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So I saw in the 4 day detail thread in one of the pictures the detailer used a foam gun to wash the car. Has anyone else used one? Can you use normal auto wash from Prima or Meguiars, or do you need a special wash?
I just started researching this myself today. I currently have Griots (car wash spray nozzle) and I like that it can help loosen some of the heavy road grime, but I wish that it foamed a bit more to stay on longer and seemingly carry away more dirt. That is why I too am considering the one you provided in your link.
I would love to hear feedback.
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Order placed: 6/30/08
Picked up: 11/14/08
Happily motoring since
Dang, I just threw an almost brand new one away this past weekend. I think I had used it only a couple of times in the 5 years that I had it.
The concept is good, but the Titanic looked good on paper too.
I originally purchased some 5 or so years ago to use at the fire department for washing the trucks. They will use about 5 times as much car wash during a normal wash than the old bucket method. When using a expensive wash such as Prima you'll go broke in a hurry.
If you look at the picture, the water hose attaches to a $3 nozzle with a plastic quick connector that attaches to the plastic soap container. The quick connector leaks constantly. After you have used the foam setting, you will still get some soapy water during the rinse setting. We always had to use the quick disconnect and take the container off and just use the nozzle for rinsing. It actually got to be such a pain that we quit using the at all.
If you want to try one, go to the garden section at your local Walmart store and buy an Ortho sprayer that attaches to a garden hose. It will do the same thing for about 1/3 of the price.
Dang, I just threw an almost brand new one away this past weekend. I think I had used it only a couple of times in the 5 years that I had it.
The concept is good, but the Titanic looked good on paper too.
I originally purchased some 5 or so years ago to use at the fire department for washing the trucks. They will use about 5 times as much car wash during a normal wash than the old bucket method. When using a expensive wash such as Prima you'll go broke in a hurry.
If you look at the picture, the water hose attaches to a $3 nozzle with a plastic quick connector that attaches to the plastic soap container. The quick connector leaks constantly. After you have used the foam setting, you will still get some soapy water during the rinse setting. We always had to use the quick disconnect and take the container off and just use the nozzle for rinsing. It actually got to be such a pain that we quit using the at all.
If you want to try one, go to the garden section at your local Walmart store and buy an Ortho sprayer that attaches to a garden hose. It will do the same thing for about 1/3 of the price.
Did you try the Autogeek units or something else? I wonder if they have improved over the past 5 years? I have to think they have. I guess I will find out as I purchased one of the brands from Autogeek.
I'll report back once I've used it a few times.
Regards,
Pat
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1713
09 MCS Pepper White,Punch Carbon Blk Leather,Cream White Color Line, Cold/Premium/Sport Packages.
2012 JCW CR Coupe,Cold Weather Pkg,Dash Surface in CR,Prem Pkg,All Mirrors Auto Dim,17" Challenge Spoke Black Wheels,Alarm,Black Headlamps,H/K Sound,BT/USB, Arm Rest,JCW Strut Brace,LL Championship Red Seats,Rear Fog
I haven't got mine yet but it is on the way. I expect it before Friday. The rain will stop Saturday morning just in tme for me to test the foam gun out. I will publish once I run it through it's paces.
Pat
__________________
1713
09 MCS Pepper White,Punch Carbon Blk Leather,Cream White Color Line, Cold/Premium/Sport Packages.
2012 JCW CR Coupe,Cold Weather Pkg,Dash Surface in CR,Prem Pkg,All Mirrors Auto Dim,17" Challenge Spoke Black Wheels,Alarm,Black Headlamps,H/K Sound,BT/USB, Arm Rest,JCW Strut Brace,LL Championship Red Seats,Rear Fog
I used the foam gun today. I put about 3 ounces in it and had some leftover. It put out pretty good amounts of foam but I am unsure if it really is worth using it. Not that it does not put out a lot of foam but my concern is once you have it all foamed and then start washing from the top down you really can't get the whole car washed without rinsing the car and then you rinse all the foam off.
So I foam the car, wash the top and the windows and the mirrors. If you continue to wash the lower portion of the car without a rinse then the residual starts to dry on the windows. If you rinse then all the foam is gone on the rest of the car. Sure you can refoam but holy smokes it will take forever to wash to the car. I think I like the 2 bucket/mitt method better with a good high quality car wash.
I will continue to use it until the foam I bought is gone but then it will probably get regulated to the storage area and not used much.
I don't think it is worth $50.00.
Maybe I'm missing something here but I don't think so.
Regards,
Pat
__________________
1713
09 MCS Pepper White,Punch Carbon Blk Leather,Cream White Color Line, Cold/Premium/Sport Packages.
2012 JCW CR Coupe,Cold Weather Pkg,Dash Surface in CR,Prem Pkg,All Mirrors Auto Dim,17" Challenge Spoke Black Wheels,Alarm,Black Headlamps,H/K Sound,BT/USB, Arm Rest,JCW Strut Brace,LL Championship Red Seats,Rear Fog
I was thinking about it more as a "presoak" option after a couple of crappy salty road/slushy winter days, to sort of help soften and loosen up all the caked on stuff. I don't think I'd use it all that often but in the winter I think it could be handy.
I think it would work for that application. Although I am not sure how loose it gets the grime. Certainly it is better than plain water. My plan is to do some more testing. I used it on my GTO not the MINI. The GTO is very large compared to the MINI.
I didn't let it soak that long either. Maybe it wasen't a fair test because I was in a hurry trying to beat the rain. If I get a decent day this weekend I will use it again only this time on the MINI and give it a fair amount of soaking.
(I am still not convinced it is worth the $50.00)
Back later.
Pat
__________________
1713
09 MCS Pepper White,Punch Carbon Blk Leather,Cream White Color Line, Cold/Premium/Sport Packages.
2012 JCW CR Coupe,Cold Weather Pkg,Dash Surface in CR,Prem Pkg,All Mirrors Auto Dim,17" Challenge Spoke Black Wheels,Alarm,Black Headlamps,H/K Sound,BT/USB, Arm Rest,JCW Strut Brace,LL Championship Red Seats,Rear Fog
Thanks for reporting back Pat! This has been an item I've had my eye on for a little while and will wait to hear your testing on the MINI, though so far I'll be keeping the money in my pocket. I have the Griot's one and while it does not produce much foam, I do think it helps as a little presoak.
__________________
Order placed: 6/30/08
Picked up: 11/14/08
Happily motoring since
o7 Astro Black/White MCS
