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What am I doing wrong
- r2uzenblot
- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:39 am
- Location: Shropshire
What am I doing wrong
My G29 has been ceramic coated and I use snow foam but the wash today didn't wash it! Rinsed, then put the snowfoam on, had a cup of coffee, rinsed of snow foam 10 minutes later and still dirty. Mixture too weak? Needs a pre-wash when filthy? Don't pre-rinse? Any thoughts?
2023 G29 20i M Sport Portimao Blue
2021 Triumph Tiger GT Pro
2008 Triumph Sprint ST
2020 Cube Hybrid
1954 Two feet
2021 Triumph Tiger GT Pro
2008 Triumph Sprint ST
2020 Cube Hybrid
1954 Two feet
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 15066
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
What am I doing wrong
Snowfoam is really only designed to lift the grit off before you wash it.
Looks good but 50% placebo really.
I also find if you rinse it first then the snowfoam runs off before it has a chance to do much.
Looks good but 50% placebo really.
I also find if you rinse it first then the snowfoam runs off before it has a chance to do much.
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26365
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
What am I doing wrong
Snowfoam first, rinse, snowfoam again and use shampoo to wash the car where the snowfoam acts as another lubricant.
Snowfoam by itself will not clean the car
Snowfoam by itself will not clean the car
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
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- Member
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What am I doing wrong
As above, snow foam doesn't clean the car sparkling clean - it is a pre wash preparation step removing a lot of the dirt and debris so you are spreading less of it around the car paint surface when you move to a contact wash. This will help reduce the amount of swirling you can generate on the car.
Dilution is key, generally its between 1:10 to 1:5 dilution depending on the product - read the bottle and try to get the ratios as close to recommended as possible.
Generally I dont rinse before a snow foam, but if the car looks like it has been out on a rally stage I do hose down first and then wait a few mins for it to drain partially dry before applying the foam. When applying it, work bottom up (means more time for the foam to work on the bottom of the car where its most likely more dirty) before you rinse off.
Dilution is key, generally its between 1:10 to 1:5 dilution depending on the product - read the bottle and try to get the ratios as close to recommended as possible.
Generally I dont rinse before a snow foam, but if the car looks like it has been out on a rally stage I do hose down first and then wait a few mins for it to drain partially dry before applying the foam. When applying it, work bottom up (means more time for the foam to work on the bottom of the car where its most likely more dirty) before you rinse off.
Currently BMW Z4 E85 3.0si
Previously
BMW Z4 E86 3.0si
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Toyota Celica ST205 GT4
Nissan R33 Skyline GTST
Vauxhall VX220 NA
Nissan 350z
Previously
BMW Z4 E86 3.0si
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Toyota Celica ST205 GT4
Nissan R33 Skyline GTST
Vauxhall VX220 NA
Nissan 350z
- Scubaregs
- Lifer
- Posts: 3050
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2021 7:36 am
What am I doing wrong
Rinse/snowfoam/rinse cleans mine, unless first wash after the winter.
Abstinence is fine, in moderation.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2467
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
What am I doing wrong
Agree with above comments regarding pre rinse, but to spray the product, I’ve switched from a foam gun to a garden sprayer. Using either Bilt Hamber Auto Foam or Gtechniq Citrus degreaser, and if the coating has become clogged and won’t clean with touchless, then a contact wash. On Gtechniq’s coating I’ve started using, for contact wash, their Ceramic Gwash, which is a shampoo and a topper in the same product. Really like the stuff.
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8665
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
What am I doing wrong
What is snow foam?
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- Scubaregs
- Lifer
- Posts: 3050
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2021 7:36 am
What am I doing wrong
Abstinence is fine, in moderation.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
- r2uzenblot
- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:39 am
- Location: Shropshire
What am I doing wrong
Thanks for the help and advice. Looks like snow foam and ceramic coating is not really necessary. I'll try a simple shampoo wash.......
2023 G29 20i M Sport Portimao Blue
2021 Triumph Tiger GT Pro
2008 Triumph Sprint ST
2020 Cube Hybrid
1954 Two feet
2021 Triumph Tiger GT Pro
2008 Triumph Sprint ST
2020 Cube Hybrid
1954 Two feet
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 3457
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:37 pm
- Location: North Hampshire
What am I doing wrong
helpful
2003 Maldives Blue 3.0i auto
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26365
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
What am I doing wrong
Anything you can remove before touching the car is a bonus and prevents swirling, ceramic coated or not.r2uzenblot wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:09 pm Thanks for the help and advice. Looks like snow foam and ceramic coating is not really necessary. I'll try a simple shampoo wash.......
Also, you don’t really shampoo inside the wheel arch but snowfoam helps there as well.
How do you dry the car as that is generally where you collect the most swirls.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
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- Member
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- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2022 7:32 pm
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- Member
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- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2020 1:52 pm
What am I doing wrong
There is a whole world of detailing to be discovered if you are so inclined...
viewtopic.php?t=144827
viewtopic.php?t=144827
Currently BMW Z4 E85 3.0si
Previously
BMW Z4 E86 3.0si
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Toyota Celica ST205 GT4
Nissan R33 Skyline GTST
Vauxhall VX220 NA
Nissan 350z
Previously
BMW Z4 E86 3.0si
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Toyota Celica ST205 GT4
Nissan R33 Skyline GTST
Vauxhall VX220 NA
Nissan 350z
-
- Senior Member
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- Location: Costa Del Sol
What am I doing wrong
Some people think if your car is ceramic coated you don't need to physically wash it but that's a misconception, if the car has anything other than a light coating of dust, it will need a contact wash.
Snow foam first leave to dwell rinse and then contact wash using two buckets. That is the method the detailer recommended to me. However I can't wash the car at home and have to use the self service jet wash so in most cases I don't have access to snow foam so in which case I simply pressure rinse and then contact wash using two buckets and depending which station I use either use contactless dryer or a drying towel in a dragging motion.
Has served me well after over fours years since coating my car it doesn't really have many swirls. The ceramic coating does not mean you can just pressure wash the dirt off but it does make the car much more easier to clean, helps against contaminants damaging the paint and helps prevent swirls from appearing.
Snow foam first leave to dwell rinse and then contact wash using two buckets. That is the method the detailer recommended to me. However I can't wash the car at home and have to use the self service jet wash so in most cases I don't have access to snow foam so in which case I simply pressure rinse and then contact wash using two buckets and depending which station I use either use contactless dryer or a drying towel in a dragging motion.
Has served me well after over fours years since coating my car it doesn't really have many swirls. The ceramic coating does not mean you can just pressure wash the dirt off but it does make the car much more easier to clean, helps against contaminants damaging the paint and helps prevent swirls from appearing.
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red
- Scubaregs
- Lifer
- Posts: 3050
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2021 7:36 am
What am I doing wrong
Not sure how it is a misconception when my car is clean by my method.
Abstinence is fine, in moderation.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.
San Francisco red G29 30i. BMW S1000r Sport.