If you have been looking into ways to effectively look after your car, you may have come across snow foam. Typically, snow foam is applied with a pressure washer but, perhaps, you don’t have one, and you’re now wondering if you can use snow foam without one. In this article, we answer that question and more about snow foam.
So, can you use snow foam without a pressure washer? Typically, snow foam is applied with a pressure washer, but other tools can also be used in absence of a pressure washer. A handheld foaming pump sprayer or a foam cannon attached to a garden hose will achieve a similar effect.
Read on to learn more about using snow foam without a pressure washer.
Can You Use Snow Foam Without a Pressure Washer?
Snow foam is typically applied with a pressure washer to achieve the foam, but it can be used with other tools to achieve a similar effect. The below methods are such examples.
Handheld Foaming Pump Sprayer
A handheld foaming pump sprayer will achieve a very similar effect to a pressure washer for a lot less money. Simply fill the bottle with diluted snow foam, pump it up until you feel it becomes very resistant, then spray over the car.
With this method, however, you will need to mind the dilation ratio; with handheld foamers you will typically need to use a lower concentration of product than the bottle may suggest. As a general rule of thumb, dilute the snow foam 10X as much as recommended.
Foam Cannon
A foam cannon attached to a regular garden hose is the closest you’ll get to the effects of a pressure washer without actually using one. It’s a very fast method of application and, unlike a handheld foaming sprayer, doesn’t require manual pumping. That said, a thinner foam is produced and will use more product.
With a foam cannon, you simply need to attach the foam cannon to your garden hose and spray. It couldn’t be simpler; just make sure to purchase the correct product for your hose.
Spray Bottle
Using snow foam in a regular spray bottle will not produce a foam, but will still clean the car as intended. Snow foam doesn’t actually need to be in foam form to work; the chemicals will still lift dirt and film off of the car, regardless.
Simply mix the snow foam with water, spray it directly onto the car, and rinse as normal.
As with a foaming pump sprayer, you’ll need to mind your dilution with this method; you will need to dilute the snow foam 10X as much as recommended to begin with and increase or decrease the concentration as required.
Should You Pre Rinse Before Snow Foam?
It’s useful to rinse your car before applying snow foam. This way, any stubborn grime, mud, or brake dust is somewhat dislodged, meaning that the foam can access and work on more deep-set dirt. In short, some find that snow foam works better after pre-rinsing.
How Long Do You Leave Snow Foam On?
Your individual snow foam product will display details such as how long to leave the product on your car on the packaging. However, as a general rule of thumb, most snow foams will usually sit for 10-15 minutes. This usually gives enough time to soften and dislodge any dirt and grime, which can then be easily removed during rinsing.
Can You Wash a Car With Just Snow Foam?
Snow foam is often used as a pre-cleaner to loosen dirt and grime. The foam drags down surface dirt, revealing more deep-set dirt, grime, and road film etc, to which the chemicals can then work on. This is all then rinsed off before a traditional wash with car shampoo.
How Often Should You Snow Foam a Car?
How often you should snow foam your car depends on how often you clean your car. It can be used each and every time you clean your car. The better question here is how often you should clean your car.
Realistically, washing your car too much won’t cause too much damage (minor cosmetic damage, at most), but it’s safest to limit washing to once per week, even with snow foam.
Learn more about how often you should wash your car in our recent blog.
British-Made Snow Foam at Buy Britain
Buy Britain stocks Revive Auto Snow Foam, and a wide range of other car cleaning products to help you keep your car squeaky clean. Take a look at our range of Revive Auto cleaning products today.
