Car Wash Accessories You Can't Live Without

I've compiled the most important car wash accessory products you might need. Whether you're just looking for a new wash bucket, pressure sprayer, wash mitt, or a new foam lance for your pressure washer, there's a little bit of everything in this category.

Before you start choosing your wash accessories, it's a really good idea to think it over one more time. It would be a shame to choose an expensive Foam Pro 12 from iK if you intend to buy a pressure washer and foam lance in the near future.

If you don't already have a nice wash bucket with a grit guard, which is a dirt separator, then that's definitely one of the things I'd recommend getting first. It simply makes your life easier and, in my opinion, is a necessity for performing a safe car wash.

There are incredibly many choices, and it's entirely up to you to decide whether to go in one direction or the other.

How many wash buckets should I have?

In short, 2. However, it should be quickly noted that it also depends on what type of washing method you use, and just like so much else, you can certainly go completely wild and choose 4 wash buckets.

I myself am guilty of having used 4 wash buckets over the years, and it definitely has its place, but for 9 out of 10 people, I would recommend 2-3 wash buckets.

If you're into Rinseless, i.e., rinseless car washing, then only 2 wash buckets are necessary, and if you're really nerdy, you can actually manage with one wash bucket. BUT, it also requires you to complete the entire car wash before you start washing your rims. With this method, you use a minimum of 4 microfiber cloths, which you place in your wash bucket and never put back into the water.

By not putting them back into the water, it doesn't matter if you're washing rims, which otherwise normally have their own bucket. If you prefer to use a wash mitt or rim brush, stick to 2 wash buckets. 1 for the paint and 1 for the rims.

If you prefer traditional car shampoo, I would recommend 3 wash buckets. 1 for your car shampoo, which you simply use to get new soap, 1 for clean water, which releases dirt from your wash mitt, and 1 for your rims.

This method is incredibly popular and gives you the most security to avoid wash scratches.

Should I choose a foam lance or a pressure sprayer?

If you already have a pressure washer, or are considering getting a pressure washer where it's possible to get a foam lance that fits directly onto it, I would undoubtedly recommend choosing a foam lance.

The foam lance provides really nice foam that is also not too dry, and at the same time, it takes a very short time to use it. Oh yes, and then there's the Instagram factor. It simply looks good to foam up your car, and not least, it's incredibly fun!

If you don't already have a pressure washer, or are in a situation where you have a pressure washer that isn't easy to find a suitable foam lance for, I would undoubtedly recommend a pressure sprayer, such as iK Foam Pro 12.

I even acquired one, despite having several foam lances, as I sometimes use pressure washers that don't quite fit my foam lances.

There's a lot of bells and whistles

Just like so much else, there are an incredible number of bells and whistles for car washing, and even though it's all incredibly exciting, consider whether you'll actually use it. If you don't use it more than once, that money is better saved or better spent on buying other cool car care gear.

However, it must be said that having a lid for your wash bucket is one of those extra bells and whistles that I can definitely understand. It gives you so many possibilities that you can transport your wash bucket filled with water without it sloshing around in the trunk.

You can then bring some rinseless shampoo in the car and do a quick wash when you arrive at a car meet, or simply use it as a storage box, filled with car care products and gear.