New to hand washing, is this the right equipment?

O

ocdwasher

New member
I got a 2013 Mercedes coupe last year, it's white.



For a while I was going through synthetic soft touch washes and I have had it detailed/clayed professionally about 4 times this year to keep it looking nice.



It has accumulated quite a few swirl marks (though not that noticable due to being white) so I have decided to switch to hand washing.



I picked out these items on Amazon to get started, did I pick the right ones? Do I need anything else?



Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner, 64oz. : Amazon.com : Automotive

Meguiar's Water Magnet Drying Towel : Amazon.com : Automotive

Amazon.com: Pinnacle 5 Gallon Wash Bucket Combo: Automotive

Amazon.com: Meguiar's Microfiber Wash Mitt: Automotive



How many wash mitts do I need per wash? I am ordering two, one for the top half and one for the bottom of the car.



I want to get a foam cannon, but I need one that would work with a standard residential hose.



What brand of foam cannon should I get that would work with a residential hose and what kind of foam goes in it?





Thanks!
 
Welcome to Autopia!!! My .02--



The Megs Gold Class is fine, but there are other car wash soaps out there just as good or better for less money--consider Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate Duragloss - Autoality Incorporated



I like the Megs Water Magnet towels, but you'll need two of them as they are small--consider Korean Waffle Weave Drying towel

Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel, 25" x 36" - Microfiber Products Very soft and high quality. They also have a nice assortment of quality MF towels for wiping your door frames etc. Microfiber Products - Autoality Incorporated



You can get a great 5 gallon bucket at Home Depot for $3-4 and pick up a Grit Gard for $10

Grit Guard Insert - Black - Washing & Drying Some will say get 2 buckets each with a grit guard-- one for wash water and one to rinse your mitt before going back into the wash water. Search 2 bucket wash method.



The Meg's Microfiber wash mitt isn't bad, but a better choice would be the CarPro Sheepskin Wash Mitt--a little pricey compared to the Megs MF, but not compared to some other quality sheepskin mitts.

CarPro Wool Wash Mitt - Washing & Drying One mitt is fine if you save the rocker panels and generally dirtier areas for last. You could get the Megs mitt for the rocker panels and use the Carpro Mitt on the remainder of the car.



The Gilmore Foam Cannon is the choice when directly attached to the hose Gilmour Mfg. - Autoality Incorporated IMO you'd be better off getting an electric pressure washer for cleaning the grit off of the car before washing.



Note that Autoality shipping charges are very good--no charge if order is over $25 and under 5 lbs and no charge for all orders over $75



Hope this helps! I'm sure you'll get other suggestions.



Be careful as once you get bit by this detailing bug it's hard to stop at just hand washing--next step is a dual action polisher, pads and polishes.
 
pwaug said:
Welcome to Autopia!!! My .02--



The Megs Gold Class is fine, but there are other car wash soaps out there just as good or better for less money--consider Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate Duragloss - Autoality Incorporated



I like the Megs Water Magnet towels, but you'll need two of them as they are small--consider Korean Waffle Weave Drying towel

Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel, 25" x 36" - Microfiber Products Very soft and high quality. They also have a nice assortment of quality MF towels for wiping your door frames etc. Microfiber Products - Autoality Incorporated



You can get a great 5 gallon bucket at Home Depot for $3-4 and pick up a Grit Gard for $10

Grit Guard Insert - Black - Washing & Drying Some will say get 2 buckets each with a grit guard-- one for wash water and one to rinse your mitt before going back into the wash water. Search 2 bucket wash method.



The Meg's Microfiber wash mitt isn't bad, but a better choice would be the CarPro Sheepskin Wash Mitt--a little pricey compared to the Megs MF, but not compared to some other quality sheepskin mitts.

CarPro Wool Wash Mitt - Washing & Drying One mitt is fine if you save the rocker panels and generally dirtier areas for last. You could get the Megs mitt for the rocker panels and use the Carpro Mitt on the remainder of the car.



The Gilmore Foam Cannon is the choice when directly attached to the hose Gilmour Mfg. - Autoality Incorporated IMO you'd be better off getting an electric pressure washer for cleaning the grit off of the car before washing.



Note that Autoality shipping charges are very good--no charge if order is over $25 and under 5 lbs and no charge for all orders over $75



Hope this helps! I'm sure you'll get other suggestions.



Be careful as once you get bit by this detailing bug it's hard to stop at just hand washing--next step is a dual action polisher, pads and polishes.
Click to expand...





I am familiar with the 2 bucket method but my concern was finding a bucket that the grit guard would fit firmly in and not rotate around. This is why I wanted to buy a combo kit.



Can someone point me to a bucket that can be bought locally that would be at least 5 gallons, secure a grit guard snugly, and preferably have a way to seal it?
 
I did some digging and people recomended a bucket from Lowes.



Next question, how snug should the grit guard fit? If it rotates on its own at all is that a deal breaker?



What if it only rotates when rubbing the mitt against it?



OCD minds want to know.
 
If I were you when you get the Grit guards take one with you to the store and ensure they fit properly.



Mine sit snug in the bottom of the bucket so they don't move when I rub a mitt against it.
 
The leaktite buckets (model #5gl) from home depot have a 10 3/8 inch bottom (see specs from Leaktite | Products, home depot site does not list the bottom diameter). Grit guard is also 10 3/8 diameter



Not sure if the bottom diameter for leaktite is the inner diameter, but I would assume so. Guess it would be a tight fit, but maybe that whats needed



Home depot also sells the screw top lids for the same leaktitle bucket.



All that said, personally I stopped using grit guards. I'm just careful not to touch the bottom and use my hand to agitate the dirt out.
 
Doesnt matter if the grit guard moves. You dont rub the mitt on it. The idea is to have the grit guard keep the solids from agitating back up when your swishing your mitt around in the water. I made my own.
 
ocdwasher said:
David maybe I could hire you? I live in Michigan and am in the Metro Detroit area once a month.



I have yet to find a reliable detailer in the state that can detail my car without leaving swirls, or one that uses a two bucket wash.
Click to expand...



There are actually a lot of us (well, ok, more like "several") in Michigan who are reliable.... but David would be a great guy to go to in Metro Detroit! ;)
 
ocdwasher said:
David maybe I could hire you? I live in Michigan and am in the Metro Detroit area once a month.



I have yet to find a reliable detailer in the state that can detail my car without leaving swirls, or one that uses a two bucket wash.
Click to expand...



It would be an honor to assist. I can give you some pointers/hands on tips on the dos and don'ts of washing. Where are you located? Let me know.
 
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