[CraigB]

I was speaking with a few local detailers about better options for prewash/foaming as the foam cannon I have works well but I get barely enough time to cover the car before chewing through a litre of mix which isn't very economical for the wash liquid I use or the water use.

A quick demo on the IK 9 foamer was enough to impress me so I've ordered one from ZAS IK 9 Foam Sprayer/Foam Lance - ZAS

If I make up a tank (5ltrs) with 40mls of wash liquid I should manage to get several washes now depending on which foaming valve I go with, even double washing will be more economical

[Dazzler]

That's awesome Craig. I might recycle one of my 5 litre weed sprayers... Thanks for the idea.  (starting to sound like Gonz!) 

You didn't really think I would spend that sort of money on a foamer... 

But some members might. 

[CraigB]

 

As long as the weed sprayer has an adjustable air intake nozzle to create foam then it should work

[Dazzler]

As long as the weed sprayer has an adjustable air intake nozzle to create foam then it should work

It has! Cool...  ..and any residual weed killer in the sprayer will stop any weeds growing on my car! Bonus!

[CraigB]

 

[John B]

Wont stop the dogs weeding up your wheels though

[The Gonz]

I might recycle one of my 5 litre weed sprayers... Thanks for the idea.   (starting to sound like Gonz!) 

[Dazzler]

I might recycle one of my 5 litre weed sprayers... Thanks for the idea.   (starting to sound like Gonz!) 

I didn't think I'd need to tag you... 

How's Elena enjoying the new car?

[The Gonz]

Loving it. She texts and calls every day.

The last few times were about what 'high beam' means and whether the centre rear view mirror is adjustable by hand and what octane fuel to use.

Today she called to tell me she was driving with the sunroof open. While we spoke (using the Android Auto in-car hands free) the lane departure warning chimed, which gave us a laugh.

[Dazzler]

Loving it. She texts and calls every day.

The last few times were about what 'high beam' means and whether the centre rear view mirror is adjustable by hand and what octane fuel to use.

Today she called to tell me she was driving with the sunroof open. While we spoke (using the Android Auto in-car hands free) the lane departure warning chimed, which gave us a laugh.

Glad she's happy... Happy Wife, happy life. I'm also pleased she went the i30. 

[CraigB]

Loving it. She texts and calls every day.

The last few times were about what 'high beam' means and whether the centre rear view mirror is adjustable by hand and what octane fuel to use.

Today she called to tell me she was driving with the sunroof open. While we spoke (using the Android Auto in-car hands free) the lane departure warning chimed, which gave us a laugh.

We're still waiting for her photos for the gallery

[Cookie Thumper]

these things just spray on the soap then ya use a sponge ?

[CraigB]

these things just spray on the soap then ya use a sponge ?

They spray on a specialised foaming wash like this Optimum Car Wash 946ml - ZAS which clings to the surface for a prolonged amount of time allowing the dirt to be lifted away harmlessly without using a sponge that will drag particles of grit across the paint work causing those circular scuff/scratches in the clearcoat which require polishing to remove.

My process:
Spray foam the car and after several minutes before it dries hose off, any leftover dirt on the panels can then be washed off normally (bucket wash) or spray foam a second time and lightly sponge off then rinse by sheeting the water, sheeting will remove most of the water on it's own.

I'll then give the car a light spray of detailing gloss enhancer Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer 504ml - ZAS which helps with the final drying process and gives a lovely glossy shine, use a super thick microfibre drying towel (not a chamois) while the car is still wet with gloss enhancer.

[Smokeyr67]

these things just spray on the soap then ya use a sponge ?

They spray on a specialised foaming wash like this Optimum Car Wash 946ml - ZAS which clings to the surface for a prolonged amount of time allowing the dirt to be lifted away harmlessly without using a sponge that will drag particles of grit across the paint work causing those circular scuff/scratches in the clearcoat which require polishing to remove.

My process:
Spray foam the car and after several minutes before it dries hose off, any leftover dirt on the panels can then be washed off normally (bucket wash) or spray foam a second time and lightly sponge off then rinse by sheeting the water, sheeting will remove most of the water on it's own.

I'll then give the car a light spray of detailing gloss enhancer Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer 504ml - ZAS which helps with the final drying process and gives a lovely glossy shine, use a super thick microfibre drying towel (not a chamois) while the car is still wet with gloss enhancer.

That sounds like my wash routine, at least for the first 3 months, for the next year it's a thorough wash with the Karcher, and finally it slips to an annual visit to Car Lovers

In all seriousness, while the IK 9 looks great, if your a bit cost concious I'm sure you could get get very similar results with one of these Nylex 12L Backpack Garden Sprayer | Bunnings Warehouse

[Shambles]

They spray on a specialised foaming wash like this Optimum Car Wash 946ml - ZAS

Well thanks for that. I've just bookmarked a UK ebay seller (£19.99 ) and am looking for a decent foam lance for my Vax VPW4 (2500W).

It's a great time to be alive

[CraigB]

That sounds like my wash routine, at least for the first 3 months, for the next year it's a thorough wash with the Karcher, and finally it slips to an annual visit to Car Lovers

In all seriousness, while the IK 9 looks great, if your a bit cost concious I'm sure you could get get very similar results with one of these Nylex 12L Backpack Garden Sprayer | Bunnings Warehouse

I used to wash with the karcher/gerni with included wash foam bottle, fairly useless compared to a foam cannon, but the cannon wastes to much liquid.

Since the car was opti-coated I've raised my level of care to premium liquids and more conservative applicators

I had a look at the Bunnings sprayers and the Supercheap one's, they'll probably work fine though I wanted something a bit more robust that will outlast the others, the detailers have tested everything out there and reckon the IK 9 outperforms and outlasts all others

[CraigB]

They spray on a specialised foaming wash like this Optimum Car Wash 946ml - ZAS

Well thanks for that. I've just bookmarked a UK ebay seller (£19.99 ) and am looking for a decent foam lance for my Vax VPW4 (2500W).

It's a great time to be alive

No problem, you'll love that wash...super concentrated 250-1 can get in 4ltr container as well at much better value Optimum Car Wash Concentrate 128oz (US Gallon) - Wax Friendly - FREE WASH MITT | eBay 

[Cookie Thumper]

these things just spray on the soap then ya use a sponge ?

They spray on a specialised foaming wash like this Optimum Car Wash 946ml - ZAS which clings to the surface for a prolonged amount of time allowing the dirt to be lifted away harmlessly without using a sponge that will drag particles of grit across the paint work causing those circular scuff/scratches in the clearcoat which require polishing to remove.

My process:
Spray foam the car and after several minutes before it dries hose off, any leftover dirt on the panels can then be washed off normally (bucket wash) or spray foam a second time and lightly sponge off then rinse by sheeting the water, sheeting will remove most of the water on it's own.

I'll then give the car a light spray of detailing gloss enhancer Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer 504ml - ZAS which helps with the final drying process and gives a lovely glossy shine, use a super thick microfibre drying towel (not a chamois) while the car is still wet with gloss enhancer.

Interesting, Thanks.

I wash mine (bucket and sponge) atleast once a week  and this sounds like it might speed the process up.

[Shambles]

super concentrated 250-1 can get in 4ltr container as well at much better value

Yep - that's the one I've ordered.  I abandoned my Vax foam sprayer as that'd tie me into the Vax, so I ordered an IK9 as well

[CraigB]

super concentrated 250-1 can get in 4ltr container as well at much better value

Yep - that's the one I've ordered.  I abandoned my Vax foam sprayer as that'd tie me into the Vax, so I ordered an IK9 as well

You probably already know this but with the lances double your mix, normally 20ml in 5 ltrs for bucket wash, 40ml in 5ltrs for the lance though I'll test at normal ratio first and see how well it foams up before I double it.

[Shambles]

Awsome thread this 

[CraigB]

Here's a good video description on their range

[Dazzler]

With a name like K-9 you can probably use it on your dog too! 

[Cookie Thumper]

With a name like K-9 you can probably use it on your dog too! 

Thats what the "heavy" cycle on the washing machine is for   

[Dazzler]

 

Spoken like a true cat lover.

[Cookie Thumper]

Spoken like a true cat lover.

Lol, that vermin goes in the insinkerator...... allegedly !!

[Shambles]

So, is this foam applied to a dry car or does the power rinse have to be there first... 

[CraigB]

So, is this foam applied to a dry car or does the power rinse have to be there first... 

Foam it first and let it soak, unless the car is hot or extremely dirty then I'll hose/pressure spray it first to remove most of the crud or cool it down.

[butters7388]

I use all Bowdens products on my car. Generally snow blow with their snow cannon, followed by two bucket wash with nanoliscious, dried with boss gloss and finished with AfterGlow.



Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[CraigB]

I use all Bowdens products on my car. Generally snow blow with their snow cannon, followed by two bucket wash with nanoliscious, dried with boss gloss and finished with AfterGlow.

I did try Bowdens for a while, seemed fine and probably on par with Finish Kare and Meguiars.

Optimum is probably the best I've used and the super concentrated mix lasts for ever, works fine for bucket and foaming, the detailer gloss enhancer has far superior lubricity I'm finding and the shine is absolutely amazing