Quick Review: Autopia Tornador Foamer

[Todd@RUPES]

"Foaming" your car prior to washing or even rinsing offers the benefit of allowing the surfactants in a soap solution to penetrate the dirt film and surround the individual dirt particles. This can release some of the dirt particles with out agitation and allow the remaining to release from the surface with minimal agitation. This reduces the risk of microscratching or dulling the clear coat when washing.

There are many ways to foam a car and several tools available. Foam Guns, the most popular made by Gilmour, attach to a traditional spray nozzle, and bathe the car in suds. Foam cannons, on the other hand, replace the wand on a pressure washer and create a thick blanket of long lasting suds. Ultimately, each requires switching the sprayer to return normal water flow.

The Foamer by Tornador is unique in that it hooks up to an air compressor and works independently from the water source. You can foam a car and immediately begin to rinse, since your water supply is unaffected. While this can offer a benefit to those with an air compressor, the question is can the Tornador Foamer and blanket the car with enough foam, which clings long enough, to offer a penetrating benefit?

The Autopia Foamer by Tornador.





Getting Started.

The Autopia Foamer by Tornador is easy to set up but you will need an air compressor capable of delivering between 70-90 PSI of pressure. For maximal results it is best to have an air compressor that will flow over 5 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of air at 90 PSI. The higher the air flow the greater the foaming action, although it is not recommended to use more then 125 psi.

First fill the reservoir cup by unscrewing it and filling with water. Add your car soap after the reservoir is filled to prevent sudsing.



Note: Adding to rich of a dilution of soap will create excessive foam and reduce coverage. It is best to err on the light side. In the following pictures and I used Detailer`s Pro Series Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo. This rich, thick gel is designed for use in foam guns and foam cannons. I found that only 1 1/2 capfuls (1/3 oz) was ideal for for optimal results. Adding too much solution produced rich foam, but reduced coverage. Adding too little solution reduced the foam and created a light, running effect.

For soaps that are heavily concentrated (Dodo Juice SuperNatural Shampoo, Migliore Naturale, Detailers Pro Series Xtreme Foam Formula add use approximately 1/3 oz. For other soaps start at 1/3 oz and thicken to 1/2-3/4 oz. if needed.



Once the reservoir is filled, screw back on the Tornador`s body. Next use the quick connect to your air supply.





That`s it! The hard part is over!. Simply squeeze the trigger to begin coating your vehicle in rich, lubricated foam.











Additionally you can use mild dilutions of all-purpose cleaners and stripping agents to clean the paint after polishing or prior to waxing. Here we I am using Migliore Citro Shampoo to clean the paint of this AMG Mercedes after polishing.




By changing the dial on the lower part of the handle (near the quick-connect) you can adjust the pressure and thicken the foam.

[Concours.John]

Thanks for the demonstration. Ive been wondering about these.
The only problem is, is it the thick clinging foam that swells a Ferrari BBI into an Mercedes SUV? I might have some explaining to do.

[TroyScherer]

Very cool Todd...

Question: The foam the tornado creates looks fluffy and "dry". is that correct? If it is dryer fluffy foam does it have any real cleaning ability?

[polisher]

130 bucks...hmm for me kinda expensive

[Todd@RUPES]

Very cool Todd...

Question: The foam the tornado creates looks fluffy and "dry". is that correct? If it is dryer fluffy foam does it have any real cleaning ability?

Good observation Troy. If you use too much soap solution (too rich of a dilution) you will get a thick, dry foam). By dialing back the solution slightly, as on the side of the Mercedes, you will get a very wet foam that captures, dwells, and slides of the surface, which is ideal, IMO.

[TroyScherer]

Good observation Troy. If you use too much soap solution (too rich of a dilution) you will get a thick, dry foam). By dialing back the solution slightly, as on the side of the Mercedes, you will get a very wet foam that captures, dwells, and slides of the surface, which is ideal, IMO.

Good info to know. Thanks Todd. I have a foam gun and use it as such. A rich wet foam that clings and helps to remove the bonded contamination.

[Todd@RUPES]

Thanks for the demonstration. Ive been wondering about these.
The only problem is, is it the thick clinging foam that swells a Ferrari BBI into an Mercedes SUV? I might have some explaining to do.

We have a foam that also turns a Mercedes SUV into a Type 57 Bugatti Atlantic. Maybe.