snow foam or shampoo?

[z4dan]

if you use a pressure washer which do you use or do you use both, the snow foam as a pre wash followed by the shampoo? if you were to use just the one which is best for cleaning your car? also what about the alloys

 

[Angelus666]

Always wash your wheels first with a separate bucket, rinse them down, apply all-purpose cleaner, then use brushes and wash mitts to give them a good clean. Never use these same materials on your paint!

As a basic rule for paint.....spray the car down with the pressure washer (get as much of the dirt off), then apply a snow foam to soften the more stuck-on dirt, rinse this off after 5 mins....then was the car with shampoo using a 2 bucket method.

 

[z4dan]

Always wash your wheels first with a separate bucket, rinse them down, apply all-purpose cleaner, then use brushes and wash mitts to give them a good clean. Never use these same materials on your paint!

As a basic rule for paint.....spray the car down with the pressure washer (get as much of the dirt off), then apply a snow foam to soften the more stuck-on dirt, rinse this off after 5 mins....then was the car with shampoo using a 2 bucket method.

what if you get snow foam on the soft top?

 

[IRD]

I used some Autobrite Magifoam with an Autobrite foam Lance today for the first time. It looks impressive when you coat the car with the thick foam and leave it half an hour to do its work. First you have to clean the car with the pressure washer to remove as much dirt as possible. Having rinsed it off after the recommended time I wasn’t overly impressed. You still have to contact clean the car using a shampoo and the two bucket method. In truth all it seems to do is extend the length of the cleaning process. I have ordered some foam cleaner from Bilt Hamber whose products get pretty good ratings. I will give that a try before making a final decision but am quite doubtful as to whether using foam is worth the trouble. :roll:

 

[Angelus666]

Snow foam on the rag top is fine, it’s just shampoo.

It softens the dirt, which causes less friction, which means it’ll come off easier on a contact wash, which means you’ll inflict less scratches on the paint.....which means you car will stay shinier for longer. You certainly don’t need to do it, it depends on whether you want that extra level of detailing shine.

 

[g3org3y]

Bilt Hamber whose products get pretty good ratings.

Their alloy wheel cleaner is amazing!

 

[parabolica]

...Having rinsed it off after the recommended time I wasn’t overly impressed. You still have to contact clean the car using a shampoo and the two bucket method. In truth all it seems to do is extend the length of the cleaning process.

Snow foam isn't a substitute for hand-washing the car; it's there to soften the dirt on the surface before you go at it with your sponge/mitt. It's no different to soaking a dirty baking tray prior to washing it thoroughly.

If you wanted a snow foam that washed the car for you, you'd end up using some pretty strong chemicals that would likely strip your paint. I know commercial van and truck cleaners who used a spray on, spray off snow foam and that's fine for HGVs and commercial trucks - you wouldn't want it stripping off your wax, protection and paint on your car though!

 

[IRD]

...Having rinsed it off after the recommended time I wasn’t overly impressed. You still have to contact clean the car using a shampoo and the two bucket method. In truth all it seems to do is extend the length of the cleaning process.

Snow foam isn't a substitute for hand-washing the car; it's there to soften the dirt on the surface before you go at it with your sponge/mitt. It's no different to soaking a dirty baking tray prior to washing it thoroughly.

I was probably expecting too much. Generally speaking I don’t let the Z get too dirty before cleaning. So there isn’t really any need for the soaking process usually. I am careful but maybe not as thorough as some of you guys. I’ll try the Bilt Hamber foam and see how I get on with that. Cheers.

 

[Doddsy]

+1 for Bilt Hamber I use most of their range including Auto foam. I tend to just use it through a pump sprayer though.

 

[Hillbilly]

My method for the weekly clean of any of my vehicles,

Jet wash car with water to remove excess dirt
Apply Hugh crane snow foam and let soak for a few minutes
Agitate with wash mit, rinsing in clean water regularly
Jet wash rinse car
Dry with Autoglym aqua wax and drying towels
Brush on Autoglym tyre dressing
Drink tea, milk no sugar

 

[Jl-c]

Another one for the Bilt Hamber wheel cleaner, excellent stuff, shame it stinks :rofl:

 

[Ewazix]

My daughter has a great method that requires no effort at all; visit parents in the car she 'borrowed' three years ago, acknowledge that it's filthy and promise to take it to the local car wash site run by a nice group of Albanians. Voila, an hour later it's magically been snow-foamed, two-bucket mitted and waxed. Amazing

(yes you will still need to hand wash after snow foam)