Are foam cannons worth the expense and money ? Thank you
Foam Cannons...BS or Worth It?
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cfowler235
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I think they are. I've been using one for a few months now and I think they take a lot of the work out of the job. I just did mine today and it only took 6 hours. LOL..
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161 Posts
Just purchased a foam cannon and used it for the first time this past weekend (a $25 one off Amazon). I used my pressure washer to rinse the car first. Then I connected the foam cannon and covered the car in foam. I had already filled a wash bucket as well and immediately used a wash mit on the car after the foam was applied. A few notes:
My car is ceramic coated, and I used a shampoo that was apparently made for ceramic finishes. In the end....even though it was a hectic process....I got a great wash. I would definitely recommend using a foam cannon.
- The foam definitely helps to give the car a thorough wash. I used very light pressure on the wash mit and it came out immaculate.
- The wash process is basically a 2-person job. I worked as quickly as I could but ultimately enlisted my wife's help as there was no way I was going to finish and start the rinse without the soap drying. Same with the drying process....I used my leaf blower and I had my wife working behind me with a microfiber cloth to catch the remaining water.
My car is ceramic coated, and I used a shampoo that was apparently made for ceramic finishes. In the end....even though it was a hectic process....I got a great wash. I would definitely recommend using a foam cannon.
Bad ass wheels!
I agree with needing to work fast. I do my wheels first, then rinse the car with water and then foam cannon followed by a lot of bucket soap and a microfiber mit and then I rinse thoroughly. I immediately pull it in the garage and dry it with waffle microfiber cloths. I have a dozen of them and use two at a time to get all the moisture off. Finally, I grab a cold drink and sit down for a few minutes to catch my breath.
I don't have a pressure washer, but have a foamer that attaches to the hose. I foam to begin every wash. It will suspend and run off most surface dirt. After foaming I fill my buckets and then start washing top down. The added foam also makes the mitt glide over the panel easier. If the car is just dusty, I will foam it and rinse it and dry. The one I have is the Gilmour Foamaster II
Might have gotten in from Chemical Guys?
A Guy
Might have gotten in from Chemical Guys?
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A Guy
This is the Way
I love mine. Griots Garage Foam Canon and gas pressure washer. With ceramic coating I don’t even have to touch the car. Also ceramic coated the wheels and calipers which really help with the dust from the Dynamics Package. Brake dust washes right off.
Rinse. Foam. Rinse. Foam. Rinse. Blow dry.
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Rinse. Foam. Rinse. Foam. Rinse. Blow dry.
As with anything after market, marketing hype usually outweighs actual benefits.
However, a foam cannon, if used properly and with quality soap, actually does produce a better wash than a wash without one.
The key is in how the foam cannon is used, and with what.
You don't need lots of big fluffy foam when washing. What you need is foam and the force from a pressure washer.
Steps I've used:
However, a foam cannon, if used properly and with quality soap, actually does produce a better wash than a wash without one.
The key is in how the foam cannon is used, and with what.
You don't need lots of big fluffy foam when washing. What you need is foam and the force from a pressure washer.
Steps I've used:
- Wet the car down. You can use a regular hose for this step, but the key is to get everything wet. This presupposes you're not doing it under a blazing sun. You should either wash in the shade, or the early morning/evening sun.
- All of the following is predicated on your paint being as hydrophobic as possible. This means, well waxed, sealed, or ceramic coated. If you typically only periodically use some Walmart spray wax, then you're just inviting grit to stick to your paint. I can't stress this element enough. If you haven't achieved a smooth, hydrophobic level of protection on your paint, you're not only making cleaning your car harder, but you're not really cleaning your car. How will you know when you've achieved a proper hydrophobic level? When water behaves on your paint like it does in the video below.
- You want a pH neutral wash, that has no waxes or other additives. You want a product that will produce suds, but not necessarily mountains of foam. @NickyFZR posted some good pictures of what you are striving for. The reason is, you want the suds to attack the particulates on your paint, to loosen them. A solid bed of foam like Nicky's means once loosened, the suds will help carry the particulates away during the rinse. Large fluffy mounds of foam don't have the substance to carry the particulates nearly as well.
- You want to use a pressure washer for Step #2; foam cannons are for pressure washers; foam guns are for hoses. Both will work, but the cannons produce a better layer of suds.
- If your car is grimy, rinse/foam/rinse twice. Otherwise, once should be enough
- A pressure washer/foam cannon combo is far more effective at rinsing away all but the most stubborn particulates; and particulates are the primary focus of any foam cannon/gun. Those greasy fingerprints, smudges, etc won't be eradicated by a foam cannon; that is why, to answer another member's question on this thread, you need to hand wash/wipe after using the foam cannon.
Amazon.com: Snow Foam Cannon with 1/4 Inch Quick Connect 1000ml Bottle Use to be Pressure Washer Sprayer Gun, 5-in-1 High Pressure Spray Nozzle Tips Car Wash Soap Attachment Kit, Foaming Cleaner Tool : Patio, Lawn & Garden
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a.co
$13 , wide mouth and comes with spare parts to adjust foam. No brainer add on for your pressure washer.
I use a foam gun (hooks to the end of a hose instead of a pressure washer) and it works Great for the way that I wash our cars. I wet the car down and then spray it with the foam gun and let the foam sit on the car while I clean the wheels (this is done in the shade), then I rinse the car and then do the two bucket wash system (one with soap and the other with a grit guard and clean water to rinse the mitt). I then rinse the car using the water to actually sheet dry the paint. The next step is to use my leaf blower to dry it and then in the garage She goes to be pampered by a MF waffle towel. It sounds like a lot of time but on a good day, it takes maybe an hour to an hour and a half to do it all.
The foam cannon is cool because with the right soap, it looks like you spray shaving cream on your car. and adds a Ton of lubricity to the wash, not to mention that your neighbors will look at you like you're nuts (that's a good thing because no one likes being around a crazy person and they'll leave you alone while washing your car
)!
The foam cannon is cool because with the right soap, it looks like you spray shaving cream on your car. and adds a Ton of lubricity to the wash, not to mention that your neighbors will look at you like you're nuts (that's a good thing because no one likes being around a crazy person and they'll leave you alone while washing your car
)!
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214 Posts
My local car wash has the power washer and foam gun right there. I pay 20 euros every couple of weeks to keep it looking good. I bring my battery operated leaf blower with me to dry it off.
I have used a foam canon for a couple of years now and love it! It only takes 1-2 ounces of Chemical Guys Honey Dew Snow Foam Wash for one application.
Doesn't cost that much to be honest plus like others here have said it pulls off the top layer of dust and dirt!
Doesn't cost that much to be honest plus like others here have said it pulls off the top layer of dust and dirt!
Nice looking Challenger and those are some Great looking wheels!
Can you Please tell me who makes those?
You've got a Beautiful Scat Pack there!
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384 Posts
I was thinking this myself.
i wasnt impresses. dont know if we have different dirt up here but it always left a layer of haze that can only be cleaned by hand. it also left a haze on wheels with brake dust. i gave it a fair chance. tried 3 different soaps but it didnt impress me. it might work to knock off the heavier dirt befor you wash it by hand but honestly my pressure washer did that better
Then you'd both be uninformed.
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