So what's all this talk about a grout sponge?

T

TheJeepGuy

New member
I'll be dating myself a bit, but back when I was detailing professionally about 15+ years ago, any type of sponge used to wash a car was considered a big no-no, unless it was something you really didn't care about like an old work truck or something. A lambswool mitt or a super super soft car wash brush was the recommended tools of the trade. I still use both. I have this blue brush that's so soft it won't hardly take bugs off paint, but it's never scratched a bit, and it's super fast to do the whole vehicle, especially trucks and SUVs since I have it on a ~4' long handle. I keep a lambswool mitt in my carry-along detailing kit just for the portability factor.

So now I sign up on here and I'm seeing some things that I would have never thought of using or even considered based on what I previously knew.



Explain the whole grout sponge to me, and why it's better than the two aforementioned methods.



Like I mentioned in other threads, I'm a bit of an "oldster" and have been out of the loop for some time, but I'm always interested in new things when it comes to detailing. It might take me some time to adapt to new things (heck, I bought my first microfibre towel less than a year ago!), but once I force myself to change, it'll happen eventually. I've always just stuck to what worked and never really strayed too far off the beaten path. You should have seen the look on my face the first time I heard about using a clay bar!



When I first started detailing professionally, clearcoat paints were just starting to become standard equipment on new cars and trucks, but the majority of my customers' vehicles were still old single stage enamels or lacquers.

Since detailing is now just a hobby rather than an occupation, I'm a little more willing to play around with new tools and techniques.
 
I like grout sponges because they are pretty soft, and they release dirt into the rinse bucket very easily. They also hold alot of wash solution. They are also extremely cheap.
 
I have a grout sponge (from actually cleaning up grout wile laying ceramic tile). Surely you aren't using the same one, with the abrasive scrubber on the opposite side?
 
pektel said:
I have a grout sponge (from actually cleaning up grout wile laying ceramic tile). Surely you aren't using the same one, with the abrasive scrubber on the opposite side?
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nope. its a yellow GS from home depot
 
TheJeepGuy said:
So the popular consensus is that this is superior to a nice soft lambswool wash mitt?
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It may not be superior, but its much cheaper and does not induce marring, even to black paint.
 
Here's my story. About 4 or 5 years ago I was on a website called showcargarage. The website itself is no longer, as I believe it got combined with the meguiars forums. Not 100% sure though. Anyhow, I came across a thread by Mike Phillips that said there was a mobile detailer who washed Barry Meguiar's cars with a grout sponge. This peaked my interest. So much that I actually called the guy and asked some questions. David told me he did a test consisting of washing 5-10 black cars with a grout sponge, and 5-10 black cars with a lambs wool mitt. He concluded the cars that were washed with the mitt had more scratches/swirls.

I wasn't sold yet, so I actually went and picked up a few at home depot, which is the kind David used. After using the sponge myself I was a convert.



Now, before my sponge days, I was a loyal mitt user. I came to the conclusion that while mitts pull away dirt and hold it very well, they don't wash out as good as a grout sponge. This is where you get the scratches/swirls, and this is what David was talking about. I also never liked how mitts were so inconsistent. Out of 15 mitts, probably only 4-6 were up to my likings.



Now, is this to say that grout sponges are the best and are for everyone? Probably not. What I do know, is if you like a particular detailing tool, and are satisfied with the results, then stick with what works for you. If that means using a lambs wool mitt, fine. If that means using a grout sponge, fine.



Here's a link to David's website. Let me say that I don't know this guy personally other than when I talked to him 4-5 years ago. I also have no idea if he still details Barry's vehicles or if he's still in business. From looking at his website, it looks the same as it did 3-4 years ago.



Innovative Detailing
 
I've had really good luck with these lately over anything else I have used. I don't get them through Griots', but they are the same mitt...



Micro Fiber Wash Mitts or Pads





Any other mitt or sponge has been reduced to Wheel Detail after using one of these...
 
There are a couple of very long threads about grout sponges. Search for them and every thing you would want to know will be there.
 
blk45 said:
There are a couple of very long threads about grout sponges. Search for them and every thing you would want to know will be there.
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that would be a great start

then since they are only $2 and easy to find

grab one and see if YOU like it
 
BigJimZ28 said:
that would be a great start

then since they are only $2 and easy to find

grab one and see if YOU like it
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agreed, just like anything else it may not be for everyone. one has to try it out for him or her self...



to the OP, here are some nice things about the Lowes GS (the HD one is nice too)...



- very soft and easily squeezes/manuevers into tight spots

- release dirt and debris very easily

- plenty of holes for the dirt and debris to bury itself

- suds up (the more you squeeze it) a good amount of soap solution and

also helps lubricate (slowly squeeze some soap solution onto each panel)

the surface while you wash

- lasts a good while

- only $2
 
FWIW, I don't like the Proline GS from Lowes. It doesn't hold enough water for my taste. I hate re-dipping the damn thing every other swipe.
 
Saleenman607 said:
FWIW, I don't like the Proline GS from Lowes. It doesn't hold enough water for my taste. I hate re-dipping the damn thing every other swipe.
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hmmm... this hasn't been my experience (have had good results in fact, compared to many wash media's i've tried), and see people it goes to show you... everyone has different opinions/results! gotta use what works for YOU... :up
 
III said:
Here's my story. About 4 or 5 years ago I was on a website called showcargarage. The website itself is no longer, as I believe it got combined with the meguiars forums. Not 100% sure though. Anyhow, I came across a thread by Mike Phillips that said there was a mobile detailer who washed Barry Meguiar's cars with a grout sponge. This peaked my interest. So much that I actually called the guy and asked some questions. David told me he did a test consisting of washing 5-10 black cars with a grout sponge, and 5-10 black cars with a lambs wool mitt. He concluded the cars that were washed with the mitt had more scratches/swirls.

I wasn't sold yet, so I actually went and picked up a few at home depot, which is the kind David used. After using the sponge myself I was a convert.



Now, before my sponge days, I was a loyal mitt user. I came to the conclusion that while mitts pull away dirt and hold it very well, they don't wash out as good as a grout sponge. This is where you get the scratches/swirls, and this is what David was talking about. I also never liked how mitts were so inconsistent. Out of 15 mitts, probably only 4-6 were up to my likings.



Now, is this to say that grout sponges are the best and are for everyone? Probably not. What I do know, is if you like a particular detailing tool, and are satisfied with the results, then stick with what works for you. If that means using a lambs wool mitt, fine. If that means using a grout sponge, fine.



Here's a link to David's website. Let me say that I don't know this guy personally other than when I talked to him 4-5 years ago. I also have no idea if he still details Barry's vehicles or if he's still in business. From looking at his website, it looks the same as it did 3-4 years ago.



Innovative Detailing
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I know this is an older post, but I wanted to chime in......



My name is David Sylican I am the owner/operator of Innovative Detailing. I have been providing my mobile auto detailing services in the Orange County, California area for over 24 years



How I came about this thread is I was checking my website stats and thru this post someone visited my site earlier today.



I do remember this conversation with this gentleman above "111" in regards to the grout sponges. It is something that will convert most but not all, but until today we still continue with our tradition of using only this type of washing product. I would have to say that since day one, that I took my hobby of cleaning my owns vehicles to the level of doing it as a profession I have been using only these grout sponges.



I did take care of the Meguiar's fleet of vehicles including Barry's personal cars for a better part of 12 years. On a regular weekly basis I would provide these services at their HQ in Irvine....How that came about is I had the privilage of having a detail shop at the "Internationally Famous" Newport Beach Balboa Bay Club. When the reps at Meguair's found out that I opened a shop they paid me a visit. Reason for this is the Meguiar's have had a relationship with the club since the 50's. I was then asked if I would agree to using only and exclusively their products which I did. They actually sponsored me 100% and for along time I was able to work with many wonderful people which also included testing new, not yet released fomulas and products. Innovative Detailing's Auto Spa at the Balboa Bay Club ended up closing because of big changes in management and due to the fact that the "Car Spa" was being built across the street. When the Car Spa was built I was hired to be the Detail Manager and launch the new facility while still running my mobile. Ultimately I decided to leave because of differences with the owners, they had been in the restaurant business all their lives and had no idea about detailing. Today I also do some consulting with car washes, bodyshops and detailers who need advise or bilingual help when it comes to detail training. Over the years I had the opportunity to detail some fabulous vehicles, from SEMA to the movie studios and until today I put that same passion and quality into my work.



In late 2004 I was advised that Meguiar's was going to be opening their own retail "Detail Center" which was located in the adjacent city. I recieved a call and because of cut backs and the opening of this shop they were no longer needing my services.......I was told that with this shop they were now going to take care of all the corporate vehicles and the owners as well. I must say that it was a little dissapointing to hear that a manufacturer of detailing products was going to compete on the retail level....but you just keep on detailing. This shop is no longer open, a bodyshop run by the local BMW dealership took over and moved it to their facility. Last year in early spring 2008 this bodyshop, Spectrum hired me to turn their detail shop around because it was literally sinking. So without any conflict of interest I was hired to manage and turn their detail shop into a positive status, which I did while running my own mobile service as well. I decided to leave the bodyshop detail manager position after 4 months, but it was a great learning experience which I now can apply my new learned knowledge to my own business.



In regards to my website, previously it was an older frame style which was outdated. In December of 2008 I launched a brand new website at the same domain as above which is alot more detailed and also a Youtube channel. I am working on a new website at this time dedicated just to headlightlens restoral which should be up and running in 2010.



If anyone has any further questions regarding the grout sponges, please do not hesitate to ask.....



Happy Holiday's
 
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