Source
r/AutoDetailing•
value_ate

Two Bucket ONR Wash

I'm a slow ONR convert that still needs a little convincing. I like the stuff (ONR) but am still a little nervous using it on my "nicer" car.

I've used a mitt and the GD method and I wasn't a fan of either. I think the mitt (and I'm sure my technique) swirled up my car, and I just wasn't a fan of the GD method although it was very effective.

I do however like the Big Red Sponge. I've been using it via a one bucket wash as per their recommendation, but how many of you use it via a two bucket wash? One to apply and one to rinse?

Edit: I just did a 2 Bucket wash with the BRS and wanted to take a picture of the bucket for reference. If this doesn’t make a difference this would surprise me. Added 2 Bucket wash difference image. 2 Bucket wash

Posted Oct 31, 2018, 3:47 PM UTC · edited

717
reasonablyminded•

No harm in rinsing the sponge, I guess. Best case scenario, you're taking off the dirt. Worst case scenario, it's not doing anything.

4
plaxpert•

Edit; just described the GD method. Explain more why this doesn’t work for you? Are you using some good 400 weight micro Fibers? My car looks factory new, after using this method for the last year.

I use a 1 bucket method. I’m sure it has a name. I have no hose. If my car is nasty I will spray at a bay wash, just water. To pre-clean and get my undercarriage. At home I have a 2 gallon pump bug-sprayer ($15 from harbor freight)filled with ONR for pre-wetting. I use 7 16”x16” microfiber (450 weight) to wash.
No repeats - once the 4 microfiber-quadrants have touched the car it’s done. Never back in ONR bucket. Takes about 3 of the same weight MFs to dry w/ opti-seal. Opti-seal is my favorite part/product. I repeat - Never rinse/reuse a dirty MF. I also take very special care of my car-washing MFs. They’re washed alone & kept separate from any other MFs / fabrics.

2nd edit; I break my car down into about 6 or 7 chunks - 1 MF (4 quadrants) for each chunk.

  1. Roof and windshield

  2. back/butt

  3. front

  4. upper driver side

  5. lower driver side

  6. upper passenger side

  7. lower pass. side

3
[deleted]•

.

2
value_ateOP•

Thanks for this super helpful breakdown!

I just wasn't a fan of the method as it isn't super ergonomic for me personally (weird reason I know, which is why I like the BRS). I'll give it another go as I know it is superior on the "nicer" car, but the beaters get the BRS.

1
Critter_Fritters•

The two bucket method with ONR and the big red sponge when used like that is just a safety net. If you feel more comfortable using the two bucket method I'm sure it doesn't hurt you, you just will use more product.

2
SaddestClown•

I think most folks just put straight water in the second bucket.

2
Critter_Fritters•

That's not a bad idea actually.

1
mrmicah•

I think the point of the one bucket with ONR is that the ONR helps sink the contamination to the bottom of the bucket. So, I suppose if both buckets have ONR that’d be superior. If your second bucket is water only, maybe not?

2
value_ateOP•

I would most likely use ONR in a more diluted ratio in the rinse bucket as I bought a gallon of it which to me is a "lifetime supply."

I of course have grit guards in both buckets as well.

1
LuxSwap•

  1. Wash the car at the local self serve, h2o only.

  2. Bucket #1 with a gallon of ONR mixed up and 6 MF towels.

  3. Make the car clean and towels dirty.

  4. Dirty towels in bucket #2

  5. Towel dry.

  6. Wash the MF towels.

2
Caramico35•

while they have said the extra bucket is useless, i myself always incorporate a second, its worth it just to be extra careful, i mean its only 5 gallons of water, its not like that leads to WW3. your car was expensive, you do you and use that second bucket

2
rpm001•

I really don’t understand the attraction to the big red sponge. I don’t buy that the dirt just falls off into the bottom of the bucket when you dunk it. Not believing that for a minute. It’s a sponge not magic.

Personally I use the GD method where a dirty towel never goes back into that ONR solution bucket after the first wipe. The second empty bucket is just for dirty MF towels.

1
DaytonDetailingBusiness Owner•

ONR is why the dirt drops, the sponge isn't designed to hold onto it like microfiber does. It works. I prefer GD myself.

3
rpm001•

Thanks - interesting. I’m still sceptical that everything will fall down and don’t trust myself to get that sponge clean enough after each swipe.

1
value_ateOP•

I also tried using the BRS and a grit guard with a washboard attachment and it seemed to boost my confidence that I was clearing the sponge of the debris better than just simply wringing the sponge out by hand over and over.

1
Caramico35•

Ive used both, have had success with both, but i dont like the sponge because of how they tend to look relatively quick, it gets nasty looking and i dont want my customers thinking that using any sponge is a good idea, or that im using what looks like a turd to clean their exotic cars

3
value_ateOP•

It seems to work pretty well. I’ve updated the original post with an image of a two Bucket wash with the BRS I did today. Seems that the BRS did release all of the dirt into the rinse bucket as advertised.

2