Anyone using this?

http://www.gritguard.com/product_inf...a9469d09edde30

It's tempting but so expensive. I've been doing 2 bucket washes without a grit guard. Would you prefer the smaller or 5 gallon buckets? Right now I use two buckets about 3.5 gallon but they are a weird shape (square/rectangle) which has kept me from just buying a grit guard separately. The idea of having the two buckets attached and rolling would be easier. It was $50 less I would have already bought them. But then again I use Zymol, which is just about the most expensive stuff you can get, even just their Clear auto wash is super expensive. Maybe these rolling buckets aren't really that much. :impatient

 

I'm planning on making my own 2 bucket dolly. I plan on using plastic wood decking material, so water will not be a problem roting anything. 3 inch swivel casters, 1 or 2 locking.

I'll post pics when I get one made. The grit guards themselves are a good investment IMO.

Mark

 

I use Grit Guards in both my buckets. They really do help. I was amazed at the amount of grit that ends up in the bottom of the rinse bucket.

I bought 2 guards & use them in standard drywall mud buckets (free). The whole system they sell does seem a bit pricey to me.

I'm also thinking a couple of dollies would be nice. Show us what you come up with Mark.

 

I plan on building one that will hold 2 buckets, maybe a shelf for stuff. May start this week, so I'll post pics as soon as I get one done.

Mark

 

I saw some pics, maybe on here, of home made setups. I have seen some grit in the bottom of the bucket I use to rinse the mitt off but none in the clean soapy bucket. I use a lambskin wash mitt that is white so most small bits of dirt stand out fairly easy.

Post pics if you build one!

 

I use a grit guard insert in the bottom of a 5 gallon, $5 paint bucket available at any Home Depot. I have never been a follower of the 2 bucket method. I just rinse my mitt off thoroughly with my hose every time before I dip it into the soap wash bucket

 

We've been happy using Dirt Guards, it actually uses a filter to trap the fine particles. I figure it is better to go overboard to prevent scratching then deal with it after

http://www.showcardetailing.com/eshop/shopexd.asp?id=65

 

+1 on the Dirt Guards!
I used the Grit Guards in the past but after I bought the Dirt Guards I realized just how much crap was still in the water even with the Grit Guards in each bucket. With the filter pad that the Dirt Guard uses, all the very fine silt is trapped and the water is much cleaner.
Do what I did and just try one and go head to head. I even put it in the soap bucket and was still amazed at the amount of silt it trapped (I thought the soap bucket was clean water before). After that little test I bought the second Dirt Guard and gave my Grit Guards to my Dad (sucker).

 

I think the grit guard idea is a good one too and was considering it but found my sheep skin mitt floats in the bucket so never touches the bottom where the grit is anyway.

 

I bought the grit guards and buckets (in blue to match my car) from US Plastics. Nice price and quick shipping.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/sea...rch=grit+guard

 

I have Grit Guards but not the dollies. My driveway is slanted and I can just see them rolling away...

 

my thoughts as well, unless you have wheel Chocks or locks.

 

I do...but then the whole thing kind of defeats the purpose. I don't move my buckets anyway when I wash.

 

I have it and like it alot. It's much easier than humping two buckets around the car during a wash, especially on the huge vans/trucks. You can make your own for much cheaper, but i was too lazy to do so. it would be well worth it to a) make your own or b) shell out the cash for this system. It makes the two bucket method so much easier on my poor back.

I also use two grit gaurds in the rinse bucket, and one in the wash bucket.

 

I got dirt guards a few months ago based on input from fellow NAMers. At the time it seemed that more liked them better than grit guards. Due to the time of year, I have only used them a few times but so far each time I've used them the filter keeps floating the whole guard off the bottom, kind of defeating the purpose. Anyone else have this problem with them? I thought it might be a CO water problem, but if your not having this problem Maybee, then I'm back to square. So far, I've been taking the filters out, but I'm thinking a rock and some duct tape may be in order.

 

If you don't use the Dirt/Grit Guards as designed, then you are correct--you won't get to the bottom of the bucket (The Dirt Guard people want you to rub your mitt on the bottom of the guard to free contaminants--but that means getting my whole arm wet!!). But everytime you dip your mitt into bucket--assuming you are using the two bucket method and rinsing the mitt-you stir and churn up the water--all the grit inside stirs and floats around and that's where the potential is to get the grit on to your mitts.

The Grit Guard has vanes to prevent the water churning at the bottom of the bucket. The Dirt Guard goes one step further and has a filter mesh that traps it so it stays at the bottom, and that's why I sell the Dirt Guards. It works much better IMO.

Richard

 

Unfortunately buckets are NOT manufactured to ultra tight tolerances. I bought 4 buckets from Home Depot and one had a tight fit and 3 were loose. Your best bet is to take the Dirt Guard to wherever you buy your buckets and make sure it fits well before you buy the bucket. If you're buying them mail order, then you take your chances.

Richard

 

Oooh I guess I got lucky & the one bucket I bought from Home Depot has a really tight fit but thanks for the info. I will be sure to carry my grit guard to the store with me when it's time for a replacement

 

I bought two Home Depot buckets and both dirt guards fit loosely. During a wash I have to push the floating dirtguard to the bottom of the bucket and as I'm swirling the mit in the rinse bucket have to keep pressure on it from coming back up (soaking my arm as you mention). When I'm back to the rinse bucket the next time there it is floating again. If the dirtguard is supposed to fit tight and the problem is that the buckets I have are larger than the dirtguard is designed for then at least I understand the problem. I'm sure I can modify the bucket or dirtguard to fit properly. Or as you say, get some new buckets with the dirtguard in hand.

 

Get some aquarium silicone sealant and glue that sucker to the bottom of the bucket.

 

Then how do you clean to trapped dirt out?

 

turn bucket upside down and rinse

 

Haha the only problem with that, it will be virtually impossible to wash your buckets!
Yeah, I have not been impressed by the fit of the Home Depot buckets, but you can get lucky I guess, lol. I would just get two more buckets--they don't cost that much money, and it doesn't hurt to have more buckets--you can use them for holding water to clean your wheels, etc...

Richard

 

That may work for the Grit Guard, but not the Dirt Guards.

 

Oh, we're not on the same page then. I thought we were talking about grit gaurds. Looking at the dirt gaurd I can see why silicone won't work. Velcro?