If you’ve looked into car detailing at all, you will have heard the term “2 bucket method” at some point. But what is the 2 bucket method and why do you need 2 buckets?
What is the 2 Bucket Method?
The 2 bucket method refers to the standard safe wash process for the contact wash phase of an exterior detail. This method minimizes the potential for creating swirl marks and scratches on the car’s paint.
What you need for the 2 Bucket Method.
Obviously enough, you’ll need two buckets. You’ll also need a good quality microfiber wash mitt, car shampoo, clean water and a grit guard for each bucket. Grit guards are circular fitments for the bottom of your wash buckets. They help to trap dirt at the bottom of your buckets and reduce particle transfer from the water in the bucket to your wash mitt. This reduces the chance of installing swirls on the paint.
The Method
- Ensure your buckets are clean.
- Set your grit guards into the bottom of your buckets.
- Fill one bucket with clean rinse water.
- In the other bucket, add your shampoo, top up with water and agitate the water to start the foaming action of the shampoo.
- Dunk your wash mitt in the rinse bucket first to remove any particles that may be sitting in the fibres.
- Then dunk your wash mitt in the wash bucket.
- Take your shampoo laden wash mitt and place it on your car.
- Once you’ve covered a panel or your wash mitt is sufficiently dirty, dunk your mitt back into the rinse bucket, agitating the mitt against the grit guard to loosen any lodged particles.
- Wash the car panel by panel from the top down. Lower panels are generally dirtier and carry more potentially paint-damaging particles so it makes sense to wash these last.
- When moving the wash mitt along the paint, use straight line motions to ensure you hit every part of the panel and also to avoid creating swirls.
- One the contact wash is completed, rinse the shampoo residue from the paint and dry the car.
It’s also worth noting that a separate bucket should be used for washing your wheels as the wheels normally carry the most dirt and swirl-inducing particles.
Now that you know how to safely wash your car, get outside and make her shine! Or alternatively, get us to do it!
Check out our other articles for more safe car wash advice!
