MK5 Golf GTI
General => Detailing => Topic started by: PaulED30 on October 09, 2014, 02:26:19 am
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Hi,
I am very new to cleaning cars quite so rigorously (only had sh*tty cars before ed30 :signLOL: )
I am wondering what the best way to use blitz hamber autofoam is,( I have a karcher washer with foam gun) I bought some and was using it yesterday but it didn't last very long (just dripped off the car).I kind of got it to work with 100% foam in the foam gun and turned fully to minus.
Any pointers would be great. :happy2:
Pic of 100% foam mid application,
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpaul_aki%2FMobile_Uploads%2Fimage_zpse9258501.jpg&hash=5304742a6aed9e00d508af060dcb497380a257cc)
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That looks good to me. I use a Karcher, and used to detail my Porsche which believe it or not had much weaker paint than the VW. I'm guessing you mean you a a bottle attachment which sits just below the gun and you put the foam in there right? I would defo put 100% foam gunk in there, then have the Karcher add the water via the gun.
Also, I'm anal as f#*k but I would give the car a clean water spray first... I guess I just like wasting time, but it seems to help the foam work on the nasty bits more closely...
Also, don't leave the snow too long in the sun (not that this is a problem at the moment!)
I can send you my really saddo "detailing checklist" if you like....?
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I have always found little attachments to produce a watery foam. Best method is to use a heavy duty foam lance, fill the bottle with ~1 inch of snowfoam and fill up with water. Foam and leave on. Whilst the foam does its job (including running off the car), agitate panel lines, shuts, badges etc with a detailing brush.
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Ye I give the car a good spray down before foaming, I was trying to follow jays detailing guide. It is the bottle attachment thing, I'm going to be spending a fortune on foam if I carry on at this rate. Read somewhere about only using an inch of foam and topping up with warm water, so I did that with my first try, it was just like cloudy water. Then I done about 50/50 foam to water and that still wasn't great.
@mrvertigo73 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=10753) I would like to take a look at your saddo checklist
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@PaulED30 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=9756) looks like I've somehow deleted it from my desktop, so will have to scan in the laminated copy I have in the shed... :ashamed:
I'll prob not go out there until Saturday, as digging that out will mean moving a load of old alloys and car parts that I've shoved in there in the last week... bear with me bud
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Not a problem, won't be giving the car a clean for a bit now, will be busy with work :sick:
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Is it a proper foam gun or the attachment that comes with the Karcher sorry.
If it's the attachment with the Karcher then that's your problem, you want to buy the Autobrite Foam lance which you can buy on a special buy from Detailing World for £40.
Bilt Hamber Autofoam only sits for 5-10 minutes tops, it's a snow foam designed to clean, not a "show foam" that sits for a long time on the vehicle surface. So it doesn't foam up the most but it is probably the best for cleaning...
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This is the culprit, I bought it separate but believe it is the one that comes with the karcher. Will the autobrite one work with less foam solution then?
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpaul_aki%2FMobile_Uploads%2Fimage_zps6e1639f1.jpg&hash=a81065e25161ec1e3f1cd943864e82eaff59e8fd)
The foam sat for 2 mins max and then it was mostly gone, but with 100% solution lasted for probably the full 10 mins whilst dripping off as well
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My Karcher one seems to do a good job - but it doesn't look like that one... I use standard Karcher small foam pot, and standard Karcher high power lance. I reckon you should be OK with that for most basic detailing, but not tired Autobrite one that xjay1337 mentions.
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Something's not right. I use 1" of snowfoam in foam lance, top up with water and use pressure washer. The result is what's in the photo in the first post.
The autobrite one is essentially the same design so it should work. If it's not working, then either there's a problem with the lance or the pressure washer. Which pressure washer do you use?
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As above...an inch of foam.
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It a karcher k2 compact, brand new 2 weeks ago
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpaul_aki%2FMobile_Uploads%2Fimage_zpsc0704722.jpg&hash=7ba38b8a9911a0b972a3406e03ed30822377cc12)
Not sure what wrong then, I'll have another go when I get time
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Sometimes takes a little while for the mixture of foam and water to build up? I seem to remember my bigger bottle didn't work well with foam? If you're near Bristol you're welcome to borrow a small bottle to try, but prob not worth the trip. Are you sure the foam is good? Out of date / been open for a while? (I dunno it'd make any difference). Sorry prob not helping!
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Foam is also brand new, thanks for the offer but I am nowhere near Bristol :happy2:
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@PaulED30 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=9756) here's the checklist
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs25.postimg.org%2Fvqi7nsfa7%2FCar_Detailing_list_page_001.jpg&hash=e55e8b9d91bab9a3a416753789f8b7e6cb9f1642)
sorry for the crappy image... I will PM you a pdf
it's from my Porsche owning days (pre-baby!!) but is pretty universal. The geek comment was added by my missus when I emailed her the file so she could laminate it for me at work... cheeky cow :grin:
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Have had a look online. Provided the PW is getting enough water, there should be no problems with it. Others have used it with a heavy duty snow foam lance to great effect.
I'm blaming the lance but play around with volume of SF - one inch may be too little so try two inches.
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Haha thanks @mrvertigo73 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=10753) :happy2:
Needs no be a break in the weather before I attempt to try again :fighting:
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Could it be the foam? I know a lot of people have had great results with the Demon Foam stuff?
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it's from my Porsche owning days (pre-baby!!) but is pretty universal. The geek comment was added by my missus when I emailed her the file so she could laminate it for me at work... cheeky cow :grin:
Drying blade????
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haha! Sounds bad doesn't it? And probably isn't ideal... it's one of these... http://www.dvscarcare.co.uk/hydra-flexi-silicone-car-drying-blade-383-p.asp (http://www.dvscarcare.co.uk/hydra-flexi-silicone-car-drying-blade-383-p.asp) :ashamed:
When this was written I had just got in to detailing... looking at it now there are quite a few things I would do differently, and in fact did differently with the Porsche, but they become second nature so you don't add them to the "laminated geek list"!! :stupid:
It was posted here more for a giggle than an out and out guide... :drinking:
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I wouldn't follow religiously to be honest just to look at see how you do it, add my own little techniques if needed good little plan tough :drinking:
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Exactly. As Fleetwood Mac once said, you can go your own way! :happy2:
Good luck, and if you're like me you'll enjoy finding a dirty spot and making it shine!
Have fun :drinking:
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So she got a clean again yesterday, this is the result of around 2" of Foam solution topped up with water (just after application 1 or 2 mins max)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpaul_aki%2FMobile_Uploads%2Fimage_zps0d619e70.jpg&hash=fa02f6d5affdacc9b65e08e9c88b3ceab5db6a1c)
@mrvertigo73 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=10753) I enjoy it but it takes a f*cking age and I knackered afterwards
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Haha. Yeah I know what you mean. And cleaning time is not driving time, but you wouldn't wanna drive around in a rust bucket so ya know, chicanes and roundabouts...
Besides, when we're sat on our asses in the car we're not getting any exercise, so it's good for us now and again to get scrubbing.
Scrubbers! :signLOL:
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Don't want to drive a rust bucket but don't want to take it out when I've spent hours cleaning it either. It's a horrible downwards spiral that is becoming an obsession. The girlfriend now hates the car as a result of spending money and time on it (even though I managed to talk her into helping with the waxing), she likes it really :signLOL:
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Once you've done the prep, something like a weekly wash shouldn't take long. It takes me an hour to do a weekly wash on the car which includes setting stuff up and putting it away. Foam, rinse, wash, rinse, sheet, towel, QD, done.
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@PaulED30 I have to smuggle the Autoglym in to the shed if that makes you feel any better!!
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:signLOL:
It would probably take less time if I was used to it and i didn't get in every little nook and cranny (classic art attack :happy2: ). All I need is a decent paint correction and then some decent protection and should be all good - especially now winters on its way.
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As Stealthwolf says, it's easier once you've done paint correction, protection etc.
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I have the same snow lance, I just fill it up with the foam liquid about 2 inches, fill the rest up with warm water to near the top and then attach it to my little karcher and that's it.
Sounds stupid but have you adjusted the nozzle on the top, you can usually achieve a very thick foam and yes the thicker the foam the less time it will last.
Also what foam are you using as I found this makes one hell of a difference
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@Durbinator (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=10866) I use blitz hamber auto foam and tried messing with the thing on the top, found it was better fully on minus, I may be wrong, I just left it there because it seemed better to me :confused:. Foam is still weak as f*ck, just runs strait off.