Snow Foam Lance

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
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British Zeds
The M44 Massive
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Received the autobrite snow foam lance today and I'm quite impressed. Just want to turn the pressure down that comes out the lance but not sure if that can be done.
IMG_20170708_172614-EFFECTS.jpg


View: https://youtu.be/Wa9oN7BDv68
 

Faheem

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Yes I need to do that! Just had a very quick play around with it today and never used one of these before... but I'll take a closer later and hopefully can get the settings figured out. I only noticed the one adjustment knob at the top which as you said adjusted the thickness of the foam.
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
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My Nilfisk came with its own. I Don't think there is any adjustment on it. Music made me giggle @Faheem!
 

Low Rider

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LoL nice touch with the addition of the music track.
I see your using a jet wash and wondered if the Lance would work just as well without it.
 

ZimZimmer

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My Nilfisk came with its own. I Don't think there is any adjustment on it. Music made me giggle @Faheem!
The bottle that comes with the Nilfisk is just a detergent bottle and not a proper snowfoam lance. It can be used for SF but the pressure is high and no adjustment for air or spray type.
LoL nice touch with the addition of the music track.
I see your using a jet wash and wondered if the Lance would work just as well without it.
Don't think they work with just a hose tbh.
 

stevie_a

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Scottish Zeds
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Glasgow'ish
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I have a karcher k2 pressure washer and I'm after a snow foam lance.

I've seen that karcher have their own which I can pick up from halfords for about £12.

However I wanted advice on what's good. I've read on many detailing forums that autobrite make a good lance, some have brass fittings etc etc.

What's the difference?

I can understand that some foams are better than others but the lance itself?!

How is one better than another?

Cheers.

This is my karcher K4 with the karcher snow lance

 
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ZimZimmer

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A 'proper' snow foam lance is much better than the once you get with the karcher/Nilfisk/Bosch ect.
IMG_0777.JPG

The ones supplied will do an ok job, but the dedicated snowfoam lances create a much thicker foam which dwell longer on the car and thus do a better job. Of course the type of snowfoam used plays a part also.
 

andyglym

Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster.
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Been following this thread, so other than turn your car white, what's the magic of this stuff and is this magic any good compared to a normal wash?

Thanks :)
 

ZimZimmer

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Snow foam is a 'pre wash'
Basically you spay the foam on and allow to dwell for a while, 5 mins or so the rinse.
This will help to remove traffic film and light grime prior to your 'normal' wash.
Ideally you want to touch the paint as less as possible so anything that can be done to remove any dirt before you physically touch the car with a mitt or wash pad will help reduce swirl marks in your paint, which can happen VERY easily indeed.
It's particularly important for us with black or dark paint.
My wash routine is:
Spray the car with citrus pre wash, allow to dwell for a few mins.
Rinse
Snowfoam, allow to dwell a few mins
Rinse.
2 bucket wash with grit guards in each (one with soapy water one with plain water.
I will only wipe the car with one or two swipes before turning the mitt for another couple of swipes, before rinsing the pad in the plain water and rubbing it on the grit guard.
Then load the mitt again with soapy water.
Start at the top and work down.
I also use a separate pad for sills and arches and the lower parts of the car...and I do this once ther rest of the car has been done.
Rinse.
Spray with quick Detailer to aid drying
Dry with soft microfibre towel.
spray-wax.
I should also point out I always do the wheels before I start on the paint.

It may seem a lot, but it's the best way to minimises swirls...before I got into detailing I had a brand new car ruined by someone badly washing the car and it cost 700 and 3 days to put it right!!!
Prevention is better than cure!
 

andyglym

Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster.
Supporter
British Zeds
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Moresby, West Cumbria, England
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Snow foam is a 'pre wash'
Basically you spay the foam on and allow to dwell for a while, 5 mins or so the rinse.
This will help to remove traffic film and light grime prior to your 'normal' wash.
Ideally you want to touch the paint as less as possible so anything that can be done to remove any dirt before you physically touch the car with a mitt or wash pad will help reduce swirl marks in your paint, which can happen VERY easily indeed.
It's particularly important for us with black or dark paint.
My wash routine is:
Spray the car with citrus pre wash, allow to dwell for a few mins.
Rinse
Snowfoam, allow to dwell a few mins
Rinse.
2 bucket wash with grit guards in each (one with soapy water one with plain water.
I will only wipe the car with one or two swipes before turning the mitt for another couple of swipes, before rinsing the pad in the plain water and rubbing it on the grit guard.
Then load the mitt again with soapy water.
Start at the top and work down.
I also use a separate pad for sills and arches and the lower parts of the car...and I do this once ther rest of the car has been done.
Rinse.
Spray with quick Detailer to aid drying
Dry with soft microfibre towel.
spray-wax.
I should also point out I always do the wheels before I start on the paint.

It may seem a lot, but it's the best way to minimises swirls...before I got into detailing I had a brand new car ruined by someone badly washing the car and it cost 700 and 3 days to put it right!!!
Prevention is better than cure!
Thanks :thumbsup:
 

ZimZimmer

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British Zeds
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May 22, 2017
Points
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Northern Ireland
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Z3 2.2i Sport
Oh, and never use a sponge it holds grit on the surface or in the pores and will easily scratch the paint with very little pressure.
Lambs wool mitt/pad or deep pile microfibre mitt/pad is the way forward :thumbsup:
 

andyglym

Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster.
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Oh, and never use a sponge it holds grit on the surface or in the pores and will easily scratch the paint with very little pressure.
Lambs wool mitt/pad or deep pile microfibre mitt/pad is the way forward :thumbsup:
Yup, never use a sponge on the paint, fibre mitt only for me to.
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
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Sounds like the fittings are not doing the job, mine used to pop of at the pressure washer end but the fitting had broke.
Changed the hoselock fittings this morning and all is well again. Washed all 4 cars and the hose didn't pop off once. Thanks for the advice. :thumbsup:
 
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Redline

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Nuneaton
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Yes it is and no it haven't Dave. Would I be best to get the brass ones?
I replaced several connectors with the brass versions. Much more reliable - Also, the pressure washer has tumbled over a couple of times. The plastic connectors simply snap off. The brass versions live to fight another day.
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
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I bought the yellow plastic hozelock ones Ian but if these begin to fail I will replace next time with brass ones.
 
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