Throughout the years, many products and items have hit the market in the car detailing department. When looking for options to wash your car, you might have encountered these so-called grit guards. The question is, how do they even work?
See how the three main features of grit guards work:
| Water separation | Swirl prevention | Washboard function |
|---|---|---|
| Grit guards are placed at the bottom of washing buckets, thus separating the contaminants from the water. | Grit guards have fins which prevent the water from swirling and mixing with the contaminants. | The rough surface of the grit guards works as a washboard for the washing utensils. |
Understanding how grit guards work and what they are can help you decide if they are the option for you. In this article, you will discover everything about grit guards in detail!
How do grit guards work: a guide
The principal function of grit guards is to separate the dirt from the water inside the wash bucket. Moreover, grit guards prevent the water from swirling and mixing with the dirt again. They also act as a washboard that helps to clean the microfiber wash mitt that the car is cleaned with.
Let’s look at each one of the mentioned functions in detail.
Water separation
Grit guards are plastic or metal grates used as bucket inserts. They are placed at the bottom of washing buckets to keep the dirt separated from the rest of the water. Through the slots of the grate, the heavy dirt and grime particles fall to the bottom of the bucket.
Grit guards are designed to perfectly fit the bottom of washing buckets. They leave a space of a few inches between the bottom of the bucket and the rest, separating the dirt.
As the filtering system, a grit guard has simple slots throughout its surface. Its primary function is to keep the contaminants at the bottom, thus eliminating the possibility of polluting your washing mitt or washing cloth once again.
Since the dirt and grime are trapped at the bottom, you prevent the risk of bringing them once again to your paint by mistake. Grit guards also improve the quality of the water on the top, since all the dirty water stays under the grit.
Swirl prevention
Grit guards have fins under their surface. Once placed in the bottom of the bucket, these fins help reduce water movement. With a reduced water movement, it is less likely that the dirt particles will refloat to the top of the bucket.
The fins work as breaks for swirls. Imagine the swirling of your toilet. If you ever placed a plastic fin on one side, then the water would not be able to complete its movement. The same logic applies to the fins of the grit guards.
Less water movement would also be beneficial for the washing process since it will make it easier for you to wash the mitt or cloth without splashes.
Washboard function
Due to the rough surface of the grit guards, they serve the function of a washboard. You can scrub the wash mitt or cloth against the grit guard at the bottom of the bucket to help remove the contaminants from it.
This added feature became such a success that grit guards started offering a separated washboard accessory. The grit guard washboard is an angled piece that uses the same principles of the grit guard regarding its design.
The angled piece can help better remove contaminants from the wash mitt or cloth. The washboard attaches to the original grit guard using straps and saves.
Yet, scrubbing the washing utensil against the grate will certainly stir the contaminants already trapped at the bottom. This movement could cause some dirt to refloat to the top of the bucket.
Furthermore, the angled piece adds height to the separating space, allowing more particles to float around the bucket. I recommend you be careful and attentive when using this accessory.
Are Grit Guards Effective?
Grit guards can help protect the paintwork of a car. Since they separate the dirt and grime at the bottom of the bucket, they prevent the recontamination of the washing utensil. However, their effectiveness could be higher or lower based on the quality of the grit, the contaminants, and the use.
The contaminants on the water could reattach to the wash mitt or cloth, causing you to sand the surface of the car with them. This process could create unwanted scratches and swirls.
Grit guards cannot fully ensure that there won’t be any harm to the paintwork, but they can help reduce the probabilities of it. Consider using a safe wash mitt and the two-bucket method to better protect your car.
For a ten-dollar long-lasting item, grit guards offer valuable benefits.
How to effectively use a grit guard
Place the grit guard at the bottom of the bucket
The grit guard is designed to fit without much trouble at the bottom of the bucket. Make sure it is fixed before pouring in the water.
Fill the Bucket with water
This part is as easy as it sounds. Add the necessary water to the bucket and confirm the grit guard has not moved.
Use the bucket and grit guard to remove the dirt from the washing utensil
Once you have started the contact wash, you can use the water and the rough surface of the grit guard to remove the dirt from your wash mitt or cloth. Check carefully if all the contaminants have left the washing utensil before you continue.
Wait for the contaminants to settle at the bottom of the bucket
In some cases, the contaminants will float around for a bit before falling to the bottom of the bucket. For that, it is necessary to wait till they have settled at the bottom before reintroducing your washing utensil.
Clean and store the grit when finished
Some contaminants could attach to the surface of the grit guard. In this sense, it is important to wash it before storing it in order to prevent these contaminants from harming your next wash.
