Car Detailing - What products are your go to?

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by prydey

I have 2 of these
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ezy-stor...ucket_p4470518

And a 20L plastic bucket from work that I use for wheels.

I was really considering the Grid Guards to put in the bottom. I was looking at round buckets.

I am considering the plain old 20 Litre Bunning Pail Bucket. $8 each.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bunnings...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I could get a Repco or SCA one as well I guess to have different colours.

Can't believe I am putting this much thought into buckets....

EDIT : Just checked the Recpco web site and they sell the grid guards for pail buckets for $10 each. I think I might go that way. Bunnings bucket, Repco Bucket and two grid guards. Use my old bucket for wheels. All up less that $40.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

I was really considering the Grid Guards to put in the bottom. I was looking at round buckets.

I am considering the plain old 20 Litre Bunning Pail Bucket. $8 each.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bunnings...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I could get a Repco or SCA one as well I guess to have different colours.

Can't believe I am putting this much thought into buckets....

EDIT : Just checked the Recpco web site and they sell the grid guards for pail buckets for $10 each. I think I might go that way. Bunnings bucket, Repco Bucket and two grid guards. Use my old bucket for wheels. All up less that $40.

Could be worse............................





I'm terrified to add up what all that cost me. The red and blue bucket dollies I had to import from the USA because no one in Australia stocks them.........other than black. My buckets were from Waxit, they are 15-litre but if/when I do it again, I'll go with 20-litre. I would also stick with the standard grit guard's, or the Bowdens ones. The dirt-lock ones are rubbish.

These are my recommendations, I'll link you to websites so you see what I mean, but quite often Repco/Bunning's ect will have these in generic forms. All of the below were pieced together over a couple of years from various vendors.

Buckets -

15 or 20-litre, I would go with the later. I also like them in white so you can see any contamination left in the bucket and wash the properly before next use.

Depending on how you wash, you will need two or three buckets. One for wheels (which I have in red), one or two for washing (I don't use the two-bucket-method, so I only use one in blue).

https://carcareco.com.au/product/buc...id-included-2/



Grit Guard -

There are plenty of variations on a theme here. As mentioned earlier, I didn't care for the fancy Dirt-lock versions. The classic Grit Guard or the Bowden's version are the way to go. One for each bucket, colour coded to use.

https://carcareco.com.au/product/gri...d-insert-26cm/
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/the-great-barrier-thingy



Gamma Seal -

I'll be honest in saying these were originally for looks alone, however having the airtight seal on them keeps the inside of the bucket clean between use. Ideally, you want buckets that will accept the Gamma Seal ring, the above linked buckets do. My buckets were not designed for Gamma Seals, but they do fit. Again, colour coded for use.

https://carcareco.com.au/product/gam...rious-colours/





Bucket Dollies -

This is essential in my opinion, they make the whole wash process easier and more convenient. No lifting heavy buckets around the car, just roll them. They also permit seated wheel cleaning, you can scoot from wheel to wheel without getting up.

Because I wanted colour matching dollies, I had to order the Grit Guard versions from the USA, don't ask me how much they cost to get here, I don't even want to know myself. Most local vendors only sell the black version with smaller casters. Detailing Shed also sell a few different versions with added storage holders.

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/produ...l&_ss=e&_v=1.0

https://carcareco.com.au/product/pro...et-dolly-copy/
https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn-...iABEgI8k_D_BwE

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...gn=sag_organic

Non-matching -



Matching, I felt so much better......................



Small vs Large casters -



I also put the OG decals on in matching colours.



So, yeah, I think you are all good on the overthinking of buckets. Me? Yeah, deranged.

In defense, the buckets form a big part of detailing, so getting them "right" makes perfect sense to me.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Could be worse............................

image

image

I'm terrified to add up what all that cost me. The red and blue bucket dollies I had to import from the USA because no one in Australia stocks them.........other than black. My buckets were from Waxit, they are 15-litre but if/when I do it again, I'll go with 20-litre. I would also stick with the standard grit guard's, or the Bowdens ones. The dirt-lock ones are rubbish.

These are my recommendations, I'll link you to websites so you see what I mean, but quite often Repco/Bunning's ect will have these in generic forms. All of the below were pieced together over a couple of years from various vendors.

Buckets -

15 or 20-litre, I would go with the later. I also like them in white so you can see any contamination left in the bucket and wash the properly before next use.

Depending on how you wash, you will need two or three buckets. One for wheels (which I have in red), one or two for washing (I don't use the two-bucket-method, so I only use one in blue).

https://carcareco.com.au/product/buc...id-included-2/

image

Grit Guard -

There are plenty of variations on a theme here. As mentioned earlier, I didn't care for the fancy Dirt-lock versions. The classic Grit Guard or the Bowden's version are the way to go. One for each bucket, colour coded to use.

https://carcareco.com.au/product/gri...d-insert-26cm/
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/the-great-barrier-thingy

image

Gamma Seal -

I'll be honest in saying these were originally for looks alone, however having the airtight seal on them keeps the inside of the bucket clean between use. Ideally, you want buckets that will accept the Gamma Seal ring, the above linked buckets do. My buckets were not designed for Gamma Seals, but they do fit. Again, colour coded for use.

https://carcareco.com.au/product/gam...rious-colours/

image

image

Bucket Dollies -

This is essential in my opinion, they make the whole wash process easier and more convenient. No lifting heavy buckets around the car, just roll them. They also permit seated wheel cleaning, you can scoot from wheel to wheel without getting up.

Because I wanted colour matching dollies, I had to order the Grit Guard versions from the USA, don't ask me how much they cost to get here, I don't even want to know myself. Most local vendors only sell the black version with smaller casters. Detailing Shed also sell a few different versions with added storage holders.

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/produ...l&_ss=e&_v=1.0

https://carcareco.com.au/product/pro...et-dolly-copy/
https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn-...iABEgI8k_D_BwE

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...gn=sag_organic

Non-matching -

image

Matching, I felt so much better......................

image

Small vs Large casters -

image

I also put the OG decals on in matching colours.

image

So, yeah, I think you are all good on the overthinking of buckets. Me? Yeah, deranged.

In defense, the buckets form a big part of detailing, so getting them "right" makes perfect sense to me.

Amazing set up and great info.

Love the FORD stickers/theme of the buckets.

Dolly no good to me with the slope of my slab I would always be chasing them.

I can see how people get addicted to this stuff.

[bangm001]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

I was really considering the Grid Guards to put in the bottom. I was looking at round buckets.

I am considering the plain old 20 Litre Bunning Pail Bucket. $8 each.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bunnings...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I could get a Repco or SCA one as well I guess to have different colours.

Can't believe I am putting this much thought into buckets....

EDIT : Just checked the Recpco web site and they sell the grid guards for pail buckets for $10 each. I think I might go that way. Bunnings bucket, Repco Bucket and two grid guards. Use my old bucket for wheels. All up less that $40.

I use the Bowdens 2 step buckets with grit guards, and with the black dolley as recommended by DFB. They have held up very well and are great quality.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by bangm001

I use the Bowdens 2 step buckets with grit guards, and with the black dolley as recommended by DFB. They have held up very well and are great quality.

I think I will go the Bowden's way.

[prydey]

I wash cars on my front lawn, which is also sloped, so no wheeled buckets for me.



DFB - please excuse the unsightly gardens

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I wash cars on my front lawn, which is also sloped, so no wheeled buckets for me.

image

DFB - please excuse the unsightly gardens

No judgement here, mine are hardly show pieces either, I do it for a living so I'm not as inclined to my own when there is no money reward involved at the end.

[DFB FGXR6]

I swore I would never buy Chemical Guys again, but someone had been pestering me to try Honeydew Snow Foam, so I caved....................



And this is not an inexpensive product in Australia, in fact its fairly overpriced. Who knows, I might love it!

[Top_Ghia]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I swore I would never buy Chemical Guys again, but someone had been pestering me to try Honeydew Snow Foam, so I caved....................

image

And this is not an inexpensive product in Australia, in fact its fairly overpriced. Who knows, I might love it!

Did the 30% off sale snag you?