BMW M5 Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-13-2023, 01:49 PM   #1
MikeX521
Private
65
REP
57
Posts

Drives: X5
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Foam Cannon Product Recommendation

Hi,

Just took delivery of my new X5 50e. I'm contemplating getting it ceramic coated. It's mineral white.

I have two small kids, and do not have an abundance of time for car care, but I want to do be able to regular maintenance washes (once a week)

I'm liking the idea of a foam cannon, but a little lost on what products to get.

Big Mouth Foam cannon from chemical guys?
What soap is best used for maintenance washes that is not harsh on the car?

This is what I'm planning (using an electric power washer):
Power wash to remove big debris
Foam cannon soap all over car. Let it sit 3-5 minutes?
Clean wheels while soap sits.
Power wash/rinse soap off (DI rinse??)
Leaf blower the water off to minimize contact with car.

I know this is posted in other threads, but it's all over the place and I just need a good starting point. Car doesn't have to be showroom shine, but look well taken car of.

Thank you and appreciate any feedback or recommendations.

Mike
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2023, 03:20 PM   #2
F36Donut
New Member
95
REP
15
Posts

Drives: BMW F36
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

MJCC Foam cannon
Appreciate 3
shimmy232447.00
Ben///M25.50
pjk38094.00
      08-13-2023, 04:12 PM   #3
shimmy23
F15 daddymobile
shimmy23's Avatar
United_States
2,447
REP
3,586
Posts

Drives: GS X5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F36Donut View Post
MJCC Foam cannon
this and adams mega foam. yes there are others out there but this seems to be a nice affordable option
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2023, 06:54 PM   #4
dudley@07726
First Lieutenant
dudley@07726's Avatar
237
REP
379
Posts

Drives: 18 MB E400 Cpe, 23 BMW M340i
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: SWFL

iTrader: (0)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W8BFRRW...roduct_details

Great product at a great price.
__________________
2018 MB E400 Coupe
2023 M340i X drive (Mineral White Metallic, Oyster Vernasca Leather, DAPP, Shadowline, PAP, Premium, Cooling & High Perf Tire, Adap M Susp, HK, Drive Recorder, Sensatec Dash)
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2023, 11:40 PM   #5
NoMods
Colonel
NoMods's Avatar
No_Country
1,192
REP
2,374
Posts

Drives: 2022 M5
Join Date: May 2006
Location: USA

iTrader: (10)

Garage List
2022 M5  [10.00]
MTM or Mosmatic if it fits your budgets, but I do like the wide mouth ones better.
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2023, 06:55 AM   #6
disintegrator66
First Lieutenant
disintegrator66's Avatar
United_States
465
REP
392
Posts

Drives: '18 340i M-Sport 6MT THP MPPSK
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Griots Garage Boss foam cannon... Works great and is well constructed (stainless steel, thick plastic jar etc.). Can't go wrong with their foaming soap products either. https://www.griotsgarage.com/the-boss-foam-cannon/
Appreciate 2
OEM31628.50
DanG11524.00
      08-14-2023, 08:28 AM   #7
CarsAndGuitars
Lieutenant
2,087
REP
544
Posts

Drives: 2022 M240i
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: South FL

iTrader: (0)

Meguiars Hyper Wash
__________________
2022 BMW M240i Portimao
Gone: 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T | 2018 Audi A5 SportBack | 2015 Challenger Scat Pack | 2011 Mustang V6 | numerous others..
Appreciate 1
TboneS541206.50
      08-14-2023, 08:51 AM   #8
c1pher
Primo Generalissimo
c1pher's Avatar
United_States
5,063
REP
4,211
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DC area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I think all of that stuff is insanely overpriced. I got a $25 dollar gun and $15 foam nozzle along with a $49 portal power washer and very happy with it. I use Chemical Guys soap and never have a problem getting a very foamy, soapy and slick surface. All of that equipment is about six years old now and still awesome.
Appreciate 1
      08-14-2023, 10:08 AM   #9
Prince Thundernight
Lieutenant
Prince Thundernight's Avatar
United_States
424
REP
458
Posts

Drives: 2023 BMW M240i XDrive G42
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Tennessee (via UK)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by disintegrator66 View Post
Griots Garage Boss foam cannon... Works great and is well constructed (stainless steel, thick plastic jar etc.). Can't go wrong with their foaming soap products either. https://www.griotsgarage.com/the-boss-foam-cannon/
Do you need to use a pressure washer for these? I ask because there is no access to water in the apartment building where I live. I plan on getting one of these from Amazon, and was wondering if a foam cannon could be hooked up to it. This thing IS NOT a high pressure device.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...PY06LT1N&psc=1

Appreciate 0
      08-14-2023, 01:24 PM   #10
1209582
First Lieutenant
822
REP
345
Posts

Drives: bmw
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT View Post
Do you need to use a pressure washer for these? I ask because there is no access to water in the apartment building where I live. I plan on getting one of these from Amazon, and was wondering if a foam cannon could be hooked up to it. This thing IS NOT a high pressure device.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...PY06LT1N&psc=1
you could probably get away with using onr and some towels and use something like this to make ur job ezr : https://www.amazon.com/SideKing-Auto...8MG/ref=sr_1_5

or something like this paired with a bucket. looks like it includes a foam cannon : https://www.amazon.com/GardenJoy-Cor...TM9/ref=sr_1_3

rolling bucket : https://www.amazon.com/Suncast-Wheel...S1Y/ref=sr_1_5
Appreciate 1
      08-15-2023, 09:51 AM   #11
PetroM5
Enlisted Member
PetroM5's Avatar
44
REP
40
Posts

Drives: 2022 M5 Competition
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

MJJC Pro Foam Cannon(1.1 orifice)
Chemical Guys Mr. Pink Soap
Ryobi 1.2 gpm 1800psi pressure washer
Yamatic Pressure Washer Gun(2.5 gpm 40* nozzle(white)
Uberflex 50 feet hose
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2023, 03:56 PM   #12
ultrared93
Private First Class
109
REP
150
Posts

Drives: '21 M340ix '93 300zxTT QX30
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: SE Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeX521 View Post
Hi,

This is what I'm planning (using an electric power washer):
Power wash to remove big debris
Foam cannon soap all over car. Let it sit 3-5 minutes?
Clean wheels while soap sits.
Power wash/rinse soap off (DI rinse??)
Leaf blower the water off to minimize contact with car.

Mike
Comments -
I wish I could do one wheel in 3-5 min., let alone all 4. If you intend to keep barrels, calipers, and tires clean this is way too little time.
Don't let soap sit for long, especially if working outside in the sun.
No contact wash??? Without that, you may leave road film on the car, especially if it was recently driven in the rain.

For normal maintenance washes, I use Adams Car Wash Shampoo, readily available through Amazon. For a somewhat more intensive wash, I use CarPro Reset. Either will work in a foam cannon as well as for contact washes.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2023, 04:12 PM   #13
ultrared93
Private First Class
109
REP
150
Posts

Drives: '21 M340ix '93 300zxTT QX30
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: SE Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT View Post
Do you need to use a pressure washer for these [portable spray washer]? I ask because there is no access to water in the apartment building where I live. I plan on getting one of these from Amazon, and was wondering if a foam cannon could be hooked up to it. This thing IS NOT a high pressure device.
Foam cannons do require high pressure. There are foam guns that attach to a garden hose, but they are not impressive in performance and you have no outside access to water so they won't help.
Based on the video of the portable spray washer, I would have a tough time justifying spending my money for it. It certainly wouldn't work with a foam cannon.
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 12:36 AM   #14
Tejas1836
Captain
Tejas1836's Avatar
1,120
REP
939
Posts

Drives: 2023 X5MC Workmaster 75
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Tejas

iTrader: (0)

Very pleased with the Worx power washer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
__________________
Two is One and One is None
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2023, 11:53 AM   #15
nosbocaj
Lieutenant
nosbocaj's Avatar
780
REP
487
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3 Competition xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I love my MJJC S V3. Extremely high quality and super thick foam (Adams mega foam).

I've messed around with the cheaper Amazon cannons, but they don't come close to the MJJC. Do yourself a favor and spend a little bit more.
__________________
Current: 2023 IOMG M3Cx
Past: 2018 AW M2, 2010 AW M3
M2 LCI European Delivery
Appreciate 1
shimmy232447.00
      08-29-2023, 08:35 AM   #16
Raimo5
Captain
404
REP
718
Posts

Drives: BMW 740d xDrive (G11)
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Estonia

iTrader: (0)

I guess it depends on what you want. 90+ % of snow foams out there dont do any meaningful cleaning, but are a foam lathering showpieces.

I have tried many different snow foams and have currently settled for two different products depending on cleaning needs. If I need strong cleaning power, then I will reach fror Bilt Hamber Auto Foam and mix it for 4-5% PIR. If I dont need that much cleaning power, then I will use Koch Chemie Active Foam at ratios between 50-80ml per liter of prewash solution. Make no mistake, though, Active Foam is very potent cleaner as well, and its high concentrations make it very cost effective per wash. Just dont go too strong on dilution or you will end up with very heavy, thick foam. I know that people love thick foam, but it is useless. Thick foam has little wetting capability and it will peel off the panel under its own weight in no time. Also, you might want to apply an inch thick foam on your car, but does any of that thickness, other than a layer that is in contact with the paint actually do any work? No, it will just drip off the paint on to your working space.

You might also want to try applying pre-wash to dry surface. This way you know that there is no additional dilution with water already on the panel and chemicals can work contamination directly without any additional water barrier. If your car is caked with mud, then you obviously want to power rinse first, but anything else than disaster scenario usually calls for dry application, in my experience.
Appreciate 1
      08-29-2023, 12:27 PM   #17
viciousmo
Private First Class
viciousmo's Avatar
465
REP
180
Posts

Drives: M3 & X5 M60i
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Houston

iTrader: (1)

I'm running the Griot Boss Foam Cannon with Meguiar's Gold Class soap. Works well and is cost-effective.
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2023, 05:56 PM   #18
allinon72
Brigadier General
allinon72's Avatar
United_States
5,069
REP
3,859
Posts

Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Indianapolis, IN

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarsAndGuitars View Post
Meguiars Hyper Wash
Seconded, cheap and readily available (it's on the shelf at Harbor Freight of all places). I've tried many many higher end soaps, most recently Koch Chemie GSF, and keep coming back to the Hyper Wash.
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2023, 08:30 PM   #19
diirk
Second Lieutenant
diirk's Avatar
1,061
REP
261
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3MC BGM
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I had the same question and watched a bunch of videos from this channel. He goes over basics but also has some great tips to help save some money.
Here's my setup:
Greenworks 2000 pressure washer
1.2 GPM

Griots Brilliant Finish foam cannon w/purple metering tip.

SurfaceMaxx 1/4-in x 25-ft Pressure Washer Hose. M22/14mm (junk)

M MINGLE Pressure Washer Gun with Swivel

I get stellar foam and barely use any soap at all and no mixing necessary.


https://youtube.com/@CarsWithKeav?si=7tZY7Z7Sz1fcFDG3
__________________
23 X3MC BGM. MSS. H&R 12mm spacers
20 4Runner
18 Cayman GTS
15 Beetle Vert
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2023, 08:42 PM   #20
tracer bullet
Brigadier General
tracer bullet's Avatar
United_States
3,920
REP
4,370
Posts

Drives: '25 Z4, '15 X3 35i (135i sold)
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Saint Paul, MN

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raimo5 View Post
You might also want to try applying pre-wash to dry surface.
I've seen this kind of recommendation a few times. But - what exactly is pre-wash? I get the gist, I think, but trying to find one basically just hits a bunch of advertising for basic soap.

Anyone have a recommendation? Hopefully at this point it's not too off topic.

Last edited by tracer bullet; 09-06-2023 at 09:15 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2023, 05:11 AM   #21
Raimo5
Captain
404
REP
718
Posts

Drives: BMW 740d xDrive (G11)
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Estonia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet View Post
I've seen this kind of recommendation a few times. But - what exactly is pre-wash? I get the gist, I think, but trying to find one basically just hits a bunch of advertising for basic soap.

Anyone have a recommendation? Hopefully at this point it's not too off topic.
Under pre-wash I mean all cleaning agents that go on surface (and pressure wash off) to tackle the contamination before contact wash. In this context, I was referring to snow foam as pre-wash. I shouldn't have mix the phraseology in one post to avoid confusion. Sorry about that. It's just that for me, snow-foam always creates a mental picture of that puffy, non-cleaning showpiece joke and I prefer not to use it when I refer to actual cleaning agents.

Only two pre-wash snow foams I use and recommend are mentioned in my post above.
Appreciate 1
      09-07-2023, 05:59 AM   #22
cooolone2
Captain
cooolone2's Avatar
703
REP
756
Posts

Drives: 20' M240iX B58, 01' 330XI E46
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: NY, USA

iTrader: (0)

Wow... It's almost like an "What Oil is Best" thread... Lmao!

Get a kick out of this Foam is better than that foam... Foam is Foam! Any proclamation otherwise is done by those susceptible to advertising Jedi Mind Tricks! Because foam is Foam! The foaming agent May differ if course, lol.

But start on the affordable side, don't think that if you drop big $ somehow or another it's going to make a huge difference! Same goes for what you use to make foam, it's going to take some experimenting to get to the right concoction that you like.

You got it right with rinse, foam, sit, wash... Don't forget the two bucket wash, get some good micros and waffles for drying. The wheels take much longer than expected, and like noted above, don't let the faom dry on the paint... Touchless drying works but a waffle works too. I use detailing spray on wet surface when drying with waffle towels, reducing surface tension and after 3 years still have very little if any issues. Don't forget to start off right as well, take it somewhere and get the base done correctly, strip paint down, clay, polish and seal paint and get a good wax on her! Dirt sticks less to a slick surface! Just sayin'...

Good Luck
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:14 AM.




m5:
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST