Foam gun mixing ratio question

[Hella JDM]

Still confused on how to fill my Gilmour. Can I just fill the bottle with soap, put it on the 1oz per gallon setting and be done with it? Or do I need to premix with soap and water? If I do that, the lines get a bit blurry. I want to make sure not to strip my LSP by having soap too concentrated.

[allenk4]

Ask Setec

He is the Forum expert on Gilmour Foam Guns

[Setec Astronomy]

Yes, you can do what you suggested, as long as the soap is thin enough to draw up the tube properly. The problem is most car soaps are very thick, and you need to dilute them to get them thin enough to draw properly.

I try to make it pretty simple. For a soap that has a recommended use ratio of 1 oz/gallon, I dilute it 3:1 in the cup (if you have the 32 oz cup, 24 oz water, 8 oz shampoo). Then I set the gun to 4 oz/gallon (middle hole) done. If you want a little heavier mixture, slide the bar to the 6oz/gallon hole, if you want a little more watery, slide the other way to 2 oz/ gallon. If you've got a thin soap like the Griot's, just put it in the cup undiluted, although since the usual dilution for that is 1/2 oz/gallon, you might want to cut it in half and use the 1 oz hole.

I usually use an old soap bottle to mix up a half gallon or gallon of mixture, so I don't have to stop and play scientist in the middle of a wash.

[Setec Astronomy]

Ask Setec

He is the Forum expert on Gilmour Foam Guns

I'm this close to putting you on ignore, then what fun will you have?

[DaHen]

I usually use an old soap bottle to mix up a half gallon or gallon of mixture, so I don't have to stop and play scientist in the middle of a wash.

Hey, now that is a great idea. Just leave that mixture in the jug and when ready to do some foaming, pour it in.

Thanks muchly.

[Setec Astronomy]

Hey, now that is a great idea. Just leave that mixture in the jug and when ready to do some foaming, pour it in.

I can't take credit for it, I learned it from those who went before me into the great foam gun wilderness. Just beware that some soaps are more stable in diluted form than others. For instance Meg's Gold Class stores fine, but I have some branded soap from another detailing store that gets stuff growing in it that clogs up the draw tube on the gun, etc.

[allenk4]

I'm this close to putting you on ignore, then what fun will you have?

You haven't tried the Vinegar yet?


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