Via Detailing World UK, in readiness for winter and to try and keep on top of the cars, I've just ordered the following stuff that I've never tried before:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=283805

I've opted for DEAL 4:
You get a Red Autobrite HD Foam Lance with your choice of connector which fits onto your given power washer (mine's a Kaarcher K series which needs the plastic twist bayonet fixing). Deal 4 comes with a Strong 1 litre HDPE foam lance bottle including a free 500ml bottle of either Autobrite Super Snow Foam OR Magifoam (dilution rate up to 200-1); and this deal also gets you 1 X 5 Litres of Magifoam, plus 1 dispenser pump which is designed to pump foam from the storage container into the lance bottle without spillage.

I telephoned and spoke with helpful staff who said that for a DIY novice like me who will clean 2 cars about once per week, Deal 4 @ £61.00 including delivery to the UK mainland by this Weds is the best value option and the foam will last months/ up to about a year.

I'm told the foam/ system works fine via a cold water tap supply but you can just put warm water in the diluting bottle if you want to.

A tip apparently- With the deals on offer, you can have either a sample 500 ml of Super snow foam or Magifoam... They say the Super Snow Foam foams for only several minutes and needs to be wash mitted off... they say the Magifoam sits as foam on the car for longer (up to 20 minutes) and does not actually need you to be wiping a wash mitt over the car as it is supposed to clean as it sits on the surface, meaning a simple jet wash clean thereafter. Some will want to wash mitt after that too but in the heart of winter, this foam on, spray off, might suit a lot of people.

The Autobrite telephone number I used to place the order was 01782 848 536.

Car is filthy. Question is do I clean it today or wait until the foam arrives later this week!

Last edited by pld118 on 30th Sep 2013 10:58am. Edited 1 time in total

Foaming the car is good fun!

Enjoy!

I'm not convinced you could just foam it and it would be clean mind you ...... Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I would wait if you can. That way you get to see if the stuff is as good as they say. Maybe try the method of just spraying the foam on 1st and spray off to see how well it works without using a mitt.

I for one would be interested to read any feedback you have from trying this stuff out.

It definitely doesn't work on black paintwork!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Great gadget to use these but remember to flush the lance through with water after use as they can get blocked up with the foam solution. 2021 P400 Silicon Silver AB
Gone 2011 Bournville TDV8 VSE
Gone 2008 Black Canadian HSE LUX

alanm_3 wrote:

It definitely doesn't work on black paintwork!

Miracles not anticipated but lots of DW UK members recc this process so hopefully it will help keep on top of things during winter and will loosen some grime/ grit before using a mitt. Soon find out

@Pld; Think you've got the attitude all sorted. It won't leave a pristine clean car with no touch- not without some kind of awesome sealant like C1 first but as a winter "maintenance" thing to get the worst off along with a pressure wash it's pretty good.

Plus, as said above it's good fun and if any neighbours see it it certainly peaks interest!

The foam kit arrived yday (within 48 hours of placing the order/ 'free delivery').

Used it on the car today. Very substantial, good quality kit all round. Car disappeared under the foam and left it for 25 minutes to 'work in'.

The car was filthy and this foaming did not mean no 'normal' mitt wash afterwards but it was effective, got rid of the gritty stuff and with the '2 bucket mitt method', the normal washing of the car was easy and it didn't feel like I might be scratching the paint, as often wondered before.

If washing in a few days time now the car is sparkling again, I suspect the foaming probably would get away with no mitt and 'normal wash' afterwards but I wouldn't rely on that.

This is very much a stage of the overall cleaning process imo

Thanks for the update pld118.

The kit still sounds good to me. So did you rinse the car off after leaving the foam for 25mins or did you just use the mitt? I'm guessing you rinsed the car off and cleaned with 2 buckets. did you just use water for final clean with the mitt or did you use a shampoo in the bucket?

@Prop.

Jet washed car with water, then sprayed the car with Magic Foam (couldn't believe how much foam was generated )

I left the foam on for at least 25 mins (maybe that was a wee bit too long as the foam was substantially evaporating when I returned). I then jet washed it off with water and then filled a bucket with shampoo/warm water and used a brand new Meguiars wash mitt to wash the car, although I always do a second pass on each panel after that with the mitt whilst training the hose on each panel to make sure no areas are missed.

It's obviously good stuff and a good idea as part of a staged cleaning process. The Magic foam is part of the Autobrite deal although someone on DW UK says there is a top trump other make of foam out there but I'll maybe think about that when the existing runs out as this stuff is good enough for me for now and you definitely feel like you're less likely to scratch paintwork when washing right after rinsing off the foam.

Think if I had a black or dark coloured car, I'd want this kit so as to minimise scratches even less. Whatever the car colour, it will definitely be a good winter tool

You don't have any before and after pics do you?

No before/ after pics sorry

Before - dirty, after -clean!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey