Pressure Washer/Snow Lance/Foam

[Yates]

Right, pressure washer on the way out, so thinking of getting a new one, also never used a snow lance or snow foam before, noob question, what exactly is a snow lance? Can i just use a normal pressure washer with a bottle attachment and put in snow foam?

link a brother up

[griff_106]

Right, pressure washer on the way out, so thinking of getting a new one, also never used a snow lance or snow foam before, noob question, what exactly is a snow lance? Can i just use a normal pressure washer with a bottle attachment and put in snow foam?

link a brother up

Yup got it one mate - as long as the connection is right, you can fix the lance straight to the pressure washer and you're away :y:

I've got a Nilfisk PW so obviously have the corresponding attachment - here's (http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Store/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=foam+lance) where I got mine from.

It was actually part of a birthday present so my Dad ordered it and got the deal with the lance and Ultimate Finish Foam as well - it works well but would probably go for Autobrite Snow Foam (http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php/exterior-cleaning/snow-foam/citrus-snow-foam.html) as I've heard good things from it. As I said, nowt wrong with the foam I'm using at the moment though :)

[LVC]

This >>
Foam (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110948563867?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

With this >>
Foam lance (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140868929087?var=440083851065&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

Give this >>
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll38/LVC1/Saxo/DSC06151Large_zpsf2a42dd6.jpg

I'm using a Karcher but you can get cheaper options - the standard snowfoam lance/bottle is crap need to get one like in my link (exactly the same as the AD one with a different bottle) so you can adjust the mix air/snow ratio.

[m4tt274]

your before after shot sells it well. You should send that to the company that sells the stuff! :')

[LVC]

May have to go into business flogging it over here as I've not found anyone who stocks it in France ;)

I still like to have a good go at the wheels afterwards and come the warmer months will do a proper clean and polish on the cars but as a quick jet/snow/jet it does a great job.

[Yates]

Ideal. Halford got 50% off some pressure washers today online. So Gona get one now.

[Yates]

Why are the lances so much?! Looked at one for current washer and you can buy a new washer with foam lance for less!

[Bedford126]

Why are the lances so much?! Looked at one for current washer and you can buy a new washer with foam lance for less!

The ones you get cheap are shit and use loads of snow foam solution ans it will never stick right.

The decent foam lances can be altered to whatever ratio you want also it adds air to the mix and foams it up before it leaves the tip and it sticks loads better also uses less.

[Yates]

so just an ordinary pressure washer and bottle wont do?!

[Yates]

LVC just ordered the bottle you have and the foam, so hopefully get some good results, all this talk of mix of foam and water and air, whats that about?!

[Bedford126]

The foam sits on the surface and softens the dirt and grime the air helps lift it and carry it away when you rinse it off.

[LVC]

LVC just ordered the bottle you have and the foam, so hopefully get some good results, all this talk of mix of foam and water and air, whats that about?!

You need to put about 1" of concentrated foam mix in the bottle then fill the rest with warm water - give it a good shake and attach to the jet washer.

On the top of the bottle you have a dial - turn this to the max + setting for the thickest foam, ease of a little bit to thin it out (not too much). When the bottle empties (usually at the end of doing the whole car easily) you get only water coming out so avoid pointing it at the car or you'll wash off the snow too soon. The nozzle turns also to widen or restrict the fan of the jet - you;ll figure it out.

Leave for a good 5 - 10 mins and then rinse off. Afterwards you can give it a good polish for a proper finish. I redo the wheels and then leave it at that - too cold for any polishing at the moment - the effect is pretty good and you get to play at being Fireman Sam whilst covering the car in thick snow...great fun ;)

Let us know how you get on.

[Bedford126]

Afterwards you can give it a good polish for a proper finish. .

Snow foaming is a pre wash, You still need to rinse the car then wash the car as you normally would.

[LVC]

Personally...I rinse the snow foam off but nothing more at the moment - depends how smart you want it to look. With the weather at the moment and the fact that I live at the end of a 1km long unmade road I've no intention of deep cleaning or polishing up any of my cars and the snow foam does a pretty good job of getting most of the crap off them.

Come the summer then I'll clean and polish properly using the SnowFoam as a pre-wash/dirt/grime loosener.

[Yates]

Won't be doing anything for three weeks as off to Norway tomorrow. Gona detail it when im back got week off

[LVC]

Say "hello" to A-Ha for us ;)

[readie]

If I was you I would get a nilfisk which is basically a karcher but with a metal impeller instead of a plastic one.

I have the snow foam lance off CYC which is very good(make sure you run clean ware through after a wash) and maintenance is easy to do on it.

I personally(being a professional) found auto finesse avalanche is a very good foam it offers great suds and a very good prewash( it contains AF citrus watch the video on YouTube) I usually foam the car let is sit and then rinse before washing as the idea is foam the car and let it soften the dirt then rinse to remove the non bonded contaminants ready for a low risk hand wash

[griff_106]

If I was you I would get a nilfisk which is basically a karcher but with a metal impeller instead of a plastic one.

I have the snow foam lance off CYC which is very good(make sure you run clean ware through after a wash) and maintenance is easy to do on it.

I personally(being a professional) found auto finesse avalanche is a very good foam it offers great suds and a very good prewash( it contains AF citrus watch the video on YouTube) I usually foam the car let is sit and then rinse before washing as the idea is foam the car and let it soften the dirt then rinse to remove the non bonded contaminants ready for a low risk hand wash

Never knew the bits I highlighted in bold tbh! Thanks for the info - quite interesting IMO! :y:

[Yates]

i got what was posted up, never made it to norway, but been down in plymouth, im home on next weekend, so may get a detail on the go

[Yates]

well just used it, done what you do LVC and snow foamed it and rinsed it and left it for now. Cars was waxed few weeks ago, just had a bit of road dirt on it and splash back from snow roads. Im well happy, snow foamed it, nice and think, left it 15 mins came out and washed down, couldnt be happier! Gona make things so much easier from now on

[Chris_O]

Instead of making a new thread...

Need a new pressure washer as the shit old rac has packed up. Around a ton to spend. Wont just be for car, other stuff like patio cleaning etc as well.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7420449.htm

Does this seem like a good deal? Anyone had experience of it?

[griff_106]

Instead of making a new thread...

Need a new pressure washer as the shit old rac has packed up. Around a ton to spend. Wont just be for car, other stuff like patio cleaning etc as well.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7420449.htm

Does this seem like a good deal? Anyone had experience of it?

Yep Nilfisk is a good brand and that seems a good deal for all the bits you get on top of the decent pressure washer. I've never used their snow foam bottle but apparently they're a bit shit - as long as you get a decent lance at some point with the relevant connector you'll be alright :y:

[GTuff]

Instead of making a new thread...

Need a new pressure washer as the shit old rac has packed up. Around a ton to spend. Wont just be for car, other stuff like patio cleaning etc as well.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7420449.htm

Does this seem like a good deal? Anyone had experience of it?

I got a kartcher will patio n snow foam bottle etc for 130£ never used the snow foam thing jus easier using a sponge lol

[Gashman]

I'd never use a sponge on my car lol

[griff_106]

I got a kartcher will patio n snow foam bottle etc for 130£ never used the snow foam thing jus easier using a sponge lol

Sorry, but...

http://imageshack.us/a/img833/1111/35ksnv.jpg

What's wrong with a microfibre mitt at least? They're like a tenner! :S

I'd never use a sponge on my car lol

Good man! I have never used a sponge on mine and never would - I'd rather have a dirty car rather than use of those things!

[GTuff]

I'd never use a sponge on my car lol

Sorry, but...

http://imageshack.us/a/img833/1111/35ksnv.jpg

What's wrong with a microfibre mitt at least? They're like a tenner! :S



Good man! I have never used a sponge on mine and never would - I'd rather have a dirty car rather than use of those things!

hahah really you think a micro fibre mitt is going to get more dirt off

standard clean for me is a jet was warm water bucket spong and autoglym car wash high pressure jet wash then chamios leather, then auto glym alloys cleaner

to say you would never you a sponge are you a full retard? why the hell not.

you people make me laugh

[Prickle]

I'll be buying the Nilfisk C100 with the Lance next week i recon..

[griff_106]

hahah really you think a micro fibre mitt is going to get more dirt off

standard clean for me is a jet was warm water bucket spong and autoglym car wash high pressure jet wash then chamios leather, then auto glym alloys cleaner

to say you would never you a sponge are you a full retard? why the hell not.

you people make me laugh

I never said it'd get more dirt off mate lol. Used with 2 buckets and grit guards, a microfibre mitt will reduce the risk of swirls as the mitt won't drag dirt across the paint - it'll lift it off instead.

A chamois leather won't do the paint too many favours either - I pat our cars down with a fluffy microfibre towel so you're not in contact with the car so much (and therefore reducing the risk of swirling the paint further).

At the end of the day, one of my best mates is a professional detailer and I've worked with him for a good while to know what causes scratches, swirls and general damage to paintwork when cleaning cars :)

[Chris_O]

Right well I think I will get that nilfisk from Argos tomorrow, looks to be a decent price from what i can see

[GTuff]

I never said it'd get more dirt off mate lol. Used with 2 buckets and grit guards, a microfibre mitt will reduce the risk of swirls as the mitt won't drag dirt across the paint - it'll lift it off instead.

A chamois leather won't do the paint too many favours either - I pat our cars down with a fluffy microfibre towel so you're not in contact with the car so much (and therefore reducing the risk of swirling the paint further).

At the end of the day, one of my best mates is a professional detailer and I've worked with him for a good while to know what causes scratches, swirls and general damage to paintwork when cleaning cars :)

Lol next you will be tellin me to britta filter my water so the minerals don't swirl the paint lol

[griff_106]

Lol next you will be tellin me to britta filter my water so the minerals don't swirl the paint lol

Well ya know... ;) haha

[Mark_VTS_96]

I'm using a Black & Decker 1900 with a built in detergent bottle, Would it be ok to run the snow foam through that because there isn't a bottle lance to fit it :ponder:

[Chris_O]

Bought that nilfisk in the link from argos, very impressed with it, would recommend

[Prickle]

Which one? the standard C100 or the 3-5 or 4-5

Not sure tbh..