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General => Detailing => Topic started by: Snooze on 07 March 2015, 18:57

Title: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 07 March 2015, 18:57
I'm after some snow foam car shampoo, but I have no idea what to get or where to get it from. Can anyone assist? Cheers
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: lee1989 on 07 March 2015, 19:05
Valet Pro Advanced neutral PH Snow foam or auto finesse avalanche  are very good u can get them off ebay or cleanyourcar.co.uk  :smiley:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 07 March 2015, 19:20
Valet Pro Advanced neutral PH Snow foam or auto finesse avalanche  are very good u can get them off ebay or cleanyourcar.co.uk  :smiley:

+1 for Valet a Pro advanced.  I've tried a few and this is the best I've used to date.  Also good is Bilt Hamber Auto Foam.  Don't rate Meguiars Hyper Wash which is very thick but poor results by comparison.  I find snow foams with a thinner consistency shift more grime.  There's a recent thread discussion on snow foam in the detailing section http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=271938.0

Where to buy, try websites:  cleanyourcar, waxamomo, polishedbliss, ultimatefinish ebay or amazon  :smiley:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Mattyj on 07 March 2015, 20:01
Ok mate here we go, listen to me don't listen to me the choice is yours, there are loads out there but it depends on what you want if you wash regularly use a ph neutral one as it will not strip the glaze,wax and sealent thats assuming you do those, if its a deep clean start from fresh i like autobrite superfoam its thick and very good i also recommend a snow foam lance around £30 to go on pressure washer you can alter the amount of product coming through and the spread you need around 2 inches of product fill the rest of the bottle with fresh warm water auto finesse is very hit and miss in my eyes
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: JC on 07 March 2015, 20:05
or search in the DETAILING section, its been covered, get it,  :laugh:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Mattyj on 07 March 2015, 20:07
Or check out polish bliss loads of how to's etc
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: chris1h on 07 March 2015, 20:11
go on juicy detailing. get there own make snow foam
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: JB GTI on 07 March 2015, 21:52
+2 for the Valet Pro PH Neutral  :wink:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 07 March 2015, 22:24
Cheers. Have ordered some Valet Pro Advanced neutral PH Snow foam!
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Mickmk6 on 07 March 2015, 23:53
Auto Finesse Avalanche
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: golfhappy on 08 March 2015, 06:10
"Fairy liquid" or a generic from home bargains! if it's good enough to wash the plates and then eat your diner off, it's good enough for the car!  :grin:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 08 March 2015, 09:50
"Fairy liquid" or a generic from home bargains! if it's good enough to wash the plates and then eat your diner off, it's good enough for the car!  :grin:

You can eat your dinner off my car if you like  :tongue:  :laugh:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Mattyj on 08 March 2015, 11:03
You getting a lance?
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 08 March 2015, 16:21
I've got a Karcher pressure washer.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 08 March 2015, 17:18
I've got a Karcher pressure washer.

If you do need a snow foam lance to use with your pressure washer,  this subject was also recently discussed here too  :smiley:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=272469.0
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Mattyj on 09 March 2015, 19:17
No a bottle to go on the pressure washer
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 10 March 2015, 21:32
The Karcher came with a lance with a bottle on it. Is this no Gd then booth?
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 10 March 2015, 21:46
The Karcher came with a lance with a bottle on it. Is this no Gd then booth?

Snooze, tbh I've not tried the ones that come bundled with a pressure washer, some people say they're ok, but I doubt they would be as effective as a proper snow foam lance and not adjustable which is essential imo.   I recall someone recently tried out the Karcher one and ended up buying a proper one as they said it was pretty poor.

Ah, remembered who it was.  Here's the quote from the snow foam lance thread:

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

Doesn't sound great, but why not give it a go and if it's no good get a proper one.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Rhyso on 10 March 2015, 22:00
Karche bottle is useless, barely covers the car and certainly doesn't produce foam thick enough to do any real work

A proper lance is the way forward  :smiley:

Can be a bit galling paying just as much for the lance as the pressure washer mind.......but if you want proper foam then its the only way  :smiley:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 11 March 2015, 11:03
Gash. This is becoming a very expensive business! £90 for a pressure washer, £20 for snow foam and £45 for a lance.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: KyleB on 11 March 2015, 11:57
Gash. This is becoming a very expensive business! £90 for a pressure washer, £20 for snow foam and £45 for a lance.

Worth it though when you stand back and appreciate your clean car.

Now you need to start pricing up specialist waxes and polishes ;)
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 11 March 2015, 13:55
Gash. This is becoming a very expensive business! £90 for a pressure washer, £20 for snow foam and £45 for a lance.

Snooze it does get expensive but there are areas where you can make savings with products that have multi uses such as trim gels which also can be used as tyre dressing, etc.   Unfortunately as said, if you want to use snow foam and you want to get the most out of it, then a proper lance is really the best option.  Not cheap initially but if you look after it, it'll last for years and you can service it yourself if needs be.

On a lighter note, I'm sure golfhappy will be happy to offer you some cost saving tips what with his love of economy washing up liquid or fairy liquid (if you fancy pushing the boat out)  :grin: :laugh:  :evil:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Wo-Wo on 11 March 2015, 19:28
Fairy liquid! I remember nearly getting banned for using the word sponge! Fyi it was about four years ago and regarding cleaning tyres I think?

Let the ridicule begin!

Lances are an immotive topic, but as suggested, you get what you pay for! I understand the autobrite one is really good?
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Rhyso on 11 March 2015, 20:20
There's nothing better than getting strange looks from your neighbours and strangers when they see your car covered in snow in the middle of summer  :laugh:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 11 March 2015, 22:14
There's nothing better than getting strange looks from your neighbours and strangers when they see your car covered in snow in the middle of summer  :laugh:

Haha, agree, I used to get some inquiring looks from my neighbour but he's used to my snow foaming Sunday's now. In any case he's obsessed with Norton Classic motorcycles and spends a much of his time pampering them so we all have our 'thing'.

Fairy liquid! I remember nearly getting banned for using the word sponge! Fyi it was about four years ago and regarding cleaning tyres I think?

Let the ridicule begin!

Lances are an immotive topic, but as suggested, you get what you pay for! I understand the autobrite one is really good?

Neil, I'm shocked  :shocked:  The shame  :laugh:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Mattyj on 12 March 2015, 17:11
Snooze,i brought up the bottle! Lol the one with the pressure is useless it does not allow you to adjust mixture or coverage get on ebay and do it properly not half cocked
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 12 March 2015, 18:37
Gash. This is becoming a very expensive business! £90 for a pressure washer, £20 for snow foam and £45 for a lance.

Snooze it does get expensive but there are areas where you can make savings with products that have multi uses such as trim gels which also can be used as tyre dressing, etc.   Unfortunately as said, if you want to use snow foam and you want to get the most out of it, then a proper lance is really the best option.  Not cheap initially but if you look after it, it'll last for years and you can service it yourself if needs be.

On a lighter note, I'm sure golfhappy will be happy to offer you some cost saving tips what with his love of economy washing up liquid or fairy liquid (if you fancy pushing the boat out)  :grin: :laugh:  :evil:

I'm new to this snowfoam malarkey. Tbh I think that'll do for the time being!

Just ordered a lance from clean your car.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 14 March 2015, 10:23
So my snowfoam arrived so I had to try it out. And the Karcher lance is poop! The lance I ordered will arrive next week.

Whilst I was at it I thought a new mitt was in order. Ordered a wowo one and with the forum discount I thought it would be rude not to get a drying towel too!  :whistle:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: JamesR27 on 14 March 2015, 17:16
So my snowfoam arrived so I had to try it out. And the Karcher lance is poop! The lance I ordered will arrive next week.

Whilst I was at it I thought a new mitt was in order. Ordered a wowo one and with the forum discount I thought it would be rude not to get a drying towel too!  :whistle:

I did the same and used my mitt and I don't think you will be disappointed. I was surprised at how light it was when loaded with water which I have had issues with the dodo juice one I had previously.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 14 March 2015, 18:00
+1 on the wash mitt.

It's lightness (when saturated) was THE most noticeable thing when I first tested this mitt last year.  I can honestly, say for that reason, it has transformed car washing for me.  The light weight is particularly helpful being a woman with smaller hands/wrists/arms etc.  Dodo juice ones get VERY heavy by comparison.  As long as WoWo mitts are about, can't ever see me going back to DJ ones.

The WoWo drying towel is also great but my other favourite of theirs is the set of 4 microfibres and glass cloth, they are really excellent.  The cloths are of a lighter fabric weight than some other mf but imo that actually makes them more versatile, equally good for buffing off wax, interior cleaning, buffing tailpipes etc.  The weave in the glass cloth is different, better than waffle weave.  I did all exterior and interior glass with it last week and great results. Also brilliant value for money.

And the Karcher lance is poop!

Good thing you've got a proper lance coming  :smiley:
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Wo-Wo on 14 March 2015, 18:56
Thanks for the great comments Booth and Snooze thanks for your order!! I'm 100% sure you'll be satisfied!!!

Thanks Neil
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 14 March 2015, 21:06
Ah nice. My current mitt and towel are just cheap artificial jobs. looking forward to trying out all the new gear next w/e!
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: C3PO on 14 March 2015, 21:50
+1 on the wash mitt.

It's lightness (when saturated) was THE most noticeable thing when I first tested this mitt last year.  I can honestly, say for that reason, it has transformed car washing for me.  The light weight is particularly helpful being a woman with smaller hands/wrists/arms etc.  Dodo juice ones get VERY heavy by comparison.  As long as WoWo mitts are about, can't ever see me going back to DJ ones.

The WoWo drying towel is also great but my other favourite of theirs is the set of 4 microfibres and glass cloth, they are really excellent.  The cloths are of a lighter fabric weight than siome other mf but imo that actually makes them more versatile, equally good for buffing off wax, interior cleaning, buffing tailpipes etc.  The weave in the glass cloth is different, better than waffle weave.  I did all exterior and interior glass with it last week and great results. Also brilliant value for money.

And the Karcher lance is poop!

Good thing you've got a proper lance coming  :smiley:

Cannot comment of the comparison of the wash mitt, but the one I got from wo wo is excellent. I agree with Booth on the glass cloth and microfibres fantastic set, and each come with a bag to hang them in, nice touch.

Interested in the lance thing, I currently use a Karcher one, and it seems fine, but perhaps that's because I have not used anything else :whistle: suggestions welcome?
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 14 March 2015, 21:59

Cannot comment of the comparison of the wash mitt, but the one I got from wo wo is excellent. I agree with Booth on the glass cloth and microfibres fantastic set, and each come with a bag to hang them in, nice touch.

Interested in the lance thing, I currently use a Karcher one, and it seems fine, but perhaps that's because I have not used anything else :whistle: suggestions welcome?

You know the answer to that one  :whistle:  Seems those that have used the Karcher one have gone on to order the real thing.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: mwad gti on 16 March 2015, 19:02

Cannot comment of the comparison of the wash mitt, but the one I got from wo wo is excellent. I agree with Booth on the glass cloth and microfibres fantastic set, and each come with a bag to hang them in, nice touch.

Interested in the lance thing, I currently use a Karcher one, and it seems fine, but perhaps that's because I have not used anything else :whistle: suggestions welcome?
The standard Karcher lance is crap
You know the answer to that one  :whistle:  Seems those that have used the Karcher one have gone on to order the real thing.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: mwad gti on 16 March 2015, 19:04
Fairy liquid! I remember nearly getting banned for using the word sponge! Fyi it was about four years ago and regarding cleaning tyres I think?

Let the ridicule begin!

Lances are an immotive topic, but as suggested, you get what you pay for! I understand the autobrite one is really good?
Infuse the Autobrite lance, it's the best I have used
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 27 March 2015, 08:27
Snow foamed last w/e, but didn't get the thickness quite right. The foam dissipated a bit too quickly. Also I rinsed the car off first before snow foaming. Should I have just snow foamed the car dirty? Thinking the foam would stick better to a dirty car.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 27 March 2015, 09:05
Snow foamed last w/e, but didn't get the thickness quite right. The foam dissipated a bit too quickly. Also I rinsed the car off first before snow foaming. Should I have just snow foamed the car dirty? Thinking the foam would stick better to a dirty car.

Takes a while to get the mix right so persevere. 

Don't know what others do but before snow foaming I give the car a quick once over with the jet washer on low pressure setting.  I found this just softens the dirt a bit but still lets the foam cling on sufficiently.  You only need the foam to dwell for 5 mins anyway whilst you sort your hand wash and rinse buckets out.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Snooze on 27 March 2015, 12:01
Will do. Cheers
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Wo-Wo on 27 March 2015, 16:04
I'm with Bec on this, spray chosen wheel cleaner, jet wash, snow foam and then go and either run my buckets or boil the kettle! Then it's down to the wash, dry, windows and tyres.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Gazza on 28 March 2015, 13:07
Whilst I use snow foam a lot, I've always been underwhelmed about how effective it really is. I know this is an ongoing debate in the detailing world.

I've recently started just giving the car a good pre wash with a mesto foamer and valet pro ANSF. A lot cheaper than getting a pressure washer and lance, as well as being just as effective as snow foam in my opinion. Yes it might not be as fun or look as good but it's an option if cost is a factor.
Title: Re: Snow foam
Post by: Booth11 on 28 March 2015, 14:38
Agree, there's always debate about snow foam, much like the manual v DSG debate  :wink:

I don't think anyone really thinks that snow foam is some magic potion that will transform the car on it's own, it just one possible step in the process.  I have used Auto Finesse Citrus pre wash a few times but never felt it gave as a good a result as snow foaming.  It does very much depend on the foam imo, there are some poor ones out there that do little more than coat the car, but a good foam like Valet Pro Advanced Neutral or Bilt Hamber Auto Foam can make a difference and give good results.  Those that use snow foam just because it's fun and looks cool are kind of missing the point.

If you're going to do it properly, snow foam can be an expensive option initially especially if you need to buy a pressure washer as well as a lance, but once you've got the equipment then it's just the cost of the foam thereafter.

As with most things it's down to personal preference.  At least there is a choice with lots of pre-wash solutions on the market too.