=8-3&keywords=wax+applicator

  6. Buffing towels (for buffing in the wax or sealant)

    https://smile.amazon.com/Detailing-Multi-Use-Microfiber-Professional-Dual-Pile/dp/B01L4L4L26/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1476666651&sr=8-17&keywords=microfiber+buffing+towel


  7. Proper wash mitt (just a microfiber towel won't cut it) - there's also a 2 pack with prime.

    https://smile.amazon.com/Meguiars-X3002-Microfiber-Wash-Mitt/dp/B000RXKR6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476667551&sr=8-1&keywords=meguiars+wash+mitt

  8. Car wash (this can be found at any autozone like store as well, this is a big bottle)

    https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05664-California-Gold-Wash/dp/B0009H51B2/ref=sr_1_9?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1476668207&sr=8-9&keywords=car+wash&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011




    Do you have 2 buckets to use? Always set one bucket up with the soap water, and the other with just water. Soak up your mitt, wash the car, rinse the mitt, then soak again in the soap water. This helps reduce contaminants. If you want to go the extra mile, get these for the buckets to prevent dirt from swashing around the bucket:

    https://smile.amazon.com/Grit-Guard-Insert-Red-Diameter/dp/B000N3W8J0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476667750&sr=8-2&keywords=grit+guard

    It fits in a home depot bucket.

    If you have particularly pesky tar or bugs on the car, you'll need this that you can get from any autozone type store:

    https://smile.amazon.com/Stoner-Car-Care-Tarminator-Remover/dp/B0002LBGWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476667917&sr=8-1&keywords=tarminator

    WARNING **

    When using the power lock (or any sealant / non-liquid wax), DO NOT let it touch any black plastic or rubber parts of the car!!!!! If it does, just wipe it off with a wet micro fiber cloth. Failure to follow this will result in a white hue on the black piece. You could always painter's tape off those areas that are hard to avoid.

    Steps for this process:

  9. wash the car, two bucket method with wash mitt.

    1b) Bring the car to an area with as little sun light as possible for the next steps!

  10. Leave car wet. Use detail spray to keep all surfaces lubricated. Rub all surfaces down with a flat piece of the clay bar (flatten in your hand). About 2" diameter or so. Every panel or when the clay bar looks dirty, just kneed it a few times, folding it and re-flattening it. Every so often, throw out the clay and get some more. If you drop the clay on the ground, it's garbage throw it out. Each clay bar should last you multiple details of your whole car, just tear pieces off.

  11. Dry the car down with the MF drying towels. Buff in any water spots, streaks, etc from the detail spray. If an area needs a little extra love, spray some detail spray on it and rub her in.

  12. Use applicator pad. Apply a bit of sealant on the pad, even it out in the pad, and apply a thin layer of wax across the paint surface (NOT BLACK TRIM). You can use sealant on windows if you desire. Re-apply sealant to the applicator pad whenever you need more.

  13. let the sealant dry (20-30 minutes, depending on conditions). It will haze when dry.

  14. Use buffing cloths to wipe the haze out. You may need to do some hand "buffing", use different angles of sight to make sure the paint is now completely smooth and clean.

  15. Let dry a bit, 20 minutes?

  16. Spray VERY LIGHTLY with the optimum spray wax on paint surfaces. There are 2 settings on the bottle, make sure it is on the setting that spreads out the wax not a stream.

  17. Buff in the spray wax with buffing towels.

  18. ENJOY protection. Watch the beads of water fly off the car for the entire season.
u/ItsDayV · 1 pointr/AutoDetailing

Putting together a kit for my white 370z, and this is what I have so far, any suggestions would be awesome, as I am a noob:

Complete Kit

Microfiber

Buckets: Home Depot

Grit Guards

Anything else im missing? Really just a noob atm.

u/Vindowviper · 1 pointr/Miata

I used Optimum No Rinse during the winter time, because it allows for small parts of the car at a time, without requiring rinse.

But invest is a Waffle Weave Drying Towel, a couple bucket's from wal-mart (like $2.50 a bucket) and some Grit Guards for each bucket and your in business. You can use any soft wash mitt, and there are a lot of different brands and styles out there, and I also recommend a Detailer or Wax (I prefer quick detailer during winter-times so I can just spray and wipe and it keeps the snow and crap off for a good amount of time.)

I personally like Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer. Just spray it on your clean spot, rub it in all over, then single wipe it off with the dry side of the terry cloth, and you get some bead action next time it rains!

u/eocturkey · 1 pointr/GolfGTI

Grit Guard

Foam Cannon for a pressure washer

wooly mammoth