To buy a Foamaster II foam gun or not to buy....
- Thread starter G37
- Start date
while some think a foam gun is a gimmicky type of tool, i love mine. many use it as just a pre-soak and IMO it's not utilizing it's full potential. here's a video that demonstrates both pre-soaking AND using it while you wash...
How to Detailing Video - Foam Gun
How to Detailing Video - Foam Gun
Accumulator
Well-known member
G37- Noting that *I* cannot avoid wash-induced marring unless I use a foamgun, if you're happy with your wash regimen now (and not having to, say....polish every year or something like that), then I dunno if you need to change anything. I'm big on not fixing what isn't broken.
But OTOH, if your paint isn't staying basically marring-free for years on end, then yeah..
But OTOH, if your paint isn't staying basically marring-free for years on end, then yeah..
tom p.
Active member
hplaceap said:
+1. And the pre-soaking is priceless during the winter months when the cars are the dirtiest.
Dan
Well-known member
If you have thought about a pressure washer, then don't get a foam gun. Many pressure washers have a soap feature and if that isn't enough, there are various foam canon like devices. If you are serious about staying marring free, IMO, there is nothing better to get abrasive particles off your finish than a pressure washer. After I am done with my g-foam and pressure wash rinse, there is no real dirt left on the car, only the oily/grime buildup. The wash water stays remarkably clean and I have next to nothing down in the bottom of my bucket.
Dan
Well-known member
If you pointed your pressure washer at a spot, blasted it at a 90 degree angle, turned if off, moved 1" and repeated, you might could argue you could mar the paint (in theory). However if you keep the flow on, you effectively chisel the dirt off the paint with water. If you've ever blasted pavement with water and watched the dirt flood off, you understand the principal. In practice you get zero marring from the pressure washer itself.
If your budget is under $500, I'd recommend getting something at a place with a great return policy, the average life of a powerwasher is about 1-2 years, or the first time you let water freeze in it.
If your budget is under $500, I'd recommend getting something at a place with a great return policy, the average life of a powerwasher is about 1-2 years, or the first time you let water freeze in it.
imported_icall
New member
I think the last few posts before mine referencing a pressure washer are referring to a foam cannon or lance.
Accumulator is referring to a foam gun as shown in the video posted. From what I read, Accumulator uses the foam gun as shown in the video but with a Boars Hair Brush. Please chime in if incorrect.
The pressure washer uses an attachment that coats a car with a thick layer of foam.
Though it looks cool and I like it to provide a good pre-wash to get the heavy stuff off, I don't think it can provide the same "flushing" ability a foam gun can as there is not as much water flow in a foam cannon or lance.
Basically, a foam gun uses a regular hose.
A foam cannon or lance uses a pressure washer. I'm pretty sure Accumulator is not referring to the one using the pressure washer.
Accumulator is referring to a foam gun as shown in the video posted. From what I read, Accumulator uses the foam gun as shown in the video but with a Boars Hair Brush. Please chime in if incorrect.
The pressure washer uses an attachment that coats a car with a thick layer of foam.
Though it looks cool and I like it to provide a good pre-wash to get the heavy stuff off, I don't think it can provide the same "flushing" ability a foam gun can as there is not as much water flow in a foam cannon or lance.
Basically, a foam gun uses a regular hose.
A foam cannon or lance uses a pressure washer. I'm pretty sure Accumulator is not referring to the one using the pressure washer.
Accumulator
Well-known member
icall said:
Right, I agree with the above.
I do wish I could use a pressure washer in my shop (can't due to overspray/mist concerns, too many vehicles) as I'd use it for the presoak (with the foamlance/cannon) and for prewashing (to get the big stuff off) before switching to my foamgun-centric wash methods. My compressor-powered siphon-feed sprayer is kinda a wimpy version of the pressure washer and it gets all the nasty winter grit off OK, but it's no pressure washer by a long shot.
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
yakky said:
Agreed. I hate washing a car without having a pressure washer.
I use my foam gun for APC presoak to strip off wax, and spraying foam over a panel to let the soap get a slight head start with the dirt. The way I see it, the soap solution serves to encapsulate the dirt and also helps make for a better contact with the wash media then just water. I never get enough dwell time with my foam gun for a soap rinse of the entire car, probably because I never let it get dirty enough. If I decide it is too dirty I usually bring out the foam lance.
I also use the method in the video but only for the most dirty panels, typically the sides of the car.
You might want to consider some quick connects since I've never been a fan of the hose gun that comes attached with the foam gun.
I also use the method in the video but only for the most dirty panels, typically the sides of the car.
You might want to consider some quick connects since I've never been a fan of the hose gun that comes attached with the foam gun.
Thanks to everyone for the input. I just recieved my Glimour foam gun today cant wait to try it out Saturday, at the rate I have been buying car detailing products since I purchased my G in September wouldnt suprise me if a pressure washer would be next.
Stupid question time:
I purchased a Glimour 95QGFMR Foamaster II the dilution raets are on the back but I am a little comfused how much soap to use?. If I wanted max foam I would set it on E and put 12 oz. of soap and the rest water??
Stupid question time:
I purchased a Glimour 95QGFMR Foamaster II the dilution raets are on the back but I am a little comfused how much soap to use?. If I wanted max foam I would set it on E and put 12 oz. of soap and the rest water??
imported_Ivan Rajic
New member
G37 said:
I always thought those dilution ratios are when you put 100% soap into the container, but I could be wrong.
So it doesn't really matter how much soap you put in to get a certain dilution ratio. If you put in 6oz. of soap and you set it to E, you will have enough soap to spray out only 1 gallon of water before you run out of soap. So you want to put enough soap to last you the entire process, whether you're washing with the foam gun or just spraying the car to loosen up contamination before a 2-bucket wash.
With that in mind, I usually mix in 50/50 soap and water and put the gun on setting C or D for a pre-wash rinse to get 2-3oz/gallon ratio. If I'm washing I'll usually do B maybe C to get more water in there as I find it helps to rinse away contamination as I'm washing.
Get it here Amazon.com: Gilmour Foamaster II Cleaning Gun Quart 95QGF4: Patio, Lawn & Garden you will like it. Adjustable mix dial.
This might sound a little crazy but I cant wait until I try out my Glimour FMII foam gun. For now I just watch you tube about the foam gun. Saturday weather permitting I will get to try it out. We have seen record rain out here in CA I am ready to see it stop soon.
Have anyone seen the Junkman2008 videos on you tube??
Have anyone seen the Junkman2008 videos on you tube??
Accumulator
Well-known member
G37 said:
NOT stupid at all!
I mix up a gallon of concentrate and then fill the foamgun with that. For the concentrate I mix 6 ounces of shampoo and enough water to make a gallon total.
Then I use the three strongest settings on the foamgun, varying the setting based on what I'm dealing with. But note that I have the other Foamgun, with the sliding mixture bar, and I'm not sure how your dial compares to that
