Snowfoam

[evo8]

A friend pre-washes his car with snowfoam and swares buy it. Does anyone use snowfoam on their bike? I am finding it a bit of a pain to get in all the little gaps etc so I thought it would be worth a shot. The preasure washer does not go near my bike and never will, so I was going to get one of these to spray it on with, what are your thoughts?

[SAS Tom]

I use it on my bike. You can see the dirt that it gets off but I wouldn't say it gets that much off. I bought it as a toy really just because it's more fun than a bucket and sponge.

You need a pressure washer for it to work properly though, it's not going to do a right lot in a sprayer like that. You'd be better with a pre wash type product.

[podman]

You can apply the term "snowfoam" to almost anything, all you are doing is making the detergent/product foam , this foam then clings to the surface for longer Vs "normal" cleaning, the longer contact time (from foaming a product) should make for a more effective and quicker clean..in theory..

In practice a good quality detergent will still clean and remove soil much better than a lesser one, even if a cheaper product is put through a foamer..!

I work for a chemical company and quite often use a spray nozzle which makes the degreaser (Gunk) I use foam and cling to the more heavilly soiled metal parts...this nozzle was actually designed for a bathroom spray, to clean vertical surfaces in showers/bathrooms...the principal is the same thou.

So, dont get hung up on the term "snowfoam", use a good quality detergent and apply it in the manner directed by the manufacturer...

[RemaL]

I snowfoam most of my cars and bike. Not every wash but find it does help to remove some of the crap left on the bodywork. It will need a good wash after with a bucket and shampoo but seems to work well

I use

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

with this

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

on my pressure washer. And no I do not get close to remove stickers/grease. Just enough to apply and remove the snowfoam. And never had any damage to my bike in many years of using it on my bikes

[theshrew]

Yes i use it

[Mr OCD]

Yep... every single wash. It stops the dirt under the fairings from building up and reduces inflicting scratching to your paintwork.

It is important you are careful what snow foam you are using though... stick with PH neutral and you will be fine.

[AdamGP]

I snow foam my car and bike before every wash, followed with the bucket and lambs wool mit, I use Valet Pro snow foam with a CYC lance, I probably wouldnt bother with the hand lance as there know to not generate much foam.

[Renn Sport]

I probably dont wash my bike as much as OCD but I use Snowfoam.

First I wet the bike and then apply muck off and agitate the naughty bits. Then rinse
The Snowfoam and leave for a few minutes
Then repeat rinse
Then soapy water and wash the bike
The dry with microfibre towels
- supposed to use a leaf blower next but I haven't yet -
Then polish

While I do this my 6 year old does the same process on his BMX.

[Mr OCD]

Renn Sport said:

I probably dont wash my bike as much as OCD but I use Snowfoam.

First I wet the bike and then apply muck off and agitate the naughty bits. Then rinse
The Snowfoam and leave for a few minutes
Then repeat rinse
Then soapy water and wash the bike
The dry with microfibre towels
- supposed to use a leaf blower next but I haven't yet -
Then polish

While I do this my 6 year old does the same process on his BMX.

I won't use a leaf blower on the bike... it can blow water out, but it can also push water into places it won't have reached with the pressure washer...

[evo8]

Mr OCD said:

I won't use a leaf blower on the bike... it can blow water out, but it can also push water into places it won't have reached with the pressure washer...

Thats why I will not use a preassure washer on it, used it once on my old bike and took me about an hour to get it started!!

[3DP]

I use snow foam and a good quality lance when cleaning from filthy. Lifts the dirt and penetrates well, before jetwashing off. Then the wash mitt can start knowing the gravel and bits that score the paint and wax are gone. I'm a bit OCD with my cleaning regime.

Jet washing isn't a problem as long as you know what you are doing. If you are detailing a radiator there's not much option but to use one.

Rules.

1. Don't drive the water 'up' into places it was never designed to be.
2. Get a feel for your jet washer. Get a friendly person to fire it at your hand, and note the distances where the force is acceptable/soft etc. If it's hurting your hand, you absolutely don't want to be that close with the jet to your bike.
3. Avoid electrics, bearings, switchgear, chain and clocks.
4. Dry the bike thoroughly after washing. Usually a shortish ride, riding the brakes to heat everything up.
5. Lubricate everything afterwards.

After 3000 miles rapid riding on a Euro trip.





Finished (although a mix of Muc-off and Autoglym degreaser was also used)

[Mr OCD]

evo8 said:

Thats why I will not use a preassure washer on it, used it once on my old bike and took me about an hour to get it started!!

On modern bikes it is not an issue at all... I've been doing this for a few years

[evo8]

Mr OCD said:

On modern bikes it is not an issue at all... I've been doing this for a few years

She was built in 1981, not old but not what i would call modern either.

Just ordered some ValetPRO pH Neutral Snow Foam, I will try it with my preassure washer when it arrives and see how it goes.

[Richyboy]

I use one that connects direct to the hose pipe also have a water softener so the foam clings nicely to the dirt. A pressure washer would probably rip my italian exotica apart lol.

[benters]

I use snow foam, got my jallop from the boys at polished bliss. . . .not sure its any better than the demon shine that your local Halfords may sell, but others with more knowledge than I will be able to answer that one. Overall though a good idea, it seems to really do its thing on brake dust, loosening it up nicely I find.

[theshrew]

[quote=benters]I use snow foam, got my jallop from the boys at polished bliss. . . .not sure its any better than the demon shine that your local Halfords quote]

Ive used Demon shine when ive ran out in the past as its just handy to get, its better than nothing. Not as good as others ive used + it doesnt smell very nice.