[Shambles]

Well I unboxed mine yesterday (5L Optimum & IK-9 sprayer) but it'll be a while before I can try it all out. I was hoping the foaming session would spare me having to use a bucket, but the included "wash mitt" suggests it's more of a pre-wash system.

[CraigB]

Steve, all foam jobs are prewash, by removing most of the dirt and loosening up more stubborn matter it's then easier to remove remaining dirt in the next stage with light washing and less chance of scratching/marring the surface.

If your car is completely covered in dirt and mud then pressure hose of as much as possible first then use the foam lance ( if not so dirty start with foam lance), after several minutes then rinse and use the same Optimum wash at 20ml in 5ltrs of water for a light sponge over - rinse and dry.

Better drying results can be had by sheeting the water off the car then spray the whole vehicle with Optimum detailer gloss enhancer or similar prior to drying to use as a drying aid with microfibre drying towels.


A little video explaining sheeting

[Shambles]

Thanks Craig, I'll bear all that in mind

Can't run the video just yet - stuff like that isn't available here at work

[Shambles]

Well I used my new lance & Optimum Car Shampoo.

I think I may have to review my mixture ratio. I used 40ml in the 5L sprayer and inverted the canister 3 or 4 times to get a good mix.

Maybe I need to use more than 40ml? Maybe I need to use warm water?

Whatever, it made not the slightest difference to the light dirt and few bugs stuck to my paintwork. It was as if I hadn't foamed it at all

I used the black foam line that came installed within it - maybe the green or orange may be more suitable.

These pics are the "after". The "before" looked just the same...

[CraigB]

Someone didn’t read their instructions 

The orange line is for cars Steve, gives a nice wet foam that will slowly run down the panels taking a lot of the dirt with it, it won’t remove more stubborn matter but does loosen it up so it’s easily removed with the bucket wash.

40mls is more than enough in 5ltrs of water which should cover the car like snow, try to swirl the shampoo to mix in the container as inverting it will likely cause it to foam up in the container and that’ll deplete the available space for air pressure.

[Shambles]

Funnily enough, my instructions don't even mention the 3 different foamer lines (unless I've missed it)

I'll try again soon with the orange line.

Oops

[CraigB]

Open the back folded page and top right  under EN you’ll see the explanation of the different mixers

[CraigB]

Make sure to pump it right up till you hear the air release valve whistle.

[Shambles]

Make sure to pump it right up till you hear the air release valve whistle.

Yeah I did. My right arm now resembles Popeye's

Open the back folded page...

Well there ya go. I have no such page

[CraigB]

Then are you missing the parts list too mixers are on the reverse side of parts list.

[Shambles]

I'll download the booklet, thanks Craig.

[CraigB]

 

[Smokeyr67]

Yeah I did. My right arm now resembles Popeye's

I've had that problem since I was a teenager, you get used to it

[Blazorax]

Hi All

Thinking of getting a foam lance from autobarn

Bowden's Own Snow Blow Cannon

Does it really worth the money and help with the washing?  I don't mind spending the money if it work.

Kind Regards

[butters7388]

I use the bowdens cannon. I think it helps. New formula snow foam they are about to release looks the goods too

[Dazzler]

You could get it for $10 cheaper with a bottle of wash from here and get free shipping.

Bowden's Snow Blow Cannon BOCANNON | Free Shipping | Automotive Superstore

[CraigB]

Cannons work well but you’ll go through product like it’s going out of fashion if you want a nice thick foam that clings.

[butters7388]

New foam coming from bowdens looks to cling pretty nicely. 30ml of product and whole car (sedan) is foamed nicely. More likely to use 50ml for proper coverage though.

[CraigB]

New foam coming from bowdens looks to cling pretty nicely. 30ml of product and whole car (sedan) is foamed nicely. More likely to use 50ml for proper coverage though.

You should try the Optimum, 20-30ml treats 5ltrs and will cling like marshmallow if you want it that thick...be a waste though as you want cling time to soak but need it to run off to take as much dirt as possible with it

[butters7388]

What's the opti cost?

[CraigB]

What's the opti cost?

$50 for 3.8ltrs Optimum Car Wash Bulk 3.8L - ZAS

[butters7388]

You use the car wash in the lance?

[CraigB]

You use the car wash in the lance?

Yep, Optimum works better than the other dedicated products just like the advertisement say's due to it's 250:1 concentrate then I dry with a spray of their gloss enhancer/drying aid Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer Concentrate 3.8L - ZAS

[Blazorax]

You use the car wash in the lance?

Yep, Optimum works better than the other dedicated products just like the advertisement say's due to it's 250:1 concentrate then I dry with a spray of their gloss enhancer/drying aid Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer Concentrate 3.8L - ZAS

Im going to buy the gun as @Dazzler recommended tomorrow, and try that Optimum as you suggested @CraigB

[Dazzler]

 

[CraigB]

Im going to buy the gun as @Dazzler recommended tomorrow, and try that Optimum as you suggested @CraigB

Cool grab yourself a large Microfibre drying towel while your at it Opti-Coat Drying Towel - ZAS don't ruin your ceramic coat with a chamois.

[Blazorax]

@CraigB I drop by ZAS and got the carwash + that big towel.  What mix ratio do you use to wash your car with the lance?

[CraigB]

@CraigB I drop by ZAS and got the carwash + that big towel.  What mix ratio do you use to wash your car with the lance?

Which lance? my ik9 takes 40ml to 5ltrs of water which will last 4 washes, only need 20mls to 5ltrs in bucket.

[Blazorax]

I got the Bowden Cannon

[CraigB]

I got the Bowden Cannon

I don't know what mix you make for the Bowden though being the Optimum is 250:1 concentrated so try half what you usually use and see how it goes, if needs a bit more then add till you get the desired result.