Foam Cannon vs Touchless Wash

Crispy

Crispy

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I don't get the foam gun application of soap to the car being a great idea.

If I take my car through a Touchless Car Wash it does the same thing, exept I don't use a wash mitt before I rinse.

Basically I'm washing the car twice by applying foam and then washing with my wash mitt.

I don't see any advantage over just washing my normal way (wash mitt and rinse).

Am I missing something?

Foam doesn't clean (the detergent cleans and the foam is for show only).
 
Crispy said:
I don't get the foam gun application of soap to the car being a great idea.

If I take my car through a Touchless Car Wash it does the same thing, exept I don't use a wash mitt before I rinse.

Basically I'm washing the car twice by applying foam and then washing with my wash mitt.

I don't see any advantage over just washing my normal way (wash mitt and rinse).

Am I missing something?

Foam doesn't clean (the detergent cleans and the foam is for show only).
Click to expand...

I kind of agree... Wouldn't it be better to do a pre rinse with a power washer, then foam, then go straight to hand wash with mitt using the foam without needing a soap bucket? That's what I would do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My thoughts are a bit different. I pre-rinse with a power washer, foam, then hand wash with a two bucket method. The idea is the foam helps loosen, or break down, some of the dirt on the car. There was a user that posted some video reviews on different soaps in his foam cannon. The after results of just the foam being sprayed off alone were enough to convince me that it at least does something.

Either way I spend an extra 5 minutes on the car, and an extra 1.5oz of soap each wash. No big deal to me.
 
@jdubs. What soap do you use?


Sent from my iPhone
 
Crispy said:
I don't get the foam gun application
of soap to the car being a great idea.

If I take my car through a Touchless Car
Wash it does the same thing, exept I
don't use a wash mitt before I rinse.

Basically I'm washing the car twice by
applying foam and then washing with
my wash mitt.

I don't see any advantage over just washing
my normal way (wash mitt and rinse).

Am I missing something?

Foam doesn't clean (the detergent cleans
and the foam is for show only).
Click to expand...
[Leaving dedicated Traffic Film Removers
(TFRs) out of the equation]...the majority
of (Snow)Foams---especially those for the
USA market, it seems---are not formulated
to be wash-agents.


•My theory is that the foam can act
as a friendly visual reminder, that:
-performing a thorough pre-wash rinse
operation is first, and foremost, in any
car-washing session.


•And:
-Since I was taught at a very young age
to always rinse-off the vehicle prior to
ever touching it with cleaning tools...
even if they're going to be loaded down
with cleaning solutions...(a "Best Practice"
from which I've never strayed); then:
-I personally don't believe that I need to
employ the aforementioned "reminder".



Bob
 
Some touchless washes use some harsh chemicals that degrade the lsp you have on the vehicle. If you pressure wash a car 5 mins or less total time spent, then use a foam gun or cannon to add lubrication to the vehicle surface to diminish chances of wash induced swirls, then use a proper 2bucket method you will have the safest possible solution to washing a car imo. Soap is that pricey and it's worth it to me to be extra careful on a vehicle I maintain to the t
 
Eldorado2k said:
@jdubs. What soap do you use?


Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

Depends on what i'm doing but my current go to until i'm out is Chemical Guys V7 soap. It's extremely slick. I'll admit I have a ton of their other soaps as I was a CG purist until I found this forum after a bad customer service situation.
 
I've always pre-soaked my vehicles before washing by hand(just water). that being said it never truly loosens up the grime & dirt. Santa just brought me a foam cannon & that's how I'm going to pre-soak my vehicle before hand washing. sometimes the car or truck sits in the garage catching dust. then I'll use the foam cannon & just rinse for a clean vehicle. when it's to cold outside to wash I'll hit a touch free car wash on the way home. then pulling in the garage I'll use a waterless wash to touch up. this was a long version of me thinking a foam cannon is a good tool. now I just need some nice weather to try it out. JMO.
hmardown
 
I presoak or foam as much as I can. My rationale is this: if I can do anything to minimize the direct contact with the paint, I will do it to minimize the scratches and swirls that direct contact causes.

Now, I am fully aware that it may offer no or only very minute benefit, but there is no logical conclusion that it INCREASES the chance of swirling.

Yes, it may take more time.

Yes, it may add an additional expense in terms of soap, water, time and electricity.

However, that time and money potentially lost by foaming pales in comparison to the expense and time lost by doing a paint correction and recoating/resealing prematurely.

This foam may help lubricate the surface and may help encapsulate some of the dirt.

Plus, it's fun!

Sent via my mobile device...
 
taking your car through a laserwash strips the wax off it. they use a strong acid in the first spray then a neutralizer in the next. thats the only way they can get heavy dirt off peoples cars without touching them. its strong enough to fade your paint too over time, good luck
 
In the winter, I use the "coin-op", rinse only, and then do rinseless at home in the garage.
 
Foam can be a great tool for different situations. I use it to knock the dust and light dirt off my garage queens. Blow them dry with the Master Blaster, and they're clean without putting a finger on them. I also have used it as a quick touchless wash in between my normal washes on daily drivers. Earlier this week the temperature made it all the way up into the mid 30's. I was able to foam my daily driver and get some of the salt and dirt off before doing a waterless wash. Sparkling clean car without ever getting my hands wet. When you own two black cars and a Polo Green one, you try to put every advantage you can in your corner.
I have also read that many touchless car washes recycle their water. I don't trust anybody's filtering system. Maybe it does make the water cleaner than tap water. Maybe not. Who's maintaining it? Does it get all the salt out? Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't want any part of that.
 
Hey, Black Lab! Good to see another "Chicagoan" on the forums. Would love to meet you at Rise and Drive along with Klasse Act this spring -- more opportunities to foam the car when this awful weather moves out!
 
kevincwelch said:
Hey, Black Lab! Good to see another "Chicagoan" on the forums. Would love to meet you at Rise and Drive along with Klasse Act this spring -- more opportunities to foam the car when this awful weather moves out!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the warm greeting Kevin! I've never been to the Rise and Drive events. They look like a great time. Will definitely have to check it out and meet you guys. I'm already daydreaming about weather that's warm enough to use real water in buckets to wash the cars :laughing:
 
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