autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17
  1. #1
    SELF BANNED
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    11
    Post Thanks / Like

    Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    Hi Sorry if I am repeating previous posts. I have read through and can't find what I am looking for.

    Basically I started to use a Foam Cannon for personal use especially after winter sludge wash.

    I foam then rinse then do a mechanical wash(either traditional bucket wash or ONR wash). I tried doing part of the car foam and pressure wash and pressure wash only before mechanical wash and honestly don't see much of a difference if any at all.
    Read some posts that foam cannon is mostly for show.( In the winter I am closed in my garage so no audience)
    I am wondering if it is the soap I use so before investing and buying other soaps thought I would ask if it makes any difference.
    Most if not all posts seen here and YouTube on the best soap is all about foaming thickness haven't seen anything on cleaning power.
    So is a foam cannon worth the time and soap expense to clean or just pressure washer will do the same before hand wash?
    If soaps make a difference which do you use which actually emulsify and clean grime?
    Presently using Simonize car wash and wax and foams great but...
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Super Member Bosko's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    1,584
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    I'm not sure about others, but I use foam cannons to keep the surface moist and lubricated and from drying out during the contact wash process...

  3. Likes aqus, DFB liked this post
  4. #3
    Super Member CleanIT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Posts
    1,816
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    The only pre-wash worthwhile seems to be Bilt Hamber Auto Foam. Some spray ONR mixed with MDR (mineral deposit remover) to help remove salt prior to washing.

  5. Likes aqus, fries liked this post
  6. #4
    Super Member Eldorado2k's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Posts
    13,659
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    I personally don’t have a foam cannon, but if I did, I’d pressure wash rinse 1st, then spray the entire vehicle with foam, and then immediately begin my bucket wash with mitts.

    Is that really needed in most cases? No, but I can understand it feeling pretty good.

  7. Likes scribble79, PaulMys, Bruno Soares liked this post
  8. #5
    Super Member Coatingsarecrack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Posts
    7,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    A most pre wash (ph neutral/ph balance) will not remove the majority of what’s on the car.

    They are designed to soften them up to be removed in the mechanical wash stage and hopefully remove larger debris of the vehicle that can be stuck.

    Alkaline pre washes like the pre mentioned Bilt Hamber AutoFoam will remove a majority of the film and debris but may harm waxes, sealants and sio2 toppers.

    This is debated but I personally believe it will weaken your LSP faster with maybe the exception of coatings with high PH resistance.

    Here are some pics from a thread i started about BHAF on Autopia. This is just AF sprayed on with an IK foam 12 and then pressure washed off. Cleaned better than a touchless automated wash.













    In closing for me i believe pre wash’s, even PH nuetral snow foams help the wash process to get less swirls. I couldn’t tell you if it helps 10% or .01% but it helps.

    I don’t mind to use Alkaline pre washes because at the end of the day were trying to protect and extend the life of the paint not the LSP. PH neutral foams became important to protect our LSP’s. I’d rather protect my paint by removing as much from surface before contact washes.

    Protecting the LSP to me is not as important as most sealant’s, Sio2 toppers and drying aids can be applied in 10 minutes or why you dry.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. Thanks opie thanked for this post
    Likes fries, SNP209, dgage, opie, Eldorado2k and 2 others liked this post
  10. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    44
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer




    Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

  11. #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    44
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    Quote Originally Posted by FrankBardani View Post



    Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
    My car was completely covered in salt and road grime. I pressure washed first, used a foam cannon ( Chemical Guys Sticky Snowball Snow Foam in combination with Ammo Winter Wash Booster) let dwell for 5 to 6 minutes and power washed again. Dried with an Airforce Master Blaster. The car is completely clean even with the absence of mechanical agitation!


    Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

  12. Likes dgage, MisterSnoop, Coatingsarecrack liked this post
  13. #8
    Super Member Eldorado2k's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Posts
    13,659
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    Quote Originally Posted by FrankBardani View Post
    My car was completely covered in salt and road grime. I pressure washed first, used a foam cannon ( Chemical Guys Sticky Snowball Snow Foam in combination with Ammo Winter Wash Booster) let dwell for 5 to 6 minutes and power washed again. Dried with an Airforce Master Blaster. The car is completely clean even with the absence of mechanical agitation!


    Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
    You forgot to mention the only thing of significance… What lsp is on the vehicle?

  14. Likes oneheadlite, Coatingsarecrack liked this post
  15. #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    44
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    Quote Originally Posted by Eldorado2k View Post
    You forgot to mention the only thing of significance… What lsp is on the vehicle?
    Chemical Guys Hydrocharge Ceramic Spray Coating


    Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

  16. #10
    Super Member Coatingsarecrack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Posts
    7,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Foam cannon vs pressure washer

    Quote Originally Posted by FrankBardani View Post
    My car was completely covered in salt and road grime. I pressure washed first, used a foam cannon ( Chemical Guys Sticky Snowball Snow Foam in combination with Ammo Winter Wash Booster) let dwell for 5 to 6 minutes and power washed again. Dried with an Airforce Master Blaster. The car is completely clean even with the absence of mechanical agitation!


    Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
    If you used CG honeydew snow foam, is the sticky snowball foam any better?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Foam Cannon and Pressure washer, Which ones do you use?
    By AutoScrub in forum Auto Detailing Tools and Accessories
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 10-28-2018, 07:23 PM
  2. Pressure Washer for MTM Foam Cannon
    By A2D Signature in forum Auto and Garage Accessories
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 01-02-2014, 11:44 AM
  3. Pressure Washer Foam Cannon
    By RBJR in forum Products Guides
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-23-2013, 11:22 PM
  4. ? on Foam Cannon for Pressure washer
    By rdfkentucky in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-01-2012, 03:06 PM
  5. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-28-2011, 03:11 PM

Members who have read this thread: 0

There are no members to list at the moment.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456