[MFP]

Been thinking about getting a foam gun - foam cannon. My Pressure washer has a spot where to put the soap, put the correct nozzle on and it pulls the soap up and through. Doesn't foam much though...Part due to not running my outside tap through my water softener (25 grains hard)

So i plan on running a new tap outside so i can use the pressure washer on soft water. but would a foam cannon be worth it still? generate that much more cleaning power?

here's the one i'm looking at

Tool Daily Foam Cannon with 1/4’’ Quick Connector, 1 Liter, 5 Pressure Washer Nozzle Tips : Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Find thousands of tools and home improvement products at low prices. Shop online for power tools, hand tools, hardware, building supplies, and more at Amazon.ca

www.amazon.ca

 

[Drifterbike]

I have that same basic kit. It works well, I have even used Dawn dish washing detergent for cutting grime and grease.

 

[MFP]

I have that same basic kit. It works well, I have even used Dawn dish washing detergent for cutting grime and grease.

how does it compare to the regular foaming kit that comes with pressure washers?

 

[The Satch]

I picked up one of these for my pressure washer, would not do it again unless I had an electric. You still have to clean the vehicle, and for my gas washer, I have to shut it down and start it up repeatedly, haven't found it to be faster than a bucket, and I need the bucket anyway.

 

[Kennyd]

I would love to hear real feedback on those "foam guns", they always looked gimmicky to me.

 

[farmer52]

I have that setup. It does a good job but not as good as hand washing.

 

[ejb69]

I have a foam gun. It doesn’t perform miracles. It does a good job of applying a heavy layer of foamy soap to a vehicle or any surface you wish to clean. Stubborn dirt is still going to need some hand scrubbing. But, my truck looks fairly clean after just foaming it , let the foam soak for bit , and then pressure wash the truck.

 

[dieselshadow]

I have a foam gun. Works excellent. I use good cleaning products in it from Chemical Guys. I couldn’t take the Dually through the car wash, so I had to hand wash. The foam gun definitely helps get a faster and better job with less risk of paint damage. You can feel a difference when washing. The foam lubricates your washing tool and paint.

 

[Mr. Derek]

I have a cheaper one that I like to use washing the road grime and bugs off of my truck. I haven't really found any other scenario where it seems beneficial.

 

[Hoyks]

I think the only advantage is that you aren't running the foam through the whole pressure washer system and you limit the usage to the volume of detergent in the little bottle.

My whole place runs off rain water, so I doubt you can get water much softer than that. The foam nozzle on the pressure washer works really well.
Yes, A foam gun is a lot cheaper than running new plumbing, but I don't think it will get the result you're after. Maybe get an IBC and run a downpipe off your shed into it, then use that 1000L of water for pressure washing and see how it goes.

As for using dishwashing liquid for washing vehicles- I wouldn't, its choc full of salt. So you might get a streak free finish, but it also may lead to premature rusting.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Most pressure washer soap dispensers use a down-stream injector. The "special" nozzle is usually nothing more than a large bore nozzle that drops the pressure so the injector can suck in soap. Puts out mostly soapy water.

Some pressure washers inject the soap up-stream and put out high pressure soapy water. Not overly common.

There are devices that insert between the garden hose and the pressure washer. The output is high pressure. The soap concentration decreases as the pressure washer is in use. (A large tank with a water/soap could be used for constant concentration high pressure soapy water, IF your pressure washer can pump from a zero pressure source.)

A foam "gun" hooks up to a garden hose. Soap mixed with water, not much foam.

A foam "canon" connects to the end of the pressure washer wand and puts out high pressure water/soap/air mixture. With a decent pressure washer, they can produce shaving cream thick foam. The foam remains on the vehicle giving improved dwell time for the soap to work. Very popular, works well, and reasonably priced.

Regardless, unless a strong soap is used, which can remove wax,.. none of the above will be a truly "touchless" wash. A bucket with a quality wash media is tough to beat!

FWIW, I do a fast pressure washer rinse, foam with high quality ph neutral shampoo, a bucket wash with the same shampoo, a thorough pressure washer rinse, and dry. Often, I'll use warm/hot water.

Being in the northeast. winter drivers get run through the local car wash.

 

[aledub]

Foam cannons have been a staple of detail shops but only as one of the beginning steps intended to help remove loose surface dirt and contaminants that can get lodged in wash mitts. On their own they really don't do much more than a pressure washer. I did a summer stint years ago at a detail shop while going to school and that was really all I noticed as far as benefits go. Two bucket hand washes was the standard process.

That being said, I've had a Ricardo foam cannon for years and it's really fun to use!

 

[nastorino]

I have a Slick foam cannon with garden hose attachment that works quite well. No complaints. it's my go to when I wash my x758 and the deck.
Garden Hose Foam Gun


I do have a MTM PF22 foam cannon for the pressure washer that I need to break in. It comes very well reviewed.
MTM PF22.2 Foam Cannon | New Standing Bottle | For Pressure Washer

As far as a gun goes, the MTM Aqualine SGS35 is the cats meow. due to the swivels you don't have to worry about kinking your hose and fighting the hose the entire time.
MTM ACQUALINE PACKAGE | SGS35 SPRAYER LANCE

Even once I'm done with the foam cannon application I still go to a two bucket method for the truck. For the tractor I do two bucket method. For the mower deck I don't card and just scrub it well using a softer brush.

 

[Kjelli]

I have a foam cannon and wouldnt do with out it again that thing really does put out alot of foam however you still need to hand scub some

 

[drcollie]

Foam Cannons rock. Coupled with a high quality electric (non-Chinese) Pressure washer, you can knock things out in no time. Here's my Ford Ranger getting a foam bath before coming in with the water part of the pressure washer.

I use this rather pricey German pressure washer for my vehicles, its not for everyone because of the cost, but it will not disappoint or fail in less than a year.

Kranzle K1122TST Portable Solution

This is an end-to-end pressure washing solution that you can buy with one click! Comes with everything you need to make the Kranzle K1122TST the perfect car washing solution. What makes this portable solution a great choice is being able to move about vs having a fixed setup.

www.obsessedgarage.com

Then I have a gas powered unit for serious work, but the electric on is 10x easier to use and get the job done for vehicles very conveniently .

 

[Old Machinist]

No way I would bother dragging out my pressure washer to wash a car or truck.

I use a bucket of soapy water and a car wash brush with about a 3' handle. Slop the soap on and brush the dirt off in one move. After I rinse I have a silicone water blade I use to get most of the water off then towel dry what's left.

 

[drcollie]

No way I would bother dragging out my pressure washer to wash a car or truck.

I use a bucket of soapy water and a car wash brush with about a 3' handle. Slop the soap on and brush the dirt off in one move. After I rinse I have a silicone water blade I use to get most of the water off then towel dry what's left.

Thats cool, I assume you don’t really care about swirl marks. All of your technique leaves them in the paint. I’m OCD regarding my vehicle finishes - most my machines are black- and I use advanced detailing procedures And specialty waxes. For example, here’s the hood of my car in the garage.…no swirl marks! But I‘m not suggesting to go to this

 

[Jeff B]

drcollie, that car is so black it looks like a mirror. Porsche, I'm guessing?
What do you recommend to take care of my black car?

 

[AK737]

Blackfire foam canon. Hotsy pressure washer. Lots of various quality soaps, towels, grit guards, foam pads, waxes, polishes, buffers, lights, detailing supplies and TIME. No swirl marks here.

Looks good drcollie!!

 

[drcollie]

A lot depends on how much time you want to spend on your vehicle, and if you want to spend the money as well. Most people don’t want to go to this much effort quite honestly. However, to get that mirror black shine heres what I do:

1) Foam the car With a pressure washer cannon. Let soak. Rinse with a hot water pressure washer designed for water flow, vs actual pressure, and never in direct sunlight.

2) microfiber mitt with soap - standard two bucket system with two mitts. Tires and wheels done with a different mitt separate from the body Ones.

3). I never use any towels or silicone blades for drying, they cause swirls. Instead I blow dry the vehicle with a Master Blaster.

4) I only use Swissvax and the PreCleaner they suggest. I always bare hand apply the wax as body temperature helps flow the Caranuba wax. Buff out with a microfiber cloth.