Bucket or Cannon?

AMPowerJ · 04-14-2009, 06:02 PM

With my M3 on order I am going to go back to handwashing, etc. Haven't been doing this in about 3 years so I have been reading this section to get back in the groove. I see that some use the foam cannons and some favor a couple buckets with grit guards. Just wondering what most of you guys do and if there are any drawbacks to the cannon other than price?

R2M3 · 04-14-2009, 08:03 PM

What are the benefits of the foam cannon over say just the normal rinse and wash method?

AMPowerJ · 04-14-2009, 09:23 PM

From what I understand you can get greater separation between the car's finish and the mitt or whatever to reduce the chance of surface scratches, etc. From what I have seen a proper foam cannon creates a complete layer of suds whereas it would be hard to do this with just a bucket.

rav7ks · 04-15-2009, 02:37 PM

I use both as with the foam cannon you will get a nice layer of soap but using 2 buckets you can loosen dirt from difficult areas.

signes · 04-15-2009, 03:19 PM

Both foamer and buckets. The foaming just helps loosen the dirt but you cannot get a complete wash this way (unless you wash your car very often or don't drive much (but still, I wouldn't do it.) I assume from your sig you are ordering an IB M3 - medium on the scale of swirl-prone colors.

RowanBuds · 04-15-2009, 04:47 PM

Not to threadjack.....but, Signes or any detailer, would you be able to toss out a quick list of what you would think are the easiest colors to not only keep clean, but keep looking good (as you say---most to least "swirl prone" color).

Thanks

signes · 04-15-2009, 10:55 PM

In general, the lighter the color the lower the paint maintenance. The worst end of the spectrum is jet black (my color!) - incredibly fussy and shows the slightest flaws, but when well cared for there is nothing better looking. Metallic paint helps darker cars hide swirls a bit, but if you really want low maintenance white or silver are your colors. If I were to order another non jet black car, I would try Melbourne Red. Needs some work to keep it looking good, but a nice balance between great look and medium amount of maintenance. I cannot do silver, just too boring for me, although I would say this is the first car I would actually consider getting in white - the angular lines really suit the color.

eclipsisNA · 04-17-2009, 12:09 AM

Ideally, you would use both a cannon and the two bucket solution. It would work like this:

1. Spray the car down with a pressure water to blast off majority of dirt.
2. Soap the car w/ a foam gun/cannon and let the soap sit for about 5 minutes IN A SHADY AREA.
3. Rinse the soap off.
4. Soap the car again.
5. Use two bucket solution: lather wash mitt up with fresh foam from one bucket, wipe car down and periodically clean mitt off in 2nd bucket filled with water.

View Poll Results: What do you use for car washing?
Two buckets	10	62.50%
Cannon	9	56.25%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

04-14-2009, 06:02 PM	#1
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... 416 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC iTrader: (10)	Bucket or Cannon? With my M3 on order I am going to go back to handwashing, etc. Haven't been doing this in about 3 years so I have been reading this section to get back in the groove. I see that some use the foam cannons and some favor a couple buckets with grit guards. Just wondering what most of you guys do and if there are any drawbacks to the cannon other than price? __________________ Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
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04-14-2009, 08:03 PM	#2
R2M3 Private First Class 13 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	What are the benefits of the foam cannon over say just the normal rinse and wash method?
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04-14-2009, 09:23 PM	#3
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... 416 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC iTrader: (10)	From what I understand you can get greater separation between the car's finish and the mitt or whatever to reduce the chance of surface scratches, etc. From what I have seen a proper foam cannon creates a complete layer of suds whereas it would be hard to do this with just a bucket. __________________ Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
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04-15-2009, 02:37 PM	#4
rav7ks First Lieutenant 38 Rep 387 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 08 M3 [0.00]	I use both as with the foam cannon you will get a nice layer of soap but using 2 buckets you can loosen dirt from difficult areas.
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04-15-2009, 03:19 PM	#5
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	Both foamer and buckets. The foaming just helps loosen the dirt but you cannot get a complete wash this way (unless you wash your car very often or don't drive much (but still, I wouldn't do it.) I assume from your sig you are ordering an IB M3 - medium on the scale of swirl-prone colors.
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04-15-2009, 04:47 PM	#6
RowanBuds Colonel 1707 Rep 2,053 Posts Drives: 3 pedal 718, G05, MkVII GTI Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bergen County, NJ iTrader: (0)	Not to threadjack.....but, Signes or any detailer, would you be able to toss out a quick list of what you would think are the easiest colors to not only keep clean, but keep looking good (as you say---most to least "swirl prone" color). Thanks
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04-15-2009, 10:55 PM	#7
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	In general, the lighter the color the lower the paint maintenance. The worst end of the spectrum is jet black (my color!) - incredibly fussy and shows the slightest flaws, but when well cared for there is nothing better looking. Metallic paint helps darker cars hide swirls a bit, but if you really want low maintenance white or silver are your colors. If I were to order another non jet black car, I would try Melbourne Red. Needs some work to keep it looking good, but a nice balance between great look and medium amount of maintenance. I cannot do silver, just too boring for me, although I would say this is the first car I would actually consider getting in white - the angular lines really suit the color.
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04-17-2009, 12:09 AM	#8
eclipsisNA Colonel 350 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW 428i [7.76]	Ideally, you would use both a cannon and the two bucket solution. It would work like this: 1. Spray the car down with a pressure water to blast off majority of dirt. 2. Soap the car w/ a foam gun/cannon and let the soap sit for about 5 minutes IN A SHADY AREA. 3. Rinse the soap off. 4. Soap the car again. 5. Use two bucket solution: lather wash mitt up with fresh foam from one bucket, wipe car down and periodically clean mitt off in 2nd bucket filled with water.
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