Foam Gun?

[GLOCKer]

What are the benefits of using a foam gun to wash a car? What are the steps to wash a car with one?
I currently use the two bucket wash system. After I spray my wheels, I start with a rinse, the wash the car from the top down panel by panel, rinsing the whole car after each panel.

[Blueline]

Re: Foam Gun?

Personally I do not think there are any benefits. Certainly lots of fun, especially washing the car in mixed company...if you catch my drift, but other than the "fun" part, and bubbling up your wife/girlfriend, no benefits whatsoever. I bought one and used it twice and found it to be more of a nuisance, although the neighbors had fun watching. You have to fill the resivour with soap, hook up the gun, soap tends to dry on the car, you have to clean the orifices in the gun, and since it has been awhile, I have forgotten the other irritants. The kids now use it around the pool as a toy, which in my opinion it all it really is. Probably could be used to spray weed at the farm but then I would have to buy another for the kids. Two buckets...simple and effective.

[The Guz]

Re: Foam Gun?

More lubricity and the fun factor.

I use it by first rinsing all the dirt off the car followed by using the foam gun to foam up the car. I then use the standard 2 bucket going around the entire car. Rinse and dry.

[Mp0wer]

Re: Foam Gun?

bubbling up your wife/girlfriend

First post here

I just might have to try this, what a great idea...

I use mine to add more suds when washing the car, i feel more suds means less swirls

[exploreco]

Re: Foam Gun?

I'll admit, I got on the bandwagon of got have one. The novelty has worn off a bit. It is fun. My son enjoys it. It usually brings the neighbors out to peek in their garages, or passer by to slow down to see what it is your doing.

I do similar to Guz. Rinse, foam, with the exception of I have not been doing the full two bucket. I just have used my rinse bucket with the grit guard. Only time I did a full two bucket was when I first got the thing and the car was filthy.

[CJOttawa]

Re: Foam Gun?

Larry Kosilla of AmmoNYC has a video demoing use of a foam gun on an Audi R8. Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Sqi1lAj1A

Larry uses a two/three bucket method but also uses the foam gun to spray foam into a wash mitt while going over the car.

One thing I appreciate about his videos: while AmmoNYC has a line of detailing products, I don't think he ever mentions them by name in his videos, simply referring to things like "dedicated wheel soap." Classy guy.

I like using a foam gun as a quick way of getting wash media on the whole car. It reduces the changes of me scratching the paint. Typically, I pre-spray with water and let that dissolve some of the dirt and debris, then I foam the whole car, let that sit for a bit to further dissolve dirt, THEN rinse the whole car off and proceed with a two bucket wash.

[DimensionAutoDetailing]

Re: Foam Gun?

I think using a foam gun in addition to 2-3 bucket method decreases chances of scratching or marring. More soap, more lubricity, more chances to collect and encapsulate the dirt/ dust... GOOD THING!

[DimensionAutoDetailing]

Re: Foam Gun?

Plus, for people with a business, I think it adds the wow factor if the customer is there to see you hand wash their vehicle!!! Its just an added level of safety and attention to detail. I thinks its also helpful as a pre-wax/ sealant step. After polishing, follow up with a foam gun and some CG Citrus Wash and Gloss and a strong dilution ratio to remove ANY oils, without touching the vehicle (foam, rinse and air dry).

[Murr1525]

Re: Foam Gun?

Well, I like mine for what its worth.

But I do mine more like a regular panel by panel... spray with gun, wash with sponge, rinse sponge... foam next panel.

[TFTADetail]

Re: Foam Gun?

Wow factor, check!

When I have a customer's car being prepped; the car is set up under 2 canopies (attention getter in itself), but when I start the foam ....... then I'll get the bystanders wanting more information and asking for a business card. I've definitely gained some business just because of the attention the foaming gets.