Snow Foam questions.
Author
Discussion

toastboy

Original Poster:

8,029 posts

236 months

Wednesday 25th April 2007
quotequote all
I've noticed a few Phers using this stuff and would like to know more.

What does it do?
Is it just a way of softening bug splats before washing or does it do something more?
What do you need to apply it?
Does it require a pressure washer?
Is it really worth all the effort/expense?
Where's the best place to buy it?

morebeanz

3,283 posts

252 months

Wednesday 25th April 2007
quotequote all
What does it do? Is it just a way of softening bug splats before washing or does it do something more?

Essentially it's a pre-wash. It helps to remove the major dirt particles and softens others - it's a key part of the toolkit in the battle against marring paintwork while washing. The more dirt you take off without touching the paint physically (with a mitt) the better.

What do you need to apply it? Does it require a pressure washer?

Most people use a pressure washer with a special foaming nozzle/bottle (see the autobrite website) or you can use something called a Gilmour gun straight off the hose (not as foamy).

Is it really worth all the effort/expense?

How precious is your paintwork? How much effort do you put into your cleaning? I use it - if you already have a pressure washer, the nozzle isn't that much and sometimes you can skip a full wash altogether.

Where's the best place to buy it?

Many places including Autobrite and Clean & Shiny.

Hope that helps?

hutchingsp

59,424 posts

226 months

Wednesday 25th April 2007
quotequote all
I have a Gilmour and it's a cracking bit of kit. It does however cost £50 which isn't cheap.

Last week I tried a garden sprayer, LIDL/ALDI are doing them for around a fiver.

Stick a big glug of shampoo in it (Focus sell Swarfega Vehicle Wash at £6 for 5L) and top it up with water, pressurize it and spray it all over the car.

You'll see you won't get a "foam bath" but it does produce soapy water that sticks to the car and if you give it five minutes (don't do this in direct sunlight) it will soften up a hell of a lot of dirt/muck/road grime.

toastboy

Original Poster:

8,029 posts

236 months

Wednesday 25th April 2007
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

I don't currently have a pressure washer and having a look at Autobritedirect's website is pretty confusing as there are so many lances, adaptors and such.

Maybe the Gilmore would be a good compromise. I don't mind spending £50 if it's going to do a decent job. Does it just attach to a normal hose? I currently have a hozelock spray gun. Do they use the same attachments? Is the Autobrite Super Snow Foam the one to go for?

Neil_Sc

2,256 posts

223 months

Wednesday 25th April 2007
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I used to own a Gilmour but upgraded to the Autobrite foam lance and it cleans far more effectively.

Both will deal with your summer dust without problem, but as for winter grime, the Gilmour never touched it for me, but the autobrite lance really works on that winter muck on the lowers, absolutely top notch.

belleair302

6,982 posts

223 months

Wednesday 25th April 2007
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Karcher now sell a foaming gun for their pressure washers and using one recently with Meguiars shampoo it did a Lexus LS 430 very well and was pretty economical with the shampoo.

warmfuzzies

4,257 posts

269 months

Saturday 30th June 2007
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Is this snow foam safe to use on Zymol products? or will it strip the wax off as well?

TIA

Kevin

PJ S

10,842 posts

243 months

Sunday 1st July 2007
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All car washing fluids are non-acidic (or rather the more popular and respected ones are), so removal of the wax layer will be a negative.
When you do want to remove the wax/sealant layer - if clay baring, then ordinary washing-up liquid does the job.

AndyMI16

139 posts

225 months

Monday 2nd July 2007
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warmfuzzies - hasn't had any noticeable effect on my Zymol Vintage (there's a rather hilarious beading video floating around somewhere)

warmfuzzies

4,257 posts

269 months

Saturday 7th July 2007
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Cheers guys.

Kevin