Anyone given up on snow foam?
Discussion
Anyone think foam it isn't all that & stopped using it?
I'm using bilt hamber which is meant to be a good one but stand there wondering if it actualy does anything / enough to justify the time
I have 3 cars and washing them is not a pleasure for me so I can't be bothered with uneccesary steps or ones that offer only very marginal benefits
Is there any movement in the industry against this or is it generally considered to be worthwhile?
I'm using bilt hamber which is meant to be a good one but stand there wondering if it actualy does anything / enough to justify the time
I have 3 cars and washing them is not a pleasure for me so I can't be bothered with uneccesary steps or ones that offer only very marginal benefits
Is there any movement in the industry against this or is it generally considered to be worthwhile?
I’ve changed approach slightly.
I still use the Bilt Hamber, but now used from a pump sprayer instead of the snow foam lance.
Tests have shown the cleaning power to be basically the same, but there are advantages:
1) it’s much easier to get the correct 4% concentration so should be more effective for many.
2) you can leave it mixed up in a big pump sprayer and just grab it to use quickly before the main wash. A full pump sprayer will do several washes.
3) much neater in terms of mess.
I still use the Bilt Hamber, but now used from a pump sprayer instead of the snow foam lance.
Tests have shown the cleaning power to be basically the same, but there are advantages:
1) it’s much easier to get the correct 4% concentration so should be more effective for many.
2) you can leave it mixed up in a big pump sprayer and just grab it to use quickly before the main wash. A full pump sprayer will do several washes.
3) much neater in terms of mess.
Chris32345 said:
Depends on what you think it's gonna do
Just spray it on and rinse it off and expect it to be clean?
Er no, I have used it exactly as it is intended for a couple of years but am still wondering if it does fJust spray it on and rinse it off and expect it to be clean?
k all, problem is it is so entrenched I'm not sure people would admit that now but I can't be the only one wonderingjakesmith said:
Impressive... is your car waxed / protected?
Yep, Bilt Hamber Double Speed wax then topped up with detail spray now and again. It does help the cleaning process loads tbh. Wheels aren’t treated with anything though. Last winter I didn’t bother with contact wash for weeks as a quick snow foam was good enough.Edited by _Hoppers on Wednesday 9th September 21:33
MDMA . said:
jakesmith said:
Impressive... is your car waxed / protected?
It's the only way to get the best from snowfoam. Can the car be effectively waxed without using a machine that may damage the paint when I balls it up
How long does it take?
How long does it last before needing redoing
How much does a basic but effective wax cost
I use autoglym type stuff normally
jakesmith said:
Got a wax recommendation?
Thought wax was to seal it, what’s the sealant then?
Give it a quick once over with Turtle Wax Hybrid Sealant Hydrophobic Wax. You can get it for £8-10, it's quick and easy to use, and you'll soon find out if having a sealant makes your snow foam more effective.Thought wax was to seal it, what’s the sealant then?
I have AutoGlanz Spritzer pre-wash/snow-foam, which is also well regarded, and have yet to see much effect beyond what I'd see just using the pressure washer. Maybe my car doesn't get grimy enough for the cleaning poweeer to be apparent.
England87 said:
Depends how you use it, I no longer leave it then wash. My routine is jet wash car down, then spray foam, leave 2 mins and wash mitt the foam, then free flow water rinse it off. Comes up great but the car is also ceramic coated with carbon collective.
Thought the poi t of foam was to loosen dirt to then pressure wash off, to avoid swirls. If you’re effectively using the foam as shampoo how does that prevent marking the paint?jakesmith said:
England87 said:
Depends how you use it, I no longer leave it then wash. My routine is jet wash car down, then spray foam, leave 2 mins and wash mitt the foam, then free flow water rinse it off. Comes up great but the car is also ceramic coated with carbon collective.
Thought the poi t of foam was to loosen dirt to then pressure wash off, to avoid swirls. If you’re effectively using the foam as shampoo how does that prevent marking the paint?jakesmith said:
Polish
Wax
Seal
What polish? Super Resin OK?
Got a wax recommendation?
Thought wax was to seal it, what’s the sealant then?
Whatever one you like using/comfortable with. SR is a good polish. I have about 10 different brands at home! I personally like Poorboys, Chemical Guys and Collinite. All are very easy to apply/take off. Just get the prep right, do in the right order, take your time. Wax
Seal
What polish? Super Resin OK?
Got a wax recommendation?
Thought wax was to seal it, what’s the sealant then?
_Hoppers said:
It works well for me, before and after shots below after treatment with Bilt Hambers snow foam.
Are you seriously trying to pass the difference in these images off as being down to snow foam? 
For anyone else being misled by this, the deeper shade of paint, the detail in the gravel, the shadows, even the light clusters have all been affected by, and its purely down to whatever filters, software etc _Hoppers is using to enhance/saturate/increase contrast/vibrance etc etc etc etc!
By the way _Hoppers, did you use it on the conifers as well, they've come up lovely.
MDMA . said:
Wash the car as normal, then clay it all over. Next with the polish, then your wax, then seal it. It's all in the prep. Get that done and it should last 6-12 months easy. Your weekly clean will be so much easier next time.
You're doing it wrong.Wax is always the final stage. Sealant seals in the shine. Most sealants don't stick to wax.
As you say, it's all in the prep (if you do it right).
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