Foam Gun

[happos2]

I consider myself a noob at detailing. My car gets dirty with-in two days and sits dirty for some time until I have the time to clean it. Though I do like to take care of it so I don't scratch it when I wash it. Anyways, question on the Foam Guns...

1) Do you use the Foam guns for pre-wash only (apply and wash off) or for your actual wash (meaning using your sponge as well)?

2) A decent foam gun for the hose (no pressure washer) recommendation. I don't want anything too expensive as I will upgrade as I get more involved.

Thanks all!

[chris s]

check a few of the detailing sites. detailersdomain for one. I have a gilmore foam gun, which attaches to a hose. It's great for a prewash and then for the actual wash stage as well. it foams nicely.

I think i paid $60 when i bought it.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by chris s

check a few of the detailing sites. detailersdomain for one. I have a gilmore foam gun, which attaches to a hose. It's great for a prewash and then for the actual wash stage as well. it foams nicely.

I think i paid $60 when i bought it.

Thanks for the answers and suggestion.

[positiveions]

What I do is pre-rinse my car. Then use the foamaster gun to apply the soap, wait for few minutes, and then rinse off. Then apply another foam, and wash.

I used to use Gilmour foamaster gun II. But now I have a power washer with MTM lance foam-works better.

[chris s]

Originally Posted by positiveions

What I do is pre-rinse my car. Then use the foamaster gun to apply the soap, wait for few minutes, and then rinse off. Then apply another foam, and wash.

I used to use Gilmour foamaster gun II. But now I have a power washer with MTM lance foam-works better.

Exactly what i do...

[nullrouted]

I used to get the idea from these forums that the MTM would be good enough to just foam on/rinse off -- this is not the case. What I've begun to do is foam up a section of the car, wash off with grit-guarded rinse bucket and MF mitt. Then rinse with power washer -- repeat with the next section. I tried foaming the entire car and then rinsing off, but most of the grime is stuck on good enough that it didn't remove it.

After the wash, dry with big MF towel, then hit any missed/tough spots with QD and/or 3M Adhesive remover with a little MF towel (tough bugs, etc).

[happos2]

Thanks all.

[THE TECH]

I use a foam gun for the prewash. Microfiber sponge for actual wash. I never dry with any sort of towel. I use the Master Blaster to air dry.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I use a foam gun for the prewash. Microfiber sponge for actual wash. I never dry with any sort of towel. I use the Master Blaster to air dry.

I guess what I was getting at is do you scrub the foam with your microfiber sponge? Pre-wash you apply and rinse correct..

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by happos2

I guess what I was getting at is do you scrub the foam with your microfiber sponge? Pre-wash you apply and rinse correct..

I do not rinse the prewash before scrubbing as most of what's there has run down the car already.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I do not rinse the prewash before scrubbing as most of what's there has run down the car already.

gotcha. Thanks Matt.

[W///]

Originally Posted by nullrouted

I used to get the idea from these forums that the MTM would be good enough to just foam on/rinse off -- this is not the case. What I've begun to do is foam up a section of the car, wash off with grit-guarded rinse bucket and MF mitt. Then rinse with power washer -- repeat with the next section. I tried foaming the entire car and then rinsing off, but most of the grime is stuck on good enough that it didn't remove it.

After the wash, dry with big MF towel, then hit any missed/tough spots with QD and/or 3M Adhesive remover with a little MF towel (tough bugs, etc).

Exactly what I do.

Having said that though, I'd rather have a powerwasher than a foam gun if I was given the choice. Got a small electric one from Walmart for like $160. Very handy to have.

[Tanz_S65]

Heads up if you're thinking about buying the Gilmore foam gun...cheaper on Amazon than detailersdomain. Not to knock Phil at all because they are top notch and they're my go-to vendor but facts are facts.

[Brian_Fantana]

Honeydew snowfoam plus foam cannon from detailers domain.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Brian_Fantana

Honeydew snowfoam plus foam cannon from detailers domain.

just curious but how much did you use and what is the gpm/psi of your pressure washer

[Brian_Fantana]

I typically fill my bottle until I have room enough left for about 4 oz of product. Turn the foam all the way up and use a generac pressure washer. Specs are 2.3 gpm and 2700 psi. During my rinse I'm sure to use a head that does not allow me to utilize all 2700 psi to ensure I don't damage my clear coat. Electrics are super convenient, but expensive to get one with consistently favorable reviews.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com...her/p6545.html

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Brian_Fantana

I typically fill my bottle until I have room enough left for about 4 oz of product. Turn the foam all the way up and use a generac pressure washer. Specs are 2.3 gpm and 2700 psi. During my rinse I'm sure to use a head that does not allow me to utilize all 2700 psi to ensure I don't damage my clear coat. Electrics are super convenient, but expensive to get one with consistently favorable reviews.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com...her/p6545.html

I thought I saw a gas powered system. The more power the thicker the foam you get

[OC ///M]

^ Besides having the right pressure and flow rate, (I've found the best success w/ 1.8gpm & 2k psi) the thickest and longest-lasting foam is created when running a DI system instead of straight city water.

[Hujan]

Forgive my naivety as I'm just getting into DIY washing and detailing . . .

Is the purpose of the foam gun to greatly reduce the risk of swirls/scratches when you wash?

I do the two-bucket wash with grates and use a microfiber mitt (all of which I got from Adams/Detailers Domain). I'm planning to get a blower/dryer so that I can avoid drying with a cloth. But I'm still paranoid about getting swirls/scratches even with the two-bucket method.

Would a pre-rinse with foam help?

Also, are you guys rinsing with water and then foaming, or just going straight to foam?

Thanks gents!

[skins333]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Forgive my naivety as I'm just getting into DIY washing and detailing . . .

Is the purpose of the foam gun to greatly reduce the risk of swirls/scratches when you wash?

I do the two-bucket wash with grates and use a microfiber mitt (all of which I got from Adams/Detailers Domain). I'm planning to get a blower/dryer so that I can avoid drying with a cloth. But I'm still paranoid about getting swirls/scratches even with the two-bucket method.

Would a pre-rinse with foam help?

Also, are you guys rinsing with water and then foaming, or just going straight to foam?

Thanks gents!

Yup. Here is one example with good explanation.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Forgive my naivety as I'm just getting into DIY washing and detailing . . .

Is the purpose of the foam gun to greatly reduce the risk of swirls/scratches when you wash?

I do the two-bucket wash with grates and use a microfiber mitt (all of which I got from Adams/Detailers Domain). I'm planning to get a blower/dryer so that I can avoid drying with a cloth. But I'm still paranoid about getting swirls/scratches even with the two-bucket method.

Would a pre-rinse with foam help?

Also, are you guys rinsing with water and then foaming, or just going straight to foam?

Thanks gents!

Straight to foam

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by skins333

Yup. Here is one example with good explanation.

Originally Posted by rjd598

Straight to foam

Thanks for this, guys. I've been missing out. Definitely going to pick one up.