Do I pre-rinse before using foam cannon?

[Huck50]

Just wondering if I should pre-rinse the car before using my new foam cannon?
Thanks,H50

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Technically if you look at comparison videos I believe not rinsing is best for most cleaning. That said if you have mud I would pre-rinse. But normal regular wash I foam then rinse only.

[shimmy23]

if you're using a prewash, go straight to a prewash. if just car shampoo then a pre rinse might be helpful in getting a little bit of loose dust, pollen, etc off

[BruinMan]

Best way and the way I do it: Prewash with a foam cannon. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Rinse and foam cannon again. With the soap on the car, I use a microfiber mitt that is on long handle. Rinse again. Ego leaf blower.

I use Adam’s Mega foam in my foam cannon. My car also has Graphene Ceramic Coating™ Advanced from Adam’s. I am also checking out Jay Leno’s shampoo and soon be switching to Armour Shampoo+ High-Foaming pH Neutral Shampoo.

[whofelt]

I rinse, foam, rinse , foam and hand wash then rinse off.

[disintegrator66]

I always rinse before performing a contact wash. In New England there's always tons of road grime that ends up on your car. Pre rinsing gets off the loose stuff which lessens the chance of you rubbing it into the paint with a contact wash. It also softens up the stuck-on crud for easier removal. Just my $.02..... Have fun!

[Portimao Blue M440ix]

Originally Posted by whofelt

I rinse, foam, rinse , foam and hand wash then rinse off.

Thats my method as well. By the time the microfiber touches the car its pretty well clean.

[Huck50]

Thanks everyone.I was thinking that maybe the foam won't 'stick' and would run off faster if I rinse first, as opposed to the foam doing it's job and 'sticking' on a dry car?.Thanks,H50

[disintegrator66]

Originally Posted by Huck50

Thanks everyone.I was thinking that maybe the foam won't 'stick' and would run off faster if I rinse first, as opposed to the foam doing it's job and 'sticking' on a dry car?.Thanks,H50

After running my Kranzle power washer for 5+ years I'd say this is not a concern. Thick foam will dwell longer than thin watery foam. A You just need to get your set up and shampoo product correct for this to happen.

[pokerface]

Foam, rinse, foam, 2 bucket wash with grit guards. I still see grit at the bottom of the rinse bucket at the end of the wash (especially with our daily drivers), but the wash bucket (with shampoo) stays pretty clean.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Foam, rinse, foam and rinse. Most of the time that takes care of the issues. Then I blow dry. Since I have ceramic coating the job is easy. Rarely I have to make contact with the paint -- with a wash mit or other

[GreenRangerDX]

I am happy to see I am not the only double foamer

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Huck50

Thanks everyone.I was thinking that maybe the foam won't 'stick' and would run off faster if I rinse first, as opposed to the foam doing it's job and 'sticking' on a dry car?.Thanks,H50

I don't know if that's the reason but yes that's what I've seen from comparaison videos on Youtube, foaming dry car then rinsing will clena more than rinsing car, then foaming, then rinsing.

That said of course it's marginal at the end of the day but I still switched to doing this when I will do a full wash rather than my rinseless wash, why not right. Then I just continue with a 2 bucket wash since I like to have a soap bucket. I do use the foaming stage though for intricate areas with a soft brush that aren't to close to paint.

[cooolone2]

Rinse with high volume low pressure.
Rinse with pressure washer.
Foam, allow to dwell 5-10mins
Rinse
Foam, allow to dwell 10+mins
Wash - microfiber mit, 2 bucket, 3rd for wheels/brush
Rinse
Rinse with Deionized Water
Dry - Waffle Towel with detail spray
Detail spray with microfiber...

2020 with barely a scratch you could see... Other than what I've put on the paint. Chips front end from road debris. Otherwise very clean.

Just get the loose dirt off, use the foam to loosen it even more, mit wash to remove the rest, rinse, then rinse with water that won't leave a trace, dry with detail spray to reduce surface tension and possibility for scratching, then another shot with detail spray. Could use spray wax, or recharge if ceramic coated...

Good Luck

[shimmy23]

unless you're using a prewash like bilt hamber to sit and dwell, letting a snow foam like adam's mega wash sit and dwell then rinsing off does nothing. you're just wasting a good snow foam at that point.

[whofelt]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

unless you're using a prewash like bilt hamber to sit and dwell, letting a snow foam like adam's mega wash sit and dwell then rinsing off does nothing. you're just wasting a good snow foam at that point.

not from my experience.....

washing a car is not rocket science, i get that, but rinse, foam, rinse, foam+hand wash has given me great results.

i don't believe in "pre-wash products" and i'll never spend my money on that.. just my opinion

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by whofelt

not from my experience.....

washing a car is not rocket science, i get that, but rinse, foam, rinse, foam+hand wash has given me great results.

i don't believe in "pre-wash products" and i'll never spend my money on that.. just my opinion

i felt the same way until i tried bilt hamber. didn't believe in the stuff until i tried it

[Bruuuce]

I also have also adopted the double foam method

I foam the car, let it sit and pick up the loose dirt.
Then rinse
Then foam again
Contact wash
During the contact wash I sometimes use a clay mat as well, depends on how contaminated the surface is

Lots of advice on the tube of U. DIY detail is a source

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by GreenRangerDX

I am happy to see I am not the only double foamer

Ha! Funny right there...

[louielouie]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Rinse with high volume low pressure.
Rinse with pressure washer.
Foam, allow to dwell 5-10mins
Rinse
Foam, allow to dwell 10+mins
Wash - microfiber mit, 2 bucket, 3rd for wheels/brush
Rinse
Rinse with Deionized Water
Dry - Waffle Towel with detail spray
Detail spray with microfiber...

2020 with barely a scratch you could see... Other than what I've put on the paint. Chips front end from road debris. Otherwise very clean.

Just get the loose dirt off, use the foam to loosen it even more, mit wash to remove the rest, rinse, then rinse with water that won't leave a trace, dry with detail spray to reduce surface tension and possibility for scratching, then another shot with detail spray. Could use spray wax, or recharge if ceramic coated...

Good Luck

Why wipe to dry when you use DI water? The main reason you use it is to not have to dry...

[Hagasan41]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

i felt the same way until i tried bilt hamber. didn't believe in the stuff until i tried it

I’ve got some on order to try. What PIR are you using?

[Hagasan41]

Originally Posted by louielouie

Why wipe to dry when you use DI water? The main reason you use it is to not have to dry...

I follow a similar process but use a leaf blower to remove most of the DI water then follow up with a drying aid, etc for the final wipe. The only time I don’t do a final wipe and let the DI water dry naturally is when I’m pressed for time. But I reserved this practice for the wife and kiddo's cars. LOL