Is snow foam worth it?

[Deleted member 126251]

Just received a fresh delivery from Slims detailing if you're near Essex Only cost about £6 quid using up my points.

I used to use AF snow foam when I first used a snow foam canon and it's ok, impressive river of foam afterwards but no way near as good as BH.

It isn't a miracle cleaner but has it's purpose and after reading Lee's post I may take the time to work out the ratio a bit better.

Cheers mate - up near York so a bit of a trek to you! I'd like to take my car to someone like @LeeJV to snowfoam my dirty car.

 

[Riva811]

If it was pointless, why would detailer use it? And no, not on my car while I am there

Sent from my J8110 using Tapatalk

 

[Will]

Genuine question - but in the same way as any powerful detergent/TFR etc can strip dirt without physical contact, does snow foam not remove some of the wax/LSP etc from paintwork. In other words, is it not just a powerful TFR suspended in a foam or something?

I mean I appreciate it’s there to remove as much dirt before the physical washing stage, but is there any downsides to this?

I know BH have a good reputation so their product should be okay, but with car care I always tend to prefer the least aggressive chemicals/methods I can, although I can see the appeal of foam at this time of year with the amount of road film that gets on everything currently

 

[AltonAnt]

Genuine question - but in the same way as any powerful detergent/TFR etc can strip dirt without physical contact, does snow foam not remove some of the wax/LSP etc from paintwork. In other words, is it not just a powerful TFR suspended in a foam or something?

I'm sure it does but it is the least worst option for damage to your paintwork.
You will need to top up your wax at some point anyway. I re-wax only 2-3 times in a year with Sonax BSD in between after each wash.
There is never a time where there is a lack of beading.

 

[LeeJV]

As above I would rather remove LSP than add swirls and marring to the paintwork, But that's why is advisable to have a sacrificial layer/topper over your chosen sealant/wax etc.

That said, in the summer months I simply add 20ml of BH Autowash (shampoo) to my cannon and use that as a prewash instead of a snow foam. its just as effective but less harmful to the LSP's

 

[sonnenschein3000]

I always use snowfoam... It gets the 'big' dirt off (if theres visible dirtiness) by loosening and then it comes off more easily when you blast it with the pressure washer. You're then left with a relatively thin layer of dirt to wash off using the 2-bucket-method.
If its Ph neutral snowfoam (or advertised as wax safe) then it shouldn't remove any LSP or Wax. Traffic film removers such as those used in commercial hand wash places aren't necessarily Ph neutral and so they can remove or at least have a detrimental effect on the LSP/Wax.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Used properly, I’d be very surprised if BH stripped anything at all on a sealed and waxed car (properly done, not just washed and then sprayed with a detailer spray)

 

[kianok]

180 POSTS!!!!

I’ve cleaned my car with actual snow since this started

 

[ShaunB]

I always use snowfoam... It gets the 'big' dirt off (if theres visible dirtiness) by loosening and then it comes off more easily when you blast it with the pressure washer. You're then left with a relatively thin layer of dirt to wash off using the 2-bucket-method.
If its Ph neutral snowfoam (or advertised as wax safe) then it shouldn't remove any LSP or Wax. Traffic film removers such as those used in commercial hand wash places aren't necessarily Ph neutral and so they can remove or at least have a detrimental effect on the LSP/Wax.

I use this stuff.
UltraFoam - pH neutral Snow Foam

And also this stuff once every six months under advice from the company that ceramic coated my car
Gtechniq - W4 Citrus Snow Foam

 

[Will]

https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/documents/MSDS/Auto_Foam.pdf

So the Bilt Hamber Auto Foam has a pH of 13 - quite strongly alkaline, even after dilution?

I guess it has to be be quite aggressive to remove traffic film without contact - it will be the strong chemicals in the solution that does that not the foaming agents - perhaps why some people report less success from using some of the less aggressive ‘pH neutral’ snow foams?

I’ll bet that regular TFR does much the same in terms of removing film by spraying on and rinsing off under high pressure - won’t look as pretty though

I don’t doubt that it works, but if used like that on every wash you’re applying some pretty harsh chemicals to your paintwork on a regular basis. Perhaps okay for the majority but I wonder how it can affect stuff long term - and of course you’d need to ensure your LSP is up to that kind of a routine (strong alkaline cleaners and pressure washing) otherwise your paintwork could be left vulnerable with little in the way of protection as a result.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/documents/MSDS/Auto_Foam.pdf

So the Bilt Hamber Auto Foam has a pH of 13 - quite strongly alkaline, even after dilution?

.....

That PH is up in the range of Lye and Ammonia. Autofinesse is also PH13

 

[LeeJV]

don't get too caught up with Ph levels.. Many solvent based products are also ph7 or close to that and will strip your wax in no time at all.

 

[Will]

Solvent based snow foam?

 

[LeeJV]

well yes and no, some are infact water based solvent, but what i meant was, many of us are concerned about using any high PH chemicals on sealed and waxed paint, and most company's will advise us to use PH neutral cleaning products to maintain , however, if you are prepping your car for a new coating you would use a water based/ solvent product to remove any old Coating or polish residues, some of these can also be close to PH neutral. So my pint was not to worry to much about high ph cleaning products, many of BH products are biodegradable, non caustic and voc free so they won't damage good quality sealants or waxes , they may reduce their protective properties but won't remove them. This also another reason why its advised to have a sacrificial layer/ topper over your chosen base sealant that is easy to top up.

 

[grum71]

I always use it on the weekend toy. You'll be amazed at the difference.
Spray the snowfoam on a dry car not pre pressure washed. This allows the foam to 'grab' the crap. I also stay away from foaming the wheels (I read it somewhere...)
Wheels cleaned and washed and then pressure was the foam off. Car is relatively clean at this stage. On with the washmit...etc

 

[AntMB]

Can someone recommend me a snow foam lance which I could use with my Kartcher K series?

 

[LeeJV]

autobrite direct matey. By far the best Lance , made from solid brass. Also comes with a 500ml mega foam solution. It's a very powerful foam and almost as good as BH. Www.autobritedirect
co.uk

 

[AntMB]

autobrite direct matey. By far the best Lance , made from solid brass. Also comes with a 500ml mega foam solution. It's a very powerful foam and almost as good as BH. Www.autobritedirect
co.uk

Have you got a direct link to the lance? I search the site and it shows only posters of a lance, no idea who would want a poster of a lance.

 

[LeeJV]

Autobrite Heavy Duty Foam Snow Foam Lance & Magifoam 500ml | HD Foam Lance & Snow Foams

 

[LTD]

Autobrite Heavy Duty Foam Snow Foam Lance & Magifoam 500ml | HD Foam Lance & Snow Foams

That’s what I use and it does the job !!!!

The lance is really solid with loads of adjustment.

I find mixing the foam with warm water gives me a better result.