Pressure washer and foam cannon

The point of the cannon is provide more soap/lubricity to help reduce swirls.

 

I meant if you're using the foam cannon and a soap bucket with the 2 bucket method.

But then you get swirls from particles in the mitt/towels, when you're spraying off dirt with a pressure washer, when you're drying with towels....

Was only making the point that the foam cannon is neat and all, as is the two bucket method and grit guards. You can probably wash a vehicle with much less fuss and still result in the same amount of swirls.

But to each his own, particularly when talking about a $20-40,000 Toyota painted truck.

 

I used mine last night. It works amazing!

It took 30 seconds to coat the entire truck. Crazy how much foam is created.

Mitt scrubbed then pressure wash rinse.

My 15 year old paint turned out just fine.

 

Didn't achieve the same thing for me.


Didn't produce the volume of foam and then afterwards the washing power was insufficient.


With the pressure washer/foam cannon you can loosen up the surface debris and get it off and then have a nice surface to hand wash.

 

Washing your vehicle will always result in some type of paint damage, which is why you only wash your truck when you have to.

I don’t get your point. Washing your truck damages your paint so therefore all washing methods are a waste?

Foam cannons, the two bucket method and drying with a blower are the most paint safe ways to wash a vehicle.

 

All I'm saying is I think it's a bit overrated in it's usefulness as a presoak step when you're going to turn around and wash with two buckets. Sure every little bit of techniques helps, you're not wrong on any of your points (blow drying for example).

I find that the pressure washer alone does most of the cleaning work than the foam cannon if the vehicle is very dirty.

I'm finding I prefer a rinseless wash with Uber anyway since I tend to keep the truck clean.

 

I just ordered a foam cannon. when using it
Do you spray it down then let it sit or sponge it with the foam.

 

i honestly dont see the benefit of doing this, besides looking cool

 

I only used mine for the 1st time 2 days ago.

I foamed the shit out of the truck then deck scrub brushed the (think car wash foaming brush) truck right away. 6 minutes later the whole truck was scrubbed.

Pressure washer rinsed the truck then used compressed air to blow the water off.

It turned out great.

I'm sure you pro's watching the thread are cringing at my use of the soft deck brush. This method has been my wash routine for years. It works fine for me.

In addition, I used Dawn dish soap. I thinned the soap by filling the soap bottle 1/2 full of water then topped it off with soap. It only took the bottle down to the 2/3 mark.

I figure that really aught to really work you up

 

Apparently this requires clarification in this thread. FOAM CANNONS DO NOT CLEAN. They serve the purpose to increase lubricity in the surface of the truck so that when you use the two bucket method you are reducing the chances of swirls as much as you can.

So if you let the truck sit so long with the foam you lose all of it before cleaning... you defeat the purpose of the foam cannon.

Also, letting the foam sit really isn't going to help you with cleaning. Outside of having a mud caked truck, letting moisture sit on the truck doesn't make it any easier to clean.

I go right into washing after blasting with the foam cannon. The only exception might be if my front end if caked with bugs. Then I just make that the last part I hit with my wash mitt (which you should hit the dirties parts of the car last anyways).

Not everyone cares about their vehicles. If you don't care about scratching the heck out of your truck, that's your prerogative.

 

Your choice. But I wouldn't use dish soap personally

 

Then don't.

 

I see nothing wrong with using a harsh soap on paint. It has a great drying effect on plastic too.

 

Plus it's great to use a soap that cuts oil on paint .

 

if your car is properly sealed/waxed, you can use a foam canon + 5minute soak + pressure wash off + leaf blower dry and get a touchless wash. This generally only happens when you have a good layer of sealant or wax.

I use my foam canon as a presoak, then I rinse it off to remove as much dirt as possible. Then I bucket wash with a mitt to get all the dirt off.

But washing cars is like making sexy time, people have their own preferences and always think their way is the better way.

 

That last line is on point and hilarious.

Thanks for the giggle.

 

I just have fun using the foam cannon lol. I do think it works well to add lubrication to the surface before washing with a mitt. I normally give the truck a good rinse, then spray it down with the foam cannon. Let it sit a couple of mins and then spray it again and jump into the normal two bucket wash. While I'm washing, I'll go back and spray the areas that I've already cleaned and basically keep the truck covered in suds. I really started doing that to use up the last little bit of soap in the bottle. After that, I rinse the truck and dry it with a drying microfiber towel and a drying agent. So far, so good. The foam cannon may not be necessary, but it makes the whole process a lot more entertaining!

 

So true!

I had bird shit on my window today. Asked the wife if I had time give the truck a quick blast?

Turned the FC on her window and scared the shit out if her. I'm glad she couldn't see me laughing because if all the foam on her window.

Her response was "damn! That thing makes a lot of soap"!

Yeah, it does entertain me. $22 well spent!