Foam guns

I

imported_10degreesbtdc

New member
Hi, I'm a long-time lurker but this is my first post. Fantastic site w/incredible resources here!

I know Langka has been discussed before and received lukewarm reviews (at best). Wondering if any of you might have suggestions before I toss it in the trash and go the old-fashioned way.

The car is an Acura MDX black metallic (w/clear of course). Had to wait 2 days for it to dry before Langka stopped pulling all the touchup out of the chips (even with incredibly light pressure).

<strong class='bbc'>Problem[/b]: it <em class='bbc'>significantly[/i] dulls the touchup paint to the point where it looks like dark-grey clay.

I was able to restore <em class='bbc'>some[/i] of the luster w/3M Scratch & Swirl Remover (39009) by hand and a couple of coats of z5/z2. Honestly, it's not good enough -- I think I can get better results with multiple layers via toothpick, then buffing level. Even if it's not completely level, at least it'll be the same color :rolleyes:

<strong class='bbc'>Anyone have any suggestions on the "color change" and restoring, or have I tried the viable solution (3M SS&R) already?[/b]

Thanks in advance!
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by AcMDX [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>. . . toss it in the trash and go the old-fashioned way.

I think I can get better results with multiple layers via toothpick, then buffing level. Even if it's not completely level, at least it'll be the same color :rolleyes:[/b]</blockquote>
Sounds like you've answered your own question! I'm in the process of doing some chip repair right now, we'll see how it goes! I'll post any insights I gain that DavidB didn't outline at autopia-carcare.

Justin
 
I found that it did the same. Dulled the paint and wasn't worth all the promises. I threw it out in the dumpster...not worthy of a place in my garage.



Huy
 
Well first off your problem is the touch up paint. I'm assuming you're using the Acura touchup paint. It sucks. Go online and order the real deal from http://www.paintscratch.com I have a Satin Silver Metallic 3.2TL, not the easiest color to match. It works great.

Also, have you tried a dab of clear coat over top? Remember touch up paint doesn't contain the clear coat top coat. That might make it blend in more.
 
That's freaky - I was just about to come online and do a search, see if anyone else has used this product..



If you guys are seriously thinking of dumping it - could I bother you for a sample? From what I'm reading, it probably won't do much - but I've got one car that's an old clunker, and doesn't merit much in the way of professional repairs.
 
I have used Langka several times with some success. I used it on friends cars and the results would never satisfy a member of this forum, but for the average guy, they loved it. I have never had it have the gloss of the original finish (haven't tried a touch of clear coat over the repair), but the color usually is very close.

I have not used Langka on any black vehicles though.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll try the "other brand" of touchup to see if it's any more effective. FWIW the Acura touchup was FINE and matched exactly til the Langka hit it.



The owner of Langka was helpful and friendly when I ordered, so I'm trying to withhold final judgement and not slam the product if I'm missing something...



Also, Q for NSXNEXT: wouldn't applying clear to something that looks crappy just protect the crappy?
 
Does anyone use a foam gun in very low humidity areas? I'm in Phoenix, and haven't bought a foam gun yet; I'd like to, but not sure it's very useable here since the car dries so quickly w/no humidity.
 
I have a foam gun and like it , I only break it out if the car is really dirty,for instance, if you drive in the rain and pick up a lot of dirt,road debris etc.
The foam helps the car to pre soak prior to your two bucket wash.I dont bother using it for regular washes ,and dont like for soap to set on the car for very long either.Its sort of like a mini car wash in your drive way....but quarter free ! :smile:
 
I also have one and love it too. I'm also in FL so low humidity is only a factor in the colder winter months. Even so, doing a section at a time may be the way to go. Wet it, foam it, rinse it then dry it may help in reducing any water that may sit too long on the paint and drying. You'll get some overspray but you can probably easily deal with that condition.
 
If you are worrying about the foam drying too quickly, do NOT buy a foam gun.
I have one, and we have medium humidity, and I found the suds dried so quickly, I would have to rewash the car. Sorry to you fellows that like them, but I have concluded my Gilmore is a gimmick, and it is now just a soap gun for the kids to play with out by the pool.
 
IDGAS said:
If you are worrying about the foam drying too quickly, do NOT buy a foam gun.
I have one, and we have medium humidity, and I found the suds dried so quickly, I would have to rewash the car. Sorry to you fellows that like them, but I have concluded my Gilmore is a gimmick, and it is now just a soap gun for the kids to play with out by the pool.
Click to expand...

No need to apologize! Many people love their Gilmore's and find them an invaluable extra step that helps avoid swirl marks when washing the car. I usually use mine 1 of 2 ways.

Pre-Soak- Soak then entire automobile down, let the soap dwell for 5 minutes, then wash away. This will help remove dirt and loosen any stubborn dirt, reducing the chances of inducing swirls in the wash process.

To Wash- Flood the surface with foam (one panel at a time), lightly agitate with your wash mitt, then rinse immediately away.

You should (IMO) never soak the entire surface of the car, then agitate everything, then attempt to rinse off, for a couple of reasons. One, you will likely not get around the car in time and you will have soap residue that will be hard to rinse off but more importantly, if you are going around the whole car with out rinsing the paint and your mitt out frequently, you will be spreading dirt over the surface and risk scratching the paint.

I have heard both sides of the coin; some people love their foam guns and some people don't, but what makes this forum great is we can all disagree respectfully!
 
tmwfla said:
Does anyone use a foam gun in very low humidity areas? I'm in Phoenix, and haven't bought a foam gun yet; I'd like to, but not sure it's very useable here since the car dries so quickly w/no humidity.
Click to expand...

I'm here in PHX as well. I have been waiting for them to come back in stock so I could try one as well. I see that they are in and just simply forgot to order during the sale. I will though, soon. I think they would be great for presoaking.
 
I've been wanting I foam gun for quite some time, but could never justify the purchase when my two bucket method was working just fine. Although this last sale over memorial day was just too tempting!

I imagine I'll still rely heavily on my standard washing procedure, using the foam gun as a means for pre-soaking when I can. Sure, a garden sprayer works just as good and is cheaper, but something needs to be said for showmanship! :)
 
We get pretty hot and dry here in SoCal too and I use a foam gun on a regular basis.

I'll generally rinse the car thoroughly first, then fill a rinse bucket with plain water and a Grit Guard. I'll then foam the entire vehicle pretty heavily, but only take my wash mitt to the horizontal surfaces. The mitt is then rinsed in the clean water bucket and the whole car is rinsed off. At this point the sides of the car have not yet been washed, obviously, but they have gotten that initial rinse/foam treatment.

Next I'll re-foam one side of the car only and go over it with the mitt. If the car is really dirty (which, in all honesty, doesn't happen very frequently here since we don't see much rain) I'll only mitt wash part of the side before rinsing the mitt again.

Once that side is done I rinse that side of the car, rinse out the mitt, and repeat on the other side. I'll then do the same process on the back of the car, then the front and I'm done.

Works like a charm. The process gives Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax a good bit of dwell time, which seems to get the max out of it. But when it's particularly hot and dry I'll stick to Meguiar's Super Soap as it breaks down and rinses very quickly - it's also our only soap designed for this sort of application (well, not specifically for a consumer foam gun, but the principle is similar) so it foams up really well.
 
I was just looking at them on PAC, and was wondering what soaps would be OK to use with it? I use Meg's GC shampoo now, should i use something esle if i use a foam gun?
 
th0001 said:
No need to apologize! Many people love their Gilmore's and find them an invaluable extra step that helps avoid swirl marks when washing the car. I usually use mine 1 of 2 ways.

Pre-Soak- Soak then entire automobile down, let the soap dwell for 5 minutes, then wash away. This will help remove dirt and loosen any stubborn dirt, reducing the chances of inducing swirls in the wash process.

To Wash- Flood the surface with foam (one panel at a time), lightly agitate with your wash mitt, then rinse immediately away.

You should (IMO) never soak the entire surface of the car, then agitate everything, then attempt to rinse off, for a couple of reasons. One, you will likely not get around the car in time and you will have soap residue that will be hard to rinse off but more importantly, if you are going around the whole car with out rinsing the paint and your mitt out frequently, you will be spreading dirt over the surface and risk scratching the paint.

I have heard both sides of the coin; some people love their foam guns and some people don't, but what makes this forum great is we can all disagree respectfully!
Click to expand...

todd hit it on the dot. some only use it for a pre-soak which is a waste IMO and utilizing it to put soap/lubrication onto the surface before touching and following right behind with your wash media works better than just only dipping into the bucket and going to a panel IME as it floods/lifts dirt away. the many years that i have owned mine, that's one tool that i don't regret buying and is worth every cent to me. i have a foam cannon too, but use the foam gun more way more often these days...
 
Chucks88SS said:
I was just looking at them on PAC, and was wondering what soaps would be OK to use with it? I use Meg's GC shampoo now, should i use something esle if i use a foam gun?
Click to expand...

Chuck -- I must have tried over 15 different shampoos in my foam gun, and have convinced myself that you can't beat Meg's GC for foam volume and ability to clean without stripping wax. I dilute it 1:1 in the foam gun and apply it at 1 oz per gallon. Works great!!!
 
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