How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106679
Hey everyone...
Mike Phillips here from Autogeek! I'm a car washing fool! I love to wash my truck and "yes" I also love to wash my wife's car because I LIKE to keep our vehicles clean and shiny!
I also NEVER take our vehicles to any type of car wash because I know the ONLY way to avoid swirls, scratches and the dreaded water spots is to take OWNERSHIP of the car wash process. That means I know the only way to preserve the pristine finish I've already created on both of our rigs is to...
Do it myself
And if you're like me... that is you like your cars clean and shiny AND you've already come to the Aha Moment,
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...Aha_moment.jpg
The Aha Moment is when you finally figure out that you simply cannot trust others to "touch" your cars.... then you know you need a foam gun.
The next best thing to sliced bread!
Foam guns are GREAT! Anyone that has read the AutogeekOnline.net car detailing discussion forum for any length of time and has read my posts on the topic of washing cars knows that when it comes to my wife's Mercedes-Benz SL500 and my own Chevy Silverado 4x4 truck, the ONLY way I wash my personal vehicles is with a foam gun.
Not only do foam guns work great at getting the car wash soap foam onto your car where you want it, they also make what is normally a very mundane and even boring job fun. And that's part of the secret to making any job, duty or task more enjoyable and that's to find a way to make it fun!
Besides only washing my own vehicles with a foam gun I also teach this in ALL my Competition Ready 3 Day Detailing Classes. And guess what? After showing my class how cool foam guns are for washing cars and how well they work - EVERYONE loves the foam gun!
If you don't have a foam gun and you are the "Car Washer" in your house or you detail cars for money and you are not currently using a foam gun when you wash a customer's car.... you're missing out. You need a foam gun. You also want a foam gun you just didn't know it till you >clicked< on the link to this article.
Below I'm going to show you first how to set-up your foam gun. No... it's not hard or tricky but the first time you do anything there's tricks to be learned so let me make learning how to set up your foam gun simple and easy so your first time out you'll be successful and you'll also be happy with your purchase.
What's in the box?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...AM_GUN_061.jpg
Everything you see pictured above comes in the box.
Instructions and parts list
Foam mixing head already mounted to the lid
1 quart mixing bottle
Foam wand
Foam defector
Siphon Tube
Pistol Grip Spray with quick-release attachment for foam mixing head
Now lets take a look at how to assemble, mix your soap solution and use your foam gun to wash your car.
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
The Foam Mixing Head
First lets take a look at the Foam Mixing Head. This is where the magic happens!
Looking down on the foam mixing head you can see,
Top- Foam wand or Foam Defector attachment tube.
Bottom - Male Quick Connector
Right and left side - Foam Adjusting Metering Stem
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106637
The Foam Metering Stem
This component slides from one side to the other and allows you to select the volume of foam you want to spray. The small tip on the end simply serves as a handle to help you to grip the stem to either push or pull it into position.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106638
Detent holes
Across the top of the Foam Metering Stem are a series of holes that are used to lock the stem into the desired position. Inside the top of the Foam Mixing Head is a spring loaded brass check ball that fits into the top portion of the chamfered holes. The spring load creates tension to hold the stem securely in place.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106639
How to adjust foam level
To adjust the foam level from low to high simply turn the Foam Metering Stem 1/4 turn as shown in the picture below and now you can slide the stem from one side to the other side. After you have selected the volume of foam you want to use turn the Foam Metering Stem so the Detent Holes are facing up. Then you can slide the stem either in or out till you feel the check ball lock into a detent hole.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106640
In the picture below I have turned the Foam Metering Stem upside down in order to take the next picture to show you the graduated siphon holes that meter the amount of soap solution drawn through the Foam Mixing Head.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106641
Graduated siphon holes
With the Foam Metering Stem turned upside down you can see a series of holes that range from very tiny on one end to very larger on the other end.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106642
In this picture I have pushed the Foam Metering Step all the way into the Foam Mixing Head so that the other side of the Foam Metering Stem will be visible out the other side.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106643
Here you can see the largest available graduated siphon holes.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106644
The largest siphon hole available for maximum foam generation is on the extreme right hand side of the Foam Metering Stem. In the picture below the pencil is pointing to the furthest right side detent hole. For maximum foam you'll want to select this siphon hole and detent hole.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106645
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106646
To select the maximum foam setting the Foam Metering Stem will appear like you see below.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106647
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106648
The above pictures show you how to adjust the volume of foam from high to low or somewhere in-between. I always use the foam gun with on the max foam setting for what it's worth.
Small brass screws on the Foam Mixing Head
On the very top of the Foam Mixing Head and on the right hand side of the Foam Metering Stem you will find small brass screws. This screw will adjust the foam mixture.
Screw all the way in - Maximum foam
Screw threaded out - Minimal foam
The below two pictures show the brass screw in the out position. If the brass screw is out like this you will get very, very little foam. So screw it all the way in and consider tightening it with a pair of plyers.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106649
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106796
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106797
For most of us, you might as well tighten this screw down so you don't have to worry about it coming loose and getting lost.
Small brass screws on the side of the Foam Metering Stem
This screw simply prevents you from pulling the Foam Metering Stem out of the Foam Mixing Head. The outside of the screw head is larger than the hole so if you pull to hard it acts as a stop.
In the below picture I've removed the Brass Screw and pulled the Foam Metering Stem into the foam mixing chamber.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106752
If I kept on pulling the step it would come all the way out and my guess is the spring and the check ball would fall out and I would never be able to re-insert the metering stem or not with out a little work.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106754
For most of us, you might as well tighten this screw down so you don't have to worry about it coming loose and getting lost.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106753
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
Mixing your soap solution
First things first - in order to get a LOT of foam suds you need to use a car wash soap formulated for creating lots of foam suds. This is key to maximizing the performance of the foam gun because not all car wash soaps are high sudsing soaps.
McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula
McKee's 37 Extreme Foam Formula is a super high sudsing car wash shampoo specifically formulated for use with foam guns. It creates mountains of rich, luxurious soap suds and also provides excellent cleaning ability for removing road film and dirt off your car. McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula is pH balanced and non-detergent so it cleans well without being harsh to delicate clearcoat finishes. It's available in both 16 ounce bottles and 1-gallon jugs.
My comment....
This is the car wash soap I use for washing and maintaining the finish on my truck and my wife's Mercedes-Benz.
McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106748
How to mix the correct dilution of car wash soap and water
While you don't have to be a math genius or a chemist to correctly mix car wash soap with water it is important to mix the correct amount of soap to water for maximum suds.
The Glug-Glug Method
Here's my advice - don't use the glug-glug method. You guys all know what I'm talking about. That's when you simply pour the soap into the water without measuring, you know, glug, glug glug. The problem with using this Caveman technique is that if you under-use your soap you won't get great foaming action from the foam gun and if you overuse the soap you'll needlessly waste product. If you REALLY overuse product the solution can be so thick it wont draw through the siphon holes. This means it won't work!
The correct method for mixing soap for your 1-quart foam gun
So to make it simple I've done all the math and measuring and in the pictures below I show you how to use the markings on the 1-quart bottle to fill the bottle with the correct amount of water and soap for the perfect foam solution.
I like LOTS of suds so the directions below are for maximum suds with the McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula soap and the directions it provides for mixing the proper dilution for maximum suds.
1 quart = 32 ounces
In the picture below, one quart fills the bottle to the location on the bottle the pencil is pointing to. I know for a fact because I filled my handy-dandy Better Crocker measuring cup with 32 ounce of water and then poured it into the foam gun bottle just to check so I would know 100% for sure.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106650
The recommended dilutions for McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula car wash soap are,
2 ounces soap to 6-8 ounces of water
Because I like lots of suds the below mixing instructions are for mixing 2 ounces of soap to 6 ounces of water.
32 divided by 6 = 5.3
If we just round the 5.3 to 5 that means 5 groups of 6 ounces will go into the one quart bottle but each group of 6 ounces will also get 2 ounces of soap. So that's 8 ounces. 8 will go into 32 3 times and now I'm done doing math. :laughing:
Instead of making this difficult I do what I call look at the BIG PICTURE. The big picture is I want lots of suds.
In order to completely fill the 1 quart bottle with a uniform mixture of soap and water solution at the 2 ounces of soap to 6 ounces of water dilution level I fudged the math to make it EASY to mix a strong dilution of soap and suds. If you want a weaker solution then simply add more water than I show below and less soap. For example you could add 24 ounces of water and 8 ounces of soap. Or add 28 ounces of water and 6 ounces of soap. For these dilutions, to make it easy on yourself, simply measure out the water first and then MARK the side of the bottle with a permanent marker. Then in the future you can quickly fill the bottle with water to the mark and then fill the rest of the bottle with soap.
For maximum suds
I filled the bottle with 22 ounces of water then added 10 ounces of soap. This gave me a total volume of 32 ounces of soapy water solution.
To add 22 ounces of water to the 1 quart bottle add water till it reaches the line I'm pointing to with the pencil.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106651
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106652
Here I've placed a line on the side of the 1-quart bottle using a permanent marker
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106653
Measure the soap
Next I pour 10 ounces of soap into the measuring cup. This is mostly to show the math works, that is 22 + 10 = 32
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106654
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106655
Next I pour the soap into the 1-quart bottle
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106656
Stir for a uniform mixture
And here I'm stirring the soap and water together for a uniform mixture. This is important as it's not easy or effective to try to shake the bottle after the foam mixing lid is attached. So grab a pencil or anything long and skinny and simply stir the mixture. Since I write a lot of articles and take a lot of pictures I alwasy have pencils and ink pens handy in the garage.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106657
Mmm.... soapy water!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106658
There you go... perfectly mixed soap and water for maximum suds.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106659
My comment....
A repeatable process that does not require thinking
The reason I do things like this is so in the future I don't have to re-think the dilution process out again. By nature I'm lazy. I like to do things one time, dial in a process and be done with it. Every time I wash my truck or my wife's car all I have to do is simply add water to the line you see below and then fill the rest with soap. I don't get out my Better Crocker mixing cup every time I wash my car and measure the soap like you'll see in the pictures below. This was a one time measurement and now each time I want to mix up some soap solution it will be quick and easy.
Hope all of the above is as clear as soap and water solution.
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
Continued....
Installing the siphon tube, foam wand and then attaching the foam mixing lid to the bottle
The next thing you want to do is attach the siphon tube to the inside brass pickup tube on the inside of the Foam Mixing Head
Here's the siphon tube
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106660
This presses into the brass pick-up tube on the inside of the Foam Mixing Head
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106661
Next - attach the Foam Mixing Head
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106662
The foam gun comes with two foaming attachments.
This is the Foam Wand
This works great for creating mountains of foamy suds.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106663
The Foam Deflector
For the life of me I have never figured out what the foam deflector is used for or why to use it. (I think I threw mine away after using it one time)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106664
Attach the foam wand to the brass attachment tube
You'll see a spring loaded clip on the foam wand and you'll see a notch in the brass attachment tube. When you press the foam wand onto the brass attachment tube the spring loaded clip will seat into the notch and lock the foam wand into place so it doesn't fly off and hit your car when you squeeze the trigger of the spray gun.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106665
Here's the wand attached to the Foam Mixing Head
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106666
You can twist the Foam Wand to spray a layer of foam in a horizontal or vertical pattern
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106667
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106668
The Foam Deflector
Again... I'm not sure what, when or why you would use this as it seems to offer no benefit. I took a picture of it in action to show you what the spray looks like coming out of the foam gun when the Deflector is attached and I think you'll agree - it doesn't seem to serve any purpose for washing a car. My guess is the Deflector is used with the foam gun in other industries.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106669
VERY IMPORTANT
Now this is very important. That's why I made all the letters of the heading for this section in all capital letters.
The Pistol Grip Sprayer is attached to the Foam Mixing Head via a spring loaded quick-release coupling. The coupling on the sprayer is the female side and the coupling on the Foam Mixing Head is the male side.
To attach the sprayer, use two fingers like I show in the picture below to pull back the exterior plastic case around the spring loaded quick-release.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106670
The next two pictures show the spring loaded quick-release pulled back to the rear position. What this does is allows the bearings in the component to roll away from the center since the housing surrounding them has been pulled back.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106671
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106672
Next - Slide the female coupling onto the male coupling
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106673
Make sure when you release the quick-release that it fully returns to the outer edge of the nozzle and thus LOCKS ONTO the male coupling.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106674
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106675
The below two pictures show the female coupling completely attached to the male coupling. At this point the bearings have moved onto the outer shoulder of the male coupling and are locked into their location but the outer spring loaded housing on the female coupling.
Here's why this is so important!
If the female coupling is NOT locked onto the male coupling, when the sprayer is hooked up to water and you press the sprayer the force of the water will push the Foam Metering Head and the quart of soapy water solution off the end of the sprayer and onto your car!
So pay attention!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106676
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106677
This foam gun is ready to go!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106678
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
How to wash your car (or truck) with a foam gun
After you set-up your foam gun now comes the fun part!
Simply hook up your water hose to the sprayer and squeeze the sprayer to cover you car (or truck) with a thick layer of foam!
Start at the top and work your way down
I normally wash the wheels and tires first (as a best practice to avoid water spots on the paint) and then start at the top and work my way down.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106701
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106702
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106679
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106680
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106681
Set the foam gun aside and then wash each panel with your favorite wash mitt and then rinse...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106682
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106683
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106684
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106685
Once you use a foam gun to wash your car (or truck), you'll never wash without it again!
On Autogeek.com
All Foam Guns at Autogeek
Note there are two sizes of foam guns. There is the 1 quart model and the half gallon model. For this article I used the 1 quart model and with the 1 quart model I am easily able to wash the entire outside of my full size Chevy truck without running out of soap solution.
Here's the specific model I used...
McKee's 37 Quart Foamaster Foam Gun
And here's the high sudsing car wash I used. If you're like me and you wash your cars a lot then I'd recommend getting the gallon jug.
McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo - 16 ounce
McKee's 37 Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo - 1 gallon
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
Continued....
Using the foam gun right out of the box
The foam gun works perfect the way it comes out of the box. The way it comes out of the box is you screw the Pistol Grip Sprayer directly onto your water hose.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106777
Ready to attach to the foam gun
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106778
After foaming and washing a panel you can rinse off your car one of two ways.
Rinsing with the foam gun attached
Here's the foam gun spraying foam onto my truck
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106779
Now to RINSE the truck WITHOUT removing the foam gun you twist the Foam Metering Step 1/4 turn.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106780
See how this rotates the siphon holes to the side thus preventing the foam gun from drawing any soap solution into the stream of water passing through the Foam Mixing Head.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106781
Look closely at the foam wand - that's just water coming out... not foam. I'm using the foam gun to rinse off my truck.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106782
Here's a close shot of the water coming out of the foam wand (not foam).
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106783
You can also remove the sprayer from the foam gun and use the sprayer like a normal water sprayer to rinse off the dirt and foam.
Look closely at my hand - notice the foam gun has been removed and I'm using only the sprayer.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106784
Mike's Tip...
So to be clear - the above works great. You can use the foam gun to foam and rinse your car exactly the way it comes in the box. That said, I prefer to accessories my foam gun and my washing process with a couple of cool tools to give me more control.
Note the brass connectors and the extra water sprayer in the Griot's cart below?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106686
Brass Connector Shut Off Valve
First - This is a water shut-off valve. This allows me to turn the water off at the end of the hose where I'm working instead of walking all the way back to the water spigot. This water shut-off valve lets me change tools using brass quick release connectors.
Pictured below is a Brass Connector Shut Off Valve with a Female Brass Quick Connector attached to it. The Brass Quick Connector comes as a set that includes one Female connector and one Male connector.
If you have more tools you actually don't need more of the Female connectors since that's the part that connects to the hose but you do need more Male connectors, the part that connects to your tools and extras can be purchased separately.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106687
Here you can see a Male Connector attached to the Foam Gun Sprayer
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106688
Here's the Foam Gun Sprayer attached to the water hose using the Brass Quick Connectors
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106690
For rinsing I prefer to use a sprayer with a shower setting. Here you can see I've attached a Male Connector to my water sprayer
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106689
Here's the water sprayer attached to the water hose using the Brass Quick Connectors
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106691
I like a sprayer with a good shower setting as this actually does a better job of flushing soap suds off body panels or rinsing wheels and tires. I also use these for rinsing engine compartments when doing a traditional engine detail.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106692
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106694
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106693
On Autogeek.com
Brass Connector Shut Off Valve
Brass Quick Connector Set - One Female Connector and one Male Connector
Brass Male Quick Connectors - 3 Pack
Here's a short video that shows how to use these tools....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro9wVJuGcuI
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
A couple more cool tools for turning you into the Car Wash King of your block....
The Dual Bucket Dolly System with Grit Guard Inserts and Grit Guard Washboards
Even though you have a foam gun you still need a wash mitt or two and in-between washing body panels you need to rinse off your wash mitts to remove the dirt you loosened.
The trick is how to do it BEST.
Why?
Because if you don't remove any dirt particles trapped onto your wash mitt then you'll put scratches in your car's paint when you move onto the next panel.
The folks at Grit Guard came up with a solution to help all of us including yours truly from instilling scratches into our car's paint during the wash process. It's called the Dual Bucket Dolly System with Grit Guard Washboards inserted into each bucket.
The Dual Bucket Dolly System
It's two 5-gallon buckets connected at the middle so when you roll one bucket around your car you roll the other bucket at the same time. This saves you time, energy and steps.
Note the labels on the buckets? I tell you why you want these below....
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106695
Wash & Rinse Labels
Note the labels on the buckets? I tell you why you want these below....
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106696
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...AM_GUN_064.jpg
Grit Guard Washboards
Here you can see the Grit Guard Washboards sitting on top of Grit Guard Inserts inside of each bucket. First thing I'm going to do is add water to both buckets and then add some of the McKee's Extreme Foam Formula car wash shampoo to the wash bucket to saturate and lubricate my wash mitt with some car wash soap.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106697
Here's what they look like inside a cut away bucket
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...AM_GUN_063.jpg
Now pay attention....
Here you can see the wash bucket is filled with soap solution and the rinse bucket is filled with clean, clear water.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106698
High Quality Microfiber Chenille Wash Mitts
Here's my choice for wash mitts. I love these things!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...AM_GUN_065.jpg
These are Microfiber Chenille Wash Mitts carried on the Autogeek.com store. I know you see these at discount stores but here's the deal.. The cheap ones fall apart. We only carry the high quality version. You get what you pay for. Don't waste your time or money on the cheap version they will simply fall apart.
The Microfiber Chenille Mitts we sell at Autogeek can be washed and dried in your washer and dryer without falling apart. The cheap ones will simply unravel and you'll end up throwing them away.
How to use the two bucket method
When you go to wash a body panel you always start out dipping your mitt in the bucket with soapy water and then wash the panel.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106785
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106786
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106787
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106788
After washing a panel, next you dunk the mitt in the clear rinse water bucket to remove the dirt that accumulated onto the mitt.
NOTE since I'm just starting the clear RINSE water bucket is EASY to identify because the water is CLEAR.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106705
Here I am scrubbing the mitt against the Grit Guard Wash Board to remove the dirt off the mitt. Note what's happening to the clear water?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106706
Here's my mitt, rinsed off clean and ready for the next body panel....
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106707
Now look at the buckets?
Which bucket is the wash bucket and which bucket is the rinse bucket?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106708
It's about speed and working effectively
That's what the wash and rinse labels are for... to enable you to visually identify which bucket is which after you start washing your car. After you dunk your wash mitt ONE TIME into the rinse water bucket without the labels you will not be able to quickly and easily tell which bucket is which.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106698
Color coding system
Note I have a gold mitt and a gray mitt? I use the gold mitt for the upper panels and when I get to the lower panels or bumpers I use the gray mitt. This is a color coding method I use to help prevent getting the heavier dirt that accumulates on the bottom portions of a vehicle over upper panels that tend to be a lot cleaner.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106699
Gray mitt for the lower, dirtier portions of a vehicle.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106789
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106790
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106791
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106792
Going overkill
If you really want to go nuts then wash the lower portions of your rig first and then start at the top of the vehicle and work your way down. Somewhere on the forum I have an article about why to do it this way but here is the nutshell version.
My natural tendency is to go the extra mile. This applies to life and washing my truck. When I'm washing the upper, cleaner panels it's natural to want to reach a little further to do more work faster. This means using my best mitt, the gold mitt to wash the lower portions and this means contaminating my best mitt with dirt off the lower panels. So one way to avoid this is to wash the lowest dirties portions of a panel first BUT don't wash the upper sections at all. Then rinse and then move to the roof and work downward. By washing the dirtiest portions first with my gray mitt there's no way I can accidentally or by trying to hard, (going the extra mile), that I can contaminate my gold mitt with dirt on the lower panels because I've already washed these areas. This is about as anal retentive as I can get or anyone can get when it comes to washing your vehicle carefully and for most it's overkill but I still thought I would throw this out there.
Drying your car - Avoid water spots
After you've completely washed and rinsed your car (or truck), be sure to dry off any standing water to avoid water spots. Water spots are the worst type of defect to have to remove if there's anything corrosive in the water. Highly contaminated city water or well water can actually leave water spots in the paint that are not spots ON the paint but ETCHINGS IN THE PAINT and the only way to remove these types of water spots is usually to machine compound the paint. That's a lot of work. It's a LOT faster and easier to simply dry the water off.
There's all kinds of tools and all kinds of ways to dry a car Here's a really simple but effective way and that's to use Guzzler Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towels. I dried my entire truck using two of the 20" x 40" size towels and then I'll simply throw them in the washing machine and dryer and they'll be clean and ready to use the next time I need to dry my truck or someone's car.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106793
Here she is sparkling clean!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=106794
On Autogeek.com
Grit Guard® Dual Bucket Washing System - CLEAR
Grit Guard Washboard Combo
Wash & Rinse Bucket Labels
Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt 3-Pack - Choose Your Color
3 Pack The Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave Towels, 20 x 40 inches
Questions?
Post them to this thread or call our Customer Care Staff.
1-800-869-3011
They can help you get any or all of the above plus anything else you need to take care of your car the right way.
:)
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
Excellent, thorough review Mike!
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
My foam gun and grit guards should be here on Thursday. You're right, it does look like a lot of fun. I can't wait to break them out this Holiday weekend. I have a feeling my neighbors are going to be jealous, so as long as they chip in for a gallon of McKee's Extreme Foam I'll be up for doing all their cars too. Thanks for once again a detailed thread with lot's of pictures, it really helps us newbies.
Re: How to use a foam gun by Mike Phillips
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Murphy77
My foam gun and grit guards should be here on Thursday. You're right, it does look like a lot of fun. I can't wait to break them out this Holiday weekend.
I have a feeling my neighbors are going to be jealous,
Or they'll think you've finally went off the deep end...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Murphy77
so as long as they chip in for a gallon of McKee's Extreme Foam I'll be up for doing all their cars too.
That would be a killer deal for them...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Murphy77
Thanks for once again a detailed thread with lot's of pictures, it really helps us newbies.
Just to note...
I have a few more pictures to add to really tie all the ideas, tips and techniques together.
I'll make another reply to this thread when all the pictures have been inserted.
:)