Foam Canon Worth It?

72MachOne99GT

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I am not, nor will I ever be a professional detailer, however I am looking for something better than a touchless car wash or bucket and mitt to use on my vehicles at home.

Are foam canons useful on daily drivers that don’t get washed routinely?

My GT500 was ceramic coated last year and has been holding up okay, but probably not washed as well as it should be, so it’d get attention as well.

Are they worth it, and if so, any recommendations from users here?
 

Revvv

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I use two buckets with strainers in the bottom that allow any dirt to settle away from my wash mit / pad. One bucket holds the car wash solution, and the other is water only for rinsing.

A foam cannon's purpose is to preload the finish with a lubricant to reduce minor scratches and swirls. You still need to pre rinse the car to remove any large debris that may be on the paint. After that you can foam the car.

I personally do not use a foam cannon. I like to wash, rinse, and inspect each panel.

I've heard foam cannons and foam pits are great for parties though. Maybe they do have a use.

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jdcobra

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Twinkle Star 2 Pack Foam Cannon Orifice Nozzle Tips, Universal Foam Cannon Nozzle 1.1mm, 3000 PSI
MATCC Foam Cannon II Foam Nozzle Pressure Washer Jet Wash with 1/4" Quick Connector Foam Blaster 0.22 Gallon Bottle Improved Snow Foam Lance

The 1.1mm nozzles make the cannon more foamy than runny, especially since I’m using a pressure washer with only 1600 psi and 1.2gpm
 

DSG2003Mach1

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my foam cannon doesnt work the greatest with my small electric pressure washer but I still like it. I just use a rinse bucket with grit guard between panels
 

jdcobra

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my foam cannon doesnt work the greatest with my small electric pressure washer but I still like it. I just use a rinse bucket with grit guard between panels

Try using the 1.1mm orifice nozzles on Amazon. I tried to link above but it didn’t work?
 

DSG2003Mach1

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Try using the 1.1mm orifice nozzles on Amazon. I tried to link above but it didn’t work?

thanks, Ill look into it. I get a decent amount of foam but its not fluffy so it runs off (using a generic cheap cannon from amazon and chemical guys foam)
 

72MachOne99GT

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I’ve got a 3000 psi power washer that I’d be using for prewash and rinsing as well.

Do these canons just screw right in place of the regular gun? I notice the linked one has no extension which would make the roof of a truck/suv difficult to reach.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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I’ve got a 3000 psi power washer that I’d be using for prewash and rinsing as well.

Do these canons just screw right in place of the regular gun? I notice the linked one has no extension which would make the roof of a truck/suv difficult to reach.

mine clips in to the end of the gun using the same style quick release fitting all your other nozzles use
 

CobraBob

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After getting my new Genesis G-70 ceramic coated, I considered a foam cannon. But because I've always been a wash bucket purist (LOL), I decided against it. Instead, I use the two bucket method @Revvv mentioned. Just a personal preference. My G-70 doesn't get very dirty since I avoid driving it in the rain (haven't had to, yet) and I wash it every Friday or Saturday morning promptly at 8:00 AM (coolest time of the day).
 

08mojo

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I don't think they're worth it. You have to soap the whole car, which if waxed/coated well it just runs off and now you have a thin layer of soap on the car this is drying quickly. I bought one with the hopes that I could just wash my car 'touchless' with the foam cannon and rinse (obviously with a pressure washer). It was not the case. I used the foam cannon maybe 5 times and have gone back to the tried and true 2 bucket method. If you pay shipping, you can have mine.

I really think it's just a gimmick, "if it's sudsy it's cleaning better." This is actually a main selling point in the automated car wash world. They realized people equated excess suds/foam to the wash 'working' and being a better quality car wash.
 

black92

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I think it's worth it. IMO, it doesn't take that long to get set up and the best thing is I can keep the car soaped as I'm scrubbing it down. I bought a cheap $20 one of amazon and it's been going great the last 4 years. I also do the 2-bucket method.
 

72MachOne99GT

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Maybe I’ll jump into a cheaper one then.

It would be mostly for the f150 and Traverse my wife won’t wash to save her life.

And the Shelby when she’s looking sad.

@jdcobra ,does the one you linked work pretty well? Safe to assume all the soaps are about equal?
 

MG0h3

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Got mine at Home Depot. As mentioned above I still use two buckets and a mitt. If nothing else I like the rinse function of the pressure washer.


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