Detailing buckets – how important are they in car care?

With the processes and products used in car care always evolving to ensure the subject of the ‘wash’ remains as safe from the dreaded swirls or scratches as possible, one of the few things that has remained a constant is the good old detailing bucket. Having said that, where using one detailing bucket was once the norm, deploying a ‘Two Bucket Method’ is now the safest way to go.

It’s an excellent way to minimise the chances of inflicting swirl marks and scratches into the paintwork during the wash process, quite simply by separating the ‘wash’ water from the ‘rinse’ water.

As well as the two detailing buckets and ideally, a grit guard should also be placed in the bottom of the buckets allowing you to brush your mitt against it, releasing dirt particles which sink to the bottom of the bucket. The guard then helps keep the grit at the bottom of the bucket.

Never mind two, what about three buckets?

Before you say it, we hear you! What about the wheels? You’re absolutely right, having a dedicated detailing bucket for your wheels is a must – the wheels are home to some of the hardest working components on a vehicle after all, so you’ll want to ensure all the water that is being used to clean them is kept entirely separate in its very own detailing bucket.

Take a browse of the detailing bucket options you have to choose from on our online store below. You can choose from the simplest of stand-alone buckets, right through to a three-piece set with Grit Guards™ and lids!

Detailing Wash Bucket From £6.95

A bucket is the most basic requirement for keeping your car clean. This large, 20 litre UF Wash Bucket is white – so you can keep an eye on the colour of the water – and is made from tough, durable plastic so you can be sure it will last for many years to come!

The red ‘Wash’ label on the front will help remind you what you’re using it for, which is particularly handy when employing multiple buckets.

Detailing Rinse Bucket From £6.95

The blue ‘Rinse’ label on the front will help remind you what you’re using it for, which is particularly handy when employing multiple buckets.

Most swirls and scratches are introduced to paintwork during the wash process, so the UF Rinse Bucket also comes with the optional extra of a blue Grit Guard™, a bucket filter system which sits snugly in the bottom of the bucket. The Grit Guard™ acts as a barrier, trapping dirt particles at the bottom of the bucket and preventing them from being re-introduced to the wash mitt. Simply brush your mitt or wash pad across the guard to release any particles before continuing the wash.

Detailing Wheel Bucket From £6.95

This large, 20 litre UF Wheel Bucket is white – so you can keep an eye on the colour of the water – and is made from tough, durable plastic so you can be sure it will last for many years to come.

The black ‘Wheel’ label on the front will help remind you what you’re using it for, which is particularly handy when employing multiple buckets.

Most swirls and scratches are introduced to paintwork during the wash process, so the UF Wheel Wash Bucket comes with the optional extra of the black Grit Guard™, a bucket filter system which sits snugly in the bottom of the bucket. The Grit Guard™ acts as a barrier, trapping dirt particles at the bottom of the detailing bucket and preventing them from being re-introduced to the wash mitt. Simply brush your mitt or wash pad across the guard to release any particles before continuing the wash.

Wash, Rinse & Wheel Bucket Set With Grit Guards™ From £42.00

The Two Bucket Method has long been regarded as the best way to help keep your paintwork scratch-free. These large, 20-litre Ultimate Finish Buckets are white allowing you to keep an eye on the colour of the water – and they’re made from tough, durable plastic. ‘Wash’, ‘Rinse’ and ‘Wheel’ labels on the front help remind you which bucket is which, meaning you’ll keep your rinse water cleaner, longer.

The Ultimate Finish Buckets each come with a Grit Guard™, colour-coded to avoid cross contamination.

The Grit Guard™ is a detailing bucket filter system which sits in the bottom of the bucket and acts as a barrier, trapping dirt particles at the bottom of the bucket and preventing them from being reintroduced to the wash mitt or sponge.

The full range of Ultimate Finish products can be found here.

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