Foam Gun - First Time Use Tips/Advice?

[Dylan@Adams]

Got my foam gun finally and I'm excited to use it. Also ordered a gallon of Optimum Car Wash (figured I'd need a good amount) to try out since most of my other soaps are running a bit low. I've been a 2 bucket, 2 grit guard, diehard for a while, but I figured it was time to give in and make my wash routine that much less likely to swirl... plus shooting foam just looks like fun

Anyways, I've never used a foam gun or OCW and I'll be testing them out on my personal vehicle tomorrow. Any tips you guys can offer or is it pretty much just spray it down with foam, aggitate with my sheepskin mit, rinse clean?

Also, any tips on how much OCW to use in relation to the metering tip I go with??

Its a hydofoamer gun in case that matters.

TIA

[BigAl3]

here's accumulator's technique (maybe an updated version?), maybe he can chime in... http://autopia.org/forum/hall-fame/3...technique.html

[e5150]

How much did you pay for your foam gun and where did you get it?

[Dylan@Adams]

Originally Posted by e5150

How much did you pay for your foam gun and where did you get it?

I got it as part of a GB over on GMFullSize.com thru GlimmerGlassDetailing... the GB price was reduced, but his regular price on it $57.99 Foam Gun

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by BigAl3

here's accumulator's technique (maybe an updated version?), ...

Yeah, I need to update that thread sometime

Nothing there are a lot of foamgun techniques and that I don't have a monopoly on what works OK....

Short version: Don't rely on the foamgun to do *too* much via presoak techniques. Likewise, don't expect it to do a touchless sort of wash. Think of it as a means of providing constant flushing and lubrication during an therwise relatively normal wash.

Fill the mitt with shampoo mix (or fill it with the foamgun), still work at minimal contact pressure between it and the paint. Use the foamgun to spray the suds at the point where the mitt contacts the paint, try for a "layer of suds between the two".

Keep lots of suds flowing during mitt/paint contact.

Rinse the mitt out frequently, don't rely on the foamgun to keep it clean (that only works with BHBs).

If something doesn't come off the paint using this very gentle technique, stop and use Sonus Ultra Fine Clay to remove it (very carefully).

Rinse the panels thoroughly with the regular hose nozzle and consider giving each panel two/more very gentle passes as opposed to one more aggressive washing.

[barrettward]

I have posed this in the past. Your results may very.

For the presoak I use whatever setting lets the foam linger for a few seconds then starts running down the panels. I do this until I see dry spots and then a throughly rinse. Generally second hole from left.

Then for wash I turn it up to show two holes to the right. Wash with mitt one panel at a time then rinse.

For the wheels, I use max foam - all holes on left. Getting the wheels and wheel wells, then washing with a mitt and brush.

Whatever I have left, I go full foam on the entire car, remove the foam gun and do a through rinsing (with the hose only, no gun attached.) I pay extra attention to door lines / hood lines / trunk lines/ and the mirrors. This is usually where the unrinsed soap likes to hide.

The first day I got my gun, I used a sharpie and marked off every two ounces. I use approx 4/5 oz of duragloss soap, and unless I'm super anal, it last the whole wash.

Barrett


With my amount of soap, 4/5 oz DG well shaken and filled to the top with water I get.

First notch: sudsy water very little adhesion
Second notch: minimal foam good for presoak IMHO
Third notch: Generally the all purpose setting. Foam that kinda clings, but provides good lubrication and a decent wash value.
Forth notch: Lots of foam, works well for harsh areas, I tend to avoid this setting.
Fifth notch: Uses soap like a drunk at wedding, I use this for wheels and motor only. I get approx 90 sec of use at this setting. Great for final suds and rinse makes heavy duty "shaving cream" for me.



Barrett

[Lightman]

I basically eliminated one bucket of the two bucket wash with my foam gun, I no longer have a suds bucket, which seems to save time. I mix 4 or 5 ounces of car wash soap with a gallon of water and use that mix in the foam gun, generally on the lowest setting. Remember more concentrated foam/soap is going to be harsher on your LSP. I prefer griot's soap for regular washes because it's very gentle, but the optimum makes a much thicker foam, which is better for winter presoaks etc...depends what you want to use your gun for. Have fun.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Lightman

I basically eliminated one bucket of the two bucket wash with my foam gun, I no longer have a suds bucket, which seems to save time..

I sometimes do it that way with the BHB, but unless I'm gonna fill the mitt via the foamgun I still use the suds bucket.

[Dylan@Adams]

Results were AWESOME... thanks for all the pointers guys... don't know how I've been detailing this long without a gun. Easily shaved 30 minutes off my wash time... I'd also like to add that Optimum Car Wash is now my favorite concentrate.

Didn't have a chance to get many pics as I was having too much fun shooting foam... definitely decided I need to use a smaller valve... I think I burned thru the mixture a tad too fast, but it was bound to have a trial and error period.

Heres a couple of pics:









BTW: the TBSS was detailed with Adams Fine Machine Polish and 2 coats of Adams Machine Super Wax... relevant considering the recent review that was posted of the products. Its about a month in and seems to be holding up really well... 3 washes since it was first applied.

[Accumulator]

Dylan06SS- Glad to hear your first foamgun wash went so well! Nice looking SS too...

[Dylan@Adams]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Dylan06SS- Glad to hear your first foamgun wash went so well! Nice looking SS too...

Thanks... shes my baby

Big changes for it on the horizon... for now its putting down 348hp & 391ft/lbs at the wheels thanks to a CAI, cat back, and a dyno tune... nothing like surprising the hell out of mustang owners when they look over and see SUV running past em.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Dylan06SS

Big changes for it on the horizon...

Yeah, back when I thought I could fit all the dogs in a TrailBlazer I had some plans about what I'd do with it too Still might tweak the Denali XL some day...