Snow Foam; how to, and what next...?

[TonyHetherington]

Hi world

I'm new to the world of snow-foam, however, i love the idea of it - so a couple of questions if I may?

Firstly, when you cover the car in foam and then leave it, what's next? Do you then totally rinse it and then do a normal contact wash? (I assume you don't use the foam as suds?).

Secondly, I assume it has to be done using a jet washer? If so I'd better dig mine out the garage

Thanks
Tony

[domster]

Yes and yes. And use a foam lance attachment.

TBH, whilst contact is minimal and foam is high, snowfoaming is a lower grade clean than using a TFR or contact wash. But it is fun and if a strong foam and enogh dwell time is used it can do something. But don't assume it cleans like a normal shampoo wash - air doesn't clean cars per se (although the bubbling action helps lift surface dirt) and the foam IS very aerated. Hence the long dwell time needed.

[TonyHetherington]

ah cool thanks. Having had the car newly refreshed I'm trying to make sure my wash proecss will introduce minimal (if any) scratches, and was hoping the snow foam would get rid of the surface dirt a bit better

How long is a long dwell time - 10mins something like that?!

[belleair302]

Dwell time is usually between 5 and 8 mins. Then pressure wash off at a 45 degree angle to lift away and surface dirt, mud, tar etc.

[kds keltec]

Tony,

For a car to visit first time to me then we use strong proper snow chemicals that are just for that job with a bit of bug and tar remover or all purpose cleaner if really grubby

snow foam cleaners

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/v...

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/s...

http://www.bilthamber.com/autofoam.html



mixed with a combo of this sometimes

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/c...

or

http://www.bilthamber.com/surfex-hd.html

or


http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-amp-exterior/...


but for machined corrected paint then i would only use this after wash unless its got alot of tar etc

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/dodo-juice/dodo-...

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/zaino-z-7-show...

here is the snow foam for jet wash

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/f...

and snow foam for standard hose


http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/s...


you can just put a quality shampoo in the snow foam lance , apply and rinse then wash with 2 bucket method, if you really are trying your best to keep swirls back.

The strong foams and tar/bug removers WILL strip the protective coat faster than gentle shampoos


I section from dom on how to

http://www.dodojuice.com/dodo-juice-detailing.html

Dom has a range of shampoos

http://www.dodojuice.com/born-to-be-mild-ph-neutra...

http://www.dodojuice.com/supernatural-shampoo-prem...

thats enough links to keep you going

kelly

[TonyHetherington]

Awesome stuff, thanks Kelly - I'm going to go and spend some (more) money

[kds keltec]

TonyHetherington said:

Awesome stuff, thanks Kelly - I'm going to go and spend some (more) money

I do keep some of the above in stock, but understand you may want to buy all in one order from one supplier

Kelly

[TonyHetherington]

What a plank - of course, ok I'll suss what I want then come by yours first (might be next week, but no rush - intend to wash car next weekend).

[Neil_Sc]

I can highly recommend Bilt Hamber autofoam, it is my favourite snow foam product and really helps me with the winter wash especially.

I tend to leave to dwell for five minutes. It is important to get the mix correct with any product to ensure it performs well.

I would recommend emptying a foam lance into a bucket with your washer so you can gauge what amount of product to put in the lance.

IIRC you want BH autofoam to hit the car at around 4% concentration.

[TonyHetherington]

Unfortunately a wash isn't going to happen this wekeend - but the lance for the pressure washer is ordered, and I'll pop in next week Kelly to get some supernatural shampoo from you. Thanks

Annoyingly it rained last night so the car has those dust spots where the water collects then dries. Boooo.

[LordGrover]

I use the 'dwell time' to brush the wheels and arches while they're covered in foam.
Probably a big nono from the pros, but saves a little time later.

[RedSpiseeBalls]

onedaylikethis said:

Many of the snow foams are very fancy pants when really it's a basic product that does a job.

I don't think you could describe this product as a basic snow foam!

Not all are created equal

http://www.detailedclean.co.uk/washing-and-drying/...

[RichB]

New to all this snow-foam malarkey but as the cars have got winter grime I thought I'd give it a go. I've got a lance with my jet washer but no product. Also why/how does emptying a lance into a bucket help you calculate how much product to use?

Neil_Sc said:

I can highly recommend Bilt Hamber autofoam, it is my favourite snow foam product and really helps me with the winter wash especially. I tend to leave to dwell for five minutes. It is important to get the mix correct with any product to ensure it performs well. I would recommend emptying a foam lance into a bucket with your washer so you can gauge what amount of product to put in the lance. IIRC you want BH autofoam to hit the car at around 4% concentration.