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?
What am I doing wrong
- Thread starter r2uzenblot
- Start date
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.
DMike
Senior member
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.
Thanks for the help and advice. Looks like snow foam and ceramic coating is not really necessary. I'll try a simple shampoo wash.......
Anything you can remove before touching the car is a bonus and prevents swirling, ceramic coated or not.r2uzenblot said:
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.
deltasierra
Member
Google itPondrew said:
Halford sell it suggesting it’s used before power washing.
There is a whole world of detailing to be discovered if you are so inclined...
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144827
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144827
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.
Scubaregs said:
Which ceramic coating do you have on yours?
Scubaregs said:
I have Gyeon MOHs and my mate on his Porsche has Modesta which is supposed to be one of the best in coatings and in both of our cases anything other than having a fine layer of dust a simple rinse with snow foam will not get the car completely clean. Speaking to both detailers that did our cars they both say it’s a misconception that some people think that just because you have the car coated means you don’t need to do a contact wash. Hence my comment but if it works for you then that’s good, would be good to know which brand of coating you have though.
Whilst a car can look clean, it doesn't mean it is properly clean, even with a ceramic coating There is a good article here from the ultimate finish website on how to make the most of the ceramic coating https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/car-care-blog/nanotechnology-coatings/post-wash-maintenance/ as it states the breakdown of the coating is accelerated if you do not maintain it as small particles contaminate the coating and degrade it - it does actually recommend a decent particle clean as although the ceramic might push away clearly visible things like water it wont be 100% effective against all the dirt which is less obvious