Snow Foams

This may be a relatively new term to many people, but the name conjures up images of thick lather and shaving cream.  This is absolutely possible, but it requires the right tools and may not be as effective as you think.  Read on for a discussion of the pros and cons of snow foams and how to choose one that's right for you.

As a professional, I rely on snow foam as part of my normal wash procedure.  It can cling to the paint well and help to soften and break down soiling on the paint before I even touch the car.  There are a variety of types, from very strong alkalines to remove heavy contamination, to pH neutral that is very safe for the paint.  I feel this is an essential part of my wash procedure for dirty cars.  It also looks like you are at the car wash and is visually appealing to onlookers.

There are a few downsides to these products that you need to consider before committing to the investment.  You need a pressure washer and a pretty strong one.  Mine gas unit is 3000 psi and I can get a nice thick foam.  My electric unit is 1600 psi and the foam is lackluster at best.  You should plan to use quite a bit of product too, on the order of 4oz concentrated product diluted in the container.  Do also consider that even with that thick foam, only a small portion is actually in contact with the paint and doing any work.  It's much more important to find a product that clings well and has a long dwell time, rather that just the thickest foam.  There aren't very many options available in the US currently unless you choose a product designed for an automatic car wash.  Chemical guys makes Honeydew Snow Foam and Bilt Hamber's autofoam has recently become available in the US.  I tend to make my own snow foam mixture though.  In my case I use Chemical Guys Citrus Wash + Gloss for it's high foaming and good clinging properties and I will augments that with an all purpose cleaner or dedicated snow foam.  In my case those are Bilt Hamber Surfex HD and Ultimate Snow Foam (respectively).  This combination smells great, produces tons of foam, cleans and clings very well.