A Detailer’s Must-Have – The Grit Guard and Two Bucket Method
As anyone who has decided to venture down the car care aisle at your local auto store is surely aware, the world of detailing is not as simple as grabbing a bucket, sponge, and some dish soap to get your car sparkling clean. Modern cars are full of a variety of surfaces that all require special care in order to safely get and keep them clean. One of the most important tools that is missing from most do-it-yourselfers arsenal is the Grit Guard. In addition to this tool, the Two Bucket Method is a critical step in the detailing process that is often left out by many as they venture into auto detailing.
The Grit Guard
A Grit Guard is a plastic insert that is placed in the bottom of your rinse bucket (more on this later) that is used to help release and trap dirt from staying on your wash media. These inserts have two important features that allow them to be so effective: an open grid design on top and four vanes on the bottom. When you dunk your wash mitt into the bucket and agitate it against the Grit Guard, the fibers open and begin to release the dirt they have pulled from the surface of your paint. Once your mitt has released all of its grime, the vanes prevent the water from sloshing around in the bottom of the bucket and keep the grit from being stirred throughout the bucket to once again be picked up by your wash mitt and brought onto your paint.
The Two Bucket Method
As mentioned, the other critical missing step is the Two Bucket Method. This technique is used in conjunction with the Grit Guard in order to maintain your paint’s finish. Fortunately, this technique is as simple as the name makes it sound. In its most simple form, the Two Bucket Method is a wash method that utilizes two buckets, one soap bucket containing your car shampoo and the other rinse bucket containing clear water and your Grit Guard.
To make effective use of this method, dip your clean wash media into your soap bucket to fill it with suds and water. Wash a portion of your vehicle, in straight lines, turning your media over to a clean side when you move to a new section. As an example, begin by using one side of your mitt to wash half of the roof, turn your mitt over, and wash the A, B, and C pillars plus the side windows. Now that your wash media is dirty, immerse your media in the rinse bucket and agitate both sides of it against your Grit Guard to release the dirt and grime into the bucket. Gently ring out your wash mitt over the rinse bucket and continue to grab fresh suds and water, washing the vehicle from top to the bottom, cleanest to dirtiest. One last thing, ensure that you rinse off the cleaned portions of the vehicle with your hose before the soap is able to dry to prevent residue spots being left behind.