A Better Grout Sponge

i just used the GS today for the first time on my new 09 BMW 335i M-Sport, man that thing is nice! feels better than MF sponge as it glides so smoothly. i used BMW shampoo aka Sonax :D
 
I picked up 3 HD grout sponges this weekend. They were individually wrapped, but they were QEP branded and stamped made in greece:



QEP Extra Large Grouting Sponge, 7-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 2 In., Rectangle with Rounded Corners, 1 Pack Bag - 70005-144 at The Home Depot



With ONR, my biggest fear was getting the liquid out of the sponge onto the car. I ended up squeezing the sponge out a little then soaking it again and gliding it across the surface. Vertical panels were a challenge, however i think overall it worked well. My MF mitt had the same types of problems, and it is 10x heavier when loaded with solution.



After reading this thread, I'm getting a Proline GS to compare. If I like it better, the two unopened HD grout sponges may get returned.
 
so i go to lowes today and noticed the tile & grout sponge no longer has the open pores/holes in them (same packaging, but maybe they offer both with or without them now). i opened one up (was going to buy it anyway) and noticed it still retains it's super softness and perfect hand size (seemed to be a tad smaller, but i guess it's my imagination LOL). naturally, i picked up the only two they had in stock... :D
 
I recently purchased this GS and am impressed with it more-so than the HD GS. Ive switched almost completely to the GS, but recently started using ONR so I have been experimenting with different mitts and sponges to see what felt the best. So far I like using the Lowe's GS over a micro-chennille mitt, a chenille mitt, and HD GS.. i have yet to test a microfiber covered sponge (ie scottwax) or a sheepskin mitt, but that's another thread...



Either way, I am impressed with the softness and the feel of the Lowes GS gliding across the paint. It doesn't seem as catchy compared to the HD GS. I have also noticed that the Lowes Proline GS does come cleaner a bit easier than the HD GS.



Plus you can't beat less than 2 bucks for wash media...
 
dheath said:
I recently purchased this GS and am impressed with it more-so than the HD GS. Ive switched almost completely to the GS, but recently started using ONR so I have been experimenting with different mitts and sponges to see what felt the best. So far I like using the Lowe's GS over a micro-chennille mitt, a chenille mitt, and HD GS.. i have yet to test a microfiber covered sponge (ie scottwax) or a sheepskin mitt, but that's another thread...



Either way, I am impressed with the softness and the feel of the Lowes GS gliding across the paint. It doesn't seem as catchy compared to the HD GS. I have also noticed that the Lowes Proline GS does come cleaner a bit easier than the HD GS.



Plus you can't beat less than 2 bucks for wash media...
Click to expand...



agreed. i have and used lots of different sponges/mitts and this one is the best i've used (i also like the sm arnold thumbless sheepskin mitt). i like it better than the lake country grout sponge, zymol sponge, hd grout sponge, etc., etc. not to mention it's 2-3X cheaper (than lake country/zymol) and lasts a looong time. it's $2 well spent...
 
Inzane said:
I haven't specifically looked for grout sponges at those stores yet. But I did buy the one from Home Depot a few days ago and tried an ONR wash with it and loved it!
Click to expand...



trueimage said:
Any Canadians have any luck finding this at any other place than Home Depot?



I have the following nearby:

Canadian Tire

Wal-Mart

Rona

Home Hardware

Zellers

UAP Napa

?
Click to expand...



I just went to Rona and picked up two of the inexpensive grouting sponges. I checked to see if there was anything in the cleaning supplies area first, but there weren't.



The ones I picked up were a Richard brand "Easy-Grip Sponge" which seems to be quite soft, and the pores resemble the ProLine sponge (large).



The Rona branded sponge seems to look like the HD sponge, with smaller pores and a bit stiffer.
 
prix03gt said:
I picked up 3 HD grout sponges this weekend. They were individually wrapped, but they were QEP branded and stamped made in greece:



QEP Extra Large Grouting Sponge, 7-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 2 In., Rectangle with Rounded Corners, 1 Pack Bag - 70005-144 at The Home Depot



With ONR, my biggest fear was getting the liquid out of the sponge onto the car. I ended up squeezing the sponge out a little then soaking it again and gliding it across the surface. Vertical panels were a challenge, however i think overall it worked well. My MF mitt had the same types of problems, and it is 10x heavier when loaded with solution.



After reading this thread, I'm getting a Proline GS to compare. If I like it better, the two unopened HD grout sponges may get returned.
Click to expand...



Why return them? Just cut them in half and use them to apply dressing on tires, dash, engine, and a rag to wipe down any excess dressing. It's a lot cheaper than those tire dressing applicators that some people buy.
 
I was at Home Depot today and picked up a couple of the orange grout sponges. They are softer than the Rona branded one, and are slightly smaller, but seem to be very similar.



Also got a bucket and plastic egg crate lighting diffuser to make a DIY grit guard :)



The Richard brand grout sponge from Rona seems to be softer than the other two, and kind of feels like memory foam when you squeeze it hard.
 
Grout sponge pics



From LEFT to RIGHT (front pic)

Rona branded grout sponge, Richard branded grout sponge (from Rona), HD grout sponge (QEP)

DSCF1567-4.jpg




PROFILE (side pic)

HD grout sponge, Rona branded grout sponge, Richard branded grout sponge (available at Rona)

DSCF1565-3.jpg




I just noticed the pics are a bit blurry.. oh well :p
 
I just washed two cars with the GS sponge from Lowe's. Not quite sure what to think yet - it is very cloudy and thus cannot tell if I instilled any swirls (no light either). However, I do like how simple and easy it is to use. Extremely easy to rinse all the dirt and grime, which I really like. If it does not instill swirls, I think I found my perfect tool. :spot
 
Got the Proline sponges from Lowes. Normally use sheepskin mitts. Used it for the first time last week. The car seemed cleaner, more shine than the mitt, but I got hollograming in some areas (BMW Jet black). Never got the hollograms from the mitt. Used the same method (2 bucket, grit guard). I gave it a try, but I'm going back to the mitts.
 
Yeah, i've been using these and L's silver plastic buckets with lids for a while now.

Good stuff, good stuff. Cheap and works. Grabbed some folex at L's too.
 
I grabbed a proline from Lowe's to try this summer...don't have high expectation as it was only 2 dollars but...from what everyone here is saying it should work great! (Although, everyone here loves ONR and my first experience over the weekend was less than optimal...) haha.
 
You all may laugh at me about this, but what does a grout sponge do? Aren't we supposed to stick with MF or Wool mitts when cleaning car's exteriors?
 
I'm still using the HD ones as well (since originally founded on autopia). I've gone through a few. ONR washes are hard on them. I always pick a new one in the Spring -- when I start my realoutside washes.
 
So I'm not sure if it's been answered clearly or not, but is the easy grip sponge fine?



019736980920lg.jpg




It just looks like a shaped grout sponge, or is it not as good?



Also, how are these sponges different than the one for $1.50 at Walmart (in the auto section)?
 
cpufreak3 said:
So I'm not sure if it's been answered clearly or not, but is the easy grip sponge fine?



019736980920lg.jpg




It just looks like a shaped grout sponge, or is it not as good?



Also, how are these sponges different than the one for $1.50 at Walmart (in the auto section)?
Click to expand...



get the tile & grout sponge...
 
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