Stupid question # 488,493

[Aura_XR]

I am almost embarrased to ask this, but.........

when you set up your wash buckets, do you mix product into water or water into product? (reminds me of water into acid vs acid into water from HS).

When I wash my car, I use a Gilmour foam gun w/ Hyperwash (thanks to Murr for the help on dilutions for that too). I then go on to a 2 bucket method with a grit guard on the rinse bucket (I only own 1 right now).

My thing is at first, I filled the wash bucket with water and then used a measuring cup to add the product (in this case, 5 oz of Shampoo plus). I wasn't able to get it to mix with the water very well and it never really foamed.

The next time, I added the product first and tried to fill the bucket but the SP would foam up and suds would pour over the edge of the bucket and it wouldn't even be 1/4 filled.

Suggestions?

[Murr1525]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

Rememebr that from a bucket, suds arent really important. Fill about 2/3 full of water, then add soap, swirl with your hand to mix, then top up. I think Mike just fills the bucket to the top, then adds the soap and swirls with his hand.

Also dont splash the water in... You can probably stick the nozzle under the surface to reduct splashing as well.

As a side note, were you trying to save water? Makes sense if you are, otherwise I just wash with the foam gun.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

In Hot Topics there's this...

How To Measure Car Wash to Water Ratio?

[Aura_XR]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

I use the foam gun as a sort of pre-wash and use the two bucket method to thoroughly clean the car. Double work? Maybe, but I don't mind.

It actually has nothing to do with saving water. Before I really got into it, I would not care about ratios or anything, just a glob of soap on the bottom of the bucket then fill with water until the suds came out. Now I know better (thanks Mike, I found that link before with your help).

I will have to try filling the bucket 2/3's the way. When I filled it up and then added the SP, I mixed it with my hands but there were no suds and it looks like it didn't mix to well (it was also cold, in the upper 30's only but my soap/wax are kept at room temp).

[Murr1525]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

The suds really arent that important when just using buckets and sponges. As long as the soap is mixed evenly through the water, you are set.

You might like to check out Mikes car washing video, I think it is on google videos.

[Aura_XR]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

K....found that car wash video of Mike and his lil Mini Cooper

It answered a lot of questions, if I knew about that before hand, I would have never posted this.

One thing Mike, why don't you like putting your hand in the mitt? I know you did say why but I played it back a few times and I couldn't make out why. I keep my hand in the mitt to help with some "scrubbing" if needed, is that a no-no?

[yalerd]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

K....found that car wash video of Mike and his lil Mini Cooper

It answered a lot of questions, if I knew about that before hand, I would have never posted this.

One thing Mike, why don't you like putting your hand in the mitt? I know you did say why but I played it back a few times and I couldn't make out why. I keep my hand in the mitt to help with some "scrubbing" if needed, is that a no-no?

It all depends on the person, I don't like putting my hand in the mitt, for me it's not comfortable enough.
If you watch the video and understood you would notice that there shouldn't be any scrubbing, just very light pressure passes 1 or 2 times and that should be enough.

Remember that washing is only removing contaminants and dust that are not bonded to the paint.

[mattaleca]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

It all depends on the person, I don't like putting my hand in the mitt, for me it's not comfortable enough.
If you watch the video and understood you would notice that there shouldn't be any scrubbing, just very light pressure passes 1 or 2 times and that should be enough.

Remember that washing is only removing contaminants and dust that are not bonded to the paint.

It was a difficult concept for me to understand, kinda goes against how we were raised, just trust Mike and go with it... It works.

[Murr1525]

Re: Stupid question # 488,493

Yeah, I kind of prefer grabbing a sponge.

Have to look into some way to sew up the new MF mit.