How to use snow foam (Snow Foam for Car Washing Tutorial) (2023)

Automotive experts say applying snow foam is the first step in removing swirl marks and micro-scratches on modern clear-coat car paint. If you're tired of spending a fortune to keep your car clean and up-to-date, all you need is a simple pre-wash technique that uses snow foam.

A high-quality snow foam can form a thick, deep layer that gently dissolves all dirt deposits. To properly use snow foam, follow these steps:

1. Prepare all the equipment and products you need.
2. Fill itfoam cannon/gunwith the mixture.
3. Experiment to find the perfect spray consistency to lather your car.
4. Dry your car.
5. Apply snow foam using a sprayer.

Snow foaming has gained popularity among many hardcore car enthusiasts and professional car wash services. However, you can do it yourself at home. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use snow foam in five easy steps.

How to use snow foam in 5 easy steps

The snow foam stage is the most important initial step in every detail of the car. Applying snow foam will remove any loose debris they may causeswirl markson the color.

Below is the list of steps to follow for using snow foam. However, before you start lathering, make sure your car is cool to the touch, especially the black plastic trim and mirrors. Also, make sure the weather is not too windy.

Step 1: Purchase the Required Tools and Products

A grid inside the snow foam lance nozzle guides the snow foam and water mixture through the pressurized water jet as you spray. This grid stirs the snow foam mixture causing it to thicken and become soapy.

Note:You need a good lance and good snow foam, which are designed to work together to create a thick snow foam. Buying a high quality spear before investing in cheap snow foam is pointless.

The three things you need before starting the entire pre-wash process are:

1. Snow foam soap

A snow foam should be made from a precise combination of detergents that quickly remove dirt and grime that may remain on your car.

Snow foams are usually made to be super strong to strip cars of their wax or sealer so you can go ahead and apply a new coat. But there are others that are commonly referred to as "pH balanced". These pH balanced soaps are great if you don't want to remove your car's sealant and just want to clean off the grime.

There is not much difference in effectiveness between a regular car soap and snow foam. It's kind of like the difference between a normal bath soap and a shower gel. Sure, there will be lots of bubbles and it will look nice, but they both clean you the same.

We've had really great results using dirt removalDecon soapand even our pH balancedCeramic car washin a foam cannon. Try it!

2. A foam gun or cannon attachment

The lance is a single nozzle attached to its tippressure washer. It is combined with the pressure washer to draw the liquid snow foam into a stream of water and then pump this mixture through a screen. This process turns liquid snow foam into the dense, sticky foam you expect.

The ideal approach to using the pre-wash properties of snow foam is to use a snow foam gun or lance attached to a pressure washer. It guarantees no direct contact with the surface of the car, avoiding bumps and swirls.

3. A decent pressure washer

The higher your pressure, the greater the foaming and cleaning power. It is best to use something rated over 1500 PSI, with 1800 to a maximum of 3200 PSI being optimal. Make sure your machine has at least 7 to 8 liters per minute, as water flow is crucial.

Step 2: Combine the Snow Foam

This step is critical as it requires combining wet snow foam with warm water in your spear bottle, but is often overlooked.

Mix about 1 part snow foam with three parts water. This mixture will help to properly activate the foaming chemicals before you spray them using the snow foam gun.

Pro tip: Be careful not to add too much water as this can dilute the foam too much.

Step 3: Try experimenting

Play with the lance nozzle, snow foam combo and water mix. For example, some snow foam lances may have a valve on top that you can turn to change the amount of water sprayed through the nozzle.

Since the pressure washer effectively waters the snow foam, it can be easy to add too much water and end up with sloppy snow foam. Finding the perfect combination can be difficult at first.

Note:Find a setting that works for you by experimenting with the snow foam mix and nozzle settings. when you get it right the first time, you'll know exactly what to look for!

Step 4: Make sure your vehicle is dry

Avoid snow foaming your vehicle when wet. Many people believe that their car must first be wet for snow foam to be effective, however this can reduce its effectiveness.

The water on the surface of your car acts as a barrier between the snow foam and the car. Snow foam works by attaching to surface dirt deposits and breaking them up. In addition, the water will further dilute the snow foam, which can lead to dripping.

Step 5: Apply the snow foam with a sprayer

You should have a thick, sticky foam when you spray the foam on your car. All that's left to do is let the foam sit for a few seconds before rinsing it off. Your car will have lost much of its dirt, making your next car cleaning or contact wash much simpler!

The water pressure in your area, the pressure from the particular pressure washer's pump, the type of snow foam you use, and the dilution ratio can all have a small effect on the foaming rate.

The activated product will work as long as it is in contact with the car.

Snow Foam Vs. Normal car wash soap

As mentioned earlier, snow foam is quite similar to regular car wash soap. Both can work on a foam cannon and can effectively cover your vehicle with foam. Snow foam is designed to cover your car even thicker with foam. The idea behind this (besides looking really cool) is to let the foam sit on your car longer so it can soften the dirt before you wash it off.

However, some soaps such asDecon soap, are strong and can be used for deep foam cannon washing. Although this soap was not designed to be a thick snow foaming soap, it lathers moderately and is suitable for use with a lance or foam cannon. If you want to stick with regular car wash soaps but also want the deep cleaning effect, Decon soap is a good choice.

5 Tips for Foaming Snow

Here are some tips to help you master snow lather pre-washing:

Foam Gun Settings:The snow foam gun creates foam by combining high pressure water, snow foam liquid and air. The consistency of the snow foam can be changed using the adjustment knob. To get the right consistency, experiment with different parameters.

Water pressure supply:For the best foam application and performance, the pressure washer should be rated between 1,800 and 3,200 psi and at least 1.75 GPM of flow. Insufficient water supply can restrict the power washer, producing poor snow foam. Watch for kinks in the supply tube.

After cleaning:After using the foam gun, always wash it with clean water. The next snow foam operation could be more difficult if the old snow foam solution clogs the nozzles and pipes.

Frequent questions

When using the snow foam, should I move from the bottom to the top or vice versa?

Unlike other auto cleaning solutions, snow foam works best when sprayed on the underside of your car before moving higher up. Working from the bottom up gives the snow foam more time to work its magic because the underside of a car can get dirty.

Is it necessary to use PH-Neutral Snow Foam?

It depends entirely on the type of vehicle you have. Many people believe that pH neutral snow foam is better for expensive or antique cars that are taken to the showrooms, as it is a little kinder to the car's paintwork.

Is Snow Foam safe to use as a shampoo?

Technically, this is wrong, but it all depends on how clean your car is. Snow foam removes dirt if your car is clean enough. Snow foam won't always completely remove stuck-on dirt from your car, but it will help loosen it up.

Wrapping it up

Start with snow foam if you want to deep clean your car at home. First, research which brand you should choose for your car paint. Once that's settled, you're ready to go.

If you've read the five steps on how to use snow foam, you'll know that it's nothing too technical and something that many car enthusiasts do at home.