Snow Foam - good or bad?

Ringmaster · 19-02-17, 09:06 PM

Folks,

I've heard some professional detailers do not like using Snow Foam.

Is there any truth to this?

Ringmaster · 20-02-17, 09:32 PM

Anyone?

Hanuman · 20-02-17, 09:38 PM

The only thing I've heard comment about, is that it is largely hype. How true is that? I don't know.

Isimmo · 20-02-17, 10:18 PM

Pressure washers, snow foam and all that jazz gets under lacquer and can 'pop' it.... I'd go softly softly on an old car you're trying to preserve....

missfire · 20-02-17, 10:33 PM

Don't use dyed stuff! I've seen staining on some peoples cars, and staining from the snowfoam too.. Looks cool to me but I'm more of a fairy liquid and a floor brush kind of detailer. Waste of time around here.

slacky · 21-02-17, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isimmo

Pressure washers, snow foam and all that jazz gets under lacquer and can 'pop' it.... I'd go softly softly on an old car you're trying to preserve....

Ditto

rayjen2k · 28-02-17, 08:19 AM

I personally think it's partially hype. I've tried numerous snow foams and found some have little to no advantage over just using a power washer.

I think a lot of this snow foam fad stems back to boys with toys, And taking cool pics of your car covered in excessively heavy foam just to look cool on certain forums and possibly on facebook/instagram etc etc.
That's where my problem lies, as I can't figure out why companies sell red or pink snow foams, which apparently if left too long on white cars can stain the paint

When I use cheaper or lesser know brands of snow foam, I tend to add a dash of citrus pre wash to give it a bit more bite.
Granted some of the more expensive foams work well, bilt hammer for example being one of the best I've tried

Ringmaster · 28-02-17, 08:02 PM

I think I'll keep clear of foam in view of what you've all said, especially as my C3 is white.

I'll just stick to a quality car shampoo.

I stopped using washing up liquid when I read its salt content could prove detrimental, but is it really that bad for a car?

rayjen2k · 28-02-17, 08:58 PM

I would recommend for anyone to buy a citrus pre wash from one of the car care companies. it would help significantly to remove most of the dirt before washing the car with a bucket and mitt.
I like using autobrite direct citrus pre wash. It can be diluted down to something like 100-1 which means a 1L bottle can last a long time.
If you sprayed a layer of citrus over the whole car, let it sit for a few minutes, then power wash off, it would make car cleaning a doddle.
And also reduces the risk of getting swirl marks in your paint.
Hope that helps.

John. · 28-02-17, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringmaster

......is it really that bad for a car?

Who knows for sure but it's for washing dishes!

Good shampoo and a lambs-wool mitt and you'll not go wrong.

20-02-17, 09:38 PM	#3
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,006	The only thing I've heard comment about, is that it is largely hype. How true is that? I don't know. __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor

20-02-17, 10:18 PM	#4
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Pressure washers, snow foam and all that jazz gets under lacquer and can 'pop' it.... I'd go softly softly on an old car you're trying to preserve.... __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback.

20-02-17, 09:32 PM	#2
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	Anyone?

20-02-17, 10:33 PM	#5
missfire making wooden things Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cow land Posts: 8,154	Don't use dyed stuff! I've seen staining on some peoples cars, and staining from the snowfoam too.. Looks cool to me but I'm more of a fairy liquid and a floor brush kind of detailer. Waste of time around here.

28-02-17, 08:19 AM	#7
rayjen2k Grown up member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 118	I personally think it's partially hype. I've tried numerous snow foams and found some have little to no advantage over just using a power washer. I think a lot of this snow foam fad stems back to boys with toys, And taking cool pics of your car covered in excessively heavy foam just to look cool on certain forums and possibly on facebook/instagram etc etc. That's where my problem lies, as I can't figure out why companies sell red or pink snow foams, which apparently if left too long on white cars can stain the paint When I use cheaper or lesser know brands of snow foam, I tend to add a dash of citrus pre wash to give it a bit more bite. Granted some of the more expensive foams work well, bilt hammer for example being one of the best I've tried

28-02-17, 08:02 PM	#8
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	I think I'll keep clear of foam in view of what you've all said, especially as my C3 is white. I'll just stick to a quality car shampoo. I stopped using washing up liquid when I read its salt content could prove detrimental, but is it really that bad for a car?

28-02-17, 08:58 PM	#9
rayjen2k Grown up member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 118	I would recommend for anyone to buy a citrus pre wash from one of the car care companies. it would help significantly to remove most of the dirt before washing the car with a bucket and mitt. I like using autobrite direct citrus pre wash. It can be diluted down to something like 100-1 which means a 1L bottle can last a long time. If you sprayed a layer of citrus over the whole car, let it sit for a few minutes, then power wash off, it would make car cleaning a doddle. And also reduces the risk of getting swirl marks in your paint. Hope that helps.