I was just browsing through Harbor Freight Tools after dropping my car off for an oil change when something bright orange caught my eye – the Grant’s-brand Auto Detailing Dirt Guard. Priced at just $5.99, this quirky plastic insert seemed like it was worth a try. On my way to grab lunch after buying it, I was even stopped by three curious people asking what this neon orange thing was. When I told them it was for car washing and to keep dirt out of the water, their first question was the obvious one: “Does it actually work?” My answer was, “We’re about to find out.”
Honestly, I was skeptical. Could such a simple, inexpensive piece of plastic really make a difference in keeping my car wash water clean? Well, it turns out, this little contraption completely proved me wrong. It works far better than I could have imagined, making it a standout among my Harbor Freight Car Wash Tools.
The visual novelty of the dirt guard is what initially drew me to it in the Harbor Freight Tools store in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. After almost passing it by, and then spending a few moments trying to understand its purpose while noticing the incredibly low price, I decided this odd product deserved a test run. Despite my initial curiosity, months went by before I finally put the dirt guard to use when I gave my 2008 Yamaha FJR1300 its end-of-season wash.
The instructions suggest using two dirt guards – one in your soap bucket and another in your rinse bucket. Since I only had one for this initial test, I opted to use it in my soapy water bucket. This setup made capturing video evidence of its effectiveness a bit tricky, as I had to wait for the thick layer of suds to dissipate to see the water’s clarity.
Living in an area where it rains frequently and not being the most diligent about motorcycle washes meant my bike was definitely dirty. Rain does wash away some loose dirt, but a layer of stubborn road grime gets baked onto the frame, engine, and bodywork. Having ridden nearly 20,000 miles in 2023 and only washing my motorcycle once before this end-of-season cleaning, the dirt guard was about to face a serious challenge.
The water in the soapy water bucket before (left) and after washing my motorcycle, showcasing the dirt guard’s effectiveness as a harbor freight car wash tool.
After thoroughly scrubbing my motorcycle, I waited for the soap bubbles to settle and inspected the wash water. It was slightly cloudy, but considering the amount of grime I had just scrubbed off, it looked surprisingly decent. I still had doubts about whether such a simple and cheap tool could actually be trapping much dirt beneath it.
Reaching into the bucket, I lifted the dirt guard, and the water underneath instantly turned a dark, bluish-black color. I was genuinely surprised by how effectively this passive device had worked. While my black motorcycle looked clean as always after a wash, it was clear how much dirt the guard had kept away from my wash sponge. This simple tool from harbor freight car wash tools selection was making a real difference.
My girlfriend, who was filming the process, suggested putting the dirt guard back into the bucket to see what would happen. Since the trapped dirt had been released when I lifted the guard, I was skeptical that it would recapture all that floating grime.
I was proven wrong again. As the guard sank back into the filthy water, it effectively recollected the dark-colored grime, leaving only the mildly hazy water above it, just as it was before. I was seriously impressed. This dirt guard was quickly becoming one of my favorite harbor freight car wash tools.
Even though it’s currently the middle of winter in northeast Ohio, I’m already planning to buy a second dirt guard when the weather warms up in the spring. I honestly can’t recall a product that has exceeded my expectations as much as the Grant’s-brand Auto Detailing Dirt Guard. For just $5.99 (at the time of writing), this harbor freight car wash tool is absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for affordable and effective car wash solutions, Harbor Freight is definitely worth checking out, and the dirt guard is a must-have.
