Foam Spray vs Hand Washing

tunafish · 08-01-2013, 09:59 PM

I have seen some different techniques when it comes to washing the Z. A spray gun to apply a foam skin or hand washing with a microfiber mitt. Which do you prefer and why?

At this point, I am kind of leaning toward the foam sprayer because I wouldn't be rubbing particles into the paint. My biggest concern is getting rid of all the road debris that sticks to the bottom door panels and the front. Considering a Ziebart protective film but I digress.

Maybe something like this spray gun and something from Chemical Guys?

http://www.amazon.com/Gilmour-95QGFM...+wash+foam+gun

DEpointfive0 · 08-01-2013, 10:00 PM

You need both

And I have the same one, just buy a lot of soap. Costco a big jug for $5-9

dP3NGU1N · 08-02-2013, 03:43 AM

The foam is suppose to act as a lubricant for all the stuff that's caked onto your car. It's there to remove large particles and help to dissolve bird **** and tree sap. After you rinse that off then you still need to go over the car with a wash mitt and 2 bucket system to get rid of some more stubborn areas. If you've done the foam step right y ou should never need to apply any pressure to the wash mitt greater than the weight of your hand.

cheshirecat · 08-02-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

The foam is suppose to act as a lubricant for all the stuff that's caked onto your car. It's there to remove large particles and help to dissolve bird **** and tree sap. After you rinse that off then you still need to go over the car with a wash mitt and 2 bucket system to get rid of some more stubborn areas. If you've done the foam step right y ou should never need to apply any pressure to the wash mitt greater than the weight of your hand.

Correct- the foam helps to break up contamination and help lift it off of the paint prior to the hand wash, which hopefully will keep you from having to push down on the paint with the mitt to wash the panel down (which causes contaminants to embed in the paint and also leaves swirls).

BigT · 08-02-2013, 01:55 PM

I usually don't even rinse the foam off. I grap my wash mit out of the bucket and I go right over using the foam as a lubricant. However, this is pending my car is in its regular wash schedule. If it is unusually dirty, I will foam up and rinse off one time to get off as much loose grime as possible.

tunafish · 08-03-2013, 10:10 AM

That's much clearer. Thanks guys!

I only drive the Z on days when it's not raining. I still end up getting some gunk stuck to the front. Just trying to figure out when too much is overkill. Would you recommend just foaming the front and lower door panels since they are the worst? Or maybe I'm just the difference is negligible and I should just foam the whole car.

DEpointfive0 · 08-03-2013, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tunafish

That's much clearer. Thanks guys!

I only drive the Z on days when it's not raining. I still end up getting some gunk stuck to the front. Just trying to figure out when too much is overkill. Would you recommend just foaming the front and lower door panels since they are the worst? Or maybe I'm just the difference is negligible and I should just foam the whole car.

Foam the whole car!

SgtGoldy · 08-03-2013, 02:53 PM

I bought a Foam Master and love the sh** out of it. It really helps get the car clean. But just to echo everyone else: You need both. Also two buckets with grit guards, nice microfiber towels, electric leaf blower, & a bit of time.

DEpointfive0 · 08-03-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtgoldy

i bought a foam master and love the sh** out of it. It really helps get the car clean. But just to echo everyone else: You need both. Also two buckets with grit guards, nice microfiber towels, electric leaf blower, & a bit of time.

yes!!!

SgtGoldy · 08-03-2013, 03:00 PM

Pooling method works great too. Talk to The JunkMan! & check out his Videos. Super informative and hes fun to watch.

Quick Edit: 24.00 Gets you his DVD if thats something that might interest you (to be honest I might buy it)

08-01-2013, 09:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
tunafish Base Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Dayton Age: 36 Posts: 24 Drives: '13 Nissan 370z Tour Rep Power: 11	Foam Spray vs Hand Washing I have seen some different techniques when it comes to washing the Z. A spray gun to apply a foam skin or hand washing with a microfiber mitt. Which do you prefer and why? At this point, I am kind of leaning toward the foam sprayer because I wouldn't be rubbing particles into the paint. My biggest concern is getting rid of all the road debris that sticks to the bottom door panels and the front. Considering a Ziebart protective film but I digress. Maybe something like this spray gun and something from Chemical Guys? http://www.amazon.com/Gilmour-95QGFM...+wash+foam+gun

08-01-2013, 10:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	You need both And I have the same one, just buy a lot of soap. Costco a big jug for $5-9 __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

08-02-2013, 03:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 18	The foam is suppose to act as a lubricant for all the stuff that's caked onto your car. It's there to remove large particles and help to dissolve bird **** and tree sap. After you rinse that off then you still need to go over the car with a wash mitt and 2 bucket system to get rid of some more stubborn areas. If you've done the foam step right y ou should never need to apply any pressure to the wash mitt greater than the weight of your hand. cheshirecat likes this. __________________ 35% Hooper Optik \| Takeda Attack CAI \| F.I. HFC \| Hotchkis Sway Bar \| Stillen 24row \| OS Giken Super Lock LSD \| TK Shift Knob \| EVO-R Carbon Diffuser

08-02-2013, 01:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigT Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 469 Drives: 98 2g DSM Rep Power: 13	I usually don't even rinse the foam off. I grap my wash mit out of the bucket and I go right over using the foam as a lubricant. However, this is pending my car is in its regular wash schedule. If it is unusually dirty, I will foam up and rinse off one time to get off as much loose grime as possible. DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________ 2014 Jeep GC 1998 Talon TSI awd 2011 Z Sport - SOLD

08-03-2013, 02:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
SgtGoldy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 3,503 Drives: C63 AMG - LSD Rep Power: 650	I bought a Foam Master and love the sh out of it. It really helps get the car clean. But just to echo everyone else: You need both. Also two buckets with grit guards, nice microfiber towels, electric leaf blower, & a bit of time. DEpointfive0 and madwi like this. __________________ C63 AMG** LSD - Straight Pipe - EuroCharge v5 - Vossen CV7 - IG: @SuperFastYo

08-03-2013, 10:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
tunafish Base Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Dayton Age: 36 Posts: 24 Drives: '13 Nissan 370z Tour Rep Power: 11	That's much clearer. Thanks guys! I only drive the Z on days when it's not raining. I still end up getting some gunk stuck to the front. Just trying to figure out when too much is overkill. Would you recommend just foaming the front and lower door panels since they are the worst? Or maybe I'm just the difference is negligible and I should just foam the whole car.

08-03-2013, 03:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
SgtGoldy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 3,503 Drives: C63 AMG - LSD Rep Power: 650	Pooling method works great too. Talk to The JunkMan! & check out his Videos. Super informative and hes fun to watch. Quick Edit: 24.00 Gets you his DVD if thats something that might interest you (to be honest I might buy it) __________________ C63 AMG LSD - Straight Pipe - EuroCharge v5 - Vossen CV7 - IG: @SuperFastYo Last edited by SgtGoldy; 08-03-2013 at 03:04 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cheap foam gun?	Huck	Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair	18	06-19-2012 09:58 AM
Foam Gun	MattP725	Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair	5	03-08-2012 08:16 PM
Bathroom hand washing etiquette	ZOLE	The Lounge (Off Topic)	29	06-20-2011 12:40 AM
Anyone know what this is? (in trunk under foam)	Belsavis	Exterior & Interior	9	06-06-2011 06:00 PM