Can a foam gun be effective without a pressure washer?

I

imported_RedlineIRL

New member
I've noticed that most people use foam guns in combination with a pressure washer. Can good foaming and good results be achieved by hooking it up to the end of the garden hose? I know that there will be factors on the suds and results, such as water pressure. Does anyone here use a foam gun off the hose, how does it work out?
 
I think it depends what you're using the foamgun *for* or, to put it another way, what you're trying to accomplish by using it.



The way *I* use the foamgun simply wouldn't work with a pressure washer. But it's not the same process either; I'm using it to provide constant flushing/lubrication of the surface, not for an extremely long-dwelling presoak or for a touchless wash.



Effective? I've basically been able to reduce my wash-induced marring to the point that I seldom have to polish even once a year, and I let my vehicles get pretty nasty during the winter.
 
This might help you answer your question whether or not you can get enough foam:

How to Detailing Video - Foam Gun



A foam gun (for a regular hose) and a foam cannon (for a pressure washer) both have pros/cons. There was a member by the name of mcnab that did a foam gun vs foam cannon review and it has a lot of good info on it. Just do a search for that thread.



If you watch the video I linked above, notice how he's able to spray foam and use his mitt at the same time. You can't easily do that with the foam cannon because you need 2 hands to control your wand and squeeze the trigger.
 
BlackElantraGT said:
This might help you answer your question whether or not you can get enough foam:

How to Detailing Video - Foam Gun
Click to expand...

That's exaclty what I'm attempting to accomplish as shown in the video. I just want to get a good soapy surface on the car to prevent marring as much as possible. I'll still use the 2 bucket method in combination with the foam gun.



BlackElantraGT said:
A foam gun (for a regular hose) and a foam cannon (for a pressure washer) both have pros/cons. There was a member by the name of mcnab that did a foam gun vs foam cannon review and it has a lot of good info on it. Just do a search for that thread.
Click to expand...

I always thought the foam gun and foam cannon were the same thing. Thanks for clearing up the differences.







Can anyone reccomend some reasonably priced foam guns? Also for those who use Z7 in combination with a foam gun, what kind of mixture should I use to achieve good foaming?
 
RedlineIRL said:
Can anyone reccomend some reasonably priced foam guns?
Click to expand...



AG sells the foam guns (pinnacle, wolfgang, autogeek), and they're all the same just a different sticker on the plastic bottle. they honor the autopia 10% discount as well (code for that is " autopia "), which would make it $53.99 (regularly $59.99) plus the free bonus. also... spend $75 and get free shipping, and the code for that is " ago " Auto Detailing Supplies: quality detailing tools & auto detailing equipment

autogeek_1970_87188612
 
If you want really thick and slippery foam, you've gotta try DP Extreme Foam Shampoo. I did a recent test on shampoos and this one stood head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, if I move my arm too quickly while foaming up my car with my gun, bubbles will actually form and begin to drift across my yard just like a kid blowing bubbles. It smells awesome too. Just like Mint Julep candy.



Patrick
 
BigAl3 said:
AG sells the foam guns (pinnacle, wolfgang, autogeek), and they're all the same just a different sticker on the plastic bottle. they honor the autopia 10% discount as well (code for that is " autopia "), which would make it $53.99 (regularly $59.99) plus the free bonus. also... spend $75 and get free shipping, and the code for that is " ago " Auto Detailing Supplies: quality detailing tools & auto detailing equipment

autogeek_1970_87188612
Click to expand...

Thanks. I see that they sell two different versions, a quart and a half gallon size. Is either of the two better than the other besides the size differences in the tanks, and is it worth going to the half gallon? I plan on using it for a pre-soaker on my smaller compact cars.
 
ptaylor_9849 said:
If you want really thick and slippery foam, you've gotta try DP Extreme Foam Shampoo. I did a recent test on shampoos and this one stood head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, if I move my arm too quickly while foaming up my car with my gun, bubbles will actually form and begin to drift across my yard just like a kid blowing bubbles. It smells awesome too. Just like Mint Julep candy.



Patrick
Click to expand...



I bought a foam gun and used it for the first time this week end. Someone on this forum recommended the DP Extreme Foam Shampoo which is what I used. It was terrific; great lubrication and plenty of foam even using water from a hose. I'm hooked.:clap: :clap:
 
I love my 1 quart AG foam gun! I just got a chance to use it yesterday on my jeep for the first time and I love it! Definitely worth it! I highly recommend the DP suds as well! I'm actually going to order a gallon of it ASAP!
 
Lou K said:
I bought a foam gun and used it for the first time this week end. Someone on this forum recommended the DP Extreme Foam Shampoo which is what I used. It was terrific; great lubrication and plenty of foam even using water from a hose. I'm hooked.:clap: :clap:
Click to expand...

I think autogeek has a deal going on now where they include a bottle with the foam guns. I've heard so much about them, I'm finally getting one. Which size foam gun did you get?



Labster said:
I love my 1 quart AG foam gun! I just got a chance to use it yesterday on my jeep for the first time and I love it! Definitely worth it! I highly recommend the DP suds as well! I'm actually going to order a gallon of it ASAP!
Click to expand...

Did the quart tank provide enough foam and suds for the entier wash for you?
 
ptaylor_9849 said:
If you want really thick and slippery foam, you've gotta try DP Extreme Foam Shampoo. I did a recent test on shampoos and this one stood head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, if I move my arm too quickly while foaming up my car with my gun, bubbles will actually form and begin to drift across my yard just like a kid blowing bubbles. It smells awesome too. Just like Mint Julep candy.



Patrick
Click to expand...



Add some CG's Citrus Wash N Gloss for lemony-minty goodness.
 
RedlineIRL said:
.............Did the quart tank provide enough foam and suds for the entier wash for you?
Click to expand...
They sell both sizes separately if you want to pick up a spare bottle that is a different size from what comes with the gun you order. The gun I have is a 1/2 gallon and that works out well for what I use it for. The smaller size is probably easier to handle, but even though I bought a smaller bottle for it last year I haven't bothered using it yet. My guess is that 75 -90% of the foam gun users here have the smaller bottle so it must work out pretty well for them. I guess I'm used to the mix I make for the 1/2 gallon size and I never seem to have a problem finding a use for all of the foam.
 
Thanks. I didn't see the bottles on their site, do you have a link for the half gallon? It would make sense for them to sell them which I'm sure they do. I'll just stick with the quart now, and upgrade if necessary. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
I had a gilmour foam gun for a few days. I really wasn't happy with the level of foam it produced. So, I returned it and got a foam cannon for my pressure washer. The difference is NIGHT & DAY. Here's a pic or two from my first try with the foam cannon earlier today . . .



img1953ed8.jpg


img1954bl5.jpg


img1955lc0.jpg


img1956rp4.jpg
 
That's some nice foam!



I wonder if I can buy one of those pressure washers from wal-mart and then get a foam cannon for that...? I never really thought about getting one..
 
stiffdogg06 said:
That's some nice foam!



I wonder if I can buy one of those pressure washers from wal-mart and then get a foam cannon for that...? I never really thought about getting one..
Click to expand...

My pressure washer is a Husky that I bought at Home Depot for $99. It peaks at 1750psi. However, Husky and Karcher use a brand specific method for attaching lances. So, I needed to replace the hose and gun ($65) in order to be able to attach the foam cannon. I needed to replace the gun anyway on mine since the trigger wouldn't stop sticking. Craftsman however does have an electric pressure washer which comes out of the box with a gun that would take a foam cannon.



I also replaced the foam cannon's stock soap solution bottle with a 32 oz. bottle. In order to accomodate that I had to replace the soap pick up tube with a longer one. I bought the replacement tube at Home Depot ($6). It's right in the pressure washer section. The bottle I used is just a generic spray bottle also bought at HD.
 
Mikeyc said:
My pressure washer is a Husky that I bought at Home Depot for $99. It peaks at 1750psi. However, Husky and Karcher use a brand specific method for attaching lances. So, I needed to replace the hose and gun ($65) in order to be able to attach the foam cannon. I needed to replace the gun anyway on mine since the trigger wouldn't stop sticking. Craftsman however does have an electric pressure washer which comes out of the box with a gun that would take a foam cannon.



I also replaced the foam cannon's stock soap solution bottle with a 32 oz. bottle. In order to accomodate that I had to replace the soap pick up tube with a longer one. I bought the replacement tube at Home Depot ($6). It's right in the pressure washer section. The bottle I used is just a generic spray bottle also bought at HD.
Click to expand...



I guess I need to look into all this.



What power washer do you recommend buying that I can just plug and play a foam cannon too?



If you want to take this to PM or AIM let me know. Thanks!
 
Mikeyc said:
I bought the replacement tube at Home Depot ($6). It's right in the pressure washer section. The bottle I used is just a generic spray bottle also bought at HD.
Click to expand...



Just curious, how much tubing did you buy? I bought 1 foot of tubing and it was less than a quarter. They have a section with nothing but plastic tubing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top