If you are serious about washing your car, you will want to look for a quality car wash bucket. The best options will use a grit guard, which helps to keep the dirt trapped at the bottom of the bucket and not on the wash mitt.
The best car wash bucket is the Adam’s Heavy Duty 5 Gallon Bucket, which includes a grit guard for trapping dirt and a lid for transporting the contents.
Although searching for a car wash bucket is not that exciting, finding the best one will make a big difference. Household buckets are not always up for the job and easily break and may not be compatible with most grit guards.
Table of Contents
Car Wash Bucket Comparison
Car Wash Bucket | Capacity | Grit Guard |
---|---|---|
Adam's Polishes | 5.0 Gallons | Included |
Chemical Guys Kit | 4.5 Gallons | Included |
Pinnacle With Wheels | 5.0 Gallons | Included |
Meguiar's Yellow | 3.5 Gallons | Optional |
Griots Garage Ultimate | 6.0 Gallons | Included |
Carrand 94102 | 3.0 Gallons | Optional |
WeatherTech Caddy | 5.0 Gallons | Included |
Most buckets are available in multiple sizes but you will want one that is between 3 to 6 gallons. Smaller than 3 gallons may not be enough to wash an entire car whereas too large may be difficult to move around.
Depending upon your budget, you can also add additional features such as a grit guard, lid and even wheel for improving mobility.
Below is a list of the best car wash buckets that are durable and designed specifically for washing cars with additional features.
The Best Car Wash Bucket
1. Adam’s Car Wash Bucket With Grit Guard
Adam’s Polishes are a major detailing brand in the US and produce high quality products. This is their premium car wash bucket that is aimed at enthusiasts and professionals that require the best. It has a 5 gallon capacity and is designed to be heavy duty for long lasting usage.
The durable design is made possible by the FDA high density polyethylene plastic construction, which is chemical resistant and can survive heavy impacts.
Other features of the Adam’s Car Wash Bucket include:
- High quality grit guard
- Optional brand sticker
- Lid for transporting contents
- Holds 5 gallons
- Made in the USA
- Gamma seal for storing items inside
If you are looking for the best option, the Adam’s 5 gallon car wash bucket is the answer. It is more than just a bucket as it is versatile and built to the highest of standards. The grit guard has been designed specifically for this bucket, which ensures that it doesn’t move around at the bottom.
2. Chemical Guys Car Wash Bucket Kit
Chemical Guys are another popular detailing brand and they offer a complete kit for getting started. It includes everything from tire shine to car shampoo but more importantly, a high quality wash bucket and matching grit guard.
Other features of the Chemical Guys Wash Bucket Kit include:
- 4.5 gallon capacity heavy duty bucket
- 12 inch bucket lid
- Matching grit guard
- Easy to transport with the handle
- High density polyethylene plastic
As you can see from the image above, it is a complete kit but the brand do offer the bucket, lid and grit guard separately. However, as a complete wash bucket kit, it offers excellent value for the money.
3. Pinnacle Car Wash Bucket With Wheels
Constantly having to pick up the wash bucket as you move around the car can become very tedious. However, using a wash bucket with wheels will transform the way you wash cars as you can simply tap it as you move around the car.
Features of the Pinnacle Wash Bucket With Wheels include:
- 5 gallon capacity
- Gamma seal lid
- Grit guard included
- 5 wheels for maximum mobility
- 2 locking wheels
- Optional sticker
Overall, it is a well-made wash bucket with wheels that offers maximum mobility. It does come with a premium price tag but if you wash cars on a daily basis, it can improve your efficiency and reduce fatigue.
4. Meguiar’s Yellow Car Wash Bucket
The Meguiar’s Yellow Bucket is a favourite among professionals and enthusiasts. It is a durable wash bucket that has the same diameter as a 5 gallon bucket but with a smaller height, which allows for better handling.
It is important to note that it doesn’t come with a grit guard or lid and they must be purchased separately to complete the package.
Other features of the Meguiar’s Yellow Bucket include:
- 3.5 gallon capacity
- Rugged design
- Sturdy steel handle
- Made in the USA
- Easily stackable for storage
Overall, it is a high quality car wash bucket that will not disappoint. The wide diameter yet small height may be better suited for some people and it makes the bucket compatible with alternative grit guards too.
5. Griot’s Garage Ultimate Car Wash Bucket
The Griots Garage wash bucket is fairly unique as it constructed in a rectangular design. However, the intuitive design include other great features such as a molded-in measuring cup, upper grille for the wash mitt, lower grille as a grit guard and more.
Other features of the Griots Garage Wash Bucket include:
- Large 6 gallon capacity
- Raised measurement markings
- Lid, grit guard and 2 inch casters
- Ergonomic carrying handle
- Convenient tool tray
- Completely unique design
It is a unique car wash bucket that includes everything that you could wish for and more. However, it does come with an expensive price tag that only professionals and enthusiasts would be willing to pay.
6. Carrand 94102 Car Wash Bucket
If you simply require a cheap car wash bucket as a secondary bucket within a two bucket wash method, the Carrand bucket is perfect. It is made from a durable and chemical resistant plastic, which can hold up to 3 gallons.
Other features of the Carrand Car Wash Bucket include:
- Integrated washboard for tools
- Ergonomic grip for portability
- Wide mouth design that is suitable for car wash brushes
- Holds 3 gallons of car wash solution
- Rugged design that is impact resistant
The Carrand bucket is cheap, durable and ideal for using as a second bucket or as a backup. It doesn’t include a lid or grit guard and these will need to be purchased separately to complete the package.
7. WeatherTech Car Wash Bucket
An alternative to the Pinnacle bucket mentioned above is by WeatherTech. It is a heavy duty bucket that is made in the USA from a rugged thick plastic and can be used with or without the wheels.
Other features of the WeatherTech Car Wash Bucket include:
- 5 gallon capacity
- Integrated wash mitt holder
- Grit guard included
- 5 wheels for maximum mobility
- Vented lid that can be used as a seat
- Made in the USA
The WeatherTech bucket is an excellent piece of kit that includes everything you require for safe washing of your car. It does come with a premium price tag but when you consider all the functionality, it is a worthwhile investment.
Car Wash Bucket Buying Guide
Unless you are using a waterless car wash system to clean your car, you will require a wash bucket. They are available in a range of shapes or sizes and many include a range of additional features for professionals or enthusiasts.
It may be tempting to purchase a standard bucket but by spending slightly more, you can have a specifically made car wash bucket.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding car wash buckets.
Size of The Bucket
The capacity of liquid that the bucket can hold will usually range from 3 to 6 gallons. From personal experience, buckets that are between 4 and 5 gallons are more than ideal for cleaning large cars and are still easily portable.
If you feel that the larger 5 to 6 gallons are too heavy, we strongly recommend purchasing a bucket with wheels to reduce fatigue.
The Lid
Using a lid allows you to transport the bucket full with car wash soap without spilling it. You can even store your cleaning tools inside it to keep them secure when in storage. Depending upon your body weight, you may even be able to use it as a seat whilst cleaning the lower parts of your car.
Integrated Wheels
If you require a larger bucket that is 5 gallon or over, you may want to invest into a bucket with wheels. This will allow you to easily move the wash bucket around the car as you are cleaning. They are a great feature that reduces fatigue and speeds up the washing process. Most are completely removable in seconds if you decide not to use it for certain situations.
There are many buckets that come with 4 or 5 wheels but you want to ensure that some of them are locking wheels. The last thing you will want is the bucket to begin rolling down a small incline as the wheels aren’t locked.
Grit Guard
Investing into a grit guard will be the best purchase you will do to prevent scratches upon your car. A grit guard traps debris, grime and other dirt at the bottom of the wash bucket. This prevents the wash mitt coming into contact with the dirt, which means it will not come into contact with the paintwork of your car.
Not every grit guard will be compatible with your wash bucket and you may want to do some measurements. We strongly recommend buying the wash bucket and grit guard as a package to avoid disappointment. You will want to ensure it is a tight fit because dirt may pass through the side of the grit guard.
Multiple Buckets
Whilst washing your car, you will want to ensure that you are not causing defects in your paint. The safest method of avoiding this is to use multiple buckets or a method known as the Two Bucket Method. This will allow you to rinse the clean wash mitt in another bucket before placing it back into the clean bucket.
Some people will even have a bucket and wash mitt that is used just for cleaning wheels. The chemicals used in a wheel cleaner can be very harsh and not something you would want to mix with the car wash soap.
Maintenance and Storage
As with any detailing equipment, you will want to ensure that they are probably maintained. The main maintenance that is require is to clean the bottom of the bucket where the dirt will reside. Failing to clean the bucket can mix the dirt along with the car wash solution, which then can become spread upon the paintwork.
When it comes to the storing the car wash bucket, you will want to avoid leaving it in direct sunlight. The UV rays can dis-color the bucket and the warmth can make introduce mold, mildew and a foul smell.
Conclusion
Car wash buckets are something you will require every time you wash your car and it’s worthwhile investing into the best you can find. We highly recommend that you purchase a grit guard along with the bucket as this will help make the washing safer.
All of our recommendations are suited to a range of different budgets and requirements. We strongly advise that you don’t go smaller than 3 gallons or larger than 6 gallons as they can make washing the car more time consuming.