MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: galaxie500 on November 12, 2012, 09:52:28 am

Title: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: galaxie500 on November 12, 2012, 09:52:28 am
Any snow foam users have a strong opinion on which product works best at removing grime and where to our purchase it please. I haven't seen a High street stockist yet - I assume all purchases are online?
Thanks.
PR
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: andrewparker on November 12, 2012, 12:04:43 pm
I'm not sure about snow foam. I've used it religiously for a few years now - but I really do question how much effect it has. I'm using a proper lance with a good Nilfisk pressure washer, and get good foam, but it never seems to lift any dirt off the car.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: fab5freddy on November 12, 2012, 12:17:15 pm
I'm not sure about snow foam. I've used it religiously for a few years now - but I really do question how much effect it has. I'm using a proper lance with a good Nilfisk pressure washer, and get good foam, but it never seems to lift any dirt off the car.

X 2 Very disillusioned with the whole snow foam thing, as above never seems to do anything  :confused:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: richtung on November 12, 2012, 12:18:46 pm
ive been doing a lot of research in the past couple of days - specifically into washing during the winter months.

Over on detailing world, i hear really good stuff about Valet Pro Citrus Pre wash - this stuff apparently does a good job in removing alot of the dirt and grime before you start with the wash mitts. Its also wax safe.

Perhaps worth looking into?

Rich


EDIT: a thread with pics: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=286270 (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=286270)
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: keano on November 12, 2012, 12:27:07 pm
Autobrite magifoam is the only foam I've seen have effect, and I've used alot on the market.

Went through about 30litres of the stuff when I had the detailing unit.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: brough74 on November 12, 2012, 01:21:00 pm
As long as its PH neutral it should be ok. Then it wont strip the wax off

Ive used snow foam on a few cars lately and i thinks its fab, it lifts the dirty away nice and easy.

Have a look on proper detailing websites and choose a good one and then you will see some good results
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: stealthwolf on November 12, 2012, 03:18:44 pm
Remember that snowfoam isn't meant to be a touchless wash or some miracle cleaner. It's like soaking last night's leftover dishes in the sink - makes it easier to clean when you wash them up.

FWIW, I like magifoam stuff too.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: simonp on November 12, 2012, 04:13:40 pm
It's all those DW threads that maintain the myth that snow foam is magic. They all show the car being foamed and rinsed, always leaving a shiny car that I'd be happy to drive away. Never happens in reality!
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: GTsport on November 12, 2012, 04:22:20 pm
Valet Pro PH Neutral is what i use - which i highly rate. Been using it for about a year now.

I was skeptical at first as to whether snow foam is really any good but i was quite surprised at how good it actually is.  Its by no means a spray on, blast off, car clean job.  But it does fetch the majority of dirt off the car and makes washing it so much easier (And safer imo)  Also gets in the nooks and crannies that are unreachable by normal washing. Which when they start gritting the roads, can only be a good thing!

I've always bought mine from here - you earn points (Cash back) too http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/ (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/)




  
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: stealthwolf on November 12, 2012, 05:57:49 pm
It's all those DW threads

DW can be quite useful but the longer I'm on there, the more sceptical I become. A lot of products seemed to get overhyped. I bought Dodo Juice Supernatural and was abysmally disappointed. I thought Lusso Oro did much better. Similarly, with other products eg gtechniq. There are some insightful posts on DW but you have to dig to find them.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: Saintsteve on November 12, 2012, 06:17:10 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8201%2F8164424818_573f04b25f.jpg&hash=dccc9dd7a49b7005664875eb4daec3a673f4c4e5) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62252191@N06/8164424818/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62252191@N06/8164424818/) by Saint steve (http://www.flickr.com/people/62252191@N06/), on Flickr

Tried this stuff at the weekend just gone...

It's Stjarnagloss kokosnot ph neutral snow foam...  Thickest stuff I've even seen and sticks like dog sh*t to your shoes..

Smells nice ....not like dogsh*t :grin:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: dan1985 on November 12, 2012, 06:21:22 pm
Ive used 3 or 4 previously and chemical guys no touch stuff is what I use religiously now.

Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: AndyED30 on November 12, 2012, 07:20:38 pm
I've tried 3 different types now and I'm fairly unconvinced of snowfoam being able to 'lift' any dirt but it certainly does soften dirt..........but so does water and I get this free from a tap!  :signLOL:

I've got some magifoam now after reading a lot of threads on here recommending it and seems to be the best of the 3 I've tried so far.

Think i've just been expecting too much from it really. Love the banana smell of the magifoam though so I'm gona ignore that fact it doesn't clean my car for me  :wink:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: Eccie on November 12, 2012, 07:47:39 pm
I've been using autosmart actimousse for the last 12 months - I like it, good foam and good at cleaning (or softening the dirt, prior to a power wash) it works better when your car is dirtier (winter months) I rate it as a good touchless wash
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: greygti on November 12, 2012, 08:34:27 pm
I use valet pro PH neutral snow foam and i think it's good
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: Bryan on November 12, 2012, 09:14:29 pm
Ive used 3 or 4 previously and chemical guys no touch stuff is what I use religiously now.



X2.   Have used a few diff brands and this works best for me
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: keith on November 12, 2012, 10:08:27 pm
As stealth said its not touchless. Pre-wash only. I use valet pro ph-neutral and for winter vp snow foam combo.
All avail cheap :wink:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: quattrogmbh on November 14, 2012, 09:27:21 pm
Bilt Hamber auto Foam.

But in all honesty, Snowfoams are all much of a muchness.

Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: Powervalve Nige on November 15, 2012, 02:56:48 pm
Just bought some of Karchers own - as a first foray...
Will report back  :happy2:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: DSG-GTI on November 15, 2012, 05:25:22 pm
Tried a few and not that impressed with any of them.... looks no different than just using a jet wash .... bucket and some gold Megs it takes no longer than all the faffing about with foam. snow foam is for lazy people  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: galaxie500 on November 15, 2012, 07:47:43 pm
I posed the question 'cos I've never used it either - think maybe a couple of buckets, a good shampoo and a hose will do as good a job if the correct procedures are adhered to when washing and maintaining the cleanliness of mitts etc.  I'm still intrigued to use snow foam - I have a little Karcher attachment I bought with a very small container for the concentrated foam I'm dying to wave around just to see my neighbour's face!
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: Saintsteve on November 16, 2012, 08:22:04 am
Snow is a gimmick.

As said, 2 bucket method and a decent shampoo will do the job .
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: maxload on November 20, 2012, 09:08:44 pm
Snow is a gimmick.

As said, 2 bucket method and a decent shampoo will do the job .

If you care for the paintwork on your car , then you'll want to be sure that you have removed as much crap as possible before touching it with your washmit. That is where a good quality snow foam comes in.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: galaxie500 on November 20, 2012, 10:18:07 pm
I see the benefit of not touching the paintwork but unless the foam is so strong it literally strips all dirt and road muck off the car, you're going to have to touch it at some point!  I'm going to try it. Which one though???!!
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: andrewparker on November 20, 2012, 10:33:10 pm
I see the benefit of not touching the paintwork but unless the foam is so strong it literally strips all dirt and road muck off the car, you're going to have to touch it at some point!  I'm going to try it. Which one though???!!

Whichever you choose make sure that you don't wet the car first - the foam should be the first thing to go on - leave it to dwell for 10 minutes, then blast it off with a pressure washer.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: john87 on November 21, 2012, 12:11:41 pm
My dad's company car hadn't been washed for almost 3 months when he asked me to do it...2 squirts of megs hyper wash and 1 capful of bilberry wheel cleaner in the foam bottle and BOOM...90% of the dirt off the car!

Not recommended on anything other than company cars though  :grin:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: chrisr763 on November 21, 2012, 04:57:16 pm

Not recommended on anything other than company cars though  :grin:

Just take it to the car wash or get the kids to do it  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: RussZS on November 22, 2012, 12:50:56 pm
The new Valet Pro Advanced Snow Foam is about the only one I'll touch now.  Most are too aggressive and will strip wax rather quickly, or too mild and do very little at all.

It's not cheap at £28, but it is the best.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: maxload on November 22, 2012, 07:32:10 pm
The new Valet Pro Advanced Snow Foam is about the only one I'll touch now.  Most are too aggressive and will strip wax rather quickly, or too mild and do very little at all.

It's not cheap at £28, but it is the best.

I'll be ordering me some of this , cheers Russ  :happy2:
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: pazz on November 25, 2012, 10:19:46 pm
I've got 5L of Autobrite Magifoam on its way.

Can anyone recommend a decent dilution ratio? My previous stuff was always not foamy enough and too runny - probs me diluting it too much.
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: winrya on November 25, 2012, 10:21:45 pm
I've got 5L of Autobrite Magifoam on its way.

Can anyone recommend a decent dilution ratio? My previous stuff was always not foamy enough and too runny - probs me diluting it too much.

Fill the bottle with an inch of magi foam and top up with hot water and you're sorted
Title: Re: Best Snow Foam?
Post by: stealthwolf on November 25, 2012, 10:33:25 pm
Might be more to do with the lance settings. I've always gone for about an inch of snowfoam in the bottle topped up with water. For me, what makes the biggest difference is the settings on the lance.