Pressure washer vs foam gun, what's better?

[v10CodeMonkey]

So I've been doing some research on both pressure washers and foam guns and trying to decide which to get. Anyone use a pressure washer on their cars? I've read all the warnings about getting too close to the paint, blowing off decals, making paint chips worse ect, but wondering if used correctly (fanning the stream out, staying a good distance from the paint) if this is a viable option? Some people swear by it, some say don't ever use it on cars.

As for foam guns, they still require touching the paint with a mitt/sponge to clean and I'm hoping for a touchless solution to minimize swirls in the paint. That said, I found a good price on one on Amazon and will pull the trigger on it and implement the 2 bucket wash system if it turns out the pressure washer idea is a bad one. Let me know everyone's experiences with both and what soaps/shampoos you guys are using in the foam gun.

[BlknBlu]

Pressure washers as you stated can be harmful if not careful and they do not actually clean the car, I would say they get off of the bulk of the dirt. I make sure when washing i use the hose and get off as much dirt and debris as possible with just water. THe FOam gun will loosen the grime and dirt and when using the 2 bucket method with a very soft microfiber towell and rinsing after each wash cycle is your safest option. I use Griots Garage products.

Bruce

[Junkman2008]

First, a pressure washer is NOT going to remove ALL of the dirt off the car so what a foam gun does and what a pressure washer does are two different things. I explain that clearly in these videos. A foam gun is a necessity for swirl-free paint. A pressure washer is for guys who drive a big 4-wheeler and go mudding.

[Vprbite]

I also worry about pressure washers screwing up weather stripping and seals on vehicles. I might be just behaving overly cautious and over thinking it but that water is coming out of there fast and pretty focused and I feel like it's gonna peel the seals and weather stripping off or at least screw em up if not take them all the way off. I mean, pressure washers can take the paint off your fence, should you really be aiming one at your car?

Just my thought. It wouldn't be the first time I over thought something.

[Junkman2008]

... Just my thought. It wouldn't be the first time I over thought something.

Your thinking seems very sound to me.

[1ststrike]

Thanks for the video's Junkman!

[Junkman2008]

Thanks for watching.

[v10CodeMonkey]

Thanks for the answers (and videos) guys, looks like I'll be ordering the foam gun!

[Vprbite]

Thanks for the answers (and videos) guys, looks like I'll be ordering the foam gun!

Foam guns are great. You won't believe the suds you get. And suds are your friend!
--Foam gun helpful hint-- make sure to run it with just water when you are all done and cleaning up. Because if you leave car shampoo in the brass mechanism while it sits in your garage till the next wash it will get all gunked up. I just run mine without soap for about 30 seconds, no big deal, just saves you from finding it stuck next time.

Also, if you have hard water, I highly recommend the Griots in-line water softener. Out here our water is so hard that you could not wash your car without leaving hard water spots. I hook that thing up for when washing the car and it's almost like using distilled water. If your water isn't too hard then no worries but for us out here, especially combined with the sun and the heat, it's a game changer.

[ViperPete]

Foam guns are great. You won't believe the suds you get. And suds are your friend!
--Foam gun helpful hint-- make sure to run it with just water when you are all done and cleaning up. Because if you leave car shampoo in the brass mechanism while it sits in your garage till the next wash it will get all gunked up. I just run mine without soap for about 30 seconds, no big deal, just saves you from finding it stuck next time.

Also, if you have hard water, I highly recommend the Griots in-line water softener. Out here our water is so hard that you could not wash your car without leaving hard water spots. I hook that thing up for when washing the car and it's almost like using distilled water. If your water isn't too hard then no worries but for us out here, especially combined with the sun and the heat, it's a game changer.

I have a huge water softener for my water system for the house and I still get crazy water spots. Thankyou that is a great recommendation- an in-line softener. Never though about that. Where can I get one of those?

[Junkman2008]

I have a huge water softener for my water system for the house and I still get crazy water spots. Thankyou that is a great recommendation- an in-line softener. Never though about that. Where can I get one of those?

Do you wash your car outdoors and in direct sunlight?

[ViperPete]

Loved the Videos. Can you do a video on the California Duster? Are they any good? I don't wanna scratch my whip!

[Junkman2008]

Loved the Videos. Can you do a video on the California Duster? Are they any good? I don't wanna scratch my whip!

Junkman have you done any ceramic coatings c quarts opti 2.0 etc.

No I have not.

[cubican]

Junkman have you done any ceramic coatings c quarts opti 2.0 etc.

[johniew398]

I use a foam gun and the two bucket method.

[Junkman2008]

I say in the video what they are called and where you can get them and everything that I used in those videos. That's why I tell people to watch them twice and to take notes. There's no way that you are going to remember half of what I said because there is just too much information.

[ViperPete]

I say in the video what they are called and where you can get them and everything that I used in those videos. That's why I tell people to watch them twice and to take notes. There's no way that you are going to remember half of what I said because there is just too much information.

You're not kidding lol

Thanks though.

[Mr. Bill]

A foam cannon and a pressure washer with a water softener is the only way to go.
Another thing you'll notice with a pressure washer is you'll use much less water. That a big concern in Cali these days.
and I use the 2 bucket method.

https://flic.kr/p/ryg1V3

[rw99]

Guys, could you please name a few of the best detergents (and amounts used per canister) for washing with the foam gun?

Mr. Bill's results (full coating on vertical panels!!!) are awesome...


Thanks

[Mr. Bill]

This is the exact foam cannon I have:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and I was using this soap at the time:
http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-reset.html
I used 5 caps full of soap.

I recently bought the Mr. Pink soap from Chemical guys but I haven't tried it yet.

My pressure washer is 3000psi and 2.5GPM and this works great.

I also have a water softener which I think helps with the foaming action.

using race ramps plus a pressure washer makes it easier to get the grime off the underside.

wash with ramps.jpg

[Junkman2008]

Guys, could you please name a few of the best detergents (and amounts used per canister) for washing with the foam gun?

Mr. Bill's results (full coating on vertical panels!!!) are awesome...


Thanks

First, a foam gun and a foam cannon are two completely different animals. You are not going to get foam to stick to the car with a foam gun. That's what a foam cannon does. A lot of folks who buy a foam cannon get lazy over time becaise you have to setup the power washer every time you wash the car. That setup gets to be a little tiresome and over time, people will stop using it. That's why I use a foam GUN. Setup is VERY quick.

As for the soaps, they make specific soaps for foam guns and specific soaps for foam cannons. All you have to do is read the bottle as for the exact measurement. It makes no sense to ask for amounts when the bottle has a label on it that is plain as day. It tells you exactly how much product to use. Autogeek carries a lot of foam cannon and foam gun soaps. I prefer DP's Xtreme Foam Formula in my foam gun. I also prefer for my foam to run off the car as it loosens up the dirt. That way, it takes the dirt with it.

... I recently bought the Mr. Pink soap from Chemical guys but I haven't tried it yet.

That stuff works great in your wash bucket but it sucks in the foam gun.

[Mr. Bill]

I also prefer for my foam to run off the car as it loosens up the dirt. That way, it takes the dirt with it.

This is why I prefer to use a pressure washer. I first spray the car to loosen the dirt and then use the soap foam as a lubricant/cleaner. So I prefer the foam to stick and the more the better. That's also why I don't always follow the recommended soap amount. Soap is cheap insurance.

[v10CodeMonkey]

Well, I used my new foam gun today alongwith the 2 bucket wash for the first time and it worked good. I used the Mr Pink soap from Chemical Guys (I bought it before seeing Junkman's reply) and it seemed to do the job, but I'm going to try DP's Xtreme Foam Formula in my foam gun next time as suggested and see how it compares. Next step is adding an electric leaf blower to my drying routine

[Junkman2008]

You are coming along right nicely.

[MEPEH]

My understanding is that not one method is 100% effective. So what I do is I start with rinsing the car off (with power washer or just hose nozzle) general idea is to wash off all loose particles as much as possible before washing. After that I will wash my wheels, tires and under the fender areas (using designated bucket and brushes for wheels) then wash it all of with power washer and as I am washing off soap from the wheels, give my car another light rinse. Now next step depends on how much time I have, whats the level of contamination (defining level of "dirty"). I could use my 2 buckets (one with water and one with soap) and wash it with a wash mitt OR I could use my foam gun, apply the foam and STILL use my wash mitt with a bucket of water to clean the mitt. After all this i will rise the car off with power washer, trick is to understand the pressure of water with different nozzles (usually 25, 45, 0) If you have 1500 psi unit you do not have to worry about a lot with 45 degree nozzle. DO NOT use 0 on anything! And so after your car is clear of soap its time to dry and apply seal/wax. How do you dry your car? I use microfiber towels, never a shammy cloth. all you need to do is wet the microfiber towel and squeeze it to dry and it will soak up all the water. Last trick i use when i use the m/f towel i spray liquid wax on it and dry the car with it, re spaying and turning the towel frequently. This way you kill 2 birds with one stone, wax and dry. you never wee runs or lines on the car because liquid wax absorbs in to the clear coat. That's all and you will not have any swirls "love marks" on your ride but remember to trow away and replace your m/f towels and your wash mitts frequently.