Discussion
I recently bought a newer steam cleaner from Karcher and as they now have "quad lock" for really fast changes I invested in the Karcher snow cannon to replace the old one I had from ultimate finish....using the same snow foam it is much better with great adjustability of water mix, fan spray orientation and nozzle size. I can now swap from cannon to lance in a flick of the wrist.
Ok Guys, seeing as this debate has a large amount of Unconvinced Foam users I decided to do a test with the product and show you the difference between a good snow foam and just a jetwash.
The product is BH Autofoam , This is the best snow foam that I have ever used and has incredible results at only £17.00 per 4ltrs.
The recommended dilution ratio is 4% PIR (Panel Impact Rate)
to work out your impact rate fill your cannon with water.
next connect to a jet wash , turn the ratio adjuster on the lance to full (Clockwise)
Now empty the cannon via your JW into a bucket and measure the amount of water used.
My Total was 10trs + 1ltr in the cannon = 11ltrs x this by 4% = 440ml of product.
I only use 500mls of mixed solution on an entire Ford Transit, so mixed 220mls of product with 280mls of water in the cannon.
This is the van before any rinsing or foaming
As you can see the doors are extremely soiled with road grime, Next I applied BH autofoam to 1 side of the van doors.
|https://thumbsnap.com/q5Q7uME5[/url]
The next picture is after approx 4mins of dwell time, you can now see the dirt running down the paint.
|https://thumbsnap.com/9Gv3gNG9[/url]
Next up is to rinse the both doors with a PW leaving this result is on the untreated door.
|https://thumbsnap.com/KJ1ztDdL[/url]
This is the other door that was treated with foam.
|https://thumbsnap.com/kOFI7RAo[/url]
Next to show how much soiling has been removed with just a PW, I used a white applicator to swab the panel for soiling, This is the untreated door
|https://thumbsnap.com/vbf111B9[/url]
And saving the best till last I took a swab of the treated door using a 2nd applicator pad.
|https://thumbsnap.com/UhfIJiHc[/url]
As you can clearly see, the difference between the treated and untreated side are noticeably different, If I were to have just PW'd the van with water, then washed it, I would still have a huge amount of soiling that would have been then transferred to mitt, and even using the 2BM I would still be more likely to create swirls and scratches.
The product is BH Autofoam , This is the best snow foam that I have ever used and has incredible results at only £17.00 per 4ltrs.
The recommended dilution ratio is 4% PIR (Panel Impact Rate)
to work out your impact rate fill your cannon with water.
next connect to a jet wash , turn the ratio adjuster on the lance to full (Clockwise)
Now empty the cannon via your JW into a bucket and measure the amount of water used.
My Total was 10trs + 1ltr in the cannon = 11ltrs x this by 4% = 440ml of product.
I only use 500mls of mixed solution on an entire Ford Transit, so mixed 220mls of product with 280mls of water in the cannon.
This is the van before any rinsing or foaming
As you can see the doors are extremely soiled with road grime, Next I applied BH autofoam to 1 side of the van doors.
|https://thumbsnap.com/q5Q7uME5[/url]The next picture is after approx 4mins of dwell time, you can now see the dirt running down the paint.
|https://thumbsnap.com/9Gv3gNG9[/url]Next up is to rinse the both doors with a PW leaving this result is on the untreated door.
|https://thumbsnap.com/KJ1ztDdL[/url]This is the other door that was treated with foam.
|https://thumbsnap.com/kOFI7RAo[/url]Next to show how much soiling has been removed with just a PW, I used a white applicator to swab the panel for soiling, This is the untreated door
|https://thumbsnap.com/vbf111B9[/url]And saving the best till last I took a swab of the treated door using a 2nd applicator pad.
|https://thumbsnap.com/UhfIJiHc[/url]As you can clearly see, the difference between the treated and untreated side are noticeably different, If I were to have just PW'd the van with water, then washed it, I would still have a huge amount of soiling that would have been then transferred to mitt, and even using the 2BM I would still be more likely to create swirls and scratches.
you can only get BH in 4ltrs matey.. but as for amounts you need to use, as said above 500ml of mixed solution will do a whole van, and I only use 300ml of mixed solution on a C63 so you will find it more economical. if the car is not that heavily soiled you can use it at 2% so that would only be 200ml mixed with 800ml of water, you can also dilute 80ml of product into a 5ltr pump sprayer and use it as a TFR.
GregK2 said:
News to me, I've only ever had it in 5L 
shrinkflation?
Yep, I can show you receipts for AutoFoam and Surfex HD in 5 ltr containers. They are quite old though. shrinkflation? Which brings me onto my next point, I use AutoFoam with Surfex HD (degreaser), I remember it being recommended by one of the guys on Detailing World. I also bought a proper brass snow foam attachment, a lot better than the standard Nilfisk unit.
Sorry guys, my mistake.
As for adding surfex Hd, into the cannon as well, yes it works but its not really that good unless you put alot in, if you add 100ml into the cannon that only works at 100/1 ratio, it works better if you mix it in a pump sprayer at 10/1 ratio and spray directly to the paint.
I've also been using a brass one, from Autobrite Direct, .. And got a 500ml bottle of foam with it. Pretty good stuff actually,if you really love foam its a good one.
As for adding surfex Hd, into the cannon as well, yes it works but its not really that good unless you put alot in, if you add 100ml into the cannon that only works at 100/1 ratio, it works better if you mix it in a pump sprayer at 10/1 ratio and spray directly to the paint.
I've also been using a brass one, from Autobrite Direct, .. And got a 500ml bottle of foam with it. Pretty good stuff actually,if you really love foam its a good one.
Edited by LeeJV on Saturday 25th January 05:27
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