Snow Foam, really that good?

[boxbrownie]

I just took a look at Bassboys thread on his CLS, this is the first time I have seen Snowfoam in action so to speak.....seen plenty of pictures of cars covered in the stuff and then seen them all clean and polished.....but Bassboys shows it covered in Snowfoam, then rinsed off and it looks all shiney.....basically what I am asking is.....is it really that easy? after snow foaming the car and rinsing off will it look that shiney without washing over with a mitt or something?

 

[C320]

Yeh snow foam is pretty good. Recommend it if you can get it / use it. Would not suggest it as a replacement for washing though. Still need to wash it down properly after.

 

[boxbrownie]

So can it be used through a Karcher pressure washer?

 

[Sp!ke]

yes and no.

Yes, it can be used with your Karcher... you just need to but the right snow foam lance and no, it isnt just a matter of snow foam and rinse...

Think of it as a pre-wash to loosen the worst of the dirt prior to rinsing and getting the lambswool mitt out to wash it properly - just with less risk of swirls.

 

[mikec32]

I wash going to explain, but Spike nailed it on the head

 

[boxbrownie]

Ok, thanks chaps.

 

[Damien O]

Same as above but after the pre wash and rinse stage I like to give the car another coat of snowfoam and then wash the car as normal, using the foam as an extra bit of soap/lube for cleaning along with 2 buckets & washmitt.

 

[moff]

Same as above but after the pre wash and rinse stage I like to give the car another coat of snowfoam and then wash the car as normal, using the foam as an extra bit of soap/lube for cleaning along with 2 buckets & washmitt.

I love the dedication to washing a car

 

[Alps]

Personally, a good pre-wash and a spray with megs degreaser is all you should need, i dont find the addition of snow foam makes that much differance, as i bought a gallon of the stuff and the lance i will continue to use it till it runs out, but doubt i will buy any more.

 

[Mr. B]

..

 

[LTD]

I just bought a snow-foam lance and foam from Autobrite and used it for the first time last weekend.

I have a Karcher pressure washer. My car is OBSIDIAN METALLIC BLACK - the dreaded colour of most.

My thoughts are thus :

As a pre-wash it is fantastic - it lifts a huge amount of dirt from the car prior to your application of your wash solution and, more importantly, any form of agitation device (sponge / mitt). This should reduce the amount of minor scratches or swirls.

I did my car then got JSWMBO to foam up her car. A quick rinse and off she scooted thinking her car was washed - that says it all to me. It cleaned off surface dust/grime really well.

I'm not going back and I doubt anybody that decries this method actually uses it.

 

[Satch]

I do the cheapskate version: bung Meguiars Gold Class diluted 1:3 into the bog standard Karcher foam bottle thingy that came with it.

OK you do not get huge amounts of pretty foam but it is the detergents and wetting agents that do the business, not the foam.

Leave for a bit, rinse off then apply a second layer before washing.

Works for me, maybe also thanks to regular use of Collinite Insulator Wax which lasts really well and sheds grot easily

 

[nigel cross]

I do the cheapskate version: bung Meguiars Gold Class diluted 1:3 into the bog standard Karcher foam bottle thingy that came with it.

OK you do not get huge amounts of pretty foam but it is the detergents and wetting agents that do the business, not the foam.

Leave for a bit, rinse off then apply a second layer before washing.

Works for me, maybe also thanks to regular use of Collinite Insulator Wax which lasts really well and sheds grot easily

Be careful you might strip the wax off

 

[alistairgd]

Using the snow foam about doubles the effort and time to clean your car. It goes like this.

Connect power washer to electrics.
Connect power washer to water supply (hose).
Set up power washer on one side of the car.
Pre-jet it to remove the worst of the grime.
Set up power washer on other side of the car.
Pre-jet it to remove the worst of the grime.
Snow foam it
Set up power washer on other side of the car.
Snow foam it.
Leave for 20 minutes to soak in and drag off another layer of grime
Look at ground and see snow foam collecting, with dirt dis-colouration to justify the effort you are putting in.
Connect up normal lance
Jet off snow foam
Get out bucket and sponge*
Wash down car
Jet off
Remember the wheels.

Takes a while and is definitely not for every wash.

PROS

Car looks great covered in snow foam, you are a pro now, congratulations.
Reduces swirls

CONS

You just wasted** an afternoon
If the power cable and the hose get tangled up, it's a bitch.
Care required to keep the power wash nozzle at least 300mm from paintwork, I like to play safe and keep it at least 0.5 metre away. Take care around seals.


* You're not really using a sponge I hope.
** depending on your outlook

I posted some photos of my first snow foam attempt, at http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/detailing/144133-snow-foam-action-%5Bphotos%5D.html#post1630213

 

[LTD]

I get the pressure washer out, and connect my snow lance.

Put an inch of concentrate in the bottle and fill with warm water.

Coat car.

Spend the dwell time filling my buckets and getting out my cleaning boxes.

Rinse car then wash as required.

Takes little extra time in reality. I use the waiting time to do stuff I need not do before snow-foaming.

 

[alistairgd]

While the snow foam is doing it stuff, is a good time to do the wheels.

 

[Damien O]

As per 2 responses above. Foam the car and then go do the wheels or fill the buckets etc. You shouldn't let it dry in. 5-10 minutes at most to dwell.

 

[dipzv]

snow foam is good as a pre wash but if the cars not dirty it can be used and then just rinsed off

 

[lsaxh78]

I love snow foam.

I do the above- foam the car, fill up buckets while its dwelling- job done.

 

[Mike Walker]

I get the pressure washer out, and connect my snow lance.

Put an inch of concentrate in the bottle and fill with warm water.

Coat car.

Spend the dwell time filling my buckets and getting out my cleaning boxes.

Rinse car then wash as required.

Takes little extra time in reality. I use the waiting time to do stuff I need not do before snow-foaming.

Did the same on Sybil yesterday and worked fine for me:bannana:
Keep power cable and watewr feed apart and happy days