My 3-Bucket Truck Wash - Uncut.

[AdamsPolishes]

Last week I setup a camera to film my entire wash process from start to finish, mainly at the request of a customer who had seen how my black Avalanche had looked thru most of its life. He has been struggling to keep his black truck swirl free and wanted to know how I did it. What better way than to just show the process, start to finish? Obviously I've sped this up so you don't have to watch me wash a truck for an hour+, but it is uncut... every part... how I wash my rides every time to minimize swirling.

 

Please... any questions feel free to ask. Also, this is an ever evolving process as anyones wash routine should be. When you see an area for improvement GO FOR IT!

 

 

 

So why 3 buckets?

 

I started to notice that in some of my washes the 2nd bucket was still getting a fair amount of grit in the bottom. Wanting to eliminate the chances it made it back to the paint I added a 3rd bucket with another grit guard. My goal is to have ZERO contamination by the time I make it to that last bucket.

 

Bucket 1:

Pure water. this is used to scrub loose the majority of the debris. The wash media is scrubbed against the insert, combed thru with my fingers and given a quick visual inspection.

 

Bucket 2:

Pure water. This bucket gets much the same process as the first, once again scrubbing against the grit guard, pulling out of the water and inspecting for debris.

 

Bucket 3:

Water with soap. When your wash mitt reaches this bucket it should be clean and free of debris minimizing your chances of swirling. Make sure the mixture is heavy and a thick later of soap is created at setup.

 

You'll also notice the addition of a foam gun to the process. I'd like to stress this is NOT a requirement, but more a thing of convenience. Using solid technique you can perform a proper swirl free wash without a foam gun... it just makes it faster/easier. Also, before anyone says anything - the gun I'm using is actually from the pre-china gilmour days... I've had it for awhile.

 

The process itself is pretty basic.

 

 

• Start with the wheels as always.
  
• Rinse really well before introducing soap.
  
• Foam the vehicle completely.
  
• Merino Wash Mitt for the upper 2/3rds working 1 panel with each side of the mitt.
  
• Rinse. Inspect. Rinse. Inspect. Prime and repeat.
  
• Switch over to 2nd wash mitt or pad for lower 1/3rd following same process.
  
• Optional - Foam the vehicle again anywhere the soap may have started to dry.
  
• Power rinse with a strong stream from the hose.
  
• Sheet rinse to reduce standing water.
  
• Blaster Sidekick to knock loose bulk of remaining water.
  
• Great White Drying Towel + Detail Spray to dry
  
• Hit again with Blaster Sidekick to get water out of cracks.
  
• Touchup with Great White + Detail Spray
  
• Waterless Wash + Waterless Wash Towel for door jambs, engine bay, and wheels.
  

 

 

Total time start to finish for this wash was 1h 17m

[RyanbabZ71]

Cool, well done

 

One issue I have here is the sun (looks like a cloudy day there?) I have to wait until about 4pm or later to wash any vehicles with the sun here to do the entire truck at once.

 

I personally prefer to wash panel by panel. I break it down by hood/front fenders and windhsield and front end. Wash and dry then move to the drivers side front and rear doors (roof and back window) then move to the drivers side bed and tailgate. Followup by the passenger side. Basically break my truck down into 5 "area's"

 

Gotta love the blaster sidekick for removing water from the wheels and by the door trim/mirror trim

[AdamsPolishes]

Good point... yes... it was a cloudy day. So if sun is an issue starting early in the morning, or late in the afternoon when the sun is low and less harsh is always ideal.

 

Also, because our soap is pH neutral and holds minerals in suspension better than most it is safe to dry on the finish. Seems counter intuitive to many people, but we strongly recommend you not rinse the paint until the entire truck is done and you're ready to proceed to drying. In an ideal world you let nothing dry on the paint, but given the choice our soap will not etch or damage where straight water might.

 

BTW - nice truck

[Lv1G6He3V2]

Thanks much, I am bookmarking your video and will be ordering washing products in the next few weeks.

 

The main problem where I live is that every morning the truck is freshly coated with green, yellow, or grey (?) pollen, or brownish mud depending on the season/weather. Covers do little because it's so windy. I don't suppose you have something that will act a little like teflon and just let me do a plain water rinse most mornings? This pollen/mud is sticky stuff though.

[txab]

[AdamsPolishes]

Thanks much, I am bookmarking your video and will be ordering washing products in the next few weeks.

 

The main problem where I live is that every morning the truck is freshly coated with green, yellow, or grey (?) pollen, or brownish mud depending on the season/weather. Covers do little because it's so windy. I don't suppose you have something that will act a little like teflon and just let me do a plain water rinse most mornings? This pollen/mud is sticky stuff though.

 

 

I'm assuming you don't have access to a garage? Unfortunately theres really nothing thats going to prevent wet pollen from sticking... and given the makeup of most pollens any wiping is going to run a high risk of swirling up the finish.

[Lv1G6He3V2]

Right, I have no access to a garage. Only option available is a carport to shield from the sun, but that won't protect against pollen/mud.

 

Thanks for the advice about not wiping pollen. Do you think a low pressure rinse followed by high pressure rinse would be the best way to start washing or do I need something special?

 

EDIT: I see your clay bars might help (after washing).

[STINSAN3]

Cool, well done

 

One issue I have here is the sun (looks like a cloudy day there?) I have to wait until about 4pm or later to wash any vehicles with the sun here to do the entire truck at once.

 

I personally prefer to wash panel by panel. I break it down by hood/front fenders and windhsield and front end. Wash and dry then move to the drivers side front and rear doors (roof and back window) then move to the drivers side bed and tailgate. Followup by the passenger side. Basically break my truck down into 5 "area's"

 

Gotta love the blaster sidekick for removing water from the wheels and by the door trim/mirror trim

 

 

I do pretty much the same thing as you do Ryan, break it down in 5 areas. But I always start washing from the tailgate to the front, should I do it the other way around or just stick to what I'm doing Dylan?

 

Btw, Love your products!