Chemical guys one touch snow foam vs actimousse

[JJ_]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest005.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest007.jpg



Hey guys,



I had some time today so I carried out a wee test, two of the four snow foams I have just bought.



I am basically looking for a foam which is safe but cleans well too - a big ask I know.



So basically our two test vehicles are both non washers since december time so plenty of grime etc to be removed. Another point here is that neither have any noticeable protection as I haven`t detailed my own car in sometime let alone these two.



Now I can`t tell you what a product smells like because I can`t smell so I`ll need to skip over that point :lol:



I used cold water connected to my pressure washer, I will be using warm when I move to a unit or hopefully if I can afford it I would like a warm water jet wash :D



Anyway enough babble.



First up was the jeep, general pictures of the condition, stained alloys etc. Now I don`t expect a snow foam to lift staining just really want to see a good amount of dirt removal - so not totally unrealistic of what these products should really be doing.



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest001.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest002.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest004.jpg



The thing I have to say about this product was, the foam wasn`t as thick as others I have used. I thought I should add some more to thicken it, so I did. Still not that thick which suprised me.



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest011.jpg



See this is a tad thin, even adding more solution etc. Anyway just meant the product didn`t cling for long.



Long enough for me to pour the chem guys into the foam lance and foam the bimmer. So even kindly say 10mins.



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest021.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest023.jpg



So not a thick product really, does that effect the cleaning, well we are about to find out.



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest029.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest028.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest030.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest033.jpg



Very impressed especially with the short amount of time it dwelled for.



Ok so next product - chemical guys new foam



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest014.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest015.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest016.jpg



The foam was sprayed on with the foam lance, now this is thick foam :D



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest017.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest018.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest020.jpg



The cleaning process is almost instantaneous, this is good stuff.



After a while, I was thinning down my collection again. Decided to get a toolbox for tools and move my detailing stuff to a roller cabinet.



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest025.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest026.jpg



Ok I don`t think your ready for this.





































Maybe you are then



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest035.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest036.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/JJ_/snow%20foam%20pics/snowfoamtest037.jpg



Almost no need for wheel cleaner on SOME wheels.



My opinion is this, these are two differently aimed products with the same name if that makes sense.



Ok actimousse is possibly more geared towards people who don`t have as much time like valeting guys. They want the car clean quicker and will go round to wash it after the foam anyway. The thin foam then makes sense.



Now, chem guys are maybe going for our type of thinking. I have a black car, non metallic and I want something which takes the most amount of dirt off so I am not rubbing or damaging my clear. I don`t mind if I wait another 5 mins for a cleaner car, like most detailers I guess.



So far, I have another two to test right enough, chemical guys have certainly delivered a product which is a must have for any detailer either in summer or winter. I must mention that I cover at least 70 miles a day on country roads, so I don`t really ever get "just" a dusty car it`s always dirty after the days commute. :detailer:



Hopefully this has helped some people who are in my shoes currently and unsure which product to choose.



I have the valet pro snow foam and citrus pre wash they offer still to test. Hopefully sometime next weekend !!

[jb1]

JJ, nice test. I`m actually surprised at the results on both vehicles. I looked on the chemical guys website and I don`t see which soap you`re using. I have the CW&G and the CW&C. One of those?

[Thomas Dekany]

Thanks so much for doing it. Need to look into CG`s.

[IC3DT3]

Looks like it`s available at CG`s UK site. The finest car care and automotive detailing products available. (http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=snow+foam&Search.x=4&Search.y=12)



Seems like a good price, not sure about shipping though

[JJ_]

This is a uk product afaik, do you guys have anything that offers this being non caustic. I know snow foam isn`t as popular over the pond

[jb1]

This is a uk product afaik, do you guys have anything that offers this being non caustic. I know snow foam isn`t as popular over the pond



When I searched Google, it took me to the CG`s UK site. I`m sure their Citrus Wash & Gloss or Citrus Wash & Clear would give similar results. For my new foam lance, I`ve started using DP Xtreme Foam from Autogeek. It looks like shaving cream on the vehicle. What psi are you using on your pressure washer and how close was the wand to the vehicle?

[Accumulator]

JJ_- How hard are those on the LSP?

[JJ_]

Hey accumulator, long time no speak.



I still use your wash technique - well apart from the snow foam.



Something like chemical guys seems ok, I have to admit my car was still in the shop when this arrived and my fathers/mothers car has zero protection just now.



I hopefully (if this cold clears up) will have a chance to try it on my car at the weekend. So I will be able to judge this a bit better. Although I need to find out which panels were painted so I know which ones I can wax and which I can`t.



Good to see your still on here.

[JJ_]

When I searched Google, it took me to the CG`s UK site. I`m sure their Citrus Wash & Gloss or Citrus Wash & Clear would give similar results. For my new foam lance, I`ve started using DP Xtreme Foam from Autogeek. It looks like shaving cream on the vehicle. What psi are you using on your pressure washer and how close was the wand to the vehicle?



Hi, the citrus wash wouldn`t give similar results unfortunately as I have tried, if you search "too many shampoo`s" I did a pretty comprehensive test a good year ago on all the shampoo`s I had about 15 I think.



There must be something that they add to this "snow foam" formula which makes them clean or loosen dirt to this extent. I just think it`s great for the winter wash. It really does remove so much salt it makes the winter wash nearly enjoyable.



The psi I have no idea sorry jb1, the wand was about 1ft/2ft away and sometimes I was a good six foot as I ran out of extension hose. :(



I have to add, living in Dallas I would imagine you don`t want a product which clings for too long because if the sun got to this I think it would leave nasty markings? Seeing as I live in Scotland (possibly the coldest country aside from Russia) then I don`t have this problem lol!



Keep the questions coming guys anything I can do to help.

[Legacy]

Great review, thanks.

[gocubbies]

and this was done just by soaking cars letting the foam sit and rinseing it off? so hand washing?

[jb1]

Hi, the citrus wash wouldn`t give similar results unfortunately as I have tried, if you search "too many shampoo`s" I did a pretty comprehensive test a good year ago on all the shampoo`s I had about 15 I think.



There must be something that they add to this "snow foam" formula which makes them clean or loosen dirt to this extent. I just think it`s great for the winter wash. It really does remove so much salt it makes the winter wash nearly enjoyable.



The psi I have no idea sorry jb1, the wand was about 1ft/2ft away and sometimes I was a good six foot as I ran out of extension hose. :(



I have to add, living in Dallas I would imagine you don`t want a product which clings for too long because if the sun got to this I think it would leave nasty markings? Seeing as I live in Scotland (possibly the coldest country aside from Russia) then I don`t have this problem lol!



Keep the questions coming guys anything I can do to help.



Thanks JJ. I`ll call Paul at CG here in the US and see what I can work out. With your technique and snow foam, that sure would reduce the potential for marring even more than what I`m doing now. Great report and thanks for taking the time to post the results!

[JohnZ3MC]

Considering the fact that every second guy in North America has a foam gun/ cannon / pressure washer, I`m surprised no company has offered a `snow foam` type product like those found in the UK.

Everybody here in North America has their favourite shampoo (Detailer`s Pride Extreme Foam for me) but they don`t seem to be specially formulated for the extra dwell time and dirt disolving qualities that the snow foams do.

I`d buy a gallon or two in a hearbeat if Chemical Guys USA offered a similar product here.

-John C.

[Accumulator]

JJ_ - Good to see you`re still here as well :wavey



I asked about the LSP-stripping as SuperBee364 always made it sound like that was one mighty fine line (effective on dirt/gentle enough on LSP) in his experience and I was wondering how your take would compare.



I`m all in favor of touchless washing if it doesn`t strip the protection or cause any other issues :xyxthumbs

[JJ_]

JJ_ - Good to see you`re still here as well :wavey



I asked about the LSP-stripping as SuperBee364 always made it sound like that was one mighty fine line (effective on dirt/gentle enough on LSP) in his experience and I was wondering how your take would compare.



I`m all in favor of touchless washing if it doesn`t strip the protection or cause any other issues :xyxthumbs



I have to agree, the caustic cleaners will eat through your LSP whereas this seems to have the same effect as normal shampoo. I have to say I will keep an eye on this one, snow foam I have tried before don`t really clean as well so the impact on lsp was minimal.



Touchless washing would help me a great deal as I have a black car with no metallic so it shows every little mark, hence my look at filler glazes and polishes. :lol: