Pre wash before snow foam?

[Jake20]

Hi, I am new to detailing and wanted to ask if it is worth using a pre-wash degreaser before applying snow foam to get rid of all the loose dirt or should I just go straight to snow foam.

[mike9009]

Whether this is right or not, I don't know, but I always blast the car down with plain water before applying snow foam.

[mike9009]

Whether this is right or not, I don't know, but I always blast the car down with plain water before applying snow foam.

[Glassman]

mike9009 said:

Whether this is right or not, I don't know, but I always blast the car down with plain water before applying snow foam.

My understanding is SF first, then blast.

[Gixer968CS]

Nope, snow foam first (to a dry car) or it won't work properly. The whole point of snow foam is that it sits on the car and loosens up the dirt and grit on the bodywork. Snow foam should sit on the car for c10mins (less on a warm day as you don't want it to dry out) if you make the car wet first the snow foam will just run off and not do it's job. Snow Foam is the pre-wash

[Freakuk]

Interesting I started watching this earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI_sKLufqVE&t=...

[Tye Green]

compromise: jet wash first in order to get the bulk dirt off, drive a mile to dry the car off, then snow foam

[MattyD803]

Freakuk said:

Interesting I started watching this earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI_sKLufqVE&t=...

I was going to post the very same link. To answer the original question, he suggests that you apply your snow foam straight onto a dry car for maximum effect.

If your new to detailing, then may I recommend you subscribe to this blokes channel - he knows his stuff and does very thorough research / comparisons / texts, and even has a selection of 'detailing for beginners' videos that are probably going to be quite useful for you.

[Antony Moxey]

I usually give the car a once over with a jet washer, then do the wheels and tyres with a wheel cleaner and brush, wash them off, then apply the snow foam (probably 15-20 minutes or so after the initial jet wash so it may or may not have dried off in that time). Is that wrong then?

[Mark V GTD]

Snow foam first and jet wash it off.

[trickywoo]

Jake20 said:

is worth using a pre-wash degreaser before applying snow foam.

I would possibly use a degreaser once a year before a full reapplication of wax. It will strip any protection you have on it and possibly over time remove cavity wax protection.

It’s not a good idea.

[zsdom]

I always used to rinse, foam & rinse again but (further to the Forensic detailing video above) the below video explains exactly why I shouldnt be doing this, I’ll be changing my process from the next wash onwards

https://youtu.be/PDOOpTnuJEk

[Belle427]

Something like Bilt Hamber touchless used on a dry car is the way to go.
Very good stuff.

[vikingaero]

I've watched the FDC video, but there is so much conflicting advice - even FDC has a video that says that it's OK to use single bucket wash.

There's so far that you can go down the car detailing route - all the way to the guy who photographed every square inch of his VXR and spent 2 weeks cleaning it on delivery. I'm happy with £14 Turtle Wax Ceramic Detailing spray as my everyday protection (most cars washed and ceramic sprayed weekly because it's so easy to apply). I do have £30 Ceramic and Graphene waxes and Fusso waxes but rarely use them.

It's whatever works for you. I two-bucket long term keepers. The lease BMW which goes back every 3 years, gets a one bucket wash - if I'm away and it needs a wash it will get an Eastern European wash. The Shed gets a one bucket wash every 6 months. I prefer to rinse first, then snow foam. In fact yesterday I rinsed off the sand with the power washer, snow foamed and got on with the wheels, then reapplied the snow foam to lift off the sand. Dry snow foam. Whatever. Lifes too short.

[Podie]

I've always used a citrus pre-wash (sprayed on) and rinsed off after 5 mins before using snow foam.

As per the video, I'll be doing some experimentation next time I wash the car.

[SteBrown91]

vikingaero said:

I've watched the FDC video, but there is so much conflicting advice - even FDC has a video that says that it's OK to use single bucket wash.

Yes he does but he bases this on the fact your car should be clean enough after the pre-wash, which is ok for car clean freaks but use minions that spend all winter on filthy back lanes where a car can go from clean to unreadable numberplates in days, then a 2 bucket is helpful.

Also, because I'm a bit of an oaf the 2 bucket method gives you a safety net if you haven't quite cleaned the car as well as you should have with the pre-wash.

[Juanco20]

Bumping this old thread (it was top result on my Google search)

If you snow foam on to a dry car, at what point are you doing the wheels? Before the snow foam and don't worry about a bit of water over spraying on to other parts of the car or after the snow foam?

[Belle427]

Snow foam it all including the wheels. Rinse all off and do the wheels first for me.
No right or wrong answer really.

[Crudeoink]

Belle427 said:

Snow foam it all including the wheels. Rinse all off and do the wheels first for me.
No right or wrong answer really.

+1

Generally cover the whole car including the wheels and let the foam dwell on the bodywork whilst I go around with brushes and a bucket cleaning the wheels. Then pressure wash the foam off before I then bucket and sponge (microfibre mit) the paint work before using wheel cleaner and a final pressure wash of the whole car.

[blueg33]

Crudeoink said:

Belle427 said:

Snow foam it all including the wheels. Rinse all off and do the wheels first for me.
No right or wrong answer really.

+1

Generally cover the whole car including the wheels and let the foam dwell on the bodywork whilst I go around with brushes and a bucket cleaning the wheels. Then pressure wash the foam off before I then bucket and sponge (microfibre mit) the paint work before using wheel cleaner and a final pressure wash of the whole car.

Same. Although, I do my cars every week and the wheels have been ceramic coated, so I don't need wheel cleaner.

My routine is

Snowfoam
Wheels whilst foam dwells
Rinse with pressure washer
Contact clean with lambswool mitt, rinsing as I do each area
Blow dry with warm filtered air
Ceramic detail spray buffed off using a 90 degree crisscross (works better than circular motions with ceramic detailers)

Water is from the mains but run through one of these to help prevent water spots (works well in our hard water area)