Just received my Foam Lance along with some Snow Foam, Reading some threads on here people add different shampoo's with the mixture, like a totally different make, so a drop of Meguiars Hyper Wash (example) with the snow foam?.

Is this something that I need to do also, or will the snow foam be 100% fine on its own?

 

Hi Darren I've been looking into foaming and I've found that there are many different opinions. Using SF on its own will be fine but some say with regular use it can reduce your protection. Others add some HW to aid with the foaming and cleaning, While others say just using HW is safer and cleans better as its a shampoo. Still confused? Whatever you use and the result you get will depend on how protected your bodywork is and how dirty the car is. For example if your car is protected well and you are foaming weekly say in the summer months then foaming alone should be adequate, but if the weather is poor, repeating the foaming then a wash may be needed. I'm edging towards the HW myself and most people suggest using between 3-6 pumps to a 1 litre bottle topped up with warm water. I'm looking for as much info as possible so any feedback will be appreciated.

 

Mornin' lads, I did the 'free sample' trial thing aswell and it
was just ok tbh. Ended up getting HW and was very impressed
with just how little you need. To make it that little bit more
'clingy' I tried adding a few different cheapie shampoos (nothing
that risked wax stripping tho), there was a small improvement
nothing major. Personally wouldn't bother throwing your expensive
shampoos in with the HW I used Tesco's Eco Wash 'n' Wax
and I'm happy with what I get
Craig.

 

Darren - Meant to ask what type of foam lance do you have?

Craig - Do you have the pump dispenser? If so how much HW do you put in? Many peoples dilution ratios are a bit vague.

 

Colzo:- I have a Heavy Duty Lance from Elite Car Care (Karcher). I'll try this at the weekend. My car is pretty well sorted for layers of polish, this I will keep an eye on after the whole car has been done, and see if I can feel a lose in layers atall. Although I'm thinking it will take a few weeks of using the SS, if using it weekly!.

So went along with a 5L SS for now, as I read good things about it. Think you do about an inch of SS, then top up with warm tap water, thats my plan for Saturday (weather permiting)

As always its 6 of 1, and half a dozen of the other .

 

2 pumps of hyper wash and about half an inch of snow foam, and the dial about half way.

 

I generally get about 10mm of HW at the bottom of the
litre lance bottle then a wee 'splodge' of shampoo. If
I were to quantify the shampoo prob about 1~1 1/2 table spoons.
I also find the 'pump' amounts vague, as you dont always get the same
amount of HW coming out at every push of the dispenser ??
Tbh though I probably put way too much in considering that the HW ratio
is 400:1. Meaning in your litre bottle there should only be approx 2.5ml
Hope this helps mate,
Craig.

 

So just to clear things up for me , what is the need to put a different shampoo in with either SS or HW, are these two not shampoo's?

 

Tbh Darren I only tried it due to reading other people
doing it; think it's meant to make the foam even thicker
hence cling to the car for longer. I recently bought a zymol
concentrated shampoo it's green and was about £8 out of Halfords.
I haven't used a concentrated one as of yet so I'll see if this makes
a noticeable difference, will post up what I find
Craig.

 

I thought SF was a mild TFR and HW was a shampoo? So therefor no need to add shampoo if only using HW.

 

Snow foam is ok but if you want proper foam it's best to add some shampoo to the mix. I maintain that this will improve the presoaking ability of the foam.

I made some videos testing various shampoo and lances that might be of interest

YouTube - Foam Lance 2

YouTube - Foam Lances

 

Used the Foam Lance today, just using an inch of SS. It worked fantasticly well, loads of clinning foam.
Car still have a super smooth finish after a rinse, so it hadn't really stripped any protection off.
Next time I'll add a little bit of Shampoo (NXT Gen) to the mixture to see if theres any difference.

Top bit of kit though

 

Make sure it is a little bit, I have found NXT to be pretty aggressive. I stopped using it in foam as it lingered too long in too high a concentration

 

Used the Zymol shampoo with the Hyper Wash through my foam
lance and did notice an increase in density of the foam.
It may sound like a waste of time but if you're like me and have
applied wax to your car you'll notice that the foam doesn't really
adhere for too long due to the properties of the wax. Basically the longer the foam can stay on the car the better hence makes me think it's a worth while
excercise. Ofcourse this is just what I'm aiming for just wanted to let you know
Craig.

 

Craig - Good point you made there, so is it worth foaming on regularly protected lightly soiled cars?

 

I would say so, I do know that not everyone has the amenities to
run a pw at a drop of a hat and in these cases it really is a judgement
call wether you can be bothered diggin out all the bits 'n' bobs. Personally
do think it's worth while, think how much damage a few wee bits
of grit or similar can make during the washing process if not removed
beforehand ? The way I'm looking at it, wax isn't a 100% guarantee that you
can never damage your car whilst washing all it does is reduces the contact that contaminants make with your paintwork hence the more 'touchless'
washing you can perform the better I rekon ?
Tbh in days gone by I did use the grotty sponge and chamois to wash previous cars but since being on here and DW your eyes are widely opened
to a huge range of techniques and products it's silly not to use them eh. I never wash the car without the lance now
Sorry for the ramble, hope this helps ya mate.
Craig

 

These are exactly the same thoughts I have, Its being on this site, and seeing the cars done by the Polished Bliss team that make you look into more specialized products and better techniques.

Although it is proving to be very hard to stop you ordering more and more products, "add to basket, add to basket etc'' .

I do think that these Foam lances are a good way of cleaning the car before you actually touch it, therefore hopefully less fine scratches etc, especailly if you are spend a fair amount on new products (like me) on swirls removal, it would be a half hearted attempt.

 

Exactly Darren End of the day if you aren't prepared to
go the whole hog you be as well just settling for the sponge
and chamois. It really isn't a critisim against people that do this
it's just that it helps explain to people why we go to such lengths
with our car's paintwork. There is absolutely no point machine polishing
your car, spending lots of hard earned on waxes and the like to continue to
use 'lesser' wash techniques. Like yourself Darren I'm finding it increasingly
difficult to resist the 'better buy that just incase' mentality lol.
Think it's funny, you get all the wise cracks from family and friends re. your
compulsive nature towards your car and yet any one of them would gladly
buy the thing from you when the time comes, why.... because you look after
it
Craig.

 

I am about two thirds done on my car (due to weather so come on cloudy dry weather) & the results are impressive using the machine polishing & the waxes recommended in this section. I am not about to start washing again with a sponge I have had comments though that I seem to be spending a lot of time waxing the car so I guess this detailing lark has got me I have even picked up a cheapish gazebo from Argos today as I am fed up with the rain hampering my progress

 

Good man - thats dedication
Craig.

 

Received my goodies from Polished Bliss today, so fast in delivery . I have just seen the weather forecast for me in Essex, Sat/Sun 17-19 deg, that will do me.
I'll see how it goes using the products by hand, I'm sure I will see a improvement though.

I do wish I had a bigger garage though, I can only just squeeze round 3 sides when its peeing down outside

 

Ok guys you have convinced me on the foaming. My car is booked into PB in August for some TLC for its 3rd birthday! So will start foaming then and will follow your threads in the mean time.