foam guns

E

Envious Eric

New member
are they worth it really? I mean, washing with a one bucket method with CG wash and gloss with high dilution to the strip wax effect seems to be working out just fine for me...what are the benefits of a foam gun for someone NOT using it for maintanence washes? (should I buy one?)
 
Personally, I think it's worth it.



My guess is that maybe a foam gun is not that useful if you are simply washing away dust and loose dirt. But to people who always have to deal with stuck on gummed up dirt and stubborn carbon deposits, a layer of foam left on the car for a few minutes can really help loosen those build-ups.



After a claying job, when the car is covered in clay residue and clay lube, using the foam gun + CG wash and gloss to rinse off those residue is also swift and quick. You can also use it with degreaser or other cleaners to clean the wheel wells and underbody.



I am not sure what your washing style is like, but a foam gun can be used in various steps to help you clean more quickly and efficiently. It can also be used to prefoam the car before a wash to add more lubrication to reduce marring and swirls.



I think you should buy one.
 
I agree that to a certain extent, it allows the "soap" to dwell and start working on some baked on dirt and grime (especially in wheel wells, etc) ; however, for vehicles that are maintained relatively well, I really don't see much of a difference between the foam gun method and the two bucket method vs. just a two bucket method, except that it is a little more fun to use the foam gun and it looks cool when you are using it. I guess it spices things up a bit...
 
I'm in the North East so I get snow, salt, and mud after a major snow storm. My blue car looks gray with a layer of muck lol :) I get really worried about touching it with a sponge. The foam gun really helps!

In CA you probably won't run into this kind of muck unless you go offroading ;)
 
I recommend it when doing a LSP strip, I always mix up my solution, then toss in a little APC that's been cut (currently 1:10 ratio works awesome), maybe an 1/2 ounce of it or so, then allow that to soak. I've been able to strip LSP no problem with that method. Waxes and sealants don't stand a chance. For really nasty cars, it's already been hit on, but I think it works great as a presoak, then rinse, then bucket wash, just to help prevent more marring.



And if you're really good (going to experiment with this today), you can use it instead of a bucket, spray your solution straight into the mitt (after washing in a clean bucket) and go for it with the panel.



Now summertime though I rarely use it as I'm an ONR guy 95% of the time then.
 
I dunno Yal, jdoria posted a thread last year where he questioned the effectiveness of a foam gun on that northeast muck. If toyotaguy is always doing a full correction after the wash, I don't know if it's really worth it (other than the argument of "do no harm"; that you don't want to add to the marring even if you are about to polish it all away).
 
Hey, I've been using foam guns for years. I honestly don't know if it's actually better or just psychologically better. It sure does SEEM better to hit a panel with the foam before "sponging" it rather than carrying the foam/wash from the bucket with your "sponge".
 
I stopped using one a while ago. Before washing a panel I just take my sponge or mitt and sort of wring it out over the panel first before washing it.
 
I love my foam CANNON, my clients love how it just soaks the car in foam, I can wash several cars at a time to save time, and its just plain fun.



Cheers,

GREG
 
Regulars here know that I'm *ALL* about the foamgun for maintenance/regular washes.



BUT, when I'm gonna be doing a full correction type detail I don't bother with it. Depending on the vehicle I just use regular shampoo mixed very strong or AutoInt's "A" or FK's 1119 or somesuch stuff.
 
setec and accum...that is what I was getting at...



doesnt make sense to me since I only do correction work, and no maintanence work. I am not worried about inducing some ever so slight marring before I compound a car, which already has deeper imperfections that will be removed anyway...



not buying one, thanks!
 
I don't have the foam cannon, but I do have Gilmour foamaster.



You could see the dirt on the ground (washed inside of our garage with an epoxy coated floor) after using the foam gun with Megs shampoo.



After seeing that, I will keep using the foam gun, and would like to try the foam cannon but find it hard to pay $100 for it.
 
a foam gun is not a must have (i like mine though), and for what it sounds like you'll be needing it for, doesn't seem to be necessary...
 
I love my autogeek gun. I have been using it for the past few years every time I wash. I think it makes things easier and safer. Plus it is kinda fun.
 
Yeah, a foam gun is not that crucial if you are going to be compounding the car anyway. However it is extremely helpful to minimize micromarring during washes.



I have both the Gilmour foam gun and the foam lance. I love using the foam lance, but I hate setting up the pressure washer. The Gilmour foam gun doesn't produce half as much foam as the foam lance, but at least it doesn't require much setup time.



The foam gun is great for general around the house use, such as spreading cleaners on the exterior. I use it with wheel cleaners to produce foam to clean the wheels, as to minimize product use.
 
the_invisible said:
Yeah, a foam gun is not that crucial if you are going to be compounding the car anyway. However it is extremely helpful to minimize micromarring during washes.



I have both the Gilmour foam gun and the foam lance. I love using the foam lance, but I hate setting up the pressure washer. The Gilmour foam gun doesn't produce half as much foam as the foam lance, but at least it doesn't require much setup time.



The foam gun is great for general around the house use, such as spreading cleaners on the exterior. I use it with wheel cleaners to produce foam to clean the wheels, as to minimize product use.
Click to expand...



yeah, my foam cannon has been collecting dust. i use the foam gun more often and use it while washing (and pre-soak) and i don't have to set it up like the pressure washer.
 
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