Grout Sponges for ONR
- Thread starter jw
- Start date
imported_WhyteWizard
New member
If you use a grout sponge, cut a diamond pattern into one side. I do this by laying the sponge on a flat surface then - using a razor blade - I make diagonal cuts about a half inch apart from top left to bottom right. I turn the sponge and cut across my original cuts to make the diamond pattern. I also cut about half way through the sponge. This keeps the sponge from driving dirt into the paint.
For ONR washes, I use the two bucket system with this variation. I do one section - size is determined by how dusty or dirty the car is - then, I do that section again and the area adjacent to it. A then A plus B. B then B plus C, etc. all the way around the car - or a part of the car and dry if the ONR is going to dry before I can get to it.
The other thing I like to do is mist the car first using a pump sprayer. I go around and around car until it looks like there was a heavy dew on it. Then I do the wash and dry. That gets everything softened up and lubricated before I try to move it.
BTW you can get those cheaper at Home Depot.
Robert
For ONR washes, I use the two bucket system with this variation. I do one section - size is determined by how dusty or dirty the car is - then, I do that section again and the area adjacent to it. A then A plus B. B then B plus C, etc. all the way around the car - or a part of the car and dry if the ONR is going to dry before I can get to it.
The other thing I like to do is mist the car first using a pump sprayer. I go around and around car until it looks like there was a heavy dew on it. Then I do the wash and dry. That gets everything softened up and lubricated before I try to move it.
BTW you can get those cheaper at Home Depot.
Robert
Dan
Well-known member
OP, if you haven't already, check out the Gary Dean wash method, it's safer, faster and less work.
I bought grout sponges from Home Depot for around $1 each. I bought 6.
I personally mist half the car with an ONR solution using a deck sprayer and then go over one panel at a time, rubbing the sponge on a grit guard with ONR solution. I will generally do one panel with one side of the sponge, another with the other side, then get the windows before I clean either side of the sponge since you really can't mar them up in my experience. Grit guard both sides of the sponge, and start on the next panels, working your way from top to bottom and saving the very bottom, dirtiest sections of the car for very last. I then dry that half of the car with a little detail spray and a good waffle weave drying towel, flipping to a fresh side of the towel each panel.
Of course, I do the wheels, tires, and wheel wells before I start on the paint. This works very well on my OptiCoated car and doesn't seem to mar the girlfriend's fairly soft Altima paint as long as the car isn't too dirty.
I personally mist half the car with an ONR solution using a deck sprayer and then go over one panel at a time, rubbing the sponge on a grit guard with ONR solution. I will generally do one panel with one side of the sponge, another with the other side, then get the windows before I clean either side of the sponge since you really can't mar them up in my experience. Grit guard both sides of the sponge, and start on the next panels, working your way from top to bottom and saving the very bottom, dirtiest sections of the car for very last. I then dry that half of the car with a little detail spray and a good waffle weave drying towel, flipping to a fresh side of the towel each panel.
Of course, I do the wheels, tires, and wheel wells before I start on the paint. This works very well on my OptiCoated car and doesn't seem to mar the girlfriend's fairly soft Altima paint as long as the car isn't too dirty.
I find the Supernatural wash sponge to be the best (soft, absorbent, paint friendly) that I have used. BUT, it will cost you.
I still do a power wash, summer or winter, prior to using ONR. I find then any wash instrument cleans easier and safer, whether it be MF, Sponge, Australian Wool, Bone, Mitt....Good Luck!
I still do a power wash, summer or winter, prior to using ONR. I find then any wash instrument cleans easier and safer, whether it be MF, Sponge, Australian Wool, Bone, Mitt....Good Luck!
stormsearch
New member
The sponge BigAl shows is the one you want. I now use mine cut up for tire and trim dressing since converted over to the GD method.
Junebug
JAFO
I'll stick to the sponges, plain, not cut up sponges. Whatever works and whatever feels right brother!
Guitarist302008
New member
Dan said:
I watched some of his vids. Looks like a very good method but I have to admit, there's something about the guys voice that I cannot stand!
Guitarist302008
New member
actually, one could use several sponges and do the same as the GD wash method. The one thing I do like about using the MF towels is that they seem to remove more tar, bugs, etc.
I've used the lowes GS to wash my car for a while now, and I do a pre-rinse sponging using no pressure except the weight of the wet sponge itself and a constant spray of water pressure.
One short swipe per side of sponge, then rinse it out good in a bucket after every side has been used.
I've done tile grouting before, and the same method applies when washing tiles.
The sponge traps a lot of grout sand that you have to bang out when the sponge is dry. So it should have no problem picking up dirt on car paint.
However, since wiping with a sponge mainly picks up dirt on the leading edge of the sponge, you should not make too long of a swipe unless you use a rolling motion while you swipe so that dirt gets trapped in the whole surface of the sponge, rather than just the leading edge.
One short swipe per side of sponge, then rinse it out good in a bucket after every side has been used.
I've done tile grouting before, and the same method applies when washing tiles.
The sponge traps a lot of grout sand that you have to bang out when the sponge is dry. So it should have no problem picking up dirt on car paint.
However, since wiping with a sponge mainly picks up dirt on the leading edge of the sponge, you should not make too long of a swipe unless you use a rolling motion while you swipe so that dirt gets trapped in the whole surface of the sponge, rather than just the leading edge.
imported_WhyteWizard
New member
JuneBug said:
The advantage of not cutting the sponge is that there's no gap for big debris to get stuck in. The advantage of cutting the sponge is that it makes the sponge effectively softer on the paint at any given point. Put a cut sponge - I recommend the cuts be almost halfway through and a half inch apart - on a flat surface cut side up and an uncut sponge next to it. Push into the two sponges with equal force with just one finger - you'll go much deeper into the one that's cut. if you put both sponges against the car on a curved panel, you'll see the contact patch of the cut sponge is larger than the contact sponge of the uncut sponge - equal force being applied of course.
I'm sitting here typing this thinking I have way too much time on my hands.
Robert
dtyjyaejian
New member
If you use a grout sponge, cut a diamond pattern into one side.
