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General => Detailing => Topic started by: lee1989 on 09 February 2015, 08:05

Title: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: lee1989 on 09 February 2015, 08:05
Looking for a foam lance for a k2 compact pw, as the 1 that came with the pw comes out more like soapy water, new to this snow foam stuff so sorry for the stupid question, looking for 1 around £40 but cheaper the better, are any of the 1s on ebay any good?? or any other recommenedations?? also links would be great thanks  :smiley:
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Booth11 on 09 February 2015, 09:40
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/foam-pre-wash/snow-foam-lance-various-fittings/prod_371.html

http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php/exterior-cleaning/autobrite-direct-snow-foam-lance.html

There's also plenty available on detailing sites such as polished bliss, waxamomo etc and all much of a muchness.  Prices vary but a decent one will set you back between £40-£45, unless you can pick one up cheaper on eBay.  Whatever you choose, make sure to select the Karcher fitting when you order.
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: lee1989 on 09 February 2015, 10:18
Ok brilliant mate thanks alot will take a look now cheers  :smiley:
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: ajmoir36 on 09 February 2015, 20:49
I used the Karcher one at the weekend, filled up to the 2nd line with the Valet Pro and run the knob at about 3/4's still seemed to spray quite a lot of foam about and had plenty to overlap a few times.
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Booth11 on 09 February 2015, 20:58
I used the Karcher one at the weekend, filled up to the 2nd line with the Valet Pro and run the knob at about 3/4's still seemed to spray quite a lot of foam about and had plenty to overlap a few times.

Yeah I always get about 3 coats worth out of a lance bottle of valet pro.  In summer I tend to only half fill the bottle and that's sufficient but in the winter grime more extreme measures are required  :grin:
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Wo-Wo on 10 February 2015, 17:41
Personally I'm a fan of the £15 Karcher one but o have used the Autobrite one which was very good. Top tip, don't buy a cheap eBay one like I did and watch it fly off your PW at your beloved Edi35!!!!
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Booth11 on 10 February 2015, 19:09
don't buy a cheap eBay one like I did and watch it fly off your PW at your beloved Edi35!!!!

Ouch Neil  :shocked:

I live in fear of that happening, so am always checking the lance fitting is securely locked into the pw.  So far, so good!
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: lee1989 on 10 February 2015, 19:28
Ok cheers mate i opted for the 1 off cleanyourcar.co.uk as didnt want to trust ebay,
Now im glad i didnt, the karcher 1 i got came with the pw, its very small and doesnt last to cover the whole car so got to fill it twice, plus its not ajustable, it just comes out very watery, im sure im not doing anything wrong or using wrong snow foam
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Booth11 on 10 February 2015, 19:39
Ok cheers mate i opted for the 1 off cleanyourcar.co.uk as didnt want to trust ebay,
Now im glad i didnt, the karcher 1 i got came with the pw, its very small and doesnt last to cover the whole car so got to fill it twice, plus its not ajustable, it just comes out very watery, im sure im not doing anything wrong or using wrong snow foam

Good shout mate, that's the one I use and it's going strong over 3 years on. 

My tip is to make sure you run plain water it through it via the pw till it runs well clear when you've finished snow foaming, every time.  If you don't the mechanism can get clogged and cause it to spray unevenly.  I once took mine apart to give it a good clean but it's a time consuming and fiddly job and requires resealing the threads so best to take preventative action to lessen the need.  Soaking the metal part in petrol is also effective if it does get clogged up with dried foam.
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: lee1989 on 10 February 2015, 19:47
Ok thanks alot mate ill bear that in mind when i use it, hopefully ill have better luck with this 1  :grin:
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Booth11 on 10 February 2015, 20:05
Good luck!  You only need to use about an inch of snow foam and top up bottle with lukewarm water.  It's trial and error with the nozzle and thickness adjusters but once you've used it a few times you'll get to know your preferred settings to get the best foam consustency.  Valet pro  is a bit thinner than some foams but more effective imo.
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: lee1989 on 10 February 2015, 20:16
Thanks mate think i might need it  :smiley:
A little thicker foam than ive been getting and ill be happy, ive heard good things about valet pro which is next on my list to try but currently im using auto finesse avalanche which ive also heard is good  :grin:
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Snooze on 16 March 2015, 18:02
My new lance just arrived from clean your car and blimey thats a piece of kit. It must weigh a kilo!
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Booth11 on 16 March 2015, 18:10
My new lance just arrived from clean your car and blimey thats a piece of kit. It must weigh a kilo!

Congrats on your new purchase  :laugh:  You can see where your £40+ has gone when you see it in the flesh and you can probably also appreciate why they do a much better job than the karcher one.

Takes it a bit of trial with the dilution and spray adjustments but you'll get to know what is best, after a few goes.  Best advice is to make sure you run clean water through it, when you've finished each time (via the pressure washer), as they can clog easily with dried shampoo if you don't.  Enjoy foaming.

Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: Snooze on 16 March 2015, 18:44
Cheers booth. Hope it does what it says on the tin!
Title: Re: recommened me a foam lance please
Post by: KyleB on 18 March 2015, 10:18
My new lance just arrived from clean your car and blimey thats a piece of kit. It must weigh a kilo!

My 2ps worth of advice is that if you put about an inch of the foam in the bottom of the bottle and fill it with warm water you get nice thick results. Also don't forget to twist the valve on the top to change the thickness.