Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

[SLM]

I want to get one of those grit guard things and a new bucket for washing my car. I'm curious if people with experience prefer the shorter 3 1/2 gallon or taller 5 gallon bucket considering both are the same diameter. Thanks.

[BillyJack]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

Personally, I like the smaller choice. I have some of the Meguiar's buckets that came with the Christmas gift packs a few years ago. The yellow wash bucket has a pinstripe I applied at the two gallon level, for accuracy in soap measurement. I also installed casters on both just for ease in moving them around a car.

Bill

[ajb39oh]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

I like 5. Never have tried a 3.

[The Guz]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

5 for me. Not a fan of 3.

[Murr1525]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

Yeah, my rinse bucket must be 3 1/2 or so... (I use the foam gun for the soap)

I've felt the need to refill the rinse water once or twice during winter sometimes, but other wise seems ok.

[Iconoclast]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

2 bucket method & 5 gallons each. (+ 3rd smaller bucket just for wheels)

[snozan]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

I probably never understand the use of a gritguard nor a big washbucket. I rinse my car very theroly with high pressure wash. Have never seen any dirt in my washbucket after a cleaning.

[Iconoclast]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

If you use a sponge to wash your car, your rinse bucket water WILL get dirty. So, the more water, the more diluted the dirt. The sponge will pick up dirt. When you rinse the sponge, most dirt will come off. I see this happen every wash. Re grit guard, theoretically, any dirt, not in suspension, will fall through & stay on the bottom of bucket so, your sponge will not pick it up again next rinse. I don't know if this actually happens. I rub my sponge on the GG when I use rinse & wash bucket to help clean the sponge, like using a washboard.

[Flash Gordon]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

3 gallon here
Easy to maneuver and even easier to rinse out/refill

[SLM]

Re: Do you prefer 3 1/2 gallon or 5 gallon buckets?

Thanks for the information everyone. I appreciate all the help. After reading I decided one of each. 3 1/2 for the soap and the 5 for rinse water.