Make a donation

Author Topic: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?  (Read 1862 times)

Offline Black9

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 35
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 1014
    • Email
Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« on: April 15, 2012, 10:57:58 am »
Hi, my karcher is meant to have a snow foam feature but doesn't work :star:

Before I wash my car I always give her a thorough going over with a high pressure hose then get the mitt out.

Can I do this without The risk of causing swirl marks and can anyone recommend a well & good pressure washer/foamer

 :happy2:

Offline Black9

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 35
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 1014
    • Email

Offline andrewparker

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 32
  • -Receive: 78
  • Posts: 1770
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2012, 11:15:20 am »
No, never NEVER wash a car without snow foaming it first. Swirl marks will only be the first of your problems. You'd be very lucky not to cause any lasting damage to the engine and seats.

Offline maxload

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 41
  • -Receive: 29
  • Posts: 663
  • Edition30 - No.1819
    • Email
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2012, 11:25:42 am »
What model karcher washer have you got?

After rinsing your car with the hose  , make sure you use two buckets with grit guards to wash the car being carefull.

Offline JPC

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 93
  • -Receive: 111
  • Posts: 6222
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2012, 12:34:44 pm »
Your car is hardly going to self combust if not washed without snow foam. It is possible believe it or not to clean a car safely without snowfoam haha!
Just pressure wash rinse the car as much as you can before touching the paint.

Offline mvb12

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 15
  • -Receive: 64
  • Posts: 1539
  • VCDS - Adaptations * Coding * Diagnostics PM Me
    • Email
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2012, 12:44:20 pm »
Quote
You'd be very lucky not to cause any lasting damage to the engine and seats.
  :signLOL:

beautiful  :congrats: LMFAO
VCDS HEX NET / VCP / ODIS - COVERING LONDON AND MIDLANDS
VCDS - Adaptations * Coding * Diagnostics PM Me
Canbus Gateway - Supply and fit (Stop battery drain issues)

Offline stealthwolf

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 306
  • -Receive: 291
  • Posts: 7835
  • ED30 No.1412
    • Email
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2012, 01:44:34 pm »
Snowfoam is a prewash stage to help loosen dried on dirt etc. It helps minimise paintwork damage but using any contact introduces a risk of damage. As JPC states, you'll be fine!

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline john87

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 11
  • -Receive: 53
  • Posts: 790
    • Email
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2012, 12:35:58 pm »
Its likely that your karcher has a built-in detergent/shampoo feed system (which just adds the mixture of your choice into the water stream) but for a proper snow foam, get yourself a brass-head foam nozzle...around the £40 mark and available from cleanyourcar, i4detailing etc  :happy2:
VCDS Hex-USB +CAN (Central Scotland)

Offline RussZS

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 88
  • -Receive: 17
  • Posts: 325
    • Email
Re: Can I wash my car without snow foaming first?
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2012, 12:57:40 pm »
As Jay says, a high pressure rinse should be sufficient in most cases, especially if its wearing decent protection which should release most of the dirt anyway.

A few foams I've trialled recently have great cleaning power, but some seem to be affecting the beading on a wax a bit too much really - it's difficult to find the right balance.
www.midlandscarcare.co.uk - www.facebook.com/midlandscarcare

I used to be indecisive.......... but now I'm not so sure!