What do you pros use to wash

[Accumulator]

This is in the PRO forum, and I'm not a pro. That said...

I use BHBs, sheepskin mitts, and yeah...MF mitts (all with the foamgun). I always do the first passes with the BHBs and I use the MF mitts on my best car, so if you're getting marring from the MF mitts I'd say it's technique rather than the mitt itself. But yeah, MF mitts can retain dirt so you have to take that into consideration.

Dragging abrasive [stuff] across the paint under pressure will mar it no matter what does the dragging.

I used sea sponges for ages and I've tried GS, but for the life of me I can't wash as marring-free with them as I can with my other wash media I can't seem to do the "dislodge and flush" thing as well, or at least that's what I suspect is going on.

Gotta admit I didn't try the GS very many times as I couldn't see any point in marring my paint in an attempt to fix something that isn't broken (ditto for ONR for regular washes). And I'll be the first to say that it can take a *lot* of washes to get the technique sorted out.

Use whatever works for *you*, but if you have to polish out wash-induced marring on a regular basis I'd say you're doing something wrong.

Here's a Q: are you folks getting much dirt in your rinse and/or wash buckets? I guess I mean especially the shampoo mix bucket, which I'd think oughta stay clean...but now that (IMO) I have my wash sorted out, even my rinse buckets stay mighty clean, even when I do a nasty-filthy wash in the winter.

[Tru_Shine]

Well I just used the Lowes GS along with ONR with 2 bucket method for the first time last night and a gritgaurd in the rinse bucket. the rinse water was absolutly nasty. The vehicle was a Black 2006 Harley Davidson edition F-150 coverd in rain splash dirt. I couldn't tell if there were any marring from the ONR/GS wash because the paint was already jacked up with swirls and spiderwebs. but the outcome of the ONR wash was pretty cool. ONR bucket was clean the whole time and the rinse bucket was nasty.

[bullitt21]

My company vehicle is black and I've been using the GS since I bought it over a year ago. I've done mostly traditional washes on it but it will get the ONR wash about once a month on avg., and the paintwork still looks perfect. Keep in mind i've done a one-step correction at 6 months, but there are no visible swirls. It's an 08 Sport-Trac and the paints not super soft, but it's not rock hard either. The truck still doesn't show any signs of swirling, but everytime I wash it I use pressure washer 1st(Low Pressure), then foam and agitate any crevices with various soft brushes(Only the crevices, I don't use the brush on the panels). Use the pressure to spray the foam off. Then I use the two bucket method, rinse again, then take off the sprayer from the water hose so the water will sheet off(This really helps alot), then dry with waffle weaves. I know I probably missed something but hope this may help give you some ideas.

[JimmyCutlass]

Gold Class shampoo, microfiber mitts and Meguiar's synthetic sheepskin mitt.

[Rez90]

Adams car wash. Schmitt. 2 buckets.

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

This is in the PRO forum, and I'm not a pro. That said...

I'm sick & tired of you throwing your non-Pro caveats into discussions. You're more of a Pro than 85% (if not way more) of the people that consider themselves professionally competent not only here, but people detailing for a living. Stop fooling yourself all the time, because I'm not buying it. I here by deputize you as an official Professional Detailing Perfectionist!!!

[Scottwax]

Never could get into grout sponges, really don't like them at all. I prefer using a microfiber covered foam pad. I bought out what they had at Big Lots a couple years ago (at $2 each) and not one of them has come apart at the seams or appreciably lost their plushness. They hold up so well I still haven't even used about half of them.

I use ONR about 99% of the time, the other 1% of vehicles I run across that are caked in mud I use Meguiars Gold Class.

[Showroom Shine]

Lately I have been using Micro Fiber Schmitts. With ONR 2 bucket system. I just received my Nomad Pressure Washer. I could not wait to hook it up and try it.
This is just my personal opinion of it. I think it is a well built piece of equipmet. I sprayed degreaser on my tires and wheel cleaner on my rims,(wheels). Hooked up the Nomad power cord,hose,and nozzle. I was amazed at the amount of pressure it has. The pump only runs when you squezze the nozzle. It worked GREAT on the tires and wheels and wheel wells. I put 2 capfulls of ONR in the water. Although my vehicle was not very dirty,it did rain here last night. I was very pleased with the Nomad. You can wash a car in the garage,with little or no water on the floor. The pressure will remove bugs too. The nozzle has a screw adjustment for fan or pin point spraying. I also ordered the AC adapter. My plane is to run it off my generator,and keep my water tank in my truck for refills of the Nomad. This is perfect for those with nice heated garages and the exotic cars. I give it a Big Thumbs UP!

[Gig103]

[ Not a pro ]
I like sheepskin. Always used it without issues.
Been using This one from DetailedImage. I like that it has no thumb, and it has the quantity discount that stacks with coupons.
[ /not a pro ]


Question about the grout sponges -- single use? For $2, I can't imagine you use it more than a few times, but please enlighten me.

[BigAl3]

Originally Posted by Gig103

Question about the grout sponges -- single use? For $2, I can't imagine you use it more than a few times, but please enlighten me.

a GS lasts as long or longer than any other wash media out there IME...

[dazzlingpaint]

wool mitt, as they age they turn into wheel mitts.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by JimmyCutlass

Gold Class shampoo, microfiber mitts and Meguiar's synthetic sheepskin mitt.

Man-oh-man I'd be careful with that Meguiar's synthetic mitt

Some people here haver *REALLY* messed up their paint with it.

Originally Posted by David Fermani

I'm sick & tired of you throwing your non-Pro caveats into discussions. You're more of a Pro than 85% (if not way more) of the people that consider themselves professionally competent not only here, but people detailing for a living. Stop fooling yourself all the time, because I'm not buying it. I here by deputize you as an official Professional Detailing Perfectionist!!!

Wooh-hoo you made my day Coming from *you* that's high praise indeed, and I truly appreciate it. But uhm...heh heh, I will continue to take perverse pleasure in posting my non-pro disclaimer Never let it be said that I tried to pass my self off as a "pro" as opposed to, say...a "highly talented amateur". You know, like the kids at the Olympics (hey, humble I'm not ).