Tips for Cleaning Your Car With a Foam Cleaner

Regularly cleaning your car is crucial if you want to preserve its paint job. Leaving dirt and debris on your vehicle could damage its body and kickstart corrosion. Proper cleaning methods are important to prevent this from happening.

One overlooked step in vehicle cleaning is pre-washing and using snow foam. Pre-washing and using snow foam keeps your vehicle spotless. Luckily, it’s also something you can do at home.

What Is Snow Foam and How Does It Work?

Before diving into snow foams, it’s important to know the term “pre-wash” and how it affects cleaning. Pre-wash is the process of loosening dirt and grime before washing a car. Pre-washing your vehicle makes the cleaning process easier, resulting in cleaner rinse water and decreasing the need to rinse your mitt.

Snow foam is a type of pre-wash that creates a thick, white foam. The thick and clingy foam sticks to your car’s surface, increasing the cleaning agents’ contact time with the surface of your car. Compared to regular soap and water, snow foams break down dirt faster, making regular cleaning easier and more effective.

How to Foam Wash Your Car

Before foam washing your car, you should have the following tools:

• Buckets
• Sponges
• Drying Towels
• Foam Cannon
• Spray Foam

Once you have all the necessary tools on hand, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Park under the shade, if possible. Make sure you have enough space around the vehicle to move around for a more thorough cleaning process.
• Step 2: Mix the snow foam in the gun supply bottle and shake it to mix. Connect the foam gun to the pressure washer and cover the dry vehicle in snow foam.
• Step 3: Keep the cannon three feet away from the car and start from the roof before making your way down. Add a second layer to dirtier areas.
• Step 4: Don’t let the snow foam dry. Apply more foam to dry spots.
• Step 5: Use a soft sponge and different brushes to scrub the dirt from the car. Use the brushes on the wheels and tires to remove tough dirt.
• Step 6: After five to ten minutes, rinse the vehicle.
• Step 7: Lastly, apply wax for an added layer of protection. The wax should have instructions for proper use.

The snow foam you bought could have specific instructions on how much you should use and what pressure works best. Follow these instructions if available for better results.

Tips for Foam Washing Your Car

Besides the actual process, there are tips you should keep in mind to foam wash your car more effectively. These include choosing the right foam gun water supply as well as cleaning your tools properly.

Choosing the Right Foam Gun and Settings

To generate the right snow foam consistency, you’ll need the appropriate foam gun. Pressure washers come with a foam gun accessory, but they don’t generate the correct consistency. If you plan on using snow foams moving forward, consider buying a purpose-built snow foam cannon instead of relying on spray bottles or a foam gun accessory.

Buying a gun should ensure your foam is effective, as well. These guns also come with adjustment knobs for you to play around with. Find the setting that can generate the foam consistency you desire.

Water Supply

You should also keep the water supply in mind. Pressure water should be rated between 1,800 psi and 3,200 psi, and at least 1.75 gpm flow for optimal foam production. Similarly, make sure the water supply is enough for proper snow foam production by getting a high-quality hose and ensuring it’s not kinked.

Post Cleaning

Always clean the foam gun with clear water after use to prevent dried snow foam from clogging and damaging the machine. Additionally, store the foam in an airtight container to prevent the mixture from drying out or separating. Shake the container before each use because some ingredients may settle over time.

How to Make Your Own Car Foam

As mentioned, some car owners avoid snow foam because of its hefty price tag. Thankfully, you can concoct your recipe to save money. To make your foam, you should have the following ingredients on hand:

• 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid or baby shampoo
• 1/4 cup of baking soda or white vinegar
• Warm water

Afterward, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Combine the dishwashing liquid (or baby shampoo) and baking soda (white vinegar) in a bucket.
• Step 2: Fill it halfway with warm water to create more foam.
• Step 3: Mix the solution thoroughly until it becomes more foamy.
• Step 4: Put the solution in the foam gun or a spray bottle to store it.

Of course, a DIY solution won’t be as effective as professionally-made snow foams. If you want better results, it’s always better to buy high-quality snow foams. The price varies, but you can generally get quality foam for as low as $20.

Car Foam vs Car Shampoo

The main difference between snow foam and shampoo is that the former can be sprayed onto your car and left to settle on the surface. Similarly, applying snow foam is a different procedure altogether.

On the other hand, shampoos with more lubrication slide off the car and require extra effort to wipe off the dirt, which may lead to scratches forming on the surface. Snow foam with slight lubrication is more effective than shampoo because it loosens the grease and dirt without the need for wiping.

It’s also not recommended to wipe off snow foam with a cloth because it doesn’t have ingredients that help it slide over a car’s surface. Doing so may lead to swirls and scratches.

In short, snow foam is more effective and easier to use than car shampoos.