Constant Use - Foam Gun Advice

S

Saintlysins

New member
I need the advice and input from the pro-shop and volume detailers.

My crew has totaled both foam guns in 3 weeks. Both times from carelessness and stupidity and I’ve been holding off buying two more. I’m kind of being a **** about it but also teaching-lessons about the commonalities between carelessness and convenience. We’re down to using the power washer accessory (and an Ortho Weed & Feed – yeah, it’s funny, but it comes through in a pinch), but both are really a pain in the sphincter.

Looking to know which units you’ve used that HOLD UP. Important things to me are options, versatility, and METAL connections (quick disconnect/connect if possible). If you’ve customized yours and even used accessories from one manufacturer on another, I want to know. I’m looking to purchase one (maybe two) this week.

Thanks everybody.
 
[Pardon a (currently) non-Pro's participation...FWIW I did have to deal with such stuff when I had the dealership..]



What kind of foamgun are you referring to- pressure washer or hose-fed?



What kind did they trash?



The brass-guts Gilmour ones are mighty sturdy, and if you replace the pistol grip with a quick disconnect/shutoff system it's easy to rest them on the wash/rinse bucket. There's some thread where people discuss/show how they've set theirs up (no digital imaging capacity here, sorry...I could explain how mine are set up if need be). They really oughta last for years and years, and I'm thinking about use by the sort of employees who left my Cyclo outside during the winter (why was it ever *outside* in the first place :rolleyes: ).
 
Karcher’s with attachments are the weapon of choice. One left outside, it froze and cracked the compression pump housing. The other one was crushed – backed into (we lost a lot of money that day).

The old system which is back in use is a 2200 psi gasoline power washer, with the detergent additive-draw-hose to it, but as I said, it’s a pain to unscrew the attachment hose, screw in the dead-plug when you just want to use the power-washer without any detergent or foam.

I think I’m going to try one Gilmore on a regular hose to see how that works out. But if my memory serves correctly (5 +/- years ago?), the foam is a bit ‘wetter’ and runs quickly, not allowing a trip around the car without dry spots. With the Karcher, the foam is significantly ‘aerated’ and takes longer to break down – hence the ability to do an entire foaming and cleaning without picking up the gun again. (Time Savings)

Someone mentioned foaming with the Gilmore while they’re cleaning (maybe you?) by foaming right in front of the mitt. I think some could do that, but I’m concerned the (entire, {including me}) crew will NOT pay attention to the hose (touching/dragging along the car) AND wipe-down at the same time. One of those “chew-gum-and-walk� analogies apply here, hence my affinity for the Karcher system.

The cost differences are significant between the two and I was hoping there was something besides these two options I was missing. I think I’ll have to wall mount the Karcher’s and extend the hoses. Time to spend some time on YouTube and see what others are doing. Maybe invest in those overhead swing arms, but the ceilings might be 18 feet or more and that’s a lot of work.



We’ll see. I think a lot people will check in over the holiday. Speaking of which … Happy New Year to all!
 
Saintlysins said:
Karcher’s with attachments are the weapon of choice. One left outside, it froze and cracked the compression pump housing. The other one was crushed – backed into (we lost a lot of money that day)...
Click to expand...



Ah yes, the joys of dealing with employees :D Can't fire 'em all, huh?



Gotcha on why the Karcher system is such a PIA...my PWs didn't require the dead-plug when not siphoning, never thought of that.

I think I’m going to try one Gilmore on a regular hose to see how that works out. But if my memory serves correctly (5 +/- years ago?), the foam is a bit ‘wetter’ and runs quickly, not allowing a trip around the car without dry spots. With the Karcher, the foam is significantly ‘aerated’ and takes longer to break down – hence the ability to do an entire foaming and cleaning without picking up the gun again. (Time Savings)
Click to expand...



Some people here get *close* to that sort of effect with the Gilmour. IIRC it's a matter of using the correct shampoo (and dilution of same).



Someone mentioned foaming with the Gilmore while they’re cleaning (maybe you?) by foaming right in front of the mitt. I think some could do that, but I’m concerned the (entire, {including me}) crew will NOT pay attention to the hose (touching/dragging along the car) AND wipe-down at the same time. One of those “chew-gum-and-walk� analogies apply here...
Click to expand...



Yeah, doing it right *does* take some doing to say the least and I can understand your concerns. I sometimes forget the wild-card-type of variable that "other people" can be ;)



..The cost differences are significant between the two and I was hoping there was something besides these two options I was missing...
Click to expand...



Nothing I can think of :think:



I think I’ll have to wall mount the Karcher’s and extend the hoses...Maybe invest in those overhead swing arms, but the ceilings might be 18 feet or more and that’s a lot of work..
Click to expand...



I like the idea of static mounting the Karchers, but I dunno about the overhead swing arms..I'd worry about Mr. Murphy ;)
 
That friggin' Muphy and his laws!



Seems like two new Karchers are the answer.



As for plugging the siphoning valve if not being used. If you don't plug the siphon's than you're suctioning air and loosing considerable pressure and volume on the wand. (Well ... for that matter you're loosing pressure even when siphoning.) On the low pressure systems it may not be so noticable, but on the big gas powered monsters where the siphons are next to the pump, you'll lose a lot of pressure, so much so you might as well just use a regular hose.



Thanks for your help/input Accumulator & Everybody! Saved me a lot of time looking for options that don't exsist.
 
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