Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series - Washing

[Michael Stoops]

When using the two bucket method, or especially if you're just using one bucket when washing, don't forget to drop a Grit Guard into the bottom of the bucket to help keep the dirt down at the bottom instead of getting churned back up into the water.



The Grit Guard is a simple baffle that sits in the bottom of your wash bucket and prevents all the dirt that's fallen out of solution from being carried back up where your wash mitt can pick it up again.

Remember, the goal when washing is to get the dirt and other loose contaminants off the paint, and keep it off the paint.

[SLK350]

Does that soap really get that sudsy? I have tried all kinds and can't find one that does. I might just as well wash the car with water

[Murr1525]

Generally, you dont need suds anyway.

However, the amount of suds can vary by how you mix it. Soap first, then a blast of water from a hose will give you a lot. Filling the bucket then pouring in some soap will give very little.

And being sure to use the proper amount of soap. Too little will mean less suds, but also less lubrication.

As far as the UW&W, yeah, it can be a sudsy one.

[Michael Stoops]

Mat makes an excellent point here regarding suds. It's not the suds that clean the vehicle, it's the product mixed in with the water. A lot of people will even fill the bucket to the level they want, usually around 3 gallons or so of water, and then add 3 ounces of product and just swish it around with their hand to fully disperse the soap into the water. Doing it that way yields a perfectly usable, effective, and safe car wash mixture but there will be almost zero suds. Using the exact same product by putting the same 3 ounces into an empty bucket and then blasting it with a hose will have suds overflowing out of the bucket before you've got barely a gallon of water in there.

Suds are a nice comfort factor, and that's really about it. As long as the car wash soap is used in proper dilution ratio, and it's a properly formulated product that offers good lubricity and emulsifying ability to safely clean the surface, the suds are pretty much just for show.

As for Ultimate Wash & Wax, if you do pour some into a bucket and then blast it with the hose, it will foam like crazy, just as the video shows.

[cfd18]

Is a foam gun worth the investment? Wondering how many people use them and if it makes a difference?

[Shawn Devlin]

Is a foam gun worth the investment? Wondering how many people use them and if it makes a difference?

I find mine useful when working on neglected vehicles where a there is a lot of dirt and contamination present, a presoak with your favorite soap solution can help loosen things up prior to bucket washing. Also, if you want to strip existing waxes/sealants it works well with an APC or similar.

However, if your routine involves maintenance washing on well cared for vehicles it can be a bit of overkill, especially with the increasing popularity of waterless and rinseless washes.

Is it worth the investment? Its really up to you depending on what you are trying to accomplish as well as your personal preferences.

[Murr1525]

Is a foam gun worth the investment? Wondering how many people use them and if it makes a difference?

I like mine a lot, and use it all the time on my car. But it does what I want it to... it isnt anything magical that makes dirt disappear.

[Michael Stoops]

A foam gun is really just another option for a good, safe way to wash a car. When used with a single bucket as a rinse bucket a foam gun can make a lot of sense, or if you want to coat the car in something like APC or similar to strip existing wax first. Personally, I have one but I find myself switching back and forth all the time between it and one bucket, a full two bucket wash without the foam gun, and a rinseless wash like our new D114 Rinseless Express Wash.

[Robert5059493]

Saw a video where the idea was to use strokes that were in line with the air flow passing over the vehicle. This was done with mostly waxing and sealing. This being so I doubt if just plane washing would have any effect on the performance of the vehicle.