02-23-2014, 02:59 PM | #1 |
Major
177
Rep 1,155
Posts |
Car washing question - foam dilution?
Based on discussions I've seen here as well as Amazon reviews, I bought some Chemical Guys CWS_110 HoneyDew Snow Foam Car Wash, as well as an electric pressure washer which has a spray bottle attachment.
Apparently this stuff is highly concentrated and when you use it with a bucket they say to use a capful per gallon. I wasn't sure whether dilution was called for when using it in a pressure washer bottle, so I didn't initially. When I went to apply the foam, it wasn't foamy at all - just some bubbles here and there. So I added some water to dilute it - probably wound up 3 parts water to soap - and it didn't change a thing - still just mildly bubbly spray. I went ahead and sprayed the whole car that way, waited a bit, then sprayed with the wand to get the bit soap off. It worked OK, but the reviews for this stuff indicate that it should come out very foamy - some even compared the foam to shaving cream. What am I doing wrong? Maybe my pressure washers bottle thing just sucks? This is the pressure washer I bought - it was otherwise pretty great - I enjoyed using it and it has a nice range of adjustability for the stream. http://www.amazon.com/AR-Blue-Clean-...ressure+washer Thanks
__________________
2017 Porsche 911GTS - Agate Gray on Black
2009 Aston Martin DBS - Casino Royale Gray on Black (sold) 2014 M5 ZCP - Azurite Black over SSII Full (gone) 2009 M5 - Carbon Black over Sepang Full (gone - not forgotten) 2001 740i M-Sport - Carbon Black over Black (gone - not forgotten) |
02-23-2014, 03:27 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant Colonel
127
Rep 1,622
Posts |
I normally fill up my foamer bottle with 3/4 water and some soap.
On my PW there is a black knob that allows for changing to foam to soapy water. I like zaino for glossy paintwork. Just about any car shampoo you put in the PW foam bottle will make the shampoo foam.
__________________
2013 BMW INDIVIDUAL ///M5 {Frozen Black/Amaro Brown/Amaro Brown Alcantara/White Contrast Stitching/Piano Black Trim}
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-11-2014, 06:41 PM | #3 | |
Knight Commander
559
Rep 5,948
Posts
Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 Porsche 911 Tu ... [10.00]
2015 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2015 Jaguar F Type R [0.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00] |
Quote:
http://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-...cal+guys+matte
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-11-2014, 06:47 PM | #4 | |
Knight Commander
559
Rep 5,948
Posts
Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 Porsche 911 Tu ... [10.00]
2015 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2015 Jaguar F Type R [0.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00] |
Quote:
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-11-2014, 08:12 PM | #6 |
Lieutenant Colonel
127
Rep 1,622
Posts |
@stealth.pilot
Zaino Z-16 For our type of paintworks: Make sure you always wipe this stuff off with a throw away after applying it. The sidewall should be dry when you wipe your finger over it. I use eagle one tire swipes to apply it. You can find it at a local autozone. My throwaways are black microfibers and terry towels.
__________________
2013 BMW INDIVIDUAL ///M5 {Frozen Black/Amaro Brown/Amaro Brown Alcantara/White Contrast Stitching/Piano Black Trim}
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-11-2014, 10:41 PM | #7 |
Lieutenant Colonel
124
Rep 1,840
Posts
Drives: '14 M5 CP Dinan Stage 2
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston, Tx
|
Snow foam works great. Use an ounce then fill the rest up with warm/ hot water. What type do attachment do you have ?
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-11-2014, 10:45 PM | #8 | ||
Lieutenant Colonel
124
Rep 1,840
Posts
Drives: '14 M5 CP Dinan Stage 2
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston, Tx
|
Quote:
Go buy http://www.autogeekmobile.net/tuf-sh...rance-kit.html" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.autogeekm...e-kit.html</a> If you don't want the kit just pick up the dressing. If cleaned good before this stuff lasts months. No need to keep applying every few days ! It's like a coating for your tire. Autogeek approved !
__________________
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
03-11-2014, 10:47 PM | #9 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
124
Rep 1,840
Posts
Drives: '14 M5 CP Dinan Stage 2
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston, Tx
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 06:05 AM | #10 | |
Major
177
Rep 1,155
Posts |
Quote:
I picked up a Gilmour Foamaster II - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y190WE/..._26725410_item - and tried it last weekend with a better diluted mix. It was much better than last time, but still not as foamy as I had hoped or as I see in Youtube videos. It doesn't get foamy enough to stick - it just slides off. What is the secret I'm missing? I find that powerwash, followed by foam, then wait a bit, followed by powerwash - doesn't quite do the job down by the fenders etc. I still have to go over certain areas with a sponge to get everything really spotless. Maybe this will change once I get the foaming right?
__________________
2017 Porsche 911GTS - Agate Gray on Black
2009 Aston Martin DBS - Casino Royale Gray on Black (sold) 2014 M5 ZCP - Azurite Black over SSII Full (gone) 2009 M5 - Carbon Black over Sepang Full (gone - not forgotten) 2001 740i M-Sport - Carbon Black over Black (gone - not forgotten) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 06:08 AM | #11 | ||
Major
177
Rep 1,155
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
Thanks!
__________________
2017 Porsche 911GTS - Agate Gray on Black
2009 Aston Martin DBS - Casino Royale Gray on Black (sold) 2014 M5 ZCP - Azurite Black over SSII Full (gone) 2009 M5 - Carbon Black over Sepang Full (gone - not forgotten) 2001 740i M-Sport - Carbon Black over Black (gone - not forgotten) |
||
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 06:47 AM | #12 | |
Live for today tomorrow never comes
1989
Rep 9,498
Posts |
Quote:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/14120...ff14=95&ff19=0
__________________
Live for now, life is too short.
2021 LCI M5 Marina Bay Blue/ Smoked White Leather |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 06:56 AM | #13 | ||
Lieutenant Colonel
124
Rep 1,840
Posts
Drives: '14 M5 CP Dinan Stage 2
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Houston, Tx
|
Quote:
http://www.autogeekmobile.net/snow-soap-combo.html Use this one, you can find similar also made by chemical guys. You want a foam cannon not gun. You will see significant difference. Enjoy the foam. The Gilmore foam master should be used with a hose only and not a psi washer.
__________________
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 07:00 AM | #14 | ||
Captain
50
Rep 785
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
I have one similar to the picture for my Karcher pressure washer to which I add 1 inch of snow foam/car wash and top the rest up with hot water. The amount/quality of the foam will also be dependant on the detergent product used. Personally I only use 'snow foams' (which result in shaving cream consistency) when I'm stripping a car of previous protection ready to complete a re-detail. If I want to do a contactless pre-wash I use diluted Zaino Z-7 in the foam lance and just accept that I will not get shaving cream consistency foam (although it's still better than what your describing using the pressure washer foam bottle). EDIT; sorry just read above, John & Spinny beat me to it. Last edited by Dionysus; 03-12-2014 at 07:07 AM.. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 07:35 AM | #15 |
Yankee Air Pirate
151
Rep 978
Posts |
I had a gilmour foam gun that lasted all of 2 months and a foam lance/cannon that worked pretty well... But the best yet is this thing:
http://www.autogeekmobile.net/tornador-air-foamer.html 2 oz soap, top off with water, hook to air compressor and go. Also, at least here in Texas, the water softener kit is a must: http://www.autogeekmobile.net/deluxe-filter-system.html And for tires I use the opti product.. It's thick, long lasting, and VOC free: http://www.autogeekmobile.net/optimu...-gel-32oz.html
__________________
2020 ///M5 || 2019 540XI || 2014 ///M5 w/CP || My Epic ED trip report|| || 2009 BMW R1200RT
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 07:48 AM | #16 | |
Captain
50
Rep 785
Posts |
Quote:
And good call on the water softener - hard water=less foam or more detergent. Stealth - another option for tyres/tires - I use GTechniq P1 - I've just re-applied it 6 months after first application. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 08:01 AM | #17 | |
Knight Commander
559
Rep 5,948
Posts
Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 Porsche 911 Tu ... [10.00]
2015 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2015 Jaguar F Type R [0.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00] |
Quote:
That system BTW doesn't just soften the water, it fully demineralizes it. I use this too, and I just rinse the car after a wash. I don't need to dry because the lack of minerals in the water means the car will dry spotless. I use this one which I find is excellent. http://www.crspotless.com/de-ionizin...nd-system.html
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray Last edited by stealth.pilot; 03-12-2014 at 08:11 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 08:28 AM | #18 | |
Captain
50
Rep 785
Posts |
Quote:
Should have said GTechniq T1, as per the picture (unfortunate typo as P1 is polish). Let me know if you have problems finding a US re-seller and I'll PM details of the UK distributer. I use this (+resin) via pressure washer (to wash car): - http://www.ro-man.com/shop/index.php...product_id=248 And this (I have 30ppm followed by 0ppm due to water hardness) via hose (generally used to dilute Meguiars APC, QD, Glass Cleaner, etc.): - http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/a...filter-30.aspx You do need to dry your car fully if using DI water though, however, as I believe you said in another thread Stealth, the advantage is that you can drive your car dry. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-12-2014, 11:10 AM | #19 |
Major
177
Rep 1,155
Posts |
Thanks a ton, all. I'm buying a proper foam cannon.
__________________
2017 Porsche 911GTS - Agate Gray on Black
2009 Aston Martin DBS - Casino Royale Gray on Black (sold) 2014 M5 ZCP - Azurite Black over SSII Full (gone) 2009 M5 - Carbon Black over Sepang Full (gone - not forgotten) 2001 740i M-Sport - Carbon Black over Black (gone - not forgotten) |
Appreciate
0
|
03-25-2014, 08:08 AM | #20 |
Captain
177
Rep 643
Posts |
Crap, I totally missed your questions. Looks like you have the foam cannon thing worked out. I use chemical guys meticulous matte auto wash in my foam cannon. Let it sit, rinse it off, then wash with a mitt using a nanolex car wash soap - 2 bucket method. The foam just loosens everything up. Don't really need to put a lot of pressure on your wash mitt to remove the crud. But, a real wash is needed to get everything clean. But I'm thinking you all know this.
Sorry for the rambling. Step back from the coffee before someone gets hurt!!! Ha |
Appreciate
0
|
03-25-2014, 12:20 PM | #21 |
Live for today tomorrow never comes
1989
Rep 9,498
Posts |
After using Amorall Shield, I just "Snow foam" leave then pressure wash and dry, never needed to wash mit the car yet.
__________________
Live for now, life is too short.
2021 LCI M5 Marina Bay Blue/ Smoked White Leather |
Appreciate
0
|
04-02-2014, 08:38 AM | #22 |
Major
177
Rep 1,155
Posts |
Is Armorall Shield like Opti Coat?
__________________
2017 Porsche 911GTS - Agate Gray on Black
2009 Aston Martin DBS - Casino Royale Gray on Black (sold) 2014 M5 ZCP - Azurite Black over SSII Full (gone) 2009 M5 - Carbon Black over Sepang Full (gone - not forgotten) 2001 740i M-Sport - Carbon Black over Black (gone - not forgotten) |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|