Foam Gun. Do I really need one?

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Blackfire

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I keep my cars clean with weekly washing.

Is a Foam Gun really necessary on a clean car?

Seems like overkill to me, or a play toy (an expensive one) since my cars are kept clean.

Your thoughts?
 
NO - I only use a foam gun for Dealer Lot Washes where I Foam them and hire a few $5 an hour monkies to rinse and dry!
 
That's what I figured. I'll put my money in something that makes a difference in my detailing practice.

Thanks for the reassuring thought.
 
I was thinking about buying one too. Do any of you have any reasons why to buy it?
 
They are great for pre-soak if you car gets very dirty and you get alot of crud on the paint. You can foam up the car and pre-soak to help loosen up the grime and wash it off before you even touch the paint. It is also great for winters were you have snow because it can loosen up the salt and grime so you are less likely to mar the paint.
 
It's OK to have/use if you got a dark colored car or a car with soft clearcoat. It's useful if you're gonna do a paint correction and don't have to worry about stripping LSP. I found that if you use a really strong dilution of Chemical guys CWG, it does help take off some grit and grime before actual manual agitation. IMHO if you use "weaker" soaps you'll get more lubrication, but not much benefit for the effort.
 
I can't imagine a detailer having a dirty car or truck, or is it just my OCD?
 
Blackfire said:
I can't imagine a detailer having a dirty car or truck, or is it just my OCD?
Click to expand...

Same, I think only the professional detailers (apart from people living in freezing climates) would normally have cars dirty enough to *need* a foam gun (for clients cars that is).

Even so, I have one sitting in my cart, along with an order of DP Extreme Foam so I'm anxious to try it (although it is pricy!).

I'm planning on using it more on the wheel wells and using to squirt inside the wheel so I have some nice foam to use my Daytona Wheel Master Speed Brush (also in cart :p) with.

My car never gets dirty enough to need a foam gun, but if you have a black or dark dark blue car, then I guess one would be extra protection.

I may end up removing it though due to size (and shipping box size)- it is quite big isn't it? (+ that $50 can go towards some other tools :D)
 
The Foam Gun is fantastic, it's a necessity for me. Like others said, it's just a really great pre-soak to help loosen the dirt to make it easier to wash the vehicle. After cleaning and rinsing the wheels, I usually foam up the wheels and wheel wells as well and let the soap sit for a couple minutes to break down any remaining dirt and then I rinse.
 
I've decided. My cars average 7 miles per day. Are garaged the rest of the time. In winter, I keep the garage heated and wash weekly or more often as needed. Gun and soap is about $100, not to mention the wasted water. I think I'll pass on the fun and buy some of that Cirtus Wash that's on sale at the contraband site.:D
 
Yeah, sounds like a good idea. Just keep in mind that you don't have to use DP Xtreme Foam Formula with the foam gun. Any foaming car wash soap will deliver awesome foam. I currently use RainX Foaming Car Wash Soap which is $5.47 for 100oz at Walmart.

Also, I'm going to post this in my "What kind of sprayer is this?" thread that I purchased two of those weirdo top-pump sprayers. It was only $6.70 each + tax and it seems like you could fill up a couple oz of car wash soap, the rest water, pump it up, and then spray the soap/water mixture wherever you need. Since it's air-powered, you should be able to get some foam out of it.
 
Do you need one?
No.
But once you try it, you'll probably never go back to the bucket method.
I have found that it reduces the vehicle wash time by at least half, and uses substantially less water.
It is also great for washing large vehicles--boats, trailers, semi's, motor homes, etc. I even use it for washing the windows and siding on the house.
Need-no. Convenient/Time Saver-ABSOLUTELY!!
 
foam gun is not necessary, foam cannon, and a pressure washer are necessary.
 
Blackfire said:
I keep my cars clean with weekly washing.

Is a Foam Gun really necessary on a clean car?

Seems like overkill to me, or a play toy (an expensive one) since my cars are kept clean.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Check your private messages.
 
Need no, but I am really glad I bought one. I was on the fence about it for awhile too.

I have the Gilmour version and use it mostly for prerinse. Using the foam gun has made cleaning my wheels and wheel well easier by coating them heavily before washing rest of vehicle then recoat wheels/wheel wells.
 
What kind of Time savings does the added step of a pre rinse tool give you? Do you no longer need to use a 2 bucket system? you just agitate the foam on the car then rinse??? do explain the process of using the foam cannon with High pressure PW

Thanks in advance!
 
two years later and I still love and use the foam gun religiously. It presoaks which I feel makes a difference. I still use one bucket of crystal clear water and rinse towel/mitt after each panel. I can squirt the additional soap/water on the fly. Cleanup is quick too, just rinse and done for next use.
 
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