GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => Detailing => Topic started by: jmsheahan on 26 November 2010, 11:43
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Hi all, I apologise if this has been covered before but I'm after some advice on snow foam and lances/guns. Had a search but could only find snippets of info - I'm after an idiots guide :grin: Basically I'm wondering if they are a worthwhile investment for someone who takes pride in a clean car but isn't a detailing pro?
My household has got a Karcher pressure washer recently and I'm tempted to get a snow foam gun for xmas. My stepdads FTO is always filthy and it doesn't take long for my Golf to be plastered either with the winter salt etc. I'm thinking of a gun for a more thorough clean and to speed up the cleaning process a little. Which are the best guns and foam to use for a reasonable price? Does the foam strip coats of wax etc? How long would you leave the foam on the car? Is a snowfoam gun the kind of thing you'd use on a weekly basis/wash?
Should I stick with the buckets and mitt or add a snow foam gun to the collection? Top of everything they look like fun :laugh:
Any advice appreciated and sorry for all of the questions!
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I'm going to buy snow foam
To my knowledge it's ph neutral so doesn't strip wax
Most lances are the same waxamomo has the lance for 50ish and snowfoam is like a tenner
And yer you can use it everyweek as a pre wash before 2 bucket method.
It is not a substitute for normal cleaning just helps
Hope this helps you mate. :smiley:
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Yeah that's great mate, ta for the info :smiley:
Good to know it could be used as a weekly thing and the solution is PH neutral. Would you put normal car shampoo in with the mixture? Main reason I'm considering one is for a more thorough clean for the bits you can't get to with a mitt, nooks and crannies, arches etc as having always owned older cars I'm paranoid about rust and salt is the enemy!
Seems to be an option of this as a proper lance for a pressure washer
(http://www.waxamomo.co.uk/productcart/pc/catalog/PAFoamLance400.jpg)
or this for a garden hose although it seems to have mixed reviews from what I've been reading
(http://www.waxamomo.co.uk/productcart/pc/catalog/Gilmour400.jpg)
Quite a lot of dosh for essentially a pressure washer attachment but if they do a good job, and if I can go halves with my stepdad I'm thinking it might possibly be worth the investment.
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Get the proper lance. Then get what ever SF you want. Some will strip wax and some wont just read up on them and yes you can add car shampoo it down to you.
I use this with a little car shampoo. works a treat.
http://www.waxamomo.co.uk/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=87&idcategory=12
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Thanks :smiley:
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A proper lance allows the foam to form properly. I tried one of those garden sprayers and to produce foam, they're crap. Use mine for spraying Bilberry on to the wheels.
As above, you should be looking at pH neutral foams. Most detailers recommend about an inch of snowfoam in the bottle, with the rest topped up with water.
Remember, snowfoam doesn't mean touchless wash. It just softens the dirt and lifts some of it off so when you wash by 2BM, it reduces likelihood of swirls. Best analogy I've heard is compare it to washing up. Imagine the dishes have been left overnight and the foodstains are dried. Trying to scrub them clean is difficult. It's a lot easier if you soak them first!
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I use Valet Pro PH neutral and I get on very well with it although when it runs out I'm very tempted to try this product.
http://shop.autobritedirect.co.uk/magifoam---the-ultimate-in-vehicle-washing-2725-p.asp
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A proper lance allows the foam to form properly. I tried one of those garden sprayers and to produce foam, they're crap. Use mine for spraying Bilberry on to the wheels.
As above, you should be looking at pH neutral foams. Most detailers recommend about an inch of snowfoam in the bottle, with the rest topped up with water.
Remember, snowfoam doesn't mean touchless wash. It just softens the dirt and lifts some of it off so when you wash by 2BM, it reduces likelihood of swirls. Best analogy I've heard is compare it to washing up. Imagine the dishes have been left overnight and the foodstains are dried. Trying to scrub them clean is difficult. It's a lot easier if you soak them first!
Thanks :smiley:. Understand I still need to wash after, was just looking for something to help loosen the dirt in the knooks and crannies a mitt can't get. I'll avoid the hose sprayer on then, good to know.
I use Valet Pro PH neutral and I get on very well with it although when it runs out I'm very tempted to try this product.
http://shop.autobritedirect.co.uk/magifoam---the-ultimate-in-vehicle-washing-2725-p.asp
Cheers for that :smiley:
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I'm a big fan of Snow Foam, it just removes that top layer of dirt before you start touching the paintwork and rubbing it in causing swirls.
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As above bud....you cant go wrong with it.......
If people have never seen it in use you get some strange looks :grin: :grin:
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just purchased lance and 5litres of foam :tongue:
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well done bud.....enjoy it.......dosent take long to set it up either.. :grin: :grin:
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its confusing me lol i was getting pretty good foam but it didnt really settle so need to fiddle.. how much you putting in the bottle and then topping up wit water ??
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It all depends on the brand you are using i think......I put about 2.5cm in the bottle of product and fill with warm water.....I also add a splash of AG body shampoo and conditioner...if you have got pump dispensers for your 5lt containers its a lot easyer.... :grin: :grin:
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I have the ph neutral stuff on waxamomo will try adding a dash of shampoo next time.. The connectors on my lance didnt seem much cop either as water was leaking so will need to put some ptfe tape on the connectors.. Not overly pleased tbh but might be once I get the hang of it..
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DOn't forget to have a little play with the dial on the top, this changes the dilution ratio. Changing this has a big effect on the foam :wink: