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      07-15-2019, 06:34 PM   #1
mile2424
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Foam canon or gun, you guys using regular hose or a pressure washer?

What are you guys using? I have used a foam gun with my hose at home and it works ok but doesn't seem to really sud up and get the whole car covered "white" for example. Do you guys recommend using a pressure washer for this? And if so, I would imagine you need to be careful with spraying a car that has Xpel PPF on it, although most my edges have been wrapped. I was watching some Chemical Guys video's on YouTube and they mentioned using a 2800 PSI, 2.3 GPM pressure washer.

Just thought I would check in to see what some of the experienced experts thought? I've never used a pressure washer before but assuming your regular residential garden hose just connects right into it?
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      07-15-2019, 07:11 PM   #2
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Bro there's literally a thread called 'foam cannon???' three below this one post your question there.

Foam cannon?? https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1627716
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      07-16-2019, 09:04 AM   #3
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pressure washer with foam canon
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      07-16-2019, 11:22 AM   #4
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This:



Plus this:



Makes this:




Having used those limp wristed garden hose 'foam cannons' in the past (if you can even call it that), just dribbles out soapy water onto the car, doesn't actually foam up properly and knock off dirt/debris on the car. Get a pressure washer with a good foam cannon attachment with a decent foamy soap of your choice and you'll be all set. Rinsing the car with the pressure washer gets most junk off it so you're not scratching and marring up the paint.

Pressure washer - https://www.homedepot.com/p/PowerStr...555E/305993382
Foam Cannon attachment - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/pres...-foam-cannons/
Gyeon Foam Soap - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/gyeon-q2m-foam/

That's the set up I use at home. I'd recommend a gas pressure washer as I've used electric ones in the past which aren't as powerful from what I've seen. Plus I'm not a fan of using anything needing an electric cord when I'm using water for obvious reasons.
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      07-16-2019, 05:55 PM   #5
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Sorry guys, I am familiar with how to wash a car, guess I was more interested in which pressure washer and set ups you guys were using. I started watching the crazy detailed videos from obsessed garage last night. Like anything else, there are crazy levels of quality from Ryobi to Kranzle. So just thought I would see what people were using.
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      07-16-2019, 07:07 PM   #6
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I have a Sunjoe SPX3000 with the MTM foam referenced above by BS_CS works great...upgrading my hose though the one that comes with it sucks and isn't long enough
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      07-20-2019, 03:46 AM   #7
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Comet Static + PF22 foam gun
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      07-22-2019, 01:51 PM   #8
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For ease of use, the foam gun will work ok. No need to setup an entire pressure washer, etc. You use a lot of soap, and water on the other hand.

If you want the instagrammable thick foam, pressure washer and cannon is what you need.

Is one better than the other, that is up to debate. I didn't really see much of a difference cleaning.
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      07-22-2019, 05:26 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by damageprone View Post
For ease of use, the foam gun will work ok. No need to setup an entire pressure washer, etc. You use a lot of soap, and water on the other hand.

If you want the instagrammable thick foam, pressure washer and cannon is what you need.

Is one better than the other, that is up to debate. I didn't really see much of a difference cleaning.

No, no. There isn't anything up for debate on that...

The pressure washer with a proper set up is what professionals use, and if you read the OP's first post he already has a foam gun and said his results are OK but isn't giving the thick white foam that he's really looking for. Only a pressure washer with a proper set up as I posted before will give you that. A weak garden hose isn't going to give you the pressure to suds up the soap and lay it on thicker like a pressure washer does that's simple fact.

Again, having used both applications, both the foam gun with a garden hose and an actual pressure washer set up, I can tell you the pressure washer is 10x better and speeds up the process substantially. If you're saying a pressure washer is equal to the garden hose method, you're pressure washer sucks.
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      07-22-2019, 05:47 PM   #10
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I use a SunJoe SPX3001 and the MTM Hydro Foam cannon (the inexpensive one) and works well for me. Sure, not the best quality pressure washer but I'm not so OCD to use it every week.

I use the 40 degree nozzle and try to stay 2-3ft away.
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      07-22-2019, 06:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BS_CS View Post
This:



Plus this:



Makes this:




Having used those limp wristed garden hose 'foam cannons' in the past (if you can even call it that), just dribbles out soapy water onto the car, doesn't actually foam up properly and knock off dirt/debris on the car. Get a pressure washer with a good foam cannon attachment with a decent foamy soap of your choice and you'll be all set. Rinsing the car with the pressure washer gets most junk off it so you're not scratching and marring up the paint.

Pressure washer - https://www.homedepot.com/p/PowerStr...555E/305993382
Foam Cannon attachment - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/pres...-foam-cannons/
Gyeon Foam Soap - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/gyeon-q2m-foam/

That's the set up I use at home. I'd recommend a gas pressure washer as I've used electric ones in the past which aren't as powerful from what I've seen. Plus I'm not a fan of using anything needing an electric cord when I'm using water for obvious reasons.
Are you sure it's safe to be using a gas pressure washer on car paint?

I believe you're looking for higher GPM, not PSI as anything above ~2500 can damage paint.

OP - I'm using an SPX9006-Pro w/ PF-22. Got it at a really good price but it doesn't have a flow or pressure switch so I'm using a remote to power it on and off.
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      07-22-2019, 08:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BS_CS View Post
No, no. There isn't anything up for debate on that...

The pressure washer with a proper set up is what professionals use, and if you read the OP's first post he already has a foam gun and said his results are OK but isn't giving the thick white foam that he's really looking for. Only a pressure washer with a proper set up as I posted before will give you that. A weak garden hose isn't going to give you the pressure to suds up the soap and lay it on thicker like a pressure washer does that's simple fact.

Again, having used both applications, both the foam gun with a garden hose and an actual pressure washer set up, I can tell you the pressure washer is 10x better and speeds up the process substantially. If you're saying a pressure washer is equal to the garden hose method, you're pressure washer sucks.
I agree with you in that using a pressure washer is better. Time is debatable, as the wash is faster but the setup and breakdown of the Pressure washer negates any time saving.

There is a debate if soap from a foam gun vs soap from a foam cannon is better.

I’ve used both and don’t really see any real benefit in cleaning power from the soap application alone.
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      07-22-2019, 08:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by louielouie View Post
Are you sure it's safe to be using a gas pressure washer on car paint?

I believe you're looking for higher GPM, not PSI as anything above ~2500 can damage paint.

OP - I'm using an SPX9006-Pro w/ PF-22. Got it at a really good price but it doesn't have a flow or pressure switch so I'm using a remote to power it on and off.
Keep it at a respectable distance and you should be fine.
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      07-23-2019, 04:13 AM   #14
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Big advocate of ONR maintenance washes and only bust out the pressure washer for a deep wash once every couple weeks if that.

I evaluated my time and its just too much to bust everything out on a routine basis, not to mention the water usage, and just entire process in general.

ONR takes like 15 minutes to go over an already semi clean car and as long as your keeping up with it...your good. I swear some are fixated on seeing foam....its like a psychological thing.
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      07-23-2019, 09:45 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by louielouie View Post
Are you sure it's safe to be using a gas pressure washer on car paint?

I believe you're looking for higher GPM, not PSI as anything above ~2500 can damage paint.

OP - I'm using an SPX9006-Pro w/ PF-22. Got it at a really good price but it doesn't have a flow or pressure switch so I'm using a remote to power it on and off.
Yep absolutely. Been using pressure washers on all my vehicles the last several years without problems. I'm sure there are instances where someone pointed their pressure washer at the car too closely and chipped paint in suspect areas, but I haven't experienced such issues with any of my BMW's or previous cars.
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      07-28-2019, 08:46 PM   #16
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I use the craftsman version of this pressure washer linked below. It's the same thing just in red (to match my shop vac). Got the wall mount for it, added obsessed garage's 3/8" 50' hose with quick disconnects. MTM foam cannon. Works great!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-...2050/302290919
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      07-31-2019, 09:53 AM   #17
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Sunjoe user here. Been working perfectly for me along with the MTM foam cannon and Adams Mega Foam soap. Cakes on the car like shaving cream.

When i had a white car I wasn't as careful with my washing method because white hides alot but now with my grigio paint I either don't touch the paint at all or i do it right with a pressure washer/two bucket wash method then leaf blower air dry it. After spending over 10 hours detailing the paint the last thing i want is one improper wash ruining all that work.

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      08-13-2019, 10:32 AM   #18
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odd question, do you still scrub with a soft mitt to get the dirt of the vehicle?
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      08-13-2019, 10:41 AM   #19
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Quote:
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odd question, do you still scrub with a soft mitt to get the dirt of the vehicle?
Rinsing with a pressure washer before soaping up usually gets rid of most the dirt off the car for me (especially if it's already ceramic coated for example). Just washed mine this weekend and typically it gets most of the small yellow bird crap that's on there too (much better than scrubbing it off since you'll just dig the crap into the paint and scratch it). After rinsing I'll soap it up and still give it a good rub down with my mitt, but make sure to use the two bucket method so you're not wiping off a dirty area of the car and then moving onto another area of the car spreading the dirt around. Each panel on the car I'll rinse the mitts out in one bucket, then the second bucket, then back to the car.
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      08-13-2019, 10:42 AM   #20
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odd question, do you still scrub with a soft mitt to get the dirt of the vehicle?
i think you have too. especially the rocker panels and doors, where the bellagio fountain make artwork with dirt and debris.
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      08-13-2019, 10:42 AM   #21
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This is the method that I follow:

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      08-13-2019, 11:54 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatLyfe View Post
odd question, do you still scrub with a soft mitt to get the dirt of the vehicle?
i think you have too. especially the rocker panels and doors, where the bellagio fountain make artwork with dirt and debris.
I agree. Rinsing and plain soap will only work if you wash the car twice a week and bubble wrap it and drive it on brand new roads.

Still, with two bucket method and some basic care, it's much safer than a car wash l. Will it have some swirls at some point...I'm sure. But hey, otherwise you'd be in the detailing business.
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