How important is a foam gun to washing a car properly?

**RobZ71LM7** · 02-14-2011, 07:30 PM

I have a foam gun, 2-bucket, DP rinseless, and DP waterless washes. They all have their place. I use the "foam gun" as a presoaker and prelubricator if the vehicle is really dirty. The foam is just a side effect that does nothing for me other than look cool. Before I ever heard of a foam gun I would shake out a solution of car wash from my mitt over a dirty panel coating it before I ever touched it. The foam gun is a just a quick way of doing the same for me.

**G37** · 02-14-2011, 10:07 PM

Everything I have read says to rinse frequently but how can you foam the whole car then proceed to the 2 bucket method and do the whole car then finally rinse meanwhile not getting any water spots or the original foam streaking?

Hopefully more people chime in I am really considering ditching the foam gun from my washing regimen..

**fairlady350z** · 02-14-2011, 11:07 PM

I really don't see the need either. I give the vehicle a good rinsing before washing (2 bucket) so typically all the heavy grime comes off. I have never had an issue with inducing swirls, even on black cars with soft clear. The foam cannon does look cool, but I can think of better things to spend money on.

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**Spicy McHaggis** · 02-15-2011, 07:58 AM

I'm sorry, but anyone who ONLY onr's cars isn't really getting them 100% clean. Sometimes there is no replacement for an intense jet of water to get all the dirt out of the nooks and crannies.

I have a foam cannon and pressure washer now that I love. Can the job be done without them? Yes. Would I ever want to go back to doing the job without them? NO!!

**Fly bye** · 02-15-2011, 08:03 AM

I've never used a foam gun, but I've squeezed suds (off of the paint) from a foam sponge onto the paintwork for heavy soil, that is after spraying it with a hose.

**Fly bye** · 02-15-2011, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

Heck NO!!

Fixed

**HeavyMetal** · 02-15-2011, 08:07 AM

I don't see the need either, but I want one. Like killrwheels said "cool presoak". Who can resist a toy that shoots suds. Worth it for the entertainment value alone.

**Fly bye** · 02-15-2011, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal

Worth it for the entertainment value alone...

**Spicy McHaggis** · 02-15-2011, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Fly bye

Fixed

seriously?

**PAR Detailing** · 02-15-2011, 08:54 AM

I just purchased a PW in the fall and it is definitely the way to go. It came with its own foamer which works "OK", well enough to where I am going to hold off on the foam cannon. Everything can be done without a PW or foam cannon but I personally like the PW much better.

I feel more dirt gets knocked off thus making it safer to wash the paint. Also with the wheels, there is hardly any scrubbing needed on maintained wheels because the PW knocks most of it off.

I like the foamer because I feel you can spray soap on it and it will break down some of the road film making the wash that much safer. Maybe it does nothing but I like it.

I also use it alot for stripping the protection on the car. I put dawn or OPC in there and spray it and let it sit.

As Spicy said, can it be done without them? Yes but do I want to do it without them? Nope!

Just my worthless .02