foam wash gun?

[Ron500]

Hi,

the other day i washed car with UWW with microfibre wash mitt, two bucket method first rinsed with pressure wash and paint seemed clean, but after washing i noticed some discusting haze all over car i was so pissed off, an almost defect free finish produced a few weeks ago with much effort gone!! also some small lint is visible on the mitt, that shouldn't be the case as it is microfibre?,

this lead me to think to purchase a foam gun, are they worth, i would have thought a pressure wash works just as well or better?, isn't there some way to use this without still having to wash with a mitt, because paying £50 for it should be worth it, like applying two applications or something. i am slightly baffled as paint still looked clean after pressure wash, so what can it be, my aim is to not use a wash mitt or minimize use as much possible.

[Murr1525]

Re: foam wash gun?

Was the film after the pressure washer, or after the pressure washer and UWW?

[Ron500]

Re: foam wash gun?

just after after a pre wash rinse by pressure wash, before washing.

[Blazebro]

Re: foam wash gun?

It's a case of each to their own on this.

I love mine, but what is really important is choosing the right right. The usual advice of an inch of foam/shampoo or ph neutral stuff does not work. It's just an old wives tale.

I use some good stuff at the mo, it's not caustic, but it has some bite and use it at a 50% dilution. I do also have some really heavy duty stuff. Once the lesser product is used up I'll be choosing a product with more bite.

Part of the fun with snow foaming is playing about with dilutions and products finding one that suits you.

Another option is spraying a good heavy duty/citrus degreaser around the lower parts of the car. There are alot of pro's who prefer this method, such as the mighty Paul Dalton. You simply mix it up in a pump sprayer and and spray on, leave for a few mins and jet off.

Both methodsmay have some detrimental effect to a wax layer which is why I use a tougher wax for winter than the wax I use in the summer. The reason is to get any cleaning effect you have to use effective chemicals.

HTH

[Blazebro]

Re: foam wash gun?

It's a case of each to their own on this.

I love mine, but what is really important is choosing the right product. The usual advice of an inch of foam/shampoo or ph neutral stuff does not work. It's just an old wives tale.

I use some good stuff at the mo, it's not caustic, but it has some bite and use it at a 50% dilution. I do also have some really heavy duty stuff. Once the lesser product is used up I'll be choosing a product with more bite.

Part of the fun with snow foaming is playing about with dilutions and products finding one that suits you.

Another option is spraying a good heavy duty/citrus degreaser around the lower parts of the car. There are alot of pro's who prefer this method, such as the mighty Paul Dalton. You simply mix it up in a pump sprayer and and spray on, leave for a few mins and jet off.

Both methods may have some detrimental effect to a wax layer which is why I use a tougher wax for winter than the wax I use in the summer. The reason is to get any cleaning effect you have to use effective chemicals.

HTH

Oops just noticed a mistake which needed correction

[Blueline]

Re: foam wash gun?

Hi,

this lead me to think to purchase a foam gun, are they worth, i .

I was not happy with mine, so now it is a soap gun for the kids to play with in the back yard.

[Blazebro]

Re: foam wash gun?

I was not happy with mine, so now it is a soap gun for the kids to play with in the back yard.

I think it's possibly down to the product used more than the gun.

These things were developed as an easy way to clean commercial vehicles and as such do require chemicals with bite. At the top end are Truck Wash and the low end are PH neutral.

If you're not happy with one increase the product type and concentration. The product I use I buy in a 25ltr drum, something alot of people move away from. They seem to forget that you will use quite high concentrations of chemicals so you will get through a drum relatively quickly.

A 25ltr drum will last me about 1yr.

[Murr1525]

Re: foam wash gun?

I have not used a pressure washer at home, but at the coin-op places, unless you use the strong soap, there will be a film. Same for 'pre-rinsing' with a foam gun.

Anything mild will leave dirt unless it is agitated.

[EPHIOS]

Re: foam wash gun?

I have a pressure washer, and I do not use it often. I pre-rinse my car with a trigger-type nozzle, nearly a fan jet stream. Then, I use a foam gun to pre-soak the dirt and grime. Rinse the car again. Finally, use TWO-BUCKET METHOD.

[Blueline]

Re: foam wash gun?

I think it's possibly down to the product used more than the gun.

.

No, I think it was the nuisance factor. Measure and fill foam container, attach to hose, foam car, first part of foamed car dries, remove foam gun from hose, rinse with hose, reattach gun, second part of car dries, remove from hose, rinse, then wash as normal with 2 bucket and lamb mitt. clean foam gun. Call me lazy, but why go through all that when I can simply put a squirt of Gold Class in a bucket, and wash my car?
It was fun...kept the nosy neighbors busy for a half hour, but I like things simple. Give me two buckets and a mitt and I can do as good or better job without the hassel of a foam gun. Just me.

[Blazebro]

Re: foam wash gun?

^ It might be that the weather is different to the climate we have.

Right now it goes down to freezing over night, we have salt, mud and all manner of other debris on our roads. Using a foam gun protects the paint from implanting damage into the paint as it's possible to remove most of the dirt and grit leaving just the film.

Your method seems very complicated, but you might live in a much warmer climate, rendering it pointless.

All I do is half fill the bottle with foam, top up with water, attach to the washer, spray away, allow to dwell whilst I sort a couple of other bits out, then jet off. Adds maybe 10mins to a wash.

[Ron500]

Re: foam wash gun?

hi there, not trying to be rude, but anyone for my question???

[Murr1525]

Re: foam wash gun?

Mine is in there somewhere....

[Shawn T.]

Re: foam wash gun?

hi there, not trying to be rude, but anyone for my question???

Did you try giving it a wipe down with some quick detailer? Maybe it was soap residue? I can't figure out another reason why there would be film left on the car.

[BobbyG]

Re: foam wash gun?

Hi,

this lead me to think to purchase a foam gun, are they worth, i would have thought a pressure wash works just as well or better?, isn't there some way to use this without still having to wash with a mitt, because paying £50 for it should be worth it, like applying two applications or something. i am slightly baffled as paint still looked clean after pressure wash, so what can it be, my aim is to not use a wash mitt or minimize use as much possible.

I'm probably going to get allot of "replies" for this but here goes;

No, they're not worth it.

I've been asking the same question and have tried to understand whether this is just another neat toy or does it truly possess added value. I've done some reading and listening to those who own and use them. Some of these units range from expensive to very expensive but I decided to make the investment.

I bought a Wolfgang Foamaster Foam Gun. Because this is for personal or non-commercial use I selected the quart size.



The quality and craftsmanship of the unit is very good. Critical components and mixing valve are made from solid brass. All other components are a high grade plastic ensuring years of trouble free use and satisfaction.

For the most part the unit comes pre-assembeled and its operation is simple and straight forward. Car wash mixing ratios are clearly defined on the plastic cup and the spray nozzle rotates making it easy to reach those hard to get to places.

After mixing the solution according to the directions I hooked it up to the hose and got to work. The foam gun operated flawlessly laying down a sudsy layer of foam that covered the car but was also very runny. Keep in mind that this was not a Foam Canon that works with a pressure washer.

The unit operated exactly as designed and its performance was predictable. At no time did it malfunction or under perform.

With the foamy solution applied and watching it run and drip a question that begged to be asked was; what is all the hoopla associated with these units?

There have been many discussions regarding what's best when washing a car; lots of suds or little suds. Mike Phillips shares my opinion and has a video on it and the conclusion is; little or low suds.

Well which is it; LOTS of suds or no suds. You still need to wash the surface by hand so again, where is the value?

I always hose down the car prior to washing. This loosens the dust and debris and begins to dissolve water soluble contaminates. Once complete I begin my wash regiment using the two bucket system.

Conclusion:

Do Foam Guns apply additional lubrication to loosen and float dirt and debris? Yes, but so does properly prepared washing solution, it's been doing it for a very long time. Keep in mind you still need to wash the car like you always have however now you've added an extra step.

Are these units somewhat "gimmicky"? In my opinion yes.

Here's one I picked up at Home Depot. It's very well made and although I haven't had a chance to use it is does hook up to my pressure washer and the best part is it was only $17.95!



Hope this helps.