the 'little tricks you've learned' thread

[Accumulator]

..
I always get the old "rinse water bucket becomes as soapy as the soap bucket" though...

I use a big spring-clamp on my rinse buckets so I can easily keep track of which is which.

I'm thinking of going back to using my second bucket as replacement soapwater for when the first needs changed, instead of the trad. two bucket way.

If your rinse/"second" bucket's water gets dirty, and I suspect that most people's rinse water does, then I wouldn't try that.

And I'm a bit here...why would your "first" bucket's water need changed? It's the shampoo mix, right?

[Nth Degree]

I use a big spring-clamp on my rinse buckets so I can easily keep track of which is which.

That's not a bad idea. I just use two different color buckets. Gray is rinse/dirty and white is soap/clean.

[Concourswanna b]

I use a big spring-clamp on my rinse buckets so I can easily keep track of which is which.

I like that idea.

If your rinse/"second" bucket's water gets dirty, and I suspect that most people's rinse water does, then I wouldn't try that.

I probably didn't say that very clearly... Sure, the rinse water would not be a good substitute for the wash water. I guess I meant to say "just use a one-bucket method, but have a second reserve bucket of suds ready for whenever I feel the first bucket is somehow contaminated." With this method, the mitt would be rinsed out well and often with the hose.

Maybe I need to ring out the mitt more after rinsing when using the two-bucket way.

And I'm a bit here...why would your "first" bucket's water need changed? It's the shampoo mix, right?

Well, I do notice a higher degree of liquid loss with the lamb’s wool mitts, vs. the old days of the grout sponge. I found those to be faster, but I swear I noticed a little marring. I love the waschpudel, but I see slight, slight, slight marring with it, as well.

[TOGWT]

Finish Kare FK 1000P
Use a dampened, soft applicator pad with a very light pressure and spread product thinly and evenly. Leave Finish Kare FK1000P for a few minutes (apply to 2-3 panels before removing. Spritz the paint surface with Finish Kare FK#425 and then remove with a clean applicator, this will cut down on any product dusting and finally buff surface with a clean dry towel

[Accumulator]

Concourswanna B- OK, that cleared up some of my confusion. But eh, I suspect I just approach this stuff too differently...I can't imagine *ever* letting an unrinsed/soiled wash mitt/sponge/brush/etc. get into my shampoo mix lest it contaminate it. I make sure all my wash media are completely clean before they go back into that bucket, and not that due to my wash technique my wash media stay so clean that my *rinse* water is usually perfectly clean at the end of a wash (even when I do a winter-filthy vehicle).

[dfoxengr]

To add one of mine:
When you're doing a task that involves a spray bottle in one hand and a towel or something else in the other, keep your finger off the spray trigger. For some reason I involuntarily spray the bottle sometimes and it gets on things it isn't supposed to. So just hold the bottle without your finger on the trigger.

[Saurabh14673]

P21 S GEPC works wonders on removing hard water spots from the windscreen.

Very effective in removing dried ONR stains. Found out the hard way when out of station and was without clay & KAIO.

[Nth Degree]

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work for getting wax or polish residue off of textured black plastic.

Of course, taping the trim makes it not get on it at all.

A simple pink eraser from the school supplies isle works wonders for that too.