2 "must have" tools in your detailing arsenal

[Mike Phillips]

Two "Must Have" Car Washing Tools - The Brass Shut-off Valve & Brass Quick Connector

Without a doubt, the Single Brass Connector Shut-off Valve is one of the best car washing tools ever invented. Period.

Look, we can all discuss which wash mitt we love the best or which car wash soap is our favorite, or talk about hose nozzles, foam guns or pressure washers, but once we get past that, no matter what your personal preference might be we all have to turn the water on and off and that's where the Single Brass Connector Shut Off Valve comes into play.


The Single Brass Connector Shut Off Valve
If I were to count how many steps I've taken over a lifetime to walk back and forth to the water spigot to either turn the water on or turn the water off I could have walked a hundred miles by now easily.

If you don't already have one of these energy and time saving brass shut-off valves on the end of every one of your water hoses around the house or shop, then you're missing boat because once you use a brass water shut-off valve one time you'll never want to be without it again. Yes, that's what I typed, one time.


So take a look at these pictures as they tell the story and then imagine yourself the next time you're using a water hose for ANYTHING and imagine how great it would be if you didn't have to walk all the way back to the water spigot each time you wanted to either turn the water on, or turn the water off.


This is another must-have tool in your detailing arsenal of tools...


YouTube - Two "Must Have" Car Washing Tools - The Brass Shut-off Valve & Brass Quick Connector



Brass Water Shut-Off Valve in the "On" position



Simply turn the T-handle to turn the water off...






Ready for water again? Simply turn the T-Handle to the open position.







Water's back on! And you didn't have to walk back to the water spigot!



How it works
It's real simple and will give you years of service, there's a swivel ball valve












The Brass Quick Connector
If you've already equipped all your water hoses with a Brass Connector Shut Off Valve, either a single, a double or a 4-way, you're already way ahead of the curve but let me show you another handy tool that's just as cool.

The Brass Quick Connector



This quick disconnect fitting enables you to switch between water tools on-the-fly!

With a leak-proof seal, you can quickly and easily remove your Fire Hose Nozzle and switch to your Foam Gun in seconds without having to find a pair of pliers to loosen and then tighten the threaded end of your water hose off or onto one of your water tools.

Brass Male Quick Connects 3 Pack






How it works
Simply pull the release back...



Slide the male end of a brass connector into the brass female connector...




Then let go of the release and you're ready for action!







Products Shown
Single Brass Connector Shut Off Valve
The Brass Quick Connector
Brass Quick Connector 3-Pack Set
Fire Hose Nozzle
Grit Guard Insert
5 Gallon Wash Bucket System with Dolly - RED
Wolfgang Auto Bathe

[Jakerooni]

The shut off vlave is definatly a good thing. I'm just sitting here thinking about all the times I had to walk back and forth to the spigot.

[RaskyR1]

I have the same set up now. I hated having to run up to the house to shut off the water. This also allows me to quickly change between nozzles or connect to my pressure washer.

[Vanilla]

I thought those were good ideas until I tried them. I did not buy my parts from AG - it's possible that mine were inferior!

The small opening of the ball valve reduced the water pressure from my 'firehose nozzle' to an unsatisfactory level.

I also quickly got tired of the quick connect attached to the end of my hose - after about a month of use the spring release was nearly impossible to move (the quick connect that came with my foam gun is still perfect after a year, so I probably bought an inferior quick connect system).

[Accumulator]

Yeah, the shut-off are just *so* handy, and it's usually pretty easy to operate them with your thumb/index finger, at least with a little practice.

One other feature of the quick-disconnects is that they *swivel*, very handy with attachments like the foamgun that might not end up "right side up" when merely screwed onto the end of the hose.

FWIW, I'm running two quick-disconnects per hose: one at the end of the hose, then a shut-off, then another quick-disconnect. Makes for more easy-to-use options.

vanilla- Yeah, there are *vast* differences in quality. Many shut-offs restrict the flow, but you can check that out just by looking at them.

A good quick-disconnect will last for ages, I have some that're over a decade old and they're still fine. Over the last ~20 years I've probably had to replace two or three of them, and that's with 6-8 in use at all times.

Buy good ones like these (heh heh, see, it pays to patronize vendors like AutoGeek as they figure out which stuff is good/not ).

[Vanilla]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Buy good ones like these (heh heh, see, it pays to patronize vendors like AutoGeek as they figure out which stuff is good/not ).

Sold! I'll add them to the order I'm placing tonight to take advantage of the fall sale.

[Pats300zx]

Great write up Mike. Your set up is identical to mine

I have had my quick connectors and shut offs on all my hoses for years with no issues.

[Kean]

.....I have quick-connects on all of my hoses and equipment (sediment/soft water filters, DI filters, nozzles and pressure washer). I couldn't see using all of these tools without them.

[JohnZ3MC]

Mike's right. The brass on/off valve and the connectors are invaluable. I've been using them for years.
Foam gun on, foam, valve off, water nozzle on. It just couldn't be easier.
Get the brass ones, the plastic ones are cheaper but just don't last as long.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by JohnZ3MC

.. Foam gun on, foam, valve off, water nozzle on. It just couldn't be easier..

Well, it's a little easier having dedicated hoses for the foamgun and the rinse water Easier yet to have a pair on each side of the wash bay!