Questions on foamers or foam guns?

skibik

skibik

New member
I have the following attachment that came with a portable pressure washer I bought at least 10 years ago. I have not used the pressure washer in a couple years as I got tired of dragging it out as it is time consuming to hook it up the water to the special connector and then drag out an extension cord and really didn't like the idea of mixing water and an electric device. All I ever used it for was blasting off the major crud and rinsing when I was done. When I first got it I pulled off the wand and attached this thing and I thought it used the high pressure of the machine and it sucked the soap out of the bottle and I could pressure wash my car with a soap mixture but if memory serves me correct it just pumps water into the soap mixtures and out comes suds. I thought it was a useless device until now that I have been reading these threads.

Now that I now what it actually is, a foam gun, my question is, what is the actual purpose of using this before washing? I have seen a few videos on foam guns being used but I really have not seen anything on the purpose for using them. Can someone shed some light on this for me.

Thanks,
Dean. :hmmm:

 

You use a foam "gun" (Hose) or "Cannon" (Pressure washer) to apply a pre-soak of wash foam / solution to the vehicle before you wash. It help to soften the dirt and break it down. You then can wash it off and hopefully your vehicle will be cleaner than with just using the pressure washer.


My primary use of the foam Cannon though is for when I am trying to strip the LSP protection from my paint. I use my soap a LSP stripping dilution (CG CW) as well as some APC to degrade the LSP. The foam helps to make the wash solution cling better and stay working on the paint longer.

 
First off, the one you have is useless. It won't do the job properly at all, I have one just like it that I think I tossed out. Get the MTM hydro if you are serious about foaming, and skip the G clean from HD.

Second, foaming is a prewash that takes off dirt, making your wash method safer. It is just like a grit guard or second bucket in that it is another item to make your overall wash safer for your paint :)
 
The safest wash I've heard of is hit dirt particles with pressure washer (just water), foam with foam gun, rinse, foam with foam gun, don't rinse and instead just jump to using high quality mitt with 2 bucket method with 2 grit guards while the foam soap is already on there.

This is how I wash when I have a LOT of dirt on my car. Takes forever though, so I just tend to keep my car clean :)
 
ihaveacamaro said:
First off, the one you have is useless. It won't do the job properly at all, I have one just like it that I think I tossed out. Get the MTM hydro if you are serious about foaming, and skip the G clean from HD.
Click to expand...

I kind of figured way back when I used it that it was useless kind of like the pressure washer. Was just trying to figure out exactly what the purpose of it was. Considering the time it takes to drag out the pressure hose, the ext cord, put the special connector on the garden hose I can have the large grit hosed off and half the car washed in the same amount of time. I really don't plan on spending money on a foam cannon or gun. If it really served a purpose I thought maybe I would try it again come spring.

Thank you and thanks Troy for the clarification on the purpose of the foam gun or cannon.
 
i have a gilmour foam gun and i really like it. i can say that when i use it on friends and family's cars, they are absolutely impressed that i am taking an extra step with the foam. passerbys also comment that they have not seen others taking that extra care during a wash. i give it extra points for customer relations !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top