MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: Johnny_tro on October 15, 2011, 11:41:53 am

Title: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 15, 2011, 11:41:53 am
If you don't have a 'branded' pressure washer and want to snow foam the car, can you use these?

Yes, very basic item......

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft3.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcSwHFXuf4O4GhH1wq2079xx6WwGpVGRAB0-R71kxgSd0uozRDEYMBppHKQswg&hash=cfa03f833610f446a38ec36a654e43ea3be8329d)
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 15, 2011, 11:59:57 am
I tried something similar but it was a Karcher attachment one for my Karcher PW, from halfrauds. The "foam" was basically just soapy water. You could get a similar effect by throwing a bucket of shampoo water over the car.

Try a proper snow foam lance and you'll see the difference. This is down to the amount of air that comes into the mixture, which one of those things just can't do.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 15, 2011, 10:05:35 pm
Yea results not great........

Do I have to go the Karcher route to get a 'snow foamer' or is there a good universal one?
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 15, 2011, 10:55:16 pm
It doesn't matter what brand pressure washer you have. Snow foam lances come in a variety of connections for use with different types of pressure washer. The important thing is to identify the correct connection: clicky (http://shop.autobritedirect.co.uk/autobrite-standard-snow-foam-lance-various-connections-338-p.asp) - shows the different types of connectors. Just match to your lance fitting.

Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 15, 2011, 11:08:37 pm
£44 < with connector. That good price?

This the one your using? don't mind me asking, what sort of soap do you fill it with?
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 15, 2011, 11:40:57 pm
I bought mine from elite car care because I didn't know about Autobrite back then.

At the moment, using Valet Pro PH neutral snow foam but I'm about to buy some Autobrite Magifoam as this is highly rated.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: monte on October 15, 2011, 11:59:32 pm
I bought mine on eBay. Was about £50 I think with 5L of snowfoam.
Very robust brass lance attachment, that works like a dream everytime.

If you buy the right foam lance, they are very economical.

I fill the 1L plastic bottle that screws on the valve with about 20mm of snowfoam and the rest with cold water. This would last easily for 3 separate car details (bear in mind that each wash I  cover the car in LOADS of foam TWICE- therefore I can cover the car 6times per 1L bottle of the foam/water mix).

If u wash the car yourself, these things are one of the best investments for not alot of money really.
 :happy2:


Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: maxload on October 16, 2011, 05:51:30 pm
I have a karcher presure washer. I got this snow foam lanse to go with it , works like a charm  :happy2:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003BF83UK
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 16, 2011, 08:01:48 pm
 :happy2:

Thank you all.......now I know there ready available I think I def need one of these. Spent all day Saturday and today cleaning the car. It looks good, but on a scale of what some of you guys do - it will not compare.

Pleased with it......due to 'poor paint work' I don't give it the full effort it deserves.

Have the black pearl colour or something like that. Washed it, polished it and have to say lovely colour when you look close < the metalic is like a mix of colours.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 16, 2011, 08:15:26 pm
Why not get it professionally done? Even an enhancement detail will make it look awesome. Then it'd be a case of just maintaining it. With winter coming up, you could get a winter detail done and it'd be sorted for winter.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 16, 2011, 08:18:26 pm
Been looking into one buddy.......you know any good ones in Brum?

Some are just STUPID money!

Mine will need a FULL on detail.......but was going to do this new year. I could spend a few hundred quid on a detail, but I have soooo many stone chips  :sad1: ideally I think I need a full blow over.

Do want to add skirts, paint lower rear and add a front splitter.....hence the full blow over
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 16, 2011, 08:20:38 pm
Gaz from detail my ride is in Solihull. Greeners (fellow forumite) is just outside of Solihull.

I've used midlands detailing over in west brom a few times. They've been great.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 16, 2011, 08:23:57 pm
 :happy2: just down road from Solihull. Prices seem fair.

Who do you use for painting work?
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: LouCyffer on October 16, 2011, 08:45:02 pm
For a good power washer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-X-Tra-Pressure-Washer-Motor/dp/B001TUYV14/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318794183&sr=8-1

Can't believe it was £130 when I bought mine  :sad1:

For a good snowfoam lance and Valet Pro snowfoam give our own forumite Keith a shout from Washshop. Cracking price and quick delivery.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 16, 2011, 08:52:24 pm
I've used City Car Care in Brum city centre. VW-approved but mega expensive. Flawless work though.

Have used Carsmetic in Dudley with excellent results too.

Big al has someone over in Cannock I think. Would like to try them out some time.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: maxload on October 16, 2011, 09:09:12 pm


Have the black pearl colour or something like that. Washed it, polished it and have to say lovely colour when you look close < the metalic is like a mix of colours.

I also have a dimond black paint.  It's such a difficult color to keep clean because black shows up every single blemish.  You definatly need a snow foamer as the less contact with the paint during washing the better.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 16, 2011, 09:11:10 pm
Yes but it's awesome when clean. Even with two weeks' worth of dirt on mine, I can still see the pearlescent shine in direct sunlight!
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 16, 2011, 09:15:18 pm
Tea Al did mention it.......not contacted them yet.

I use Midlands VW over that way anyway < servicing etc.


Definately need a paint first before I detail......but will get a detailer to look at it first see what he thinks.......end of the day, stone chips are stone chip

and my car will be kept < will not be for future sale
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 16, 2011, 09:16:44 pm
You can try filling them in yourself.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 16, 2011, 09:20:49 pm
Had a go....got a touch up sticks. OEM ones........only way I can get it to look good, need to rub it down once I've used the sticks.....smooth the edges.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 16, 2011, 09:32:20 pm
There's a guide on DW on how to do this.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: Johnny_tro on October 16, 2011, 09:41:16 pm
 :happy2:
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: monte on October 16, 2011, 09:43:24 pm
For a good power washer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-X-Tra-Pressure-Washer-Motor/dp/B001TUYV14/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318794183&sr=8-1

Can't believe it was £130 when I bought mine  :sad1:

For a good snowfoam lance and Valet Pro snowfoam give our own forumite Keith a shout from Washshop. Cracking price and quick delivery.

My mate has the same nilfisk and put to my 1400w karcher, the nilfisk is miles better. That's a crackin price Lou  :happy2:
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: liver on October 18, 2011, 10:17:15 am
monte

what settings do you have your lance on??

i seem to be using a full bottle of diluted snow foam when just doin one car, im obviously going very wrong somewhere

any help is appreciated
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 18, 2011, 10:24:37 am
Depends on how thick/thin you mix the foam (using the + and - knob on top of the lance) -  the thicker you set it (towards -) the more of the bottle it uses.

FWIW I end up using half a bottle, but mainly because I go more slowly and take my time.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: liver on October 18, 2011, 11:31:17 am
to get it foaming i tend to have it on maximum +

think i just need to have a play around with it bt when i do by the time i know it a bottle has gone lol
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: stealthwolf on October 18, 2011, 11:49:37 am
also depends on flow rate of pressure washer and how much you open the nozzle too. Agree - play around with the settings - I tend to leave them at the last setting I used.
Title: Re: Snow Foam'ing
Post by: liver on October 18, 2011, 01:00:44 pm
yeah once i find a setting im happy with i will be leaving it in that position

cheers