Snow foaming is one of the most enjoyable and useful parts of the car wash process. If you use snow foam to pre-wash your car before touching it with a glove, then you need to make sure it works as efficiently as possible. So here are 8 tips to improve the quality of your snow foam.
How to make thicker foam snow
- Use the correct nozzle size on the foam cannon for your pressure washer
- Make sure the system is free of leaks
- Use the appropriate dilution ratio
- Choose snow foam with higher foaming
- Make sure the foam cannon settings are at maximum and the spray pattern is a fan
- Rinse the foam cannon after use
- Serve your foam cannon
- Use a higher quality foam gun
Check out my snow tips video on YouTube.
Use the correct nozzle on your Snow Foam Cannon
The spout controls the flow through the nozzle and sits inside the housing of the foam cannon. The smaller the nozzle, the higher the pressure will be, so the foam will be thicker.
However, it is vital that you choose the right nozzle for your pressure washer.
If you choose a size that is too small for your pressure washer, it means that the flow is restricted and may break the pressure washer or cause pulsation. Choosing a too large nozzle will not cause mechanical problems, but it will mean that your snow foam will have a finer consistency.
The most common orifice sizes are 1.1mm, 1.25mm and 1.35mm.
| Orifice size | Pressure washer suitability | Example Pressure Washer |
| 1.10 mm | 90-110 bar | Karcher K2 |
| 1.25 mm | 110-150 bar | Karcher K4 |
| 1.35 mm | 150+ bars | Karcher K7 |
The snow foam cannon should come with the specifications to tell you what size nozzle it has. If you want to change the size of your nozzle then it is quite easy to do on most foam cannons. You may need to unscrew the part where the foam lance adapter connects to the nozzle to access it.
Make sure your system is not leaking
One of the biggest causes of fine snow foam is due to a leak in the system leading to a drop in pressure. This pressure drop means that the foam gun cannot sufficiently aerate the solution to a desired consistency.
If you notice a sudden change in foam thickness compared to previous use, then it is likely due to a leak in one of the following areas:
- Puncture
- Pipe connection to the faucet
- Hose connection to the pressure washer
- Hose connection from the pressure washer
- Connection between the foam cannon and the pressure washer
- Connection between the foam cannon adapter and the nozzle
If you are having trouble getting a tight seal, you can use PTFE tape to make sure there are no leaks in the foam cannon.
Also, it may sound obvious, but make sure your hose isn't kinked and that the water flow coming out of your faucet is the same as that coming into the pressure washer.
I recently noticed a drop in foam thickness as there was a kink in the tube spool that I hadn't noticed but was easy to identify by disconnecting each point and checking the flow rate. Once I realized that the flow was weaker from the end of the tube compared to straight from the faucet, it was a very quick fix!
Use the appropriate dilution ratio
Each snow foam will have a recommended dilution ratio and will usually be a range of e.g. 1:10 to 1:20. The recommended thinning ratio varies greatly between snow foams, so don't assume you can use the same amount for every snow foam you have if you happen to be using multiple types.
Remember that using a higher dilution ratio will not only affect the thickness, but also the cleaning ability. If you use alkaline snow foam and choose the highest dilution ratio when it may not always be necessary, then this will start to adversely affect any waxes or sealants over time.
The way the product states the recommended dilution ratios can also vary, sometimes making it more confusing to calculate what product to add.
Method #1 Dilution Ratio
Most snow foams clearly state the dilution ratio e.g. 1:10. In this case, you would add 100 mL of product to 1000 mL of water in your foam cannon. Some also list the amount you'll need in mL or oz. to make things very simple to calculate how much product to use.
Method #2 Table Impact Ratio
This is a more accurate way to calculate how much snow foam you need to add to your cannon to get the most out of the product. Bilt Hamber Auto Foam and Touch-Less use this method.
The panel impact ratio (PIR) of a snow foam refers to the concentration of the product when it hits the car, as opposed to what you add to your foam cannon. This is more accurate because different combinations of pressure washing and foam cannon will dilute the solution in the foam cannon differently. Using PIR forces you to work backwards with the calculation to keep it consistent.
The PIR will be given as a percentage, which is usually between 1-4%. Here's how to calculate it.
- Fill the snow foam cannon with water.
- Dispense the cannon filled with water into a bucket.
- Measure how much water was dispensed.
- Calculate the desired PIR by calculating the percentage of water dispensed in step 3.
Example:If the snow foam cannon is filled with 1 liter and you connect it to the pressure washer and dispense it fully and this results in 10 liters of water in the bucket, then the pressure washer dilutes it by a factor of 10. If the snow foam has a recommended PIR of 4%, then you would calculate 4% of 10 L which is 400 mL (0.4 L). This means you need to add 400 mL of snow foam to your cannon and then top it off with water by adding 600 mL to achieve the correct panel impact ratio.
I also have a very quick video on my YouTube channel to explain the calculation.
Method #3
Some snow foams like Autobrite Magifoam don't give a dilution ratio or PIR, but will say something like "add 1-2 inches of snow foam to your foam cannon and top off with water".
This isn't very helpful as different foam cannons have different widths, meaning the dilution will be completely different depending on the shape of your foam cannon.
However, from experience, it is usually safe to assume that 1 inch equals approximately 75 mL of product. So in this case, you would add 75 mL of snow foam and 925 mL of water to your foam cannon for the 1″ measurement, or 150 mL of snow foam and 850 mL of water for the 2″ measurement.
Choose a snow foam with a higher foam
Some snow foams have a higher foaming capacity than others, so if you want a thicker foam then you'll need to choose something to match.
Snow foams like Bilt Hamber Auto Foam and Touch-Less will never be "thick" even if you double the recommended thinning ratio, simply because of the formulation. However, some foams like Autobrite Magifoam are still incredibly thick even if you use the lowest recommended dilution.
In general, a thicker snow foam will stay on the panel longer and therefore have more time to clean. However, this is not always the case.
Some very thick foams can also be quite dry, meaning they slide off the panel quite quickly. Using a higher proportion of snow foam like this can actually mean it has less dwell time because the weight of the foam causes it to drag across the board faster.
Looking for some of the best detailing products? Be sure to check out minerecommended products pagefor all my current top picks.
Use the correct foam cannon settings
Most snow foam cannons have two basic controls:
- A dial on the top to control how diluted the solution is in the foam cannon.
- Adjustable nozzle so you can change the spray pattern.
In most cases, it's a good idea to turn the dial at the top to maximum to ensure that the foam is as thick as possible and that the dilution hitting the panel is appropriate. However, it may be helpful to lower it slightly when using very thick snow foam if you notice that there are a lot of air bubbles in the foam.
Some people like to fill the snow foam cannon with a clear snow foam solution and use this dial to achieve the correct dilution. I personally don't do this as it makes it difficult to get an accurate dilution of the product and is more likely to clog the foam cannon filter.
As for the nozzle, I like to adjust it so that the spray pattern is a fan rather than a jet, as this allows me to coat the car more efficiently. Using a spray pattern means you'll need to move your foam cannon more to cover the same area, which often ends up using more snow foam to achieve even coverage since it's not as efficient.
Rinse the Foam Cannon after use
Foam cannons can become clogged with product if allowed to sit and dry inside internal components.
To make sure this doesn't happen, rinse the tank with clean water and then fill it with clean water, connect it to the pressure washer, and then rinse the tank for about 20 seconds after each use. This will flush all remaining snow foam from the internal components of the foam cannon.
If you still have suds that you want to use for the next wash in the tank, then you can still do that. Simply pour the solution into a measuring cup or cup and then perform the steps as above.
Once you're done, you can simply pour the solution back into the tank. However, it is a good idea to disconnect the collection tube so that it does not remain in the solution for an extended period of time to ensure that it does not clog.
Service at Foam Cannon
If you notice that the quality of the foam has decreased since you purchased the foam cannon, then it may need to be serviced to make sure it is fully functional. Here's how to do it:
- Push the pin connecting the nozzle inward, then slide out of the nozzle.
- Remove the gauze.
- Remove the nozzle using a flat head screwdriver.
- Remove the adapter that connects the foam cannon to the pressure washer trigger.
- Make sure you can see all the way through the cannon at this point. If you can't, then it will need cleaning too.
- Remove the collection tube and check for blockages.
- Place the removed metal parts in a caustic soda solution and leave for 24 hours.
- Reassemble the foam cannon.
Use a higher quality foam gun
If you're using a really cheap foam cannon and you've tried all the steps above and still struggle to get good quality foam, then it might be time to upgrade.
I use a MJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2 which has the following features:
- Weighted pickup tube so that solution can be collected even when the barrel is tilted.
- Spare filters, gauze and nozzle.
- Vertical and horizontal adjustment of the spray pattern.
It is very sturdy and is known to be one of the best foam cannons on the market for producing thick foam.
Here is an affiliate link toMJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2.
I also have a YouTube video showing it in action.
Does hot water make a difference?
Many car owners like to use hot water to thicken the foam, however this doesn't have much of an effect on the thickness in my experience.
The solution in your foam cannon will be diluted by the pressure washer usually about 10-15 times, which means the solution will be cold by the time it comes out of the foam cannon. Therefore, it makes little difference in the consistency of the foam.
Using filtered water is more likely to make a difference, but again the water going through the pressure washer would also need to be filtered to make a real difference, so again not very practical or useful.
Is thicker snow foam better?
Many car cleaning enthusiasts try to increase the thickness of the snow foam they use, but often this is not really necessary. Although thicker foam looks cool, it's not always functional.
As I mentioned before, if the foam is too thick but also dry enough, it tends to slide off the panel faster. However, there are some foams that are thin enough that they will stick to the paint longer. This is not always the case though. For example, Autobrite Magifoam is very thick, but stays put for a long time.
What I'm trying to say here, is that foam thickness and dwell time are not always related, and it's really the dwell time that you want to be able to clean the panels as much as possible before contact washing.
In reality, the thickness of the foam doesn't really matter because it only takes a very thin layer to cover a car with foam, and anything beyond that doesn't come in contact with the paint, so it doesn't do anything to clean the car.
It's better to prioritize cleaning ability, in my opinion, over foam thickness.
If you're looking for some options, check out minecomparison of 5 different snow foamswhich all have strong cleaning ability.
Check out my snow tips video on YouTube.
Here are some more articles you might find useful:
- Car shampoo vs Snow Foam
- Snow Foam vs TFR
FAQs
8 Tips to Make Thicker and Better Car Wash Snow Foam | HQ Care Auto? ›
If this is your first time using a snow foam cannon or the foam gun on your pressure washer, it can be a challenge to get the right snow foam consistency. We recommend starting with a baseline mixture of 1:16, that is, 1 part concentrate to 16 parts water. Dirtier vehicles might benefit from 2:16 or 3:16 mixtures.
What is the best mixture for a foam cannon? ›If this is your first time using a snow foam cannon or the foam gun on your pressure washer, it can be a challenge to get the right snow foam consistency. We recommend starting with a baseline mixture of 1:16, that is, 1 part concentrate to 16 parts water. Dirtier vehicles might benefit from 2:16 or 3:16 mixtures.
Why is my snow foam not thick enough? ›Common problems can include mixing the snow foam at the wrong ratio – usually, mixing in too much water and diluting the foam. Remember, when you spray your snow foam mixture onto your car, you're basically diluting it again as it'll mix with the water jet coming from your pressure washer.
Why is my snow foam not very foamy? ›If it's too far away from your water source, or if your water source isn't putting out water at a high enough pressure, your washer will have a hard time generating the water pressure needed for thick snow foam. If the pressure isn't high enough, your snow foam won't be agitated into that thick, clingy foam.
What is best pressure for snow foam? ›The majority of snow foams come in a concentrated formula, which requires diluting with water. This allows the pressure washer to create a thick foam, which lifts the dirt away. For best results, a pressure washer rated between 125- 220 bar should be used.
Why is my foam cannon not thick? ›Getting watery foam or no foam at all? There are many factors that would result is your foam cannon not working correctly, most often it's because of not rinsing the nozzle after use. This simple step after use can and will ensure your foam cannon shoots out thick suds for a long time!
Do you rinse the car before snow foam? ›Step 2 - Rinse the car
We always recommend spraying snow foam onto a wet car. This way you can get most of the top layer of dirt off the car before the foaming starts. So fire up the pressure washer and give your motor a quick rinsing down.
Unlike a car shampoo, snow foam doesn't contain any lubricant to help cloths glide over your car's surface, so wiping it off can cause scratches on your paintwork. Always rinse off your snow foam with a hose or a pressure washer.
How long do you leave snow foam on car? ›Spray the Snow Foam directly on to the vehicle without pre-rinsing it – Snow Foam works best when used on a dry surface. Spray it all over the vehicle bodywork and allow it to dwell for about 3-4 minutes – you will see the foam start to change colour as the dirt is lifted away from the surface of the paintwork.
Do you foam cannon before or after rinse? ›Make it easy on your car and foam cannon by rinsing your vehicle before you start foaming it! By rinsing your vehicle, you are removing the largest dirt and debris, so they never have a chance to be rubbed into the paintwork.
What is the best snow foam dilution? ›
Perhaps the most critical aspect of a snow foam is the dilution ratio. Whether it's coloured snow foam or not, you don't want to make the mistake of using an overly concentrated mixture. Most professionals will advise you to mix snow foam and water in a 1:10 ratio.
Do you sponge after snow foam? ›Snow foam needs to be sprayed onto your car and left to settle on its paintwork. You shouldn't try and wipe off snow foam with a cloth or wash mitt as it doesn't have any ingredients to help it slide over the car's paintwork, which can lead to swirls or scratches.
Do you scrub after foam cannon? ›Using a pressure washer and a foam cannon can greatly speed up your car wash process. You can even just use foam soap and a pressure washer to clean lightly soiled vehicles, without any scrubbing with a wash mitt.
What do you use after snow foam? ›The formula in snow foam will immediately encapsulate small particles of dirt so the contaminants will simply run off the vehicle. But don't forget that snow foam is only a pre-cleaner. You will still need to wash your vehicle with water and car shampoo after rinsing off the snow foam.
How do you increase foam stability? ›As temperature increases, more foaming agents must be used. Gelling agents are also very important because they can be used to add stability to the fluid. Gelling agents will increase the viscosity (not considerably), but will improve proppant transport and fluid-loss control.
What ingredients makes the foam become more stable? ›Using traditional stabilizing agents like egg white, cream, and sugar are also effective. Many of the things in those ingredients that stabilize the foam have been isolated and are sold as separate ingredients, such as lecithin. These are also incorporated into other modernist ingredients such as Versawhip.
What kind of soap do you use for a foam cannon? ›If you're looking for the best foam cannon soap that delivers extra thick suds, Platinum Wash is what you're looking for. Besides producing the thickest foam, this concentrated detailing soap is packed with neutral pH cleaning power.
Does it matter what soap you use in a foam cannon? ›Foam Cannon Soaps
Although there are a number of car wash soaps on the market specifically formulated for use with foam cannons (Griot's Garage Foaming Surface Wash & Tornador Sudsy are both great) reality is most good quality car wash soaps will work quite well in a foamer.
The Professional Max Foam 8 Cannon works with any gas or electric pressure washer 500-3,500 PSI. Never exceed 4,200 PSI with either cannon. Minimum 1.4 GPM; 2.0 GPM recommended; Never Exceed 5.3 GPM.
Do you need a pressure washer for snow foam? ›So, can you use snow foam without a pressure washer? Typically, snow foam is applied with a pressure washer, but other tools can also be used in absence of a pressure washer. A handheld foaming pump sprayer or a foam cannon attached to a garden hose will achieve a similar effect.
Can you use snow foam on wheels? ›
SNOW FOAM the car from top to bottom to remove or soften grit which is on the car. Leave for 5 minutes and then pressure wash off from top to bottom again. While the foam is sitting, clean the wheels. Use a wheel cleaner, wheel brush and separate sponge to clean the wheels correctly.
Can you use snow foam in direct sunlight? ›Once you're car is covered in Snow Foam, you'll want to leave it stand for around 10 minutes, but make sure you don't leave it in direct sunlight!
Can I use vinegar to wash my car? ›Though vinegar can be used alone as an effective cleaner for most areas of a car, it can also be combined with baking soda for additional cleaning power when removing stubborn stains. Be sure to use the vinegar and baking soda solution immediately before the products can neutralize each other.
Is foaming soap just watered down liquid soap? ›Foaming hand soap is actually just a form of liquid hand soap. It is diluted liquid soap that is infused with air to create a rich and foamy lather as it leaves the dispenser. As such, specialized dispensers are required to use foaming hand soap properly.
What is the two bucket method? ›The basics of the two bucket method is one bucket with your shampoo wash solution, and one bucket with plain water for rinsing your wash mitt. Work on the vehicle from top to bottom, working in small sections, rinsing the wash mitt in your rinse bucket out before reloading with shampoo solution from the wash bucket.
What's the difference between a foam cannon and a foam gun? ›A Foam Cannon uses an electric or gas pressure washer, but a Foam Gun uses a regular water hose, which is the only major difference between the two devices. The water stream produced by pressure washers is much stronger.
Do you mix soap and water in foam cannon? ›Mix 1 – 3oz of your favorite Chemical Guys soap and water into the canister of the foam cannon. We always use warm water because it helps the aerate mixture better. Reattach the canister to the head of the foam cannon.
What is the best PSI and GPM for a foam cannon? ›Experts agree that a 1,100 PSI is a good starting point when working with foam cannons. Most foam cannons generally require a min of 1,100 PSI and 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute), though higher-performance foam cannons will require a minimum of 1,500 PSI and 2 GPM.
How many GPM do I need for a foam cannon? ›Most foam lances require a minimum of ~2 gallons per minute (GPM), but the more basic (and affordable) electric pressure washers are generally around 1.2-1.6 GPM, well below the 2 GPM minimum.
What makes a good foam cannon? ›A few will take as low as 800 PSI, but most foam cannons need at least 1,000 to 1,100 PSI for results that aren't disappointing. You'll also need decent water flow (GPM, gallons per minute) along with the pressure. Requirements vary from 1.3 GPM and up, but 2.0 GPM is safe.
What is the best snow foam to water ratio? ›
Perhaps the most critical aspect of a snow foam is the dilution ratio. Whether it's coloured snow foam or not, you don't want to make the mistake of using an overly concentrated mixture. Most professionals will advise you to mix snow foam and water in a 1:10 ratio.
How long do you let snow foam sit? ›You simply spray the car until it's coated in foam, leave it for five-minutes (not in direct sunlight), then return to rinse it all off with the regular lance back on your pressure washer. During those five minutes, the foam should lift off the nastiest bits of dirt, taking the grime with it when it's power-washed off.
Should you rinse car before using snow foam? ›Spray the Snow Foam directly on to the vehicle without pre-rinsing it – Snow Foam works best when used on a dry surface. Spray it all over the vehicle bodywork and allow it to dwell for about 3-4 minutes – you will see the foam start to change colour as the dirt is lifted away from the surface of the paintwork.
Do you rinse before snow foaming? ›Step 2 - Rinse the car
We always recommend spraying snow foam onto a wet car. This way you can get most of the top layer of dirt off the car before the foaming starts. So fire up the pressure washer and give your motor a quick rinsing down.
It's likely to break down and form unsightly deposits when left in the canister for a long period, so you need to pour out the leftover soap mixture. After that, pour clean water into the foam cannon, attach the foam cannon to your pressure washer gun, and spray the water onto the ground for a few seconds.
Does snow foam need hot water? ›Most people recommend to top the foam mixture with warm/hot water, so i would think using warm/hot water would produce better results.
Can you use snow foam in the sun? ›Once you're car is covered in Snow Foam, you'll want to leave it stand for around 10 minutes, but make sure you don't leave it in direct sunlight!