Foam lance? Added video on Page3!

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PawnSacrifice

Veteran
 South Oxfordshire
Have been thinking about a foam lance for a while but there seem to be so many options I'm not sure what's what.

I assume that it just clips onto a pressure washer? Does it need to be anything special? When I looked before people were reporting that they were all pretty much the same and it was down to the "foam".

Reason I bring this up now, I had an "special offers" email from Screwfix this morning with this:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/53725&cm_mmc=Campaign-_-E10W17-_-B-_-Nilfisk?source=aw

This package includes...
Detergent Dosing Bottle & Foam Applicator
Will that negate the need for another lance? Which seem to cost up to £20 on their own :?

If anyone who knows about these things can also recommend a foam, that would be good! Also, are these things any better than the 2 bucket method, or just easier?

Thanks.
 
If the picture is representative of what you get in the kit, then the white bottle with the black top is the foam lance. It will probably not provide you with the correct setting out of the box though and you'll need a bit of experimenting to get the thickest & creamiest foam.
 
Im not sure 'cheap' pressure washers offer good value, I have used a similar one to that pictured and it was nothing compared to my Dad's Karcher which he bought 10 years ago and is still going strong. Just a thought....I guess it depends what your expectations are...
 
Got the £15 one for my Karcher - yellow and black thing. Not adjustable in any way, and the reservoir is not that big - but is was cheap to experiment with. They do a bigger adjustable jobbie for about £45 I think.

May invest in that in the future.
 
To get good foam you will be needing a purpose built foam lance like this:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/foam-lance-various-fittings/prod_371.html

As for snowfoam, it falls into 2 brackets.
1: TFR ( traffic film remover ) based which majority of the time is mildly caustic has cleaning abilities but not that wax safe, can strip waxes after a few washes.

2:Foam booster based which pramrily is colour and scent additives with water and large amounts of foam boosters.

Many use shampoo but it doesnt cling like a true foam, some add shampoo to the foam but has 0 benefit either.

I always use snowfoam through a foam lance as a pre wash cycle and it does make the wash more thorough as it gets into all the gaps you would by mitt.

Whatever you choose you will still need to wash the standard 2 bucket routine as there is no such thing as a wash system that is wax safe and cleans a car without you touching it unfortunately.

Snowfoams which are wax safe - valetpro pH neutral snowfoam

Snowfoams with cleaning abilities - majority on the market but all are primarily tfr based.

I use autosmart brushwash, very cost effective, pH neutral but has a mild cleaning abilitie, best safe foam ive used.
 
That's exactly what I use - at least I'm doing something right :P
vp_ph_neutral.jpg

hd_foamLance2.jpg


Foam_front.jpg

Foam_back.jpg
 
Thanks for the help guys... given the professional thumbs up and the nod from someone with a great looking Z (but that see plenty of action / dirt), I know the lance I want now :) And will take one of the two safe foams.

Will find a pressure washer to match up to the lance.

Just need to keep an eye out for a good deal now... hate paying full price.
 
Do it right the first time. Get a decent pressure washer with long enough hose to walk round the car (really worth it), and a proper lance. Won't get a good foam without both.

As for lance, get an HD version with all brass parts if you will be using it a lot. Had this for year and a half and works as new:

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/elite-heavy-duty-foam-lance-6-types-of-fitment-and-free-1l.php

Get the Valet Pro foam above - best foam there is. Only better is Bilt Hammers but it works out much more expensive as you need to use much more and not much difference:

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/ph-neutral-snow-foam.php

That brings your order over £60 from above site so free delivery. Or for a bargain this seller gets good reveiws (but not as good foam):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370369115495

And for pressure washer bargains:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=pressure+washer

The lance won't make your washing time shorter or replace two bucket method. All it does is shift 95% of the surface dirt so you are not rubbing it around the paint when using a mitt. Also loosens up bugs etc for an easier wash. Once you have used one - it's hard to wash without. So much fun and really helps give a safe swirl free wash. I've always wanted a white zed and at least I didn't have to blank my plate in this shot :D

_MG_0398.jpg

If you are ever in the area at a weekend (before you buy) drop by and you can have a go :thumbsup:
 
I also have a clean your car one. They make them with different brass fittings for most power washers. I think I have super snow foam and it works great but I didn't know it could damage the wax. My car was covered in sap at the weekend and the snow foam got it all off.
 
The tree sap will of been removed easily if it was caught early enough, another proof in the pudding that its a TFR based foam as its stripped such a thing as tree sap which usually isnt that easy to remove without clay.

Just another addition to the foamy piccies :D

DSCF0708.jpg


DSCF0709.jpg


Real snowfoam:
DSCF1867.jpg


Bit complicated in the freezing temperatures as you can see :o

As for the pressure washer, I have a karcher HD511/c which isnt that cheap but I use mine everyday on a vast array of cars, never murmurred.
I also have one of these as back up:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_372861_langId_-1_categoryId_165689cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-MAR10-CARCARE-M-2-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTMAIN_165744-_-07-MAR10-CARCARE-M-2

The halfords unit is an absoulute carcker, I test run it for a whole 2 weeks and wasned plenty of cars in that time, its still working 100%, takes little room and the snowfoam lance attatchment from CYC is kew/alto.
 
mmm-five said:
If the picture is representative of what you get in the kit, then the long black lance is the foam lance. It will probably not provide you with the correct setting out of the box though and you'll need a bit of experimenting to get the thickest & creamiest foam.
Click to expand...

FYI,

The Long part isnt the foam lance its just the spray gun. The foam lance is the small whit bottle with the black head. Its ok but cant compare to a proper lance.

I got mine from Autobrite http://shop.autobritedirect.co.uk/foam-lance-by-autobrite-various-connections-305-p.asp

The foam is bonkers lol

Cheers

PaulN
 
Excellent, thanks again chaps.

Have ordered that lance and foam (thanks for the link Dave). Will be popping to Halfords later to pick up the pressure washer - thanks for that Scott, good to know its been put through its paces - suspect you did as much in two weeks as I'll do in 6 months :wink:

EDIT: Actually, do you guys use this on the wheels as well? From the photos it looks like overspray / run off rather than targeted cleaning, or do are those done separately? I assume it is good for the wheels, but don't want to hash it up :|
 
PaulN said:
The Long part isnt the foam lance its just the spray gun. The foam lance is the small whit bottle with the black head. Its ok but cant compare to a proper lance.
Click to expand...
Sorry, you are quite right, I must have been drunk :oops:
 
I have a Nilfisk PW, but can't see the adaptor for that in the link to to the foam lance? :(

Is anyone know if any of the adaptors mention will also fit the Nilfisk ones? :?
 
Awesome thread.. I've been wanting one for a while & there's some good links and reviews here..

Shame that one from Argos at Half Price is out of stock virtually everywhere.. it seems too much of a risk to get a £40 from Halfords.. can it really compare?
 
I use one of these:

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/elite-heavy-duty-foam-lance-6-types-of-fitment-and-free-1l.php

with a standard Karcher pressure washer.

Megs Hyperwash is actually quite good for creating a good foam. About 0.5 inch of the stuff is all thats required in the bottle. My lance has actually a slight leak :| and I tended to foam the car more in winter before 2 bucket washing. Ideally you want to apply some of this stuff first: :D

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=640
 
peddy said:
I have a Nilfisk PW, but can't see the adaptor for that in the link to to the foam lance? :(

Is anyone know if any of the adaptors mention will also fit the Nilfisk ones? :?
Click to expand...

There is this adapter - http://shop.autobritedirect.co.uk/autobrite-stainless-steel-nilfisk-spiggot-foam-lance-connector-2117-p.asp
Not sure what lances it fits but I'd imagine it'll fit the autobrite ones which look pretty good (particularly the "Daddy" :D)

With regards to foam; I've seen a lot of people use meg's all purpose, which is apparently good at stripping everything from a car... so my plan is to get some of that for those 4-6 monthly "strip it all, clay and build up new layer's" detail. Then some of that there ph neutral stuff for the every week wash :thumbsup:
 
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