Spec Me A Car Shampoo.

Terminal_Boy

Terminal_Boy

Terminal_Boy

Soldato
Joined
13 Apr 2013
Posts
13,193
Location
La France
Advice needed on a good car shampoo for use with a Karcher pressure washer foaming attachment.

The Karcher stuff which came with the pressure washer has been okay, but I'm wondering if there's anything better.
 
Snow foam doesn't do a great deal tbh, so just spend a lowish amount on some from cleanyourcar or the likes and you'll be fine.

I've some valet pro stuff at the moment, it's fine - makes a nice mess and loosens the worst of the dirt a little for a proper wash
 
as above, I only get the pressure washer out if its really dirty and use foam as a prewash - otherwise lots of microfibers in a single bucket with ech2o as a rinsless wash and then you are never putting a dirty cloth back on the car, just fold to use 4 sides and then discard in to an empty bucket - no faffing about with getting the pressure washer and hose sorted, or two buckets, takes about 30 minutes to do a whole car and less than an hour if doing a coating top up after
 
I tried snow foam with a Karcher pressure washer + foaming attachment and found I had to give it a mitt wash anyway as it was still filthy afterwards, so I was basically wasting my time. Maybe I was doing it wrong, but unless it precludes the need for a hand wash then I can't really see the advantage.

Anyway I like Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner for a hand wash.
 
Participant said:
I tried snow foam with a Karcher pressure washer + foaming attachment and found I had to give it a mitt wash anyway as it was still filthy afterwards, so I was basically wasting my time. Maybe I was doing it wrong, but unless it precludes the need for a hand wash then I can't really see the advantage.

Anyway I like Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner for a hand wash.
Click to expand...

You weren't doing it wrong, a lot of people assume that snow-foam then a rinse is an alternative to a wash (with a mitt) but it's not, it's just a pre-wash to loosen more stubborn dirt before giving it a wash.
 
If you are using some crappy snowfoam lance that came with the pressure washer, dont waste you money on snowfoam, untill you get a propper lance.

I have been using Megs gold class shampoo for years, as a bucket shampoo, is really good.
 
paradigm said:
You weren't doing it wrong, a lot of people assume that snow-foam then a rinse is an alternative to a wash (with a mitt) but it's not, it's just a pre-wash to loosen more stubborn dirt before giving it a wash.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Loosens stubborn dirt and removes light dirt especially on a coated car.

Haze said:
If you are using some crappy snowfoam lance that came with the pressure washer, dont waste you money on snowfoam, untill you get a propper lance.

I have been using Megs gold class shampoo for years, as a bucket shampoo, is really good.
Click to expand...

You're right, but BH Auto Foam will still do something until OP progresses onto a better lance.
 
I now simply use a citrus pre wash in a pressure washer bottle, the manual pump one. Leave it for 5 mins and most of the crap goes off
 
I normally just use the AG body shampoo, doesnt give much suds tho.

Tried the Muc Off stuff recently that was pretty good foamed up a bit more than the AG stuff too and smeells decent :p :)
 
Haze said:
I have been using Megs gold class shampoo for years, as a bucket shampoo, is really good.
Click to expand...

Ditto - I buy the big £15 bottle and it lasts for ages.

It works a treat and leaves the car with a lovely shine; even leaves a nice layer on the car which causes rain to bead..obviously doesn't last as long as a proper wax, but it's ideal if you don't have enough time for a full-on session.
 
paradigm said:
You weren't doing it wrong, a lot of people assume that snow-foam then a rinse is an alternative to a wash (with a mitt) but it's not, it's just a pre-wash to loosen more stubborn dirt before giving it a wash.
Click to expand...
Very much this. I used to wrongly assume that snow foam would take of 90% of the dirt without me touching it because that was what the internet kept telling me.
 
I snow foam then pressure wash off.

I then chuck a new layer of foam on and use any old asda or Morrison's car wash which is normally a cheap wash and wax on the car.
Two buckets. Lambs mitt.

Then i spray foam on it again to finish what is in the lance and finally pressure wash it clean and dry with my towels.
If i need to i will use my clay mitt before drying
 
lordrobs said:
Very much this. I used to wrongly assume that snow foam would take of 90% of the dirt without me touching it because that was what the internet kept telling me.
Click to expand...

If you do keep a good layer of polish / wax on there, and snow foam regularly, you don't "always" need to do a proper wash. When I was keen on keeping my old S4 looking good, I used to snow foam it twice a week, without the handwash, and then at the weekend, do a proper wash, and apply another layer of wax. So long as the car is treated properly underneath, and the dirt isn't allowed to bake itself in, snow foam can take most of it off. But otherwise no, it is not a replacement for a proper wash.
 
+1
Psycho Sonny said:
johnsons baby shampoo. £1 in poundland or big bottles for cheap in supermarkets or B & M.
Click to expand...

agree (that does contain sls though, so no good for babies) .and typically use up old bottles of hair shampoo.

Meguiars gold has some kind of conditioner too ? but I do not want some kind of anti-beading additive, just unadaterated shampoo, and I will then use polish/wax if needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom