Foam Cannon: Over it

phens82 said:
Finally, in almost desperation, I flipped the wand upside down (with the idea that gravity may help get the soap into the high pressure water, and create foam). It worked somewhat better, so I finished washing the car that way. But it was still definitely not "foam".
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Did you attach the solution suction tube? This tube is usually not attached and loose in the box. If you are not drawing foam solution into the foam head you are not going to get foam. If it is attached make sure it is not damaged.
 
feslope said:
Did you attach the solution suction tube? This tube is usually not attached and loose in the box. If you are not drawing foam solution into the foam head you are not going to get foam. If it is attached make sure it is not damaged.
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Feslope - thanks for your reply. I am going to go home and look for the tube. I am 99.9% sure that will solve my issue. Thanks! :xyxthumbs:
 
phens82 said:
Feslope - thanks for your reply. I am going to go home and look for the tube. I am 99.9% sure that will solve my issue. Thanks! :xyxthumbs:
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I hope that does it for you. Let us know. Im the MAN
 
feslope said:
Did you attach the solution suction tube? This tube is usually not attached and loose in the box. If you are not drawing foam solution into the foam head you are not going to get foam. If it is attached make sure it is not damaged.
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:goodpost: Fred you are the man!
 
I think it was mentioned, but try adjusting your dilution levels. You said you added a couple of ounces of shampoo, then filled it all the way up with water. Next time try just using those couple of ounces of shampoo with less or even no water added.
 
Guys..you mentioned adding warm water...

Why not cold?

Warm water for a foam gun too?
 
runrun411 said:
I've been thinking about a foam cannon too. But I have a couple of questions:

1) Other than the fact that it looks so cool, is it really that much better than just putting soap in a bucket? :dunno:

2) Do you have to agitate the soap when it's on the car (most of the time when I see people post using one I don't see any mention of that)? :dunno:

3) Isn't it a little bit of a hassle because you have to hook up and plug in the pressure washer not to mention break it all down when your done? :dunno:

4) I have a Husky 1750 power washer, will it be good enough or do I need a better one? :doh:
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Mark my word:
Foam---otherwise known as "Suds"---has absolutely nothing to do with the actual cleaning of a vehicle.

Bob
 
I agree with Bob on this one. I own a foam cannon and used it a hand full of times. It now collects dusty in the detailing closet. It is a complete waste of time. You will get far more benefit from a powerful jet of water from a pressure washer than any foam soak.
 
I have the exact same Simpson PW and an MTM foam cannon. With 2 oz of citrus wash and gloss I get shaving cream. I do have really hard water; city water with about 70 psi static pressure and 20 psi residual @ 4000 gpm. I use an inline water softener which likely restricts inlet flow.
 
mikesal57 said:
Guys..you mentioned adding warm water...

Why not cold?

Warm water for a foam gun too?
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you can use cold water and im sure you'll still get good results.

The soap mixes easier and faster with warm/hot water.
 
If you wash weekly, you don't even need to consider a foam cannon. They take more time and product than is necessary to wash safely. Just wait until you have to clean one and have to replace screens. They are time consuming, product wasting, soap sellers best friend. In some cases they help but if you are meticulous about taking care of your car...it's the best scam going.
 
I use a foam cannon a lot. Pretty much every time I wash my car at home. Yes, it's a huge drag, time waster, and soap waster. Maybe I'll stop using it and just pressure wash the car down. Does it really do anything with regular soap? Who knows?
 
It gives off the image of "clean". Had many new clients because of it. They would drive by and ask "what the heck is that?"

I use it as a presoak for some details. Majority of the time, it's rinseless washes or bust.
 
I'm not sure if I am going to get a foam cannon but I am interested in a PW for sure. Building a house and when it is done I will use it for the driveway, house, car, garage floor, patio, shooting upper windows, etc etc etc...

I think it would be great for the car to blast off the big pieces - the hose just doesn't do it.
 
Gokite said:
I'm not sure if I am going to get a foam cannon but I am interested in a PW for sure. Building a house and when it is done I will use it for the driveway, house, car, garage floor, patio, shooting upper windows, etc etc etc...

I think it would be great for the car to blast off the big pieces - the hose just doesn't do it.
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It's possible you'd want a more powerful one for the house and driveway... I've had both gas and electric models. The electrics are nicer for washing cars, but the gas - with their higher psi and gpm ratings work much better for fences/decks/pavement. Just my $.02
 
I've had my doubts about the utility of the foam cannon. I'm not sure the foaming really does anything additional to the pressure washing I do prior to that and then the 2BM wash I do after the foaming.

It's fun, though.

 
phens82 said:
The electrics are nicer for washing cars, but the gas - with their higher psi and gpm ratings work much better for fences/decks/pavement. Just my $.02
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True, the electrics offer convenience and safety for cars plus they automatically use much less water..much less than using a hose even when just rinsing.

Gas have all issues with gas: usually louder, gas and oil, etc. My gas one is a must though on cleaning decks quickly but it it is inconvenient to set up, etc compared to my electric.
 
phens82 said:
suction draught tube??? Theres a SUCTION DRAUGHT TUBE?? haha.. I did not realize this until I was checking out zmcgovern45's blog entry over on the DI AAP Blog. :eek::dunno::dig::doh:

I think I've identified the problem. Will report back after I secure this tube and try again

Thanks everyone :props:
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There you go!

I had a feeling that was the problem once I read you had to turn it upside down in order to get a slight improvement.

Hopefully you get your desired results going forward--let us know...
 
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyAyU1reGZ4]The Best Pre-Wash / Snow Foam 2014 Bilt Hamber Surfex HD - SON1C Synopsis 70 Review - YouTube[/video]
degreaser in the foam cannon

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLbx97mWfB0]Snow Foaming Kawasaki Ninja 300 Motorcycle and Two Bucket Hand Washing with Chemical Guys Shampoo - YouTube[/video]
cg wash+wax

This was a bit hard to showcase on video especially on white, but the foam cannon over just a pressure wash is much more effective than just a pressure wash in my experience.
 
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