I am a detailing enthusiast and since 2 years i love the on bucket methode. Take about 9 superplush towels. Use about 4 sides of every towel (so not all 8!) And just cut the car up in 36 sections. Never wring out the towels so they are soaking and each side of the towel will only make a 1 way pass. After the pass i dunk the "used" towel in a empty wash bucket and at the end they 9 of them go straight into the washer. This ensures no scrathes (due to the water), no back movement (minimizing making a scratch) and best of all, the water is as clean as it came from the tap. So never ever in the entire process any soil or dirt will be (re)introduced. Love you channel and please keep doing this forever!:)
"Weekend Warrior" -After doing a two-step correction on my car, I've stuck to doing a one bucket wash method, the catch is with fresh foam/soap supplied from my griots foam cannon and high psi+gsm pressure washer. After doing a thorough rinse, chemical presoak for bugs, tar, etc, if necessary, thick foaming, wheels, and another thorough rinse, one bucket with some soap, grit guard, and a single high-quality wash mitt is used. Each panel is individually foamed along with the wash mitt, flipped halfway through the panel, of course moving downwards, and rinsed after each panel is completed, saving lower areas and rear bumper for last. The mitt is then dunked in the bucket, blasted with the pressure washer, then the process is repeated on each panel. I should note the car is coated with Adams advanced graphene coating and washed twice a week with a heavy spray on graphene topper coating (TW) applied. No noticeable new scratches since the paint correction was done using this method on BMW's black sapphire metallic. A bit crazy but it works!!
I switched to single bucket about a year ago. From my experience so far, I am getting significantly less wash-induced scratches. A big reason I use this method is because it is easier on my back to work with two buckets instead of three. Conceptually, one bucket makes sense to me because each mitt is 100% clean as opposed to using a rinsed mitt which is about a max of 80% cleaned, and which has the downside of dirtying the soap bucket as well. I have a smaller car (M2) which helps, I foam and pre-rinse, and I only use 8 mitts with each side getting a panel. I use Rag Co. Knobby chenille at $10.50 per 2 mitts. Not too much of an investment, they last while as the work load is spread across mitts.
I'm a weekend enthusiast, and I've been using the two buckets when I first started but now I tend to use just one (soapy water) and rinse the mitt after every panel with a strong stream of water from the hose instead. I find it uses less water. I inspect after every rinse before dunking it back in the soapy solution. And I use two mitts. One for the top half, the other for the bottom half of the car. I'm going to try the ONR method with a sponge after I finish my bottle of Gold Class shampoo. Thanks for your video Pan!
Same here, I’ve never used the TBM. Just a soap bucket, wash, spray mit down, then dunk back in for soap. It’s hard to move the buckets around since my parking lot where I was has gravel so I can’t roll around buckets.
I'm a two bucket guy, but my primary method of avoiding scratches is to avoid rubbing my car. I use a pressure washer to rinse, foam cannon, and rinse. Then, thanks to my Adams Graphine coating which I have because of your excellent videos, I drive the car at the legal speed limit to blow off 95% of the the water. I only dry the door jambs and around the real license plate, near the windshield wipers, and those few spots which trap water. In other words, normally the paint isn't touched at all. These modern ceramic/graphine coatings are truly a wonderful product. The bulk of the car only gets rubbed every three months or so, sometimes less if I don't drive in the rain too much.
I use the two bucket method. It seems to be the best balance between safety but also not being too extreme. I still believe that the most important factor is actually a good contactless pre-wash; it doesn't matter how clean your mitt / water is if you're just smearing a thick layer of dirt around the paint that could've been removed before the contact phase.
Weekend enthusiast - I use one bucket 4 wash mitts plus two for lower panels. I rinse, foam, one mitt per area then set aside and use fresh mitt for each area. Add two lower panel mitts after upper panel mitts are out of bucket. Rinse. Separate bucket for wheel/tire. I use this method because it allows me to use less buckets while reducing chances for contamination. Plus, the prefoam allows for a slicker surface for the contact wash. Thanks for the vid!
I do the exact same, 2 buckets is to much work, I’m a mobile detailer so I make all my money based on time, I don’t got time to keep moving 2 buckets around.
I’ve used both and for me I think the multiple mitts help me go a little faster and I’m confident that I’m avoiding scratching as much a possible. I bought a bunch of chemical guys lime green mitts that help me to detect any dirt on the mitts. Thanks again Pan, no special ops personnel was needed after all!
Have you try about trying Autofiber flip? They have a deep pile 70/30 version which has four sides and holds its shape unlike a microfiber. Multiple mitts are still ideal but you'd need like 12 mitts to ensure your not spreading around dirt from one panel to the other.
I most frequently use a rinseless wash (ONR) and use one bucket with about six or seven microfiber towels for the wash, using four sides per towel. The wash media never gets dirty as none of the dirty towels ever return to the clean wash media. When I use regular shampoo, I use the same method with multiple wash mits. I can therefore also forgo the use of a grit guard as no dirt ever gets introduced to the bucket. Regarding inspecting the towels/mits, I do this when I'm folding my towels/mits after washing and then store them in a covered plastic box in my garage. That way I know I'm getting clean towels before I wash my cars again.
Same but I’ll use the towels when using regular soap too. Saves so much time not having to dunk a wash mitt all the time and having 4 sides instead of 2
Its really interesting to see everyone's different methods. Myself I have the ultra black sponge and whether rinseless or soap that's my go too. I do of course have towels with it and I always have the grit guard in the bottom. For me it just goes hand in hand. I do like some dedicated towels for the tires to help touch them up after the brushes. I do like not having to use a drying aid with rinseless but I like being able to have the soap option especially for heavy dirt and contamination. Its really cool to see everyone's methods Rinseless for me one bucket, soap two to three
I agree. It's nice to see all the various methods people use. It boils down to picking a method you like, and enjoy the wash process. As long as you use safe washing and drying methods, it shouldn't really matter what method you use. :)
@@thesamsquatch5224 That black sponge has intrigued me lately. How do you take care of it? I’m assuming it’s not supposed to go through the washing machine so my concern is how do you get all the dirt out?
The best wash method is simply the one that works best for you and your situation. I always tend to adjust my wash method depending on the condition of the vehicle and what step follows the wash. The intro was entertaining 😅. Thanks Pan
I’m a beginner and I converted a Millside express wagon cart to a car wash cart with 2 buckets ( I have a gravel driveway ) and I use a separate bucket for the tires. Thanks for the tips Pan 🙋🏼♂️🙂👍🏻
I live on a gravel road. It is terrible to spend so much time cleaning when one trip down usually gets the tires dirty. We need a solution to keep tires clean. The dust really messes things up too. I am usually not too keen on using a quick detailer on the dust even being fresh.
I use 1 bucket with 1 mitt and I pressure wash the mitt after completing each section. The key factor though is that I use Bilt Hamber Autofoam and I am very meticulous with my pre-wash, 90% of the dirt is removed before the contact wash and Bilt Hamber do the best pre-wash. I have a separate dedicated bucket for cleaning wheels.
I started off using the two buckets method with wash mitts, but I'm starting to Love the rinse less wash method & using several microfiber's towels depending on the size of the vehicle I'm detailing especially during the summertime in Las Vegas. I also use a separate bucket for the wheels & tires.
My cars are garage kept, very little driving, yes I am as obsessed as you are, nothing wrong with that. I think washing options depend on how dirty, and how much contamination you got when you last drove the car. Thank you for producing so many informative videos.
I have always used the one bucket method, but I am not a professional. I do it for all the reasons you outlined; I only wash one vehicle per weekend, and like to keep any mitt that touches the vehicles as “fresh” as possible between bucket dunks. Since I am not a professional, all of my mitts, towels, and applicators get washed between each use, and they are inspected for any grime before each use. I also keep my “heavy soil” towels, like wheel and tire or door jam towels separate, so they never touch the external paintwork, and get soaked before going through the washing machine (and in a separate load). I use 5 mitts, 2 drying towels, a car dryer (Master Blaster), one tire applicator, and one round finger applicator per exterior wash
I’m a wheelchair bound weekend warrior. I always start with 2 buckets but my arms usually get tired and I abandon the second. I know it’s sacreligous but if I use a boars hair brush for reach when my arms hurt and then I use both buckets.
Just the fact your out there doing it is inspiring. I'm sure you have thought about the microfiber on a handle solutions. Not sure if that is a good fit for you or not but I use it sometimes. Keep it up!!!
Hi Alan. Thanks for sharing, but I also would like to highlight the fact you are not letting your disability (mobility impairment) prevent you from enjoying detailing, and I tip my hat off to you for that. Keep rocking! Welcome to my channel. You discovered one of the biggest car detailing channels on RU-vid as we surpassed 780,000 subscribers and are getting close to 100 million views! I have been detailing for 25 years and I love to share my knowledge and passion with my viewers. You found the right channel to help you learn everything about detailing.
I am not a professional but I just love washing and detailing cars. I use the 1 bucket method with many mitts. It just seams to make way more sense. So you have to spend a bit more to get multiple mitts, but if you care that much about your paint you shouldn't be concerned about that. EDIT: I do use a separate bucket for tires. One bucket multiple mitts for the paint. I prewash with a good snow foam prior to this.
Hey Pan, I use the three bucket method (rinse, wash & wheel). I am a car washing enthusiast. Before watching your videos, I did everything wrong when it came to washing a car. I just bought a brand new car and wanted to keep it in tip top shape which is why that brought me to your channel. You have given me quite an education. I have a few dedicated cabinets in my garage loaded with the tools of the trade. I love caring for my car. I wash it more often than I use to wash all my other cars. I think I wash my new car almost once a week. More if and when it needs it. My husband thinks I am obsessed. If I had a dream garage set up like you, I would probably wash it more often because I would enjoy it that much more. I am looking to purchase the EGO blower you have. Could you give me the link?
Great story from a fellow enthusiast...the Ego blower is awesome. I did learn one thing with it. Using the long tube is cumbersome and difficult to maneuver at times so I took the tube completely off when I dry my car now. It just clicks on and off. Hope this helps
As a semi professional detailer I found that unless I hose out the mitt, rinse it then dunk in wash media, the two bucket method left me with two buckets containing both dirt and suds. I use the one bucket method and four mitts if doing one car or five or six microfibre towels if doing multiple cars. I buy towels once a year if necessary and haven’t bought new mitts for a couple of years now. The mitts I use were collected when comparing them to determine the best one so no real over the top expenses. My most expensive mitt was $AUD20. I too wash, dry and check mitts and towels before storing in a dust proof cupboard. Keeps the wash time down.
Weekend enthusiast, depending on the dirt level of vehicle have used all these methods. On my personal car I always foam/ rinse before contact wash 1 bucket 2 mitts with guard and second wheel bucket. Saves on time and product. Keep the great content rolling...
I currently use the 1 bucket with the grid filter but wanting to move to the 2 bucket. I'm not even a weekend warrior but I want to learn the ways of keeping my car paint looking new as long as possible. Working from home 3 days a week and my job being right across the street, I put very low miles on my car. In August it will be 2 years with my baby and I am at 8,200 miles. I want the paint to last with the car. Love your videos and learning a lot.
Welcome to my channel Steve. You discovered one of the biggest car detailing channels on RU-vid as we surpassed 780,000 subscribers and are getting close to 100 million views! I have been detailing for 25 years and I love to share my knowledge and passion with my viewers. You found the right channel to help you learn everything about detailing.
So, you want your paint to last? You found the right channel! Pan and Obsessed Garage dialed me onto the Jescar and Colinite 845 combination. I have a ten year old Subaru Outback with 231,000 miles and it looks brand new. Check out all of Pan’s videos. They’re fun. They’re uplifting and quite entertaining.
As a detailer, on my car i use a one bucket method as my car gets washed weekly and waxed with a good carnauba wax, i also snow foam twice to make sure theres no dirt on the car left, i believe it all depends on the car your washing, no matter what theres always going to be a little bit of dirt somewhere, if you really want the best and safest wash, use one bucket with 10 plush microfiber cloths in a soapy bucket and use one for each panel.
As a semi-pro weekend detailer I've alwayus used the 2-bucket method (three with wheel bucket). However, after trying the one-bucket, several MF towels method, I find it saves me time and water. I've got a huge stock of towels, so the outlay wasn't an issue as it could be for the hobbyist. Personally, I use a minimum of six towels for a small car, and anything up to 12 for saloons and SUVs. Great discussion Pan, Cheers.
Such an important video Pan and I love your emphasis on these methods and how they may be different for your situation. As a weekend warrior I prefer the two bucket method but I am an apartment dweller in an area with hard water so I would rather use distilled water because I do not have a deionized water system yet. Costs have increased because of current times and I had to re-evaluate my approach to cleaning cars and decided to invest in more wash pads for soap washes and more plush towels for rinseless washes using a one bucket and the second bucket for all dirty wash media. My Worx Hydroshot has been such a great tool providing me pressurized water from my own source while keeping costs down under ten dollars per wash.
I thought this was well established already? Two bucket team!!! 🧐 I even use two mitts … one for upper car and one for lower car. I’d say I’m a weekend warrior/ budding enthusiast.
Excellent explanation and an intelligent look at an often "heat-generating" topic. I prefer two-bucket method, but because of SoCal's drought conditions, doing rinseless wash.
Ok I am a huge fan of built hamber auto foam. So I use that on a dry dirty car. Then pressure wash that off. Now car is like 80% clean. Now ONR rinseless with big black spong, 1 bucket with grit guard. Then if I need to straight to clay, or my 1500 drying towel. That's my process. I would love to here your thoughts on it. Thank you for these great videos!
Always the three bucket w/grit guards. 1 for wheels, 1 wash and 1 rinse. I live on the East side of Lake Michigan where the soil is all sand. I start off with a rinseless wash, rinse, Adams Mega Foam, contact wash, rinse, P&S Bead Maker, leaf blower and towel dry. followed up by Bead Maker on top of my Ceramic coating. I always have sand in the bottom of my rinse bucket in the end. Thanks for all you do.
The gloss on your car is off the charts! I'm a rinseless wash person. I have a crew cab full size truck and rarely have any shade. I wash rinseless in garage. Wheels and pre rinse outside. Thanks for the great content!
Thanks for the video Pan! One bucket here for sure. I often wash the daily with a Montana boarshair wash brush because it's all my back can handle, and I'll rinse it off with the hose before dunking. My one car I try to do better and I'll do one bucket filled with 8 or so microfibre towels, will leave them on the windshield after use and wash that area last but towels are cheap, you can flip them, and I can often use just a gallon or 1.5 gallons of water so I save a lot of water and a LOT of product, whether soap or rinseless solution by not needing 5 gallons in a bucket.
I'm a weekend warrior with a GMC Yukon XL. Because of the vehicles height, I need a ladder to reach the higher surfaces. I have two buckets with grit guards but have found the constant up and down on the ladder to be exhausting. I use CG Honeydew snow foam for the contactless wash and follow up with 1 bucket with multiple wash mitts. I have found this saves a huge amount of time and make the experience much more enjoyable. You always provide sage wisdom Pan. I have learned so much from you and your channel.
Hi Pan my wife and I started a mobile detailing business last year in the Ottawa Ontario area and we just love your videos very informative and detailed oriented. We enjoy all your tips and tricks that you provide on your videos its added a lot to the are arsenal on the way we perform are detailing. Keep sharing your knowledge with us all and wish you the all the success you deserve.
Welcome to my channel Gerald. You discovered one of the biggest car detailing channels on RU-vid as we surpassed 780,000 subscribers and are getting close to 100 million views! I have been detailing for 25 years and I love to share my knowledge and passion with my viewers. You found the right channel to help you learn everything about detailing. How did you discover my channel by the way? Cheers from Montreal!
I started watching RU-vid videos on car detailing and your videos came up . So after watching my first video of yours I was hooked . I just love how you explain how to use these products and along with your tips and tricks makes it easy to understand. By watching your videos it gives me the confidence to slowly get to the next level. Keep making those informative videos there's a lot of people benefiting from your knowledge and experience.👍
1 bucket method. Goes faster and less scratches. I dump approx 10-12 wash mitts in my car shampoo-bucket and BAM, then I've got a clean wash mitt everytime I touch the car - I flip every wash mitt, so I take advantage of both sides. Not sure what the "weekend-warrior" exactly means, but I believe I fit into that category(?)
One positive aspect that people tend to forget about the one bucket method, which can be somewhat important or at least convenient in like rather busy car wash parks for example, is time. If you're cleaning your one and only wash mitt for anything from up to 30 - 60 seconds and from anything between 10-20 times during an entire car you're going to take significantly longer than with the one bucket method. On the one bucket method there's obviously no going down and rinsing your butt off and checking the mitt/pad again for 10-20 times each car required. This also makes the one bucket method so much more comfortable for me. Mitt/Pad dirty? Away it goes, on to the next one. Also : when i look at what some people spend on their bucket systems the money argument is gone too. These are just my two cents of course though. Each to their own.
I'm transforming from a weekend warrior (for 15 years) to a professional. I use both methods depending on the location of the vehicle, how dirty is the vehicle...etc. when I'm in my garage I use one bucket method and a punch of old microfiber towels/mitts. As you mentioned, both methods work perfectly.
Enthusiast. I use the one bucket/multiple mitts now. No mitt goes back in the bucket which leaves the wash bucket uncontaminated and no mitt is dunked in dirty water. That said, I used the two bucket for a long time and had no problems with it. As long as the car isn’t crazy dirty and you pay attention to what’s on the mitt, I think it’s just fine. One bucket is probably overkill in most instances, especially for a well kept car. I just use it because I’m an overkill kind of guy.
I agree. I use one bucket with 3 mitts. 1 side of mitt for hood, windshield, and front end, other side for roof and rear. Mitts 2 and 3 are for each side of car, one side for top half, other side for lower. I just don't believe reusing that mitt will get all the dirt to settle at bottom before pulling it out.
I just got a brand new Honda Civic in January. I just got my first pressure washer and foam cannon. I plan on using it once minimum with agitation. If I wash it again I may just foam it and then spray it off for my second wash of the week or third or how many overtimes I do it. 😆 I live in an apartment but they have a place with a hose where you can wash your car and it’s shaded! So my plan is to use my new pressure washer to first rinse the car thoroughly to get as much dirt off as I can. Then foam the car and then use the 2 bucket method to hand wash and rinse the car. I still may use four mitts so I at least have some clean ones for different parts of the car. Then dry with a leaf blower and my gauntlet and double twistriss drying towels. The car shampoo I’m using is the Turtle Wax hybrid solutions slick and slide pure wash. I went crazy and bought all the turtle wax hybrid solutions products after watching your many demos on their brand..lol 😆🚗
I am weekend enthusiast and I use both methods. Washing with mit is allmost the last part of the washing and before that I rinse the car many times. Prewash, snowfoam wash with rinse and after that the soap wash. Usually the solution in the washing solution stay’s clean and the mit also. Sometimes if the car is allmost clean before the washing then I have done also the one bucket method. No swirls and scratches yet
Living in the Midwest, I do traditional washes during the warm months using the 2 bucket method. During the winter, I use rinseless washes, and thus a one bucket method with multiple towels. This just makes most sense to me in that, when using rinseless, I am not pre-rinsing (but am pre-spraying) the car, so the car is much dirtier to start, and thus the towel used, and I don't want to reintroduce that mitt / towel back into any bucket. With the one bucket method I typically use about 8 towels or so. I consider myself a "professional detailer", but I am the only client 🙂.
Hey pan, great break down, I have been converted to the tree bucket system with one for wheels. I do find the using the foam soak first the amount of debris has been also cut down a ton and this lowered the dirt on the panel by the time I get to the hand wash. Thank you again for helping all us weekend guys/ girls out here.
I use the one-bucket method with numerous microfiber wash mitts. Much easier and saves the time and trouble of another bucket, water and grit guards. Super video once again Pan.
I'm a weekend enthusiast and I'm not always on a smooth surface to roll arround buckets so I have to carry them. So I prefer 1 bucket with multiple mitts for the wash. 2nd bucket for wheels and tires but this way I only use one bucket at a time.
I use 3 buckets , wash bucket, rinse bucket and a wheel/tire bucket. I also just switched from grit guards to detail guardz dirt locks. Not sure I’ve seen a difference in that really. Just a weekend warrior here , but I like the results I get, and this is what I learned from you Pan👍 when I first began watching your channel ❤️
Weekend warrior here. I use 1 bucket with a grit guard filled with plain water and a capful of ONR just to rinse my mitts after I do a quick power wash the mitt. As for Washing, i foam the car so no need for a wash bucket. I use 2-3 mitts.
I use 3 buckets, 1 for wheels 2 for washing. I start with wheels as it’s the part I like the least. If the vehicle is not very dirty I will use a rinseless system. I always finish up with a dry aid of some kind. I’m an enthusiast that dabbles with some paying customers. Definitely agree with as long as you use common sense and most importantly have fun! Because of your videos I now confidently wash vehicles and am helping friends learn how to maintain their vehicles.
Great content PAN. I'm an enthusiast that washes my car 2x or more per week on average. Car is garage kept and rarely sees rain. NEVER snow / ice /salt. One bucket, mit, wheel wooley, tire brush etc. dedicated for wheels and do them first. Process for Body: 1) pressure rinse entire car with just water. 2) Foam car and let it sit while I clean tire bucket and tools used earlier . Usually takes 5 Min. 3) Pressure wash foam off car. 4) Foam car a second time. 5) Using clean Mit and bucket of water, I get mit wet and start just using the foam as my soap / lubricant. Rinse mit in clean water every panel or so. 6) Rinse with pressure washer to remove all soap 7) Add drying aid while pressure rinsing 8) Dry with leaf blower. Keep up the good work!
I'm a weekend enthusiast. I use the one bucket during the summer because my cars get dusty more than dirty. Winter months, I use the two bucket method for when it rains. Great video Pam!!
I did the 2-bucket method for a few years. Then, I discovered the 1-bucket method. In my system, I no longer use a wash mitt. I use multiple microfiber towels, one or two per panel. After wiping a panel, I merely throw the towel into a plastic bag to be washed later. I use 10-12 towels per car wash. I only use soft brushes on the wheels. You cannot get all of the brake dust out of a microfiber towel. I no longer wipe-dry my cars after rinsing. I now use an EGO 650 leaf blower to dry my cars. I'll use a microfiber drying towel just in case. I am now buying an electric pressure washer and foam cannon for the future. PAN THE ORGANIZER is one of only three detailers I am subscribed to. Don't need the rest.
Enthusiast here - two bucket method. The grit guards are a must for me! I see a lot of grit at the bottom of the bucket, glad I didn't reintroduce that grit back on to the car. I drop the wash mitt into the rinse bucket and squeeze it out, then to the wash bucket to refill it for the next panel.
I use 1 bucket but 4 different mits, I also got a bucket just to keep all my wheel cleaning supplies in, I detail about 5% of the cars in my city and I have no complaints about swirls or scratches from any of my clients!
I am definitely in the two bucket camp for the paint and I ALWAYS use a separate third bucket for the wheels. The third bucket for the wheels is a must, in my opinion. When washing the paint, I start at the top and wash down to approximately knee height. Once the car has been completely washed from the top down to knee height, I then wash the remaining lower portion of the car from knee height down. I do this because the lower portion of the car is the dirtiest and I don’t want to introduce that dirt to the less dirty part of the paint. This helps prevent swirls. I also frequently empty and refill my rinse bucket during the wash process so that I am rinsing in clean water. Although I am a weekend warrior, I have taken a professional detailing class and learned this method at the class. My cars continue to look quite good using this method.
I do rinseless/waterless car washes weekly and use the single bucket method with several microfiber towels. I use the edgeless ones from the rag company so I don't worry about rolling scratches from the edge seems. Once a month, I do use the 2 bucket method when I use a product with protection in it. I try to maintain my graphene spray coating for as long as I can and the 2 bucket method really help with that.
Enthusiast, If really dirty, I pre spray wash outside then into garage for one bucket rinseless wash. Works well in cold Canadian winter and out of sun in summer. Big red sponge and drying towel towel then drying aid with microfibre to finish.
I am an enthusiast and I use the one bucket method with only one mitt. I rinse the mitt out with just running water after doing a section using my garage sink. My thought is that fine dirt particles will float or not instantly sink in a rinse bucket even with a grit guard. By rinsing it you would have less chance of reintroducing dirt since it goes down the drain. Kinda works like the 2 bucket but just a rinse instead of a bucket. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk :)
I use the one bucket method & about 4 wash mitts & Mothers speed wash & wax. I accumulated many mitts over the years so no reason to buy the extra bucket. Works great for me.
Professional - 1 bucket with 5-7 mitts. I noticed I'm done faster. Plus I use less water and I think there is no need to waste water 🙂. I have small business so investing in mitts was no big deal. Great video, Pan! 👌👍
I prefer the one bucket method with a bunch of towels but that’s only because of the amount of time it saves not having to constantly dunk a wash mitt. Never had any problems with the two bucket method, my cars always stayed swirl free when doing it properly. People are way over thinking things if they’re scared of it
Exactly. At one point, you just have to go out there, and enjoy washing your car. As long as you are using safe washing methods, don't overthink the moment. There are pros and cons to every method. There isn't a "one method is the best". It's more of which method is best for you. :)
I’ve been a paid detailer in the past (20+yrs ago) now an enthusiast and helping hand for friends who want to learn or need a service. That being said I use the 2girls one cup method. Seriously though. Foam cannon, body/paint bucket and wheel/tire bucket. Plenty of soap at all times.
Weekend warrior here! Consistently considered a pseudo-professional by friends and family :) I do two bucket method and prefer the idea of applying only clear, non-dirty water and soap to my car… made possible by all the dirty water going into the rinse bucket
I honestly used to think the two bucket method was the best and safest, but now I follow the Gary Dean one bucket method - which I think is even safer and much more efficient. Get _several_ MF Chenille Wash mitts and never need to rinse and reuse per wash. No matter how much you try agitating and rinsing, you will never get 100% dirt off. I also do a foam cannon and power rinse _before_ I even go start hitting the car with the mitts.
Weekend warrior. 2 bucket method. And I still use 2-3 mitts. Works for me. I have had more swirls from a brand new delivered than after I condition the surface.
From India , Thanks to Pan, I follow the foam & 2 bucket wash method, I had never cleaned wheels in first place, It grows on to you hence it does make lot of difference. Till now I have upgraded, buckets ,grit guard, wash mitt, foam canon, pressure washer to karcher k2 compact. In the End To be in the cleanest car is the best satisfaction.
WW/DE here. Been using 2 buckets. Will use 2 mitts sometimes. When I see the grit at the bottom of the rinse bucket I’m always glad I used two buckets.
Just a beginner here. I use the JJC foam cannon and one wash bucket with a grit guard. After watching this video I now want to possibly use the foam cannon and two buckets. One with soap and one clean water. I think I really need a clean rinse bucket now lol. I only use one wash mitt on my car. Now I’m nervous lol.
I use a hybrid method: two buckets and three mitts. One mitt is dedicated for the flats (hood, trunk, roof), one dedicated for the sides, and one dedicated for the rocker panels. This way the mitts for progressively dirtier parts of the car never see a cleaner part of the car, further reducing the risk for scratches or marring. This method has been working very well for me.
You are amazing at responding to all of these comments. Great intro and video too. I am an ex-mobile detailer turned weekend warrior and I use neither method and I get it done faster with great results. I have one bucket for my wheel brushes and chemicals. I use super clean 10 to 1 on the bugs, bird droppings and rocker panels, pretreating them first, then foam the car dry and immediately do the wheels and tires. Then rinse it all off and go right into a rinseless wash with my detail guard and big red sponge and then dry. I have tested several ways and found this to get the maximum results in the least amount of time. Keep up the great work Pan
Thanks David! How did you discover my channel ? Welcome to my channel. You discovered one of the biggest car detailing channels on RU-vid as we surpassed 780,000 subscribers and are getting close to 100 million views! I have been detailing for 25 years and I love to share my knowledge and passion with my viewers. You found the right channel to help you learn everything about detailing.
@@PanTheOrganizer I have been a sub since you did the pre-rinse or not video. Keep up the good work. We have similar weather here in the Detroit area 😎
in my one man shop I use either one bucket rinseless with 4-6 microfibers, or three bucket one rinse, one wash, one wheels all with grit guards. I also always follow up with a drying aid while drying with a quality towel.
Another excellent video!!! Myself I use 2 buckets with grit guards an a 3rd bucket for the wheels. Only high quality microfibre products touch the paint and I always ring out the microfiber wash mit in between the wash solution and the rinse. 🇨🇦
Enthusiast, and I've always been a proponent of the one bucket method. I've tried the two bucket, but I find it a bit cumbersome, wasteful (of water), and unnecessary. You really only need 2-3 mitts or microfiber towels to do a great, safe job with the one bucket method. All that said, I've become a huge fan of the rinseless wash process in most situations. My cars are never all that dirty, and using a rinseless wash method works extremely well.
I'm a weekend enthusiast. I used to use two buckets but after seeing John's (UK) video, I've switched to just one bucket. My old rinse bucket was always clean so I don't think it's worth the extra effort. I use just one Incredimitt which I rinse between uses. Oh and I always use prewash with a pressure washer.
Weekend warrior here, starting to be a detail enthusiast after watching your videos. I started the 2 bucket wash method and a 3rd for the wheel brushes, following your advice! Keep up the great videos! Some long-term product updates would be fantastic as well :)
Thanks Harry! I have tons of long term updates on my channel already. You have 800 videos to go through. ;) But I test hundreds and hundreds of products so it’s not always possible to do long term updates on every single product as just having the vehicle back for a video can be complicated. People have busy lives. Welcome to my channel. You discovered one of the biggest car detailing channels on RU-vid as we surpassed 780,000 subscribers and are getting close to 100 million views! I have been detailing for 25 years and I love to share my knowledge and passion with my viewers. You found the right channel to help you learn everything about detailing.
@@PanTheOrganizer you know I've pretty much watched them all haha, or multiple times! I've learnt a lot! A few products would be interesting to see more of, NV car care or Owners Pride products.
Weekend warrior here. My std is 3 bucket method (soap, rinse and wheels). Then when it is ridiculously hot here in GA, I will do a 2 bucket rinseless wash (Car, wheels) in the garage.
Weekend Enthusiasts (my son and I) with multiple cars....2 bucket method, pre- spray with ONR or N-914. If somewhat more dirty than usual, Prefoam with Wash Soap, Rinse, Foam once again before contact wash. Guys, give the Microfiber Madness DeliMitt at try. Was like $36 bucks to my door but it's really awesome!!
Great info! I have always used the "double bucket system". However, after watching your video, will try out the "one bucket system" just to see what the experience is like. Thanks again for a great video/content!
I use the no bucket method. I use a pressure washer with foam cannon to soap the entire car as a pre-wash process. My car has multiple layers of ceramic coating on it so this step alone if the car has not been driven in the rain after rinsing gets the car about 90-95% clean. I then use the pressure washer and foam cannon to soap each panel as I go and I completely rinse the wash mitt with the pressure washer after each panel.
I use 3 buckets with different soaps and use the water spray to rinse my mitts and tools. With all buckets I clean the wheels as well. Bucket 1: Prewash I don't have a foam-gun and use a bucket with regular car-shampoo to prewash. First Spray Bug & Grime on the car and Wheelcleaner on the wheels on one side, when the product sits and does its work I use tirecleaner and agitate the tires with a brush. To rinse and wet the brush I use the garden hose spray. After tires are cleaned, rinse the wheels and grime off. Once both sides are done I spray the car with Tar remover. Then I start prewashing the car with a mitt that has super large fibers to prevent scratches. Every time I put the mitt in the bucket, I add a spray of shampoo and rub it in the water to remove any dirt as well as getting a good foam (to prevent scratches). On the lower parts I always rinse my mitt with the hose, much like a rinse bucket. Carefully laying aside this mitt to prevent dirt from getting in. Then I add water to the bucket and use an old mitt for the wheel chamber & a wheel whoolie for the inside of the wheels (adding extra shampoo if needed). For every wheel I rinse the tools. Rinse car completely to go to the main wash. Bucket 2: Wash For the main wash I have a shampoo that removes iron decontamination and still before I start I spray iron remover on the paint, specifically the lower parts, before washing. This boosts the effectiveness of the ceramic coat considerably. Then I do the wheels with a dedicated wheel mitt and old MF for wheel chambers. The Iron remover in the shampoo makes it perfect to remove the last of the decontamination. Rinsing my tools and mitts accordingly as descibed in the prewash. If needed I use a little bit of Iron remover on the brake discs and carefully agitate with a brush. Rinse car completely to go to the finishing wash. Bucket 3: Detail Wash For this wash I use a shampoo that also adds a layer of Sio2 coat. I end with the wheels because I don't want any leftover wheel remover getting on the paint. At this stage I use the same mitt for the wheels as for the paint, but a second wheel whoolie for the inside of the wheels and another old MF for wheel chambers. After the rinse I dry with a two towel method. First to get most moist/water of the car and the second with quickdetailer to get the car dry and streakfree.
Salut Pan , après mon prélavage au canon à mousse , j'utilise pour le lavage une technique que je pense sécuritaire , j'utilise un sceau de rincage avec une grille au fond et un shampoing dans mon canon à mousse et je travaille panneau par panneau avec 2 gants en microfibre , un pour le haut puis un pour le bas du véhicule. Toujours un plaisir de voir tes vidéos Pan!
I tried out the two bucket method and found it to be an unnecessary hassle.I use a bunch of fresh microfiber towels in one bucket and use a towel for two sections before grabbing a new towel.Not dunking a dirty wash tool back into the suds.Like alot of thing in detailing,find out what works best for you.Good vid Pan!😎👍
I consider myself as a detailing enthusiast and a weekend warrior, best of both worlds, right? My preffered washing method is the two bucket method. In my opinion it's the safest way to wash a car and it works the best for me and my needs. One bucket is just for rinsing the mitt and trapping the dirt at the bottom of the bucket, and the second bucket is dedicated for clean wash solution. Stellar work Pan, can't wait for the next upload👌🏻.
I've used both methods, and I've settled on the two bucket method (with a third separate bucket for wheels/tires). Just find it easier to manage, and I haven't noticed any marring or swirling in my paint so I'll keep using it.
Thanks for another great video! I'm a DIY guy with multiple cars, and I like to keep them clean! Trying out the 2 bucket method today (with a 3rd for wheels!).
Welcome to my channel. You discovered one of the biggest car detailing channels on RU-vid as we surpassed 930,000 subscribers and we have over 122 million views! I have been detailing for 26 years and I love to share my knowledge and passion with my viewers. You found the right channel to help you learn everything about detailing.
I was using multiple mits and 2 buckets but after I bought that Grit guard pump system I went back to one mit and save the bottom panels for last. That pump grit guard works really well
Two bucket method. I do change the water once. You can also use 3 buckets. 1 wash and 2 rinse. There are so many possibilities. You can even use 3 buckets and even 2 washmits, so you can be sure of no dirt gets stuck in the washmit. I always wash the sideskirts, rear bumper and front bumper skirts last. I prefer to dry with a blower.
I was using the two bucket method but after having a new baby I just didn’t have time like I used to. I’ve switched to one bucket with a dirt lock by detail guardz. I wash wheels last and rinse my mitt between panels and I’ve seen no I’ll effect to speak of as of yet. I remember during a polishing class the instructor told us that at least 50% of scratches happen during the drying process if done incorrectly. So far his theory is holding true.
That is correct. The majority of marring, scratches and swirls happen during the contact wash and towel drying stages, if done using improper techniques and methods. We call those "love marks".
The type of wash I do completely depends on the condition of the vehicle I am washing. My daily driver as well as my wife's daily I almost always do a hybrid type of wash using my Griot's BOSS Foam Cannon and accompanying chemicals associated with it. I foam down the dry paint with the foaming wash (NOT the Foaming Surface Prep which is really strong and I only use that on strip down washes for paint polishing or de-clogging a coating) and allow to dwell for about 5 minutes, then pressure wash off the foam. Then I re-foam and use a quality wash media (multiple high GSM microfiber cloths) to agitate the soap, rinsing that soap after the wash. Finally I use the Griot's Foaming Poly Gloss as the final stage, rinsing it when complete after the recommended dwell time. I then use a blow dryer on all the intricate areas (seams, crevices, light housing edges, etc) and then use a quality drying towel (large size) along with Griot's Ceramic Speed Shine as a drying aide (Griot's Ceramic Speed Shine is a FANTASTIC drying aide for Si02 sealants OR any coating, using light quick mists (1 or 2 per panel at most), leaving no streaks, and is quick drying. Ceramic Speed Shine is my current favorite drying aide and it couples well with Si02 based sealants/coatings). As of late I have been using a single bucket rinseless wash (multiple high GSM quality microfiber towels) including a pre-spray down of the rinseless solution to start breaking down anything that might be on the surface before I begin the contact wash on my sports car/weekend only car, but that car stays very clean and I do a rinseless wash on it after almost every use to stay on top of it. I have not yet tried the new theory of "touchless" washing using the pressure washer and foaming soaps but I want to start experimenting on that type of wash as I feel it definitely has value on lightly soiled vehicles as ANY non contact on a paint surface is a good thing as to minimize the love marks. Unfortunately my Nissan 370Z has VERY soft paint (like a lot of JDM vehicles in fact do) and it mars REALLY easily so I have to be extra careful on that car so the theory of non-contact washing at all (including blow drying only, no drying towel) on a very lightly soiled vehicle does make sense to me. I want to explore the touchless type of washing more in the coming months.
I agree with others. One bucket and tools for tires, inside fender wells (SUV), and undercarriage. Rinse, snow foam, two bucket method. Works great. No worries on the paint or wheels! Thanks Pan!
I’d be a weekend worrier lol. Two bucket method for me but I use at least two mitts. One for the lower sections and one for the higher section. My thinking is the lower half is more than likely the most contaminated. Great video as always Pan 👍
I use one bucket with fresh microfiber. Grab one from the wash bucket, use it and done. Grab another and repeat the process so I'm always washing clean.
I am a weekend warrior and use a two-bucket method (actually three as one is for the wheels). The two-bucket method with grit guards just seems to make sense.
1 bucket, 4 mitts, each used once, each side and put aside to be rinse for next wash, so basically no mitt is redunk into my wash water, I also foam the car and to do the contact wash, for me, not having to rince, wring out and redunk saves alot of time during the wash
I agree 100! And when your using the two bucket your dipping your mitt into dirty water. Makes absolutely no sense and the grit guard doesn’t hold all the dirt in the bottom.
I have tried many variations over the years. For my SL 550 I use one bucket. The front end is PPF wrapped, so I use one mitt for that and then usually 3 for the rest of the car. One for the top, one for each side, flipping them as I go along, so in reality 8 sides. I never put them back into the bucket, so if the car is really dirty then will add dedicated mitts for the lower body. For my daily driver, I just use one mitt, one bucket. Always grit guards.
