When cleaning a car, there’s a mix of small and large dirt and grime particles to target. If you don’t take the time to remove the small particles, they can cause tiny scratches on the paintwork that can be difficult to remove.
To avoid these small scratches, you can use a type of pre-wash detergent called snow foam, so named because it should look like thick snow covering your car if you apply it correctly.
So, how exactly do you get thick snow foam every time? In this blog, we’re going to answer just that, as well as some potential challenges you might come across.
How thick should snow foam be?
In order for snow foam to penetrate through the dirt and remove it, it must be thick enough to sit on the paintwork and work its magic.
It should, however, be easy to remove, so you don’t want it too thick. It also won’t spray properly if it’s too thick.
Ideally, you’re aiming for a shaving foam-style thickness.
Reasons why your snow foam may not be thick
If you’ve been using snow foam, but it’s been too watery, you might be wondering what’s causing this issue. Let’s take a deeper look at why your snow foam might not be thick enough.
Incorrect dilution ratio
In order to be the correct thickness, the ratio of water to snow foam concentrate needs to be correct. Too little concentrate and the snow foam will be too watery, too much and it’ll be too thick. Check the snow foam bottle to find the correct solution.
Poor quality snow foam
A poor quality snow foam concentrate will lead to poor quality snow foam, which might not give the correct thickness even when using the correct ratio. Be sure to use a high quality snow foam like Simoniz Snow Foam to ensure proper coverage of your vehicle.
Inadequate equipment or incorrect setup
Most snow foams require a pressure wash or foam cannon to work properly. If either of these isn’t working, it can lead to incorrect ratios and, therefore, an undesirable consistency. A clog in the pressure washer or an incorrect set-up might be the issue, so be sure to double-check before going ahead with your snow foam application.
Issues with water
Water can cause issues with snow foam in a variety of ways. If the water is too hard this can affect the chemistry of the snow foam concentrate, leading to subpar consistency.
Applying to a wet car
Applying snow foam to a wet car will disturb the ratio of water to snow foam concentrate. Even if it comes out of the washer at the correct thickness, the water on the car might be diluting it too much.
Weather conditions
If the weather is too hot or windy, it can cause the snow foam to disperse or fade away quickly. A mild, dry day creates the perfect conditions for using snow foam.
How to get thick snow foam
Thick snow foam is essential for it to work properly and eliminate the particles of dirt. Let’s take a look at Simoniz’s top tips for thick snow foam.
Use the right dilution ratio
The correct dilution ratio for snow foam is arguably the most important factor for the perfect thickness. The manufacturer will have a recommended dilution ratio on the bottle. For Simonz’s Snow Foam, the ratio is 1 part concentrate and 9 parts water in the snow foam cannon reservoir.
Use high-quality snow foam
High-quality snow foam concentrate is tested extensively to ensure reliably thick snow foam. It might be tempting to use a cheaper product, but by investing in a high-quality product in the first place, you can avoid buying twice when desirable results aren’t achieved.
Ensure pressure washer or foam cannon is high quality and set up correctly
If the snow foam concentrate is perfectly mixed, but the snow foam is still coming out watery, it could be due to a poor quality washer or foam cannon or incorrect set-up that might lead to incorrect consistency when spraying. Even proper set-ups can clog over time, so be sure to clean away soapy deposits.
Check that your water is right for snow foam
The chemistry of the water mixing with your snow foam can play a crucial role. If the water is too hard, it can lead to inconsistent snow foam application.
Snow foam your car in the right weather conditions
When the sun is shining, you might be more inclined to wash your car, but the harsh sunshine can cause snow foam to evaporate quickly, leaving it no time to get to work. Apply in mild conditions or in a shaded area to avoid this happening.
Simoniz Snow Foam
Simoniz Snow Foam is the ideal product for anyone looking for the ultimate gentle car detergent. For best results, use with a snow foam canon and pressure washer to ensure even, thick coverage that will make light work of dirt.
Now you’re an expert in snow foam; you can confidently clean your car using the powers of thick snow foam to gently remove dirt from your vehicle’s paintwork.
If you’re looking to take your car cleaning to the next level, whether that’s interior or exterior, take a look at Simoniz’s range of professional-quality car cleaning products.