Got a foam cannon.... And need help

BrianMcLeod

BrianMcLeod

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So yesterday I got a foam cannon I ordered the black fire foam cannon from AG what to I but the nozzle on? What are the steps how long do I let soak in? Thanks!
 
Confused by your questions. I replaced the wand on my pressure washer handle, the metal piece that has the quick connects with the cannon. I didn't let anything soak? Or are you talking about the car once you foamed it? If that is the case, just don't let it dry! I foam, let it soak and them wash.
 
Did I rinse the car off first do I foam next? Do I use a bucket what is the process
 
I think rinsing first is optional, after you foam you wash with buckets. Then you can dry the car. eg:If you are washing a truck that just spent the weekend in the mudd you would probably rinse 1st :-)
 
Firstly, could you post a link to the foam cannon you bought.

Secondly, what type of pressure washer do you have?
 
BrianMcLeod said:
So yesterday I got a foam cannon I ordered the black fire foam cannon from AG what to I but the nozzle on? What are the steps how long do I let soak in? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Always hit the car first with your PW to remove any loose dirt and debris. I like to foam 1/2 the car at a time. Start by foaming the roof then start at the front 1/4 panel and go back. By the time I finish foaming the side, the roof has soaked and is ready to wash using a 2 bucket with grit guards. After the roof go to the front. Repeat for the other 1/2. Obviously this may vary based on outside conditions, sun, temp, etc. Good luck.
 
I blast off the crud first, foam it next, let it dwell for a bit (just a couple of minutes), then comes the two bucket method.

While I love my foam cannon and pressure washer, it doesn't actually save any time at all.
 
hogie said:
I blast off the crud first, foam it next, let it dwell for a bit (just a couple of minutes), then comes the two bucket method.

While I love my foam cannon and pressure washer, it doesn't actually save any time at all.
Click to expand...

I don't believe it's meant to save time, it's meant to save the paint from marring.
 
Hello,

Generally, people tend to relate Foam Cannon use to a 'shaving cream' pre-soak, and some limit it's use to the FULL setting only.

The fact is, apart of the 'fun foamy party' you can make using those tools, they are essentially a VERY EFFECTIVE way to pre-rinse before a conventional 2 bucket wash. Even more, it's the most cost-effective way to fill a washing bucket with 'watered foam'.

I went through adapting the foam cannon use because I was running out of shampoo pretty fast because of the cannon... How could I use it in a effectively way plus save in car shampoo?

The first thing I've done was closing the foam valve to it's maximum. If you hold the cannon upwards (let's say, in it's vertical position), the water will pass through it without any or barely any soap. However, if you TILT your cannon horizontally (valve all way closed), you'll get a nice soap water to pre-rinse your vehicle.

Instead of first rinsing with just water, rinse with the foam tilted horizontally (valve closed). The soaped water will help effectively to start loosing dirty. Just after pre-rinsing this way, I change to the pressure TIP (point, nozzle), and rinse again with pressured water.

This is my standard pre-rinse for 2 buckets wash.

This is way more effective than rinsing with just water, and if you notice, you'll be down VERY LITTLE soap, meaning you can use the same cannon to pre-rinse 15-20 vehicles this way effectively.

What is better:

After pre-rinsing the way I've said above, I put the cannon again and FILL THE WASH BUCKET with it.

The 'technique' is pretty much alike:

1. Fill the cannon the way you normally would (1-2oz of shampoo, complete with water (warm water can be better, you must test to see which you prefer).

2. Close the cannon and shake it to mix shampoo solution. Attach it to the pressure washer.

3. Pick up your washing bucket and lay it on the floor.

4. Close the foam valve to the maximum (yes, CLOSE!).

5. Choose the narrow option for the foam jet (just turning the tip of the cannon you can go from wide jet to narrow).

6. Point the cannon DOWNWARDS directed to your wash bucket.

7. Press the 'trigger' and start enjoying a full foamed bucket filling.

8. Fill the entire bucket with this rich, slick and beautiful 'watered foam'.

9. Use it to wash the car.

10. Smile! You've used "~1/10th" shampoo you should generally use on a regular wash.

PS (for both tips above): If you notice your particular shampoo is not performing the way you've imagined after reading my ideas, OPEN slightly the foam valve until you get the desired results / or use 1 additional ounce when preparing the foam reservoir.

Fact is, I'm more than happy using the cannon with low settings and saving on shampoo than when I was going through 2 FULL reservoirs every pre-wash cycle.

I only use it for a while on the maximum setting if I want to impress a client... lol!

If left any doubt in what I've told, please, feel free to ask.

It's really difficult to describe some process in english, I'm really sorry if sounded confusing. Please, do not hesitate to ask.

PS 2: Those tips above are to illustrate we can go further on the foam cannon use. Please, use my ideas, but ADAPT to your own use, discover new techniques and share back with me (us), please!

Kind Regards.
 
spiralout462 said:
I do. I just use the cannon for a pre-wash. It helps to loosen contaminates before you even touch the paint, supposedly. I think foaming is fun regardless!:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Tato said:
Hello,

Generally, people tend to relate Foam Cannon use to a 'shaving cream' pre-soak, and some limit it's use to the FULL setting only.

The fact is, apart of the 'fun foamy party' you can make using those tools, they are essentially a VERY EFFECTIVE way to pre-rinse before a conventional 2 bucket wash. Even more, it's the most cost-effective way to fill a washing bucket with 'watered foam'.

I went through adapting the foam cannon use because I was running out of shampoo pretty fast because of the cannon... How could I use it in a effectively way plus save in car shampoo?

The first thing I've done was closing the foam valve to it's maximum. If you hold the cannon upwards (let's say, in it's vertical position), the water will pass through it without any or barely any soap. However, if you TILT your cannon horizontally (valve all way closed), you'll get a nice soap water to pre-rinse your vehicle.

Instead of first rinsing with just water, rinse with the foam tilted horizontally (valve closed). The soaped water will help effectively to start loosing dirty. Just after pre-rinsing this way, I change to the pressure TIP (point, nozzle), and rinse again with pressured water.

This is my standard pre-rinse for 2 buckets wash.

This is way more effective than rinsing with just water, and if you notice, you'll be down VERY LITTLE soap, meaning you can use the same cannon to pre-rinse 15-20 vehicles this way effectively.

What is better:

After pre-rinsing the way I've said above, I put the cannon again and FILL THE WASH BUCKET with it.

The 'technique' is pretty much alike:

1. Fill the cannon the way you normally would (1-2oz of shampoo, complete with water (warm water can be better, you must test to see which you prefer).

2. Close the cannon and shake it to mix shampoo solution. Attach it to the pressure washer.

3. Pick up your washing bucket and lay it on the floor.

4. Close the foam valve to the maximum (yes, CLOSE!).

5. Choose the narrow option for the foam jet (just turning the tip of the cannon you can go from wide jet to narrow).

6. Point the cannon DOWNWARDS directed to your wash bucket.

7. Press the 'trigger' and start enjoying a full foamed bucket filling.

8. Fill the entire bucket with this rich, slick and beautiful 'watered foam'.

9. Use it to wash the car.

10. Smile! You've used "~1/10th" shampoo you should generally use on a regular wash.

PS (for both tips above): If you notice your particular shampoo is not performing the way you've imagined after reading my ideas, OPEN slightly the foam valve until you get the desired results / or use 1 additional ounce when preparing the foam reservoir.

Fact is, I'm more than happy using the cannon with low settings and saving on shampoo than when I was going through 2 FULL reservoirs every pre-wash cycle.

I only use it for a while on the maximum setting if I want to impress a client... lol!

If left any doubt in what I've told, please, feel free to ask.

It's really difficult to describe some process in english, I'm really sorry if sounded confusing. Please, do not hesitate to ask.

PS 2: Those tips above are to illustrate we can go further on the foam cannon use. Please, use my ideas, but ADAPT to your own use, discover new techniques and share back with me (us), please!

Kind Regards.
Click to expand...

:goodpost: Thanks, very informative. Gonna try it out.
 
Nice, you 'gonna' like it.

I like the 'wide' jet type to pre-rinse with the horizontal tilted cannon, it spreads the watery soap really well.

My thoughts were just to spread the 'versatility' of this tool, you can tweak it to every use. The pre-rinse as cited above in a well maintained vehicle is sufficient to allow a more 'swirl safe' bucket wash. Foam Cannon is for sure a must have, You'll like and use it a lot.

Kind Regards.
 
Tato said:
Fact is, I'm more than happy using the cannon with low settings and saving on shampoo than when I was going through 2 FULL reservoirs every pre-wash cycle.
Click to expand...

It probably depends on the GPM of your pressure washer and obviously the cannon since the pick up is a ratio of the water going through cannon to what is in the reservoir.

My washer is 2 GPM model with a camspray sprayer (not MTM). I mix the it about 1:10 in the bottle (use Optimum or Adams at the moment) and I never use more than 1/2 of the small reservoir so I can soap at least 2 times.

I run on max on CamSpray so the pickup obviously varies. I will pressure wash rinse, then soap, and then either rinse or just start the 2 bucket wash. It is thick enough for what I want it to do.
 
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