Number of buckets for Detailing

[jmitch8011]

I just wanted to know how many buckets most people use to detail an average sized vehicle(car / truck/ suv)? I have about five or six 5 gal buckets.
1 - 1st wash
1 - 2nd wash (will change this method)
1 - engine
1 - underbody
1 - soak used cloths and applicators
1 - absober (body) after dry remove and replace with 2nd absober (jams & rims(dry only))

[Murr1525]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

1 - Wheels
1 - Rinse Water (I use a foam gun so no soap bucket)

Rinse out wheel bucket, throw in applicators to soak overnight later.

A bucket for collecting towels and such is a good idea if you have no where else to place them.

[jmitch8011]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

I was reading a thread about the foam gun but didn't really get the full understanding. Is it kind of like when you lather up a rag to the point where you have more soap lather then you have water on the rag to put on your body? (hope I spelled that right) So by doing this you use less water?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

3 buckets for me.
1. soap water
2. Rinse water
3. Wheel bucket

I bought a collapsible mesh hamper at the dollar store. I use this to bring the towels up to wash them.

[Murr1525]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

I was reading a thread about the foam gun but didn't really get the full understanding. Is it kind of like when you lather up a rag to the point where you have more soap lather then you have water on the rag to put on your body? (hope I spelled that right) So by doing this you use less water?

Ummm... I'm gonna say not quite to that analogy.

You can kind of use it different ways...

1. Some people will use a very high soap ratio, and then kind of pre-soak the car in a real thick foam that will cling, in theory loosening the dirt before washing. Unless the car is really filthy in winter, I don't bother with pre-soaking. Then they might wash with the bucket method, or move onto to washing with the gun as well.

2. After hosing the car off, I just go right to washing with the foam gun. I just set the ratio up so that it is pretty close to the recommended ratio, and the gun just churns up the soap/water mixture as it is shot out. So there is still a lot of water coming out, and it isn't a thick heavy clinging foam, more of a watery foam. I just spray the panel (or half roof, etc), spray the sponge, and wash that area. Its just enough foam to stick for a few seconds so I can get my sponge onto the soap and wipe the area before the soapy water runs off.

I always felt like my soapy water (and thus lubrication) was falling off my sponge and running off the panel before I could catch it just using a soapy water bucket. Maybe it is just me being crazy...

It probably uses a bit more water.... But I figure I use about 5 ounces of soap, and close to the right ratio, it is about gone by the end of washing. So it should be about 5 gallons of water used. Certainly more soap and water if pre-soaking....

[Kooz]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

3 buckets for me.
1. soap water
2. Rinse water
3. Wheel bucket

This is what I do too.

[TKDDAD]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

This is what I do too.

me too....

[TimG]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

Yep. Same here. 3 buckets on usual occasion.

3 buckets for me.
1. soap water
2. Rinse water
3. Wheel bucket

I bought a collapsible mesh hamper at the dollar store. I use this to bring the towels up to wash them.

[mongo]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

I have a dedicated 2 gallon bucket used for wheels,tires and wheelwells and 5 gallon bucket dedicated for paint only.

I also have two gallon bucket that i put a little water in and put sprayer in between handle and bucket this way ot never touches the concrete.

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

i use one, i know i need a second, but I wash the wheels with one bucket, then dump and rinse, and use it again for the body

[guitarman502]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

1. soap bucket
2. rinse bucket

I wait till after I wash the entire vehicle to do the wheels and tires. Then I just use a separate mitt but the same soap bucket to do the wheels. When i'm done, my buckets get washed too.

[EAT HEMI]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

4 buckets for me.

1. Soap water
2. Rinse water
3. Wheel bucket
4. Bucket with seat lid (for when my back is killing me)

[jmitch8011]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

Yeah I need that seat lid. I did some wheels that didn't want to come clean. I sat down on the bucket and it was worse than standing lol. Thanks for all the responses. That helps me figure if I want to change my method.

[angeloabbattista]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

[QUOTE=J. A. Michaels;228380]3 buckets for me.
1. soap water
2. Rinse water
3. Wheel bucket

QUOTE]

Same here

[angeloabbattista]

Re: Number of buckets for Detailing

3 buckets for me.
1. soap water
2. Rinse water
3. Wheel bucket

Same here