Foam Guns

[MyFirstES300]

I read up on them a little bit on here, but can anyone tell me what the benefits are to using one over the traditional bucket and sponge/mitt combination?

Why is a quick connect necessary? There isn't a switch to select from plain water to rinse over to soap?

Do they use more soap?

Thanks!

[RogueGypsy]

Re: Foam Guns

Foaming the paint will allow the soap to loosen and carry away some dirt/debris before a wash mitt touches the car. Less chance of scratches.

Quick connects are not mandatory, just easier to work with. The best way to rinse is with a full stream of water, just out of the hose with out a sprayer. The Gilmore foam gun does have a quick disconnect integrated in to the sprayer/reservoir combo. The sprayer separates from the reservoir so you can just spray water.

Yes, they use more soap.

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Guns

Well, I think most of the threads involve me... so here is a few answers:

1. I dont know about it being a whole lot quicker, maybe a little. And it uses the same amount of soap, maybe an ounce more, at least the way I do it. I like it because the soap, and thus my lubrication, seems to spread out hang around a few seconds longer than with just a sponge/soap bucket. And if I want more lubrication on the panel, I can just squirt it and the mitt more.

At least to my thinking, it just seems that the lubrication spread over the panel is better than having soapy water trapped in the mitt, and having alot of it run out right away.

2. Yes, there is a fresh water setting. But it is not strong enough to do the first or final rinse of the car, and the sprayed water doesnt do the flood technique well either.

[eyezack87]

Re: Foam Guns

I find that I use slightly more soap than usual, but then its like 3oz due to how much is used in the container. Also to note is that sometimes the longevity of the wax may be compromised. However, my reason to continue is because it is just so much fun to play with

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Foam Guns

You guys left out this reason...

It looks cool..

[BlueZero]

Re: Foam Guns

You guys left out this reason...

It looks cool..

That's the main reason I bought mine! It's fun!

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Guns

Well, without a pressure washer, it doesnt look that cool....

[MyFirstES300]

Re: Foam Guns

Wow, that DOES look like fun! The price tag, however, does not.

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Guns

Looks like about $37 on Amazon with free shipping... not sure how that compares with straight from Gilmour.

[MyFirstES300]

Re: Foam Guns

Hmm..I'll check it out. My dad has a pressure washer I bought him for Christmas 3 years ago..and he hasn't taken it out of the box yet! I think I found a use for it for me.

[Fischer]

Re: Foam Guns

I bought mine for 2 reasons, its fun and it allows me to add degreaser and other things if I need to dewax.

Some of those pics Mike added are foam guns but also foam lances, just a foam gun but with a pressure washer. a Bit more expensive.

[Mikejl]

Re: Foam Guns

I find that if my car isn't too dirty I can do a bucketless wash by using just the Gilmore and 3 wash mits. Speeds up the washing process quite a bit.

I put 5 oz of Gold Class in the sprayer, use the second to the lowest foam setting and get 2 car washes out of it.

Mike

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Guns

Just to be clear, there is the Gilmour type foamgun for on the end of a hose, and then there is the Karcher type foam gun for on a pressure washer.

Two somewhat different things.

[Bounty]

Re: Foam Guns

I have used both the Karcher and own a Gilmour and they are both effective to a degree...all depends on what you want to acheive. Personally I second the notion that it's just plain fun to work with and to be honest the few "detail-for-pay" side jobs I take are impressed because it just looks professional and makes more of an impact than a hose/mitt/bucket.

I use it to heavily lubricate the surface of the car first. After this soak period I rinse off the car and wash the wheels. I then use a bucket with a Grit Guard as a rinse bucket. Instead of a soap bucket I use the foam gun and mitt. I am able to spread more effective layers of soap/foam over each panel and used in combination with the mitt attack specific spots with ease. The foam lingers longer than just dunking your mitt in a bucket and I use a sweeping motion with the gun in front of my mitt to always have a lubricated surface to pass the mitt over minimizing any imparted scratches/marring to the paint.

It does use a bit more soap than the bucket method but I'm a bit excessive with the gun so your mileage may vary on that. For me it does serve a purpose and has its uses...I'm just not necessarily sure reducing worktime is one of them.