Confused about washing car with foam gun

[Touring]

So recently I bought a foam cannon for my pressure washer and a foam blaster for my regular garden hose. I've always used the traditional 2 bucket method so I'm a bit confused about what steps to take when washing using a foam gun.

After I cover the car in suds, am I supposed to rinse them off before wiping down the car with the wash mitt? Or do I leave them on the car, wipe down the entire car with the mitt, then rinse everything off?

Sponsored

 

[360glitch]

People certainly use them different ways but I used my foam gun only as a pre-rinse. Spray the suds on, let them sit a minute, rinse off with highest (safe) pressure available. Standard two bucket from there.

 

[Tyler]

How anal do you want to be? You could follow this if you want the safest wash:

RINSE > FOAM > RINSE > FOAM > 2-BUCKET WASH

Many believe that the foam will lift and encapsulate dirt.... which it will to an extend - but the reason you pre-rinse with higher pressure is so that you get rid of any of those loose particulates that are stuck to the surface. The foam provides an additional means of lubrication, so that as your wash media crosses the surface and contaminants are lifted - at that point they get lifted and trapped in that additional foam.

 

[Touring]

How anal do you want to be? You could follow this if you want the safest wash:

RINSE > FOAM > RINSE > FOAM > 2-BUCKET WASH

Many believe that the foam will lift and encapsulate dirt.... which it will to an extend - but the reason you pre-rinse with higher pressure is so that you get rid of any of those loose particulates that are stuck to the surface. The foam provides an additional means of lubrication, so that as your wash media crosses the surface and contaminants are lifted - at that point they get lifted and trapped in that additional foam.

My paint is black, so I'll probably start using that method just to be safe. Even if it costs me the extra soap

 

[10thDave]

Before my pressure washer broke I would rinse, foam, rinse again then foam it and wipe the whole car down then rinse and dry.

If I do rinse > foam > wipe and then dry I could do the whole car in about 10-15 minutes. Works so much better than the touch less washers around here

 

[xjoshuax89]

Water rinse > foam > rinse > foam > hand wash. If I'm busy I just do rinse > foam > rinse.

 

[skullmurdoc]

I use a pressure washer so it's a little bit different but I do:

• Foam
• Let it sit and soak the dirt
• Rinse
• Hand Wash
• Rinse
• Dry

 

[relentlessX]

My routine is also different.

I start with a good wash, clay, polish and sealant.

Then every few days, I do a once over with a California duster and wipe down with a detailer.

When I start to notice some heavy dirt, which is probably every 3 weeks or so, then I do a touchless wash with a foam cannon, soak, pressure wash, dry with a Worx blower, and mist/wipe down with Duragloss AquaWax.

Then I repeat the wash, clay, polish and sealant every 6 months.

 

[maskale]

what foam cannon yall using, seen mixed reviews on so many.

I have a small electric and a 4000psi gas pressure washer, but prefer to use the electric, just so much easier.

 

[relentlessX]

what foam cannon yall using, seen mixed reviews on so many.

I have a small electric and a 4000psi gas pressure washer, but prefer to use the electric, just so much easier.

I used to have a Chemical Guys Torq Foam cannon but I had an issue with the rubber o'ring. My friend got the MATCC one and his looked identical to mine but with a different bottle design. I ended up returning my Torq cannon and got the MATCC. As far as performance, I cant tell the difference between the two.

 

[Shankmeyster]

 

[philharmonik]

I used to have a Chemical Guys Torq Foam cannon but I had an issue with the rubber o'ring. My friend got the MATCC one and his looked identical to mine but with a different bottle design. I ended up returning my Torq cannon and got the MATCC. As far as performance, I cant tell the difference between the two.

I have the MATCC as well and have used it five times so far. Haven't had any issues at all, and its much cheaper!

 

[bembol]

Too hard core for me.

Not sure if it's lazy or just not anal about a little swirl marks.

I don't even bother with the whole two bucket system. Sometimes I just use California Duster or use my Meguiar's Quick Detailer and microfiber.

Don't get me wrong, I never use Cloth car wash.

 

[davidgostbo]

Too hard core for me.

Not sure if it's lazy or just not anal about a little swirl marks.

I don't even bother with the whole two bucket system. Sometimes I just use California Duster or use my Meguiar's Quick Detailer and microfiber.

Don't get me wrong, I never use Cloth car wash.

Eh you have a white car can't really see swirls if there even is any. But on black cars if you get swirls... Its looks horrific in the sun, imo.

 

[Donuyen18]

Too hard core for me.

Not sure if it's lazy or just not anal about a little swirl marks.

I don't even bother with the whole two bucket system. Sometimes I just use California Duster or use my Meguiar's Quick Detailer and microfiber.

Don't get me wrong, I never use Cloth car wash.

You are fine with using a California duster but you draw the line at cloth car wash? That duster will scratched up your paint real good

Sponsored