There’s just something visually satisfying about coating a vehicle in snow foam. This pre-wash cleaning gives the appearance that Christmas came early, but more importantly, it clings to a car’s surface to help eliminate harmful debris and sets the stage for a proper deep clean. The application process is both practical and gratifying, and helps lift the grime before you even touch a wash mitt.
We don’t make it a secret that snow foams are one of our favourite car detailing products, and if you’re yet to invest in a snow foam, we’re ready to convince you! Just like a microfibre cloth, car shampoo and car wax, snow foam is a key piece of even the most basic car cleaning arsenal, for a multitude of reasons.
What is Snow Foam?
Snow foam is a pre-wash solution that coats a vehicle with a thick snow-like layer (hence the name), helping to remove dirt, grime and debris. It’s an important step in the car washing process, as debris that’s been left on a vehicle can cause scratches, streaks and other unsightly marks. Snow foam is strong yet pH-neutral, so it won’t damage a car’s exterior appearance, allowing for a safer and more effective wash. Someone may use snow foam for a vehicle that’s covered in dirt and debris; this is to help preserve a car’s appearance and not damage its exterior.
Benefits of Snow Foam
- Removes Light Dirt: Everyday use of vehicles exposes them to contaminants, and while it may not be noticeable at first, road dust can accumulate, giving a car a murky appearance. Sitting on top of the surface of the paint, small particulates from exhaust fumes, loose road surface, rain and wind form a dirty film that dulls the paint, leaving the car with a rough exterior. If you were to rinse a car and then go straight into the shampooing, this film would likely get rubbed around the paintwork, potentially causing defects and damaging the paint. Thankfully, this can be prevented with a snow foam wash, as it lifts these particles away without the need for contact, so you can wash your car knowing that the damaging particles are washed away.
- Simple: Adding a snow foam wash to your car care routine is no trouble. It takes so little time to apply and remove that you’d be silly not to make it part of your regular washing protocol. Simply use a jet wash with a snow foam cannon attached and spray the thick foam all over the vehicle. Make yourself a cup of tea while you leave it to dwell, or prepare your washing buckets while you wait, and by the time you’re done, just rinse using the very same jet wash. This easy and straight-to-the-point process handles the bulk of the grime before your wash even begins.
- Gentle: One of the main things that puts car enthusiasts off trying a new product is uncertainty. We understand some might like to stick to what they know, but snow foams enhance the cleaning process safely and gently. Unlike acidic car cleaners and alkali shampoos, which are only suitable in certain circumstances because of their strength, snow foam is a gentle formula. This means it can be applied in any quantities, any dilution and to any material without the vehicle owner having to worry about it negatively impacting the car.
- Strong and Stable: Just because snow foam is gentle doesn’t mean it isn’t tough on cleaning. This solution dissolves dirt and dust on contact without the need for any scrubbing by the person cleaning the vehicle. The thick foam bubbles away on the surface, lifting dirt as it goes. Once saturated with grime, the solution will begin to slide down the surface of the car, and a quick rinse will wash away the foam and all the dirt it has collected. Look for a snow foam that is strong but pH-neutral, allowing you to apply it to a vehicle without worrying about it causing any damage. Snow foams should be mild enough that they don’t affect any existing waxes or sealants on the surface of the car, so the car remains protected throughout the pre-wash and main wash.
- Long Dwelling: One of the key distinguishing factors between an okay snow foam and an ultimate snow foam is the quality of the foam. A good snow foam will produce a relatively thick foam that clings to the surface of the car easily and doesn’t have much runoff. Those that have a longer dwell time are likely to yield the thickest foams, as the concentration of the foam needs to be high for it to stick to a vehicle for longer amounts of time. If a snow foam has a recommended dwell time of only a few minutes, it’s probably not going to produce high-quality suds and might not be as effective in removing grime.
How to Use Snow Foam
The great thing about snow foams is that they’re effective and easy to use, making them a great one-two punch against protecting your car’s appearance from dirt and grime. Let’s further explore how to use it and achieve the best results for a luxurious shine.
For starters, all you will need is a snow foam lance, pressure washer or hose and your choice of snow foam. A durable snow foam lance is essential as it makes applying pre-wash solutions a breeze and can be adjusted for flow intensity.
The process of using snow foam is also straightforward. Follow these simple steps to help your vehicle achieve a showroom shine.
- Start by filling the lance bottle or pump sprayer with your choice of snow foam and dilute with water.
- Attach the snow foam lance to your pressure washer or hose and apply an even layer of foam to coat your entire vehicle.
- Allow it to sit for the recommended dwell time.
- Rinse the foam off your vehicle.
There are no shortcuts to achieving a flawless finish, but by following these simple steps, you can be well on your way to giving your car an eye-catching gloss that’s free of any dirt and grime. Along with snow foams, we offer a wide range of pre-wash products, car shampoos and car decontamination products to give your car a pristine finish.
Snow Foam Top Tips
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Avoid applying snow foam in extreme hot or cold conditions. If a vehicle is too hot, it can easily be cooled down by soaking it with cold water beforehand, but still be wary, as extremely hot conditions can dry the snow foam before it’s able to cling to dirt and debris. Freezing conditions are also not ideal, as warm water can crack cold windscreens. A solution to this dilemma would be applying snow foam during warmer portions of the day.
- Create a Thick Foam: Adjust your foam lance settings to apply a thick foam that clings to your car’s surfaces and can attach itself to dirt and stubborn contaminants. Simple trial and error can help you find the ideal water-to-foam ratio. The thicker the foam, the longer it can dwell and the more debris it can eliminate before you’ve even begun scrubbing. Plus, it’s just fun to watch the foam slowly trickle down your vehicle.
- Clean Your Equipment: As the saying goes, ‘a bad workman blames their tools’. But in the case of car detailing, this is true. The tools used to apply products are just as important as the products themselves. Ensure you take care of your snow foam pre-wash cannon and jet wash to consistently achieve high-level cleaning. Rinsing through the lance properly will ensure there is no soap buildup. We recommend running clean water through your foam lance after each use.
- Find the Right Setting: Snow foam pre-wash is best applied using a snow foam lance. This is a specially designed attachment for a pressure washer. The majority of snow foams come in a concentrated formula, which requires diluting with water. This allows the pressure washer to create a thick foam, which lifts the dirt away. For best results, a pressure washer rated between 125 - 220 bar should be used. Optimal water flow should be 420 litres per hour for snow foam application. Snow foam lances have adjustable settings that determine the level of dilution of the product. You may need to experiment with these levels to find the right thickness for you!
Our Snow Foam Recommendations
Here are our top snow foam recommendations for you to try!
Magifoam - Ultimate Pre-wash Snow Foam
Introducing Magifoam Ultimate, an absolute favourite at Autobrite Direct. This powerful cleaning product is one of the most widely used and trusted solutions on the market. It was one of our first product conceptions in 2005, and has been cleaning cars for over 20 years.
The Magifoam pre-wash features a unique blend of active cleaners, biodegradable surfactants and foaming agents that don’t alter the existing wax or sealant protection, helping remove dirt and grime from your car without harming your paintwork. This high-quality cleaning product is specially formulated to help you achieve a perfectly clean and shiny car.
Simply apply Magifoam Ultimate to your car before washing. Watch as it lifts dirt, grime and other contaminants, and you can then begin your contact wash. Magifoam Ultimate is easy to apply, using a snow foam lance on your pressure washer. Allow it to dwell for up to 30 minutes to achieve impeccable results.
Whether you’re a professional detailer or a car enthusiast, Magifoam Ultimate is the perfect addition to your car cleaning kit.
Parma Violets Super Foam
The Parma Violets Super Foam from Autobrite Direct is a luxurious pre-wash snow foam that adds a delightful scent to your car cleaning routine. Another high-quality car cleaning product from Autobrite.
Easy to use, this snow foam can again be applied using a pressure washer and a snow foam attachment. The snow foam formula clings to the dirt and grime present on your car’s paintwork, gently lifting it off and allowing you to begin your contact cleaning.
Enjoyed by professional detailers and car enthusiasts who enjoy a sweet scent, Parma Violets Super Foam is the perfect addition to your car cleaning arsenal. Order your bottle today and experience the power of pre-wash snow foam that will leave your car spotless and smelling like sweet Parma Violets.
Superfoam
Autobrite’s ultimate snow foam, Superfoam, is an extremely highly concentrated solution that contains no harmful chemicals. This snow foam offers a light clean that removes light dust and smudges and is suitable for weekly washing. Thanks to the light but concentrated formula, this product is great value for money and is ideal for use in the summer months when dirt and grime accumulation is low.
Buy Your Snow Foam From Autobrite
Purchase your snow foam lance and all your essential vehicle cleaning solutions from the experts at Autobrite. Contact us with any enquiries, a member of our helpful team is always on hand to recommend the best products based on your needs.
