Dylan's 3 Bucket Wash Video - Uncut.

[Team Adam's]

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 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... start to finish... how I wash my rides to minimize swirling.

 

 

 

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

Edited May 25, 2013 by Dylan@Adams

[manishaudi]

Hi Dylan,

 

I see that you use the Metrovac Sidekick Air Dryer. Are you happy with its performance? I have been looking into getting an air dryer and several people post about getting Metrovac's 8HP dryer.

 

Since you and Adam (in the videos) both use the sidekick. It must have enough power for drying your truck

[Team Adam's]

Aside: if just going to level look into the Bilstein 5100s. Raises the front end only. Put these around on my 09 4x4..nice firm, but not to firm, ride...saves the ball joints compared to a lift...

 

Bilstein 5100 Series Front Height Adjustable Leveling Shocks: Off-Road.com

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into them.

 

Dylan I noticed you did this during overcast weather. Do you change your technique at all when working in the sun? I am from So Cal too, and it is almost impossible to get a good wash when the sun is beating down on the car. It may not be as nice outside when it's overcast, but it sure makes a world of difference when I am washing my car!

 

Not really... as per all our other videos you don't rinse to the end (dried soap is better than dried water) but of course you want to avoid washing when the sun is at its worst.

 

Work in shade whenever possible.

 

Start early in the AM (thats when this was done) or in the evening when the sun is low in the sky and heat/light is less harsh.

 

For more stuff about washing/water spots check out these writeups:

 

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/wash-dry-clay-bar/11396.htm

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/general-detailing-discussion-questions/14737.htm

 

Hi Dylan,

 

I see that you use the Metrovac Sidekick Air Dryer. Are you happy with its performance? I have been looking into getting an air dryer and several people post about getting Metrovac's 8HP dryer.

 

Since you and Adam (in the videos) both use the sidekick. It must have enough power for drying your truck

 

Love it. The Master Blaster is a monster... but since my rides are kept with fresh coats of sealant and I want to conserve garage space the sidekick is what I use.

 

As you can see in the vid, with a sheet rinse, and the sidekick it only takes 1 great white towel to dry the whole truck.

[Bigredmariner]

My shoes are treated with a special flame retardant coating to prevent unwanted mid-wash combustion.

I got mesmerized watching your feet, they were moving man. Nice video.

[chrys7]

Jeez I wish it took one towel for my Challenger. I have gotten into the habit of soaping and rinsing. Then soap again before I start the wash process.

 

Great vid!

[Chase@InsanePaint]

Always informative dude. Love it.

I don't use a 3rd bucket, but I ALWAYS rinse a dirty pad off with a strong stream of water FIRST, then into rinse bucket, then into soap bucket. Same idea (do whatever you possibly can to eliminate dirt & swirls) but a slightly different method. Anxious to see shots of the ride minus badges, leveled, plus tint.

[GXPaycheck]

Great video, Dylan!

I just thought of a great ending. Have the wife come out and drive it away while you are standing there with a towel and a bottle of detail spray in your hand!

[chas]

Definitely may implement this into my regimen.

[DemoN]

you missed the bed sir.

 

 

Great video...and i took several lessons from it. also...the music was DOPE.

[matts88yj]

I learned a bit as well. Awesome video Dylan!

[Doug123]

Interesting. I have noticed the same thing, but did not get in to using the third bucket... yet.

[MAYBEN]

great video!

[Stryker]

Great video! Great song!

 

Headstrung by Distance for those wondering

[694doorbird]

Great video :thumbsup:

 

Does your foam gun leak when it's laying on it's side? Mine does, so I always have to disconnect it from the hose.

[THE Mook]

Great video :thumbsup:

 

Does your foam gun leak when it's laying on it's side? Mine does, so I always have to disconnect it from the hose.

 

I never let the nozzle and the tank stay connected unless I am actually foaming the vehicle down. As soon as I am done with the foam, I disconnect the tank, and safely stow it in my overhead compartment.

[Team Adam's]

Great video :thumbsup:

 

Does your foam gun leak when it's laying on it's side? Mine does, so I always have to disconnect it from the hose.

 

Nope... but I've removed the gilmour pistol grip and just plug the foamer directly into my quick disconnect and use the SOV as the flow control. That way I have a positive OFF when I'm not using it.

 

No water pressure = no leak.

[LimitedDodge]

^ great idea!

[LDM]

Nope... but I've removed the gilmour pistol grip and just plug the foamer directly into my quick disconnect and use the SOV as the flow control. That way I have a positive OFF when I'm not using it.

 

No water pressure = no leak.

 

I think he's talking about the foam solution leaking out of the vent hole because the canister is on it's side. I also skip the pistol grip and just use a quick disconnect and shut off valve, but even though there's no water pressure the canister will still leak if the vent hole ends up below the water level, and this has nothing to do with the hose. I usually disconnect the foam gun to keep it from flopping on its side. For the record I have one of the Foamasters that look like this, though I imagine all foam guns need a vent hole to prevent creating a vacuum in the canister.

 

[07RS4]

Mine leaks when left on it's side, and I use the shut-off valve as the flow control. Like Len said, I think it's just the vent hole it leaks out of. I have the Suds Master II gun, I refuse to call it a foam gun after using a foam cannon

[gencoupe3dot8]

I just got my cannon fitting sorted out (the cannon 1/4 qc didn't fit into the PW qc.. go figure... I picked one up from HD for $8)... excited to try the cannon out.. I'll try Adams and DP.. I currently have the Foammaster and use Adams....

[Team Adam's]

That might be the difference though... I'm using the FMII where the metering is done via a dial thats somewhat contained inside of the head. I can leave mine on its side and no leaks.

[07RS4]

Just got done with a late night two bucket....I must say after seeing the 5 gallon bucket's that are coming out you need to go ahead and release them! I used the big pad with the two bucket system, and I sucked the water out of the soap bucket twice...they are too small. I've even researched some 7 gallon buckets...those would look sweet with an Adam's logo on the side <hint, hint>

[chevyrado14]

Cool vid. I made it even better lol. Just gotta mute the original

 

3 bucket truck wash vs. Cash 4 gold south park song 1-HOUR LOOP | YouTube Doubler | Mashup Helper

[694doorbird]

Len is correct, mine leaks out the vent when left on it's side. I also followed Dylan's move and removed the pistol grip and use the shut-off.

[Adroc33]

I get that everytime I wash our cars from the same neighbor across the street. That, and the, "you are going to wash the paint right off" I hear all the time. I usually just smirk and continue working...

 

Same thing happens to me and the guys that say it are always the ones who wash their cars like once a year.

 

I don't use 3 buckets but I always keep an eye on my rinse bucket and if I feel it's getting too dirty I just rinse it out and fill it back up with fresh water. Granted I don't own a dark colored car so swirls don't show as much.

[Adamized]

I keep forgetting to ask, but is that a real song or just looped together Garageband stuff?