Foam Gun

[paul.segovich]

To me, this seems like the safest way of washing your car. Leaving a slippery surface and breaking apart everything before your mitt even touches the surface.
What are your feelings on this?
So far it seems some people swear by it, and others are unsure or just don't like it.
And if you like it, why? And which one do you own?

Also, if you're feeling up to it, what's your favorite shampoo to put through it?

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Gun

I like it...

I just like that the soap, and thus my lubrication, seems to stay on the panel being washed long enough for me to wipe over. Not minutes, but a few seconds longer. Always felt like the soap and water would run out of my mitt/sponge before I got from the bucket to panel and wiped.

I may pre-rinse in the winter or something. Not a big concern. And using a Meguiars soap at a regular dilution wont cause that shaving cream foam seen in pics that lasts forever, but I see no purpose for it either. It would bake into my paint more than anything else.

I use #62 in mine.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Foam Gun

Yeah the shaving cream foam didn't make much sense to me, and I naively just looked over any foam gun because I just assumed that's how it all went.

Would gold class work in a foam gun?
And do you have a favorite?

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Gun

Well, there is the hose-end, then there is the more "foam cannon" kind on the pressure washers. The foam cannons can get foamier as well.

Yeah, Gold Class would work. #62 happened to be my favorite soap, and seems to work well in the gun also.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Foam Gun

I'd prefer the hose end. The pressure washer end doesn't make much sense to me.
And thank you. I'll certainly have to look into this.
Any specific guns that I should look at, or should stay away from like the plague?

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Gun

I bought mine from Gilmour directly a few years back, however I believe ADS still has a nice foam gun package now, with some soap included.

Basically you want the Gilmour gun, 1 quart I think, with the brass adjustable stem for the hose end type.

And some quick connects, etc.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Foam Gun

Found it
Thanks again!

[fredcandetail]

Re: Foam Gun

Murr is right .. Gilmour with the brass connectors ... i bought mine through ChemGuys and received their CLEAR and WashNGloss ... and all i can say about the WashNGloss is HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL! on the other hand i have a gallon of the Supersoap #112 and i use about 2-3 ounces (about a quarter inch in the quart canister) and a splash of soap on the C setting and pre-soak my tahoe for about a minute or so ... then i come back and wash a panel rinse in my bucket with a grit guard, rinse and then move on ... i can do my entire tahoe in about 10 minutes.
additionally, i read on the forums someone purchasing a water softer thingy from Walmart in the RV section ... i had to get that too :P
it was $18 and although it might not be a true spot free rinse it does help with the good soaps... and for the cost its definately worth it.
another thing on the ChemGuys soap .... i either QD my truck twice a week and when i have the time i load up some WashNGloss and spray it and rinse it and the shine is INSANE! i think ChemGuys has the best deal for the sprayer.
Have fun
Fred

[paul.segovich]

Re: Foam Gun

Part of me says that I don't need this, and the other part does.
Drat. ><
Decisions, decisions.

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Gun

Not critical... but it is fun, and makes the neighbors look at you funny.

[boiler7904]

Re: Foam Gun

Part of me says that I don't need this, and the other part does.
Drat. ><
Decisions, decisions.

Had the same situation. The part of me that likes buying tools and detailing gear won. Ended up ordering the Gilmour back in March from ADS but wasn't able to use it while I was home on vacation (working 500 miles from home *****) so the plan is to take it for a test drive this weekend on my wife's Escape. Only decision is which soap to use - Gold Class, Deep Crystal, or Super Soap. Might have some NXT floating around the garage too.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Foam Gun

Let me know what you think!
I'm in the pickle that I'm sure everyone gets in. Do I really NEED this? No. But do I want it, because I'm interested, and think it might help the process? Yes.
*sigh
=/
Worst case scenario, I'm out 50 bucks, and then I know that I don't like it. Best case scenario, it blows my mind (not literally ) and I use it forever.

I'm going to end up talking myself into this haha.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Foam Gun

Not critical... but it is fun, and makes the neighbors look at you funny.

And then you tell him this what a real man does. If he does not beleive you, have his wife come out.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Foam Gun

^ haha. Good point!

[imacarnut]

Re: Foam Gun

I personally love my foam gun and it serves more of a purpose than just a pre-soak as many/most use only for. I spray each panel and follow it right behind with the wash media and it just glides (it's also floating the dirt away) across the surface and feels better than just only dipping the wash media into the bucket and going to each panel. There's no wrong or right way and as long as you don't induce marring/scratches with whatever technique you are using, then that's all that matters.

Here's a good example.. Foam Gun Washing