Yeah the thread started out that way, but a lot of us swear by the Dirt Guards and the thread got mixed up with the two--they both achieve the same goal jus t in different ways. =)

Velcro might work if you can get it to stick--Silicone?? lol

Richard

 

I lugged my Dirt Guards with me to the Target and test fit them in their $4.99 bucket. The ones I got fit the Dirt Guards quite tightly (and are a nice stylish red to match my CR MCS), but I can't speak for the general tolerances of Target bucket stock.

 

My Dirt Guards fit tight, while my Grit Guards did not. I use to use a rock on top of the Grit Guards to keep them from floating. I have two buckets I bought from US Plastics (Yellow = wash water & Blue = rinse water since after a while they both look the same with suds).

 

For those that don't know how to tell the difference(--because I get confused too--I know you know Chuck..) The soap bucket water level will get lower while the rinse bucket water level will rise. How?

Because you're taking fresh soap water out and putting it on your car, then you're bringing the dirty mitt and rinsing it out--transferring the water and dirt in the mitt to the rinse bucket.

After a few times of doing this, it becomes very obvious which bucket is which. Of course the two color buckets makes it effortless to know!

Richard

 

So, it is the CO water . and all this time I thought it was me. Come the the next warm weekend (I'm figuring around July or so) I'll show you'all my solution.

As I was just thinking about a design to keep my guards down it struck me that if you put about 2 inches of 1 - 2 inch rock in the bottom of the bucket it would likely work just as well as either guard system. Basically all they do is keep the water from swirling and give the dirt a place to settle into. Probably wouldn't have this floation issue either. Damn, could have saved $30. OG, you may want to add this to your web site (I want 10%).

 

Really good idea. Just makes the bucket heavier.

 

I don't know. Which is heavier, the rock or the water???? I'm gonna have to drag out my old high school science book and put some thought into this one.

 

Do rocks float?

 

 

Hope Bedivere's science lesson helped.

 

A gallon of water weights 10 lbs, if I remember right.

Mark

 

A gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds. Easy to remember - about "a pound a pint" - 16 fl oz of water weight just a bit more than 16 oz...

In case anyone hasn't figured it out yet - ALL rocks are heavier than water (except maybe SOME pumice or vermiculite - and it's the air inside that makes it light) - otherwise they'd float like a witch... er, duck... er, wood....

 

Yes, I think the rocks would work just as well as the Grit or Dirt Guards systems. Problem is I would have to detail the rocks before I put them in the bucket. Then after washing I would have to save all those detailed rocks for the next time. I wonder how Epic would work on rocks? I would need a polishing pad and waxing pad for my Dremel so I could buff those babies out before waxing them. No, rocks would add hours if not days to my current detailing routine so I'll just stick with my Dirt Guards thank you.
"She turned me into a newt! Well ... I got better."

 

I don't know guys, I think the rock idea may have some merrit. Let's keep score:
1. Capability to suspend dirt - Tie
2. Weight difference - slight nod to guards
3. Floatation issue - Rock
4. Cost - Rock
5. Maintenance - Tie, except for Maybee
6. Durability - Rock


So on the plus side either guard system: works well, are lighter, maintenance free, and convenient.
Rock on the other hand: works well, doesn't float (even in CO), has no cost, are maintenance free, are durable and good for the environment.

Hmmmmmmm

 

Classic.

 

MiniMaybee you could use one of these to polish your rocks
https://shop.rocks4u.com/index.asp?P...TS&Category=14

Mark

 

I used to have a floating rock. I think it was some kind of pumice or something.

Why not take the rock idea one step further and put a small aquarium filter under your rocks in your bucket?

 

^^^ Why not just get a dirt guard Price should not break the bank, and you would support a NAM vendor

Maybe we change the thread title to " Stuck between a rock and a dirt guard"

Mark

 

I've got a Dirt Guard. Two actually. I was just trying to one up the ridiculousness of the thread. Imagine having to drag an extension cord out to the driveway and plug in your wash buckets. If your neighbors don't think you're crazy now, they definitely would then!

 

My neighbors have the loony bin on speed dial - waiting for yet another sign that I've totally lost it.
I do like the aquarium filtration idea though, oh and remote control bucket dollies.

 

Now you've got me thinking about some sort of Detailing Bot a la Robot Wars. How about a squadron of flying Porter Cable drones that can polish/wax your car in minutes?

 

Mark

 

My neighbors already stare at the 2 bucket wash. They'd all go into shock if I rolled out the dolly equipped buckets.

Maybe Honda can teach that robot of theirs to wash cars...