Many enthusiasts are familiar with the Two-Bucket Method of car washing utilizing Grit Guards in each bucket. It has been the standard for swirl-free washing for some time now, but it is now ready to be taken to a new level.
Before we move forward however, let’s take a closer look at the Grit Guard, the Two-Bucket Method, and what makes them work.
The Grit Guard insert’s radial surface extracts contaminants from wash mitts, brushes, and other cleaning tools, and then safely deposits them to the bottom of the bucket. The 4-quadrant design of the Grit Guard then calms the dirty water below. With this system, the abrasive contaminants that cause scratches and swirls remain trapped at the bottom of the bucket while the clean water stays at the top.
The reason why 2 buckets are used instead of just one is so that you can have separate wash and rinse buckets. Each bucket has a Grit Guard, and one bucket is used to rinse out your dirty wash mitt and the other contains the clean soapy wash water. The key to safely washing your vehicle (and maintaining a swirl-free finish) is to make sure that you’re not re-introducing abrasive dirt and contaminants to the delicate painted surface. If you simply use one bucket, you’re continuously re-introducing contaminants to your wash water, and then subsequently washing your car with dirty, abrasive water. When you use the Two-Bucket Method however, your rinse buckets traps the dirt, and your wash bucket is as clean when you finish as when you started.
For more detailed information on the proper washing and drying methods for maintaining a swirl-free finish, please refer to my Washing and Drying Tutorial.
Now that we’re all on the same page for the popular Two-Bucket Method, let’s take the next evolutionary step in the washing process…the 2×4 Wash Method!
The 2×4 Wash Method is identical to the traditional Two-Bucket Method, however it adds 2 more Grit Guards. Now we are utilizing 2 buckets, and 4 Grit Guards (hence the 2×4).
When using a 5-gallon bucket you’re typically filling it with about 4 gallons of water. Each Grit Guard insert will have about 1 gallon of water underneath it, so with 2 of them in each bucket, 50% of the water is safely underneath the Grit Guards.
2 buckets, 4 Grit Guards!
In this photo, you can see where stacking 2 Grit Guards provides a total of 8 different safety chambers (4 per Grit Guard) to separate the contaminated water underneath from the clean water at the top.
The further away your wash mitt is from the bottom of the bucket, the less chance you have at stirring up the abrasive debris at the bottom.
Basically we’re dealing with 3 different kind of dirt and debris that can potentially damage the finish of a car:
-
The kind that floats (leaves, twigs, bugs, etc. I recommend buying a small fine mesh aquarium net and skimming the surface water if you suspect any floating debris…a handy tool for the perfectionist or those like me with serious OCD issues!).
-
The kind that is in suspension (water that is dirty looking even after it has settled out). This type of debris isn’t capable of heavier scratches, but can potentially cause micro-scratches that degrade the overall finish over time.
-
The kind that sinks (grit, sand, mud, small stones, asphalt). This type causes the most damage to a vehicle’s finish.
Now that we have a better understanding of the 3 different types of dirt and debris, we can see how and why the 2×4 Wash Method makes so much sense. By stacking 2 Grit Guards per bucket, we’re increasing our odds that the type 2 and 3 debris stay safely underneath!
The 2×4 Wash Method:
First place 2 Grit Guards each in 2 different 5-gallon buckets.
Then fill your rinse bucket with water, and your wash bucket with your favorite automotive wash solution.
Now when washing your vehicle, gently rub both sides of your wash mitt against the Grit Guards…first in the rinse bucket, and then in the wash bucket. For best results, only wash one small section at a time (i.e. a fender, or a door panel). Wash the small section, rinse out your mitt in the rinse bucket, then re-load your wash mitt in the wash bucket, and then move onto the next section.
If you want the confidence of knowing that you’re taking every cautionary measure to ensure a swirl-free finish, then add 2 more Grit Guards to your arsenal and use the 2×4 Wash Method!
Enjoy your swirl-free finish!
For a complete step-by-step guide on safely washing and drying your vehicle, please refer to my Washing and Drying Tutorial.
If you have any additional comments or questions, please submit your reply in the comment box below.
Nice one!
I prefer using two as I feel one just isnt deep enough. I feel the simple cleaning of the wash mitt stirs up debris from the bottom of the bucket.
Justin…glad to hear that you’re using two as well! Since you also work on rare exotics, you know how important it is to take every precautionary measure possible to ensure a swirl-free finish!
Thanks for sharing – the fine mesh screen is a great idea! Another step I take after I remove my mitt from the rinse bucket is to rinse it once more with the hose, and then I go for the wash bucket.
William,
Thanks for the comments. One thing to keep in mind about rinsing with the hose is that while it does a good job of getting the debris off of the outer part of the wash mitt, it can actually embed some of the inner stuff deeper into the fibers. When using the Grit Guard, it allows the wash mitt to open up so to speak in such a way that even the inner debris will float away.
Good point! I hadn’t thought of that but I’m glad you mentioned it. Thanks again!
Nice, write up I’ve been using 2×2 method now I’m going to aim for the 2×4 sounds pretty cool too! Now I gotta save up$$$ Thanks D.I. once again good work!
Hi Todd,
For washing I use separate 5-gallon buckets with Grit Guards as recommended. The bucket diameters taper such that my Grit Guard wedges itself about half-way down the bucket.
I suppose this is a good thing, and perhaps approximates some of the benefits of using 2 Grit Guards per bucket.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you.
-Albert
San Jose, CA
Albert,
It’s probably similar, but not the same. Since you can’t fit your Grit Guard all the way down into your bucket, you have more dirty water underneath it, which is good. The benefit of having two of them however is that each of the Grit Guards provide additional chambers for the water to settle and prevent debris from rising back to the top.
Thanks for your response Todd,
Yes, that makes sense.
Interestingly, I watched a You Tube Video which demos the 2 bucket method. The buckets look they have Detailed Image logo on them, and the Grit Guards only go half-way down the buckets.
I’m surprised that Detailed Image doesn’t sell full width non-tapered buckets that allow a Grit Guard to sit on the bottom of the bucket.
-Albert
Albert,
I think the very first batch of buckets that DI had were tapered a bit, but that was quickly changed to a model that allowed a Grit Guard to fit all the way down to the bottom.
Where did Mr. Ferrari guy get his buckets? I cannot find ANY that are CLOSE to those and 5-gallons is overkill and a waste of water- sorry. Maybe if you’re washing a Minivan, but for my 2007 Accord in NBP- 3.5 gallon should work just fine. But, I’m not a ‘detail expert’ and I just bought the car- so, maybe not. (LOL)
The ones in the photo came directly from Grit Guard, but are basically the same as the 5 gallon buckets that Detailed Image sells. You can use 3.5 gallon buckets, but they’re just too shallow when using 2 Grit Guards per bucket. If you want to use 3.5, then just stick to one Grit Guard per bucket.
Be careful with NBP paint…I own a car with it! You should read the following guide: Acura TL in Nighthawk Black Pearl – detailing guide
Todd,
I am going to implement this but to my rinse bucket thanks. Since my wash bucket stays very clean and 1 grit guard seems to be enough. I only do 3 to 3.5 gallon washes, but in my rinse bucket I use 4.5 gallons of water.
Danny
I have a spare grit guard…why didn’t I think of this? I’ll be using 2 in my rinse bucket now. My wash bucket is always clean with just the one. THANKS!
I like it when a plan comes together…put that other Grit Guard to use!
Todd-
I have been doing the 2×4 wash method for a while now, thanks to your advice. My question is regarding keeping the grit guards at the bottom of the buckets. I will occasionally find them floating up a bit…maybe bouyed by air/soap bubbles? Does this happen to you and any ideas on keeping them at the bottom with their undisturbed sediment?
Nathan…have never had that problem myself. I use standard 5-gallon buckets and they fit nicely without moving.
I could win at this game I run super fast, like letntihging speed.VN:F [1.9.10_1130]please wait…Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)