Bucket Filling: Water or Shampoo First?

Discussion in 'Pre Wash, Wash, Decon, Claying, Engine, Wheels, an' started by luke093, Mar 24, 2011.

  1. luke093

    luke093 Welcome to Detailing

    Lately I have been adding the shampoo last as bucket filling inside the home (using shampoo first) made too much suds to adequately fill the bucket.

    Other than a lack of thick suds, does it have any any negative affect on the wash? I have to assume that adding shampoo first is the better way to go as the suds act like a barrier between the wash media and the paint preventing damage (to some degree). I have a feeling that the mix of water particles and shampoo would not be as mixed up, but I have not seen any adverse effects as of yet. I really like to wash with warm water but need to add shampoo near the end of the filing.

    Am I just over complicating things?
     
  2. kyoshiro

    kyoshiro DB Forum Supporter

    I like to put soap onto washpad then powerwasher into the bucket to create suds. I also foam cannon so I don't need as much solution tho. real men wash with cold water!
     
  3. luke093

    luke093 Welcome to Detailing

    Man, my hand went numb last time I did this! Washing with 2C water is not fun... All because I wanted to try out my Gtech wash mitt. I had to go heat up my hands 3 times just to finish going around the car. I think I'm sticking to ONR for the winter from now on.
     
  4. irontree

    irontree Two Bucket System Washer

    Lately I have been using the foam gun to soak the car. I then let it dwell and the pressure wash it. I then pull it in the garage and wash with ONR. Use a leaf blower to dry. I was using the Adams wash and it seems to have a lot of foam if added before adding water. I think the way your doing is the best way if its working for you.
     
  5. BespokeAndy

    BespokeAndy Virgin Detailer

    I don't think it matters which way you do it.

    I always use warm water to wash, better for removing the dirt.
     
  6. Tire Shredder

    Tire Shredder Jedi Nuba

    I put mine in near the end, but not at the very end of filling. I just use the hose to help aide mixing. I think suds are just a placebo for how well a soap is working. just make sure the soap is mixed properly with the water.
     
  7. 911Fanatic

    911Fanatic DB Pro Supporter

    3 gallons of water into a 5 gallon bucket. Add soap. Foam up with hose and you'll have tons of suds and a safe amount of water. :)
     
  8. domino

    domino Welcome to Detailing

    I add a little water to get it above the grit guard, add soap then fill with the pressure washer on about medium

    Mixes very well just make sure to keep the spray head submerged otherwise you'll wear most of the suds
     
  9. maxepr1

    maxepr1 Jedi Nuba

    I think when adding soap first, the bucket overflows with suds and not enough water. IMO the suds are not enough to draw dirt down the panel without inducing RIDS. Suds are just Fru-Fru but there needs to be more liquid. Like ONR. My .02
     
  10. Wheelz25

    Wheelz25 Jedi Nuba

    I've always filled the bucket up most of the way, add the soap, swirl it around with my hand then fill the rest up with the hose to create "some" suds. to me as long as the soap is slick enough and has good lubricity then I don't need a tons of suds. if i do it first it makes it hard to see the water line.
     
  11. Stokdgs

    Stokdgs Detail Master

    I always put the soap in the bottom and fill it up, and really like using hot water, since it seems to work better. Hot water has always cleaned better for me, and in Winter, its the only way, or your hands will get frostbite. Real men wash their cars outside in Winter ! :) :) :) j/k

    Last month, I was washing a Client's car outside with hot water and everything went well until I started to rinse it and the cold rinse water froze on the car -bummer !
    Cold temperature water is always used to knock down soap suds anyway; but in the end,use what works for you !
    Dan F
     
  12. Bmer89

    Bmer89 DB Forum Supporter

    I add the soap last. Splash the mitt around and make your bubbles... I always get decent suds from dunking the mitt a few times. I also use warm water from the tub :)
     
  13. v|nsan|ty

    v|nsan|ty Obsessive Detailer

    I'm far too lazy to use hot water from inside. I usually do what a few others do here, I put the soap in when I've filled the bucket up 3/4 of the way with the nozzle submerged in the water. I swirl the soap around with my mitt and then we're good to go!
     
  14. Deep Gloss Auto Salon

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon DB Pro Supporter

    Water first soap last for me..... No suds preferred as it does nothing beneficial.


    Sent using Tapatalk
     
  15. P1et

    P1et Official DB Moderator

    Rinse out my five gallon bucket to make sure there is not debris in it, then put about 1.5 to 2oz of Duragloss 901 in there, fill it up with about 4 gallons of water and off we go!
     

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