To lance or not to lance?!

[Moon]

Hi guys.

New here to the forum and very, very new to detailing!

Just picked up my new car last week, and after year’s of leasing a car, I’m now looking forward to the prospect of detailing as it’s effectively “our” car. (Well it’s a PCP so it’s not technically ours!)

Anyway, eventually I’d like to purchase a DA polisher.
But until I get there, I’ll be starting with a 2 bucket method and a grit guard (never done this before) amongst many other “firsts”!

Anyway to my question!...

I was looking into getting a lance for foaming duties, but then it occurred to me, would it be a waste of energy (and very precious time), to go down this route, if the car already has swirl marks anyway?? Or would it still be worth it to keep any further scratching and swirling at bay until it eventually gets a machine polish?

Hope this isn’t a particular stupid question!!
Cheers all

 

[Jassyo06]

Hi guys.

New here to the forum and very, very new to detailing!

Just picked up my new car last week, and after year’s of leasing a car, I’m now looking forward to the prospect of detailing as it’s effectively “our” car. (Well it’s a PCP so it’s not technically ours!)

Anyway, eventually I’d like to purchase a DA polisher.
But until I get there, I’ll be starting with a 2 bucket method and a grit guard (never done this before) amongst many other “firsts”!

Anyway to my question!...

I was looking into getting a lance for foaming duties, but then it occurred to me, would it be a waste of energy (and very precious time), to go down this route, if the car already has swirl marks anyway?? Or would it still be worth it to keep any further scratching and swirling at bay until it eventually gets a machine polish?

Hope this isn’t a particular stupid question!!
Cheers all

Yer right it's a stupid question lol especially when you mention buying a dual action polisher, a pre wash system is all about minimizing contact with your paint...

 

[Neil Woodburn]

I use this to do Foam Duties and saves wandering around with the lance. The Gun has a quick connection for the Foam Bottle & the interchangable nozzles are good for pre rinse and rinsing off the foam.
In2detailing do various gun for various HP Washers.



https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/prod...-with-quick-release-nozzles-kar190635748.html

 

[Neil Woodburn]

Here are a few Video's to watch



https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4lRohBzY20wjsFGWS0Jzg/videos

 

[Moon]

Cheers ma man much appreciated.
I’ll check out the videos later tonight.
Thank you

 

[Moon]

Cheers for the links and info too Neil, great watch and much appreciated thank you

 

[Bristle Hound]

@Moon - Plenty of info to be found on DW
https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

This section may be of use to you as your starting out
https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17

 

[Moon]

Good stuff cheers Bristle much appreciated, I’ll have a look later thank you

 

[RS03_SEN]

If you want to look cool on social media you have to have a Lance and the foam has to be mega thick!

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

 

[Moon]

Yes I was beginning to come to this conclusion myself!

 

[RS3 S.]

While i have snow foam in the garage along with the pressure washer it think snow foam is very overrated. "Yes'' it looks good as in post#3 but i find that in reality a blast/soaking from your normal hose loosens dirt etc just as good.

 

[Nickyc]

I just use a pump sprayer with a prewash and blast that off with my pressure washer, just as effective and in my opinion easier.

 

[Moon]

YES BUT I’VE NEVER SNOW FOAMED IN MY LIFE AND I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT!!!!!!

Cheers for the opinions guys.

 

[RS03_SEN]

YES BUT I’VE NEVER SNOW FOAMED IN MY LIFE AND I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT!!!!!!

Cheers for the opinions guys.

Watch forensic detailing channel. He compares the snow foams.
You'll see how important snow foam is. Especially a good one.
When it's time to wash the car with wash mit/pad or whatever you choose to use, you want there to be nothing on the paint. No bits of grit or ****.
There'll probably be tar if you've not de tarred recently but you don't want anything that's gonna come loose and be dragged all over your car.

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

 

[AndrewW]

Even if the paintwork does have swirls etc I'd still do everything I could to avoid more, snow foaming / pre-washing included.

I do have a snow foam lance however only really do this if the car is particulatly dirty, otherwise a good citrus pre-wash is perfect for what I need. KKD cirtus magic leaves the car pretty clean and ready for a contact wash.

Bilt Hamber foam is the one I'm using at the moment, it's not as thick as some but does a better job cleaning IMO.

 

[RS03_SEN]

Even if the paintwork does have swirls etc I'd still do everything I could to avoid more, snow foaming / pre-washing included.

I do have a snow foam lance however only really do this if the car is particulatly dirty, otherwise a good citrus pre-wash is perfect for what I need. KKD cirtus magic leaves the car pretty clean and ready for a contact wash.

Bilt Hamber foam is the one I'm using at the moment, it's not as thick as some but does a better job cleaning IMO.

I use that too. Way better than any I've used

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

 

[Nickyc]

Go for it, experiment, enjoy it. The most important thing is to get most if not all of the crap off the car before you physically touch it, there are lots of ways to do that. So just enjoy it.

 

[tcardio]

YOU NEED A DA POLISHER

 

[Moon]

Watch forensic detailing channel. He compares the snow foams.
You'll see how important snow foam is. Especially a good one.
When it's time to wash the car with wash mit/pad or whatever you choose to use, you want there to be nothing on the paint. No bits of grit or ****.
There'll probably be tar if you've not de tarred recently but you don't want anything that's gonna come loose and be dragged all over your car.

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

Cheers for the reply and the advice, much appreciated. I'm slowly beginning to understand what it is I need to do to get started, thank you.

Even if the paintwork does have swirls etc I'd still do everything I could to avoid more, snow foaming / pre-washing included.

Cheers for actually answering the original question, very much appreciated!!!!!

Go for it, experiment, enjoy it. The most important thing is to get most if not all of the **** off the car before you physically touch it, there are lots of ways to do that. So just enjoy it.

Great advice! This is exactly what I'm looking forward to, the discovery of it all.

 

[Bristle Hound]

@Moon - Snow foaming is a bit of fun TBH
Have a look at some of the other members photo's incl.my efforts lol
https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/show-us-your-snow-foam-pics.227914/

I'm not a fan of SF'ing as I don't find it as effective as ValetPro Citrus Pre Wash
But you'll find with car Detailing that you go with what works for you & not what works for someone else

 

[Moon]

I had a look!

Including your 1st attempt on the mini. Cheers bud.

And I see you have a new car coming anytime soon

 

[CHEZ]

Snow foam, show foam.
May aswell throw pound coins down the drain while your at it.
It's only good for the neighbours curiosity.

 

[Jassyo06]

@Moon - Snow foaming is a bit of fun TBH
Have a look at some of the other members photo's incl.my efforts lol
https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/show-us-your-snow-foam-pics.227914/

I'm not a fan of SF'ing as I don't find it as effective as ValetPro Citrus Pre Wash
But you'll find with car Detailing that you go with what works for you & not what works for someone else

There's a lot you dont like when it comes to detailing lol
Valet pro citrus prewash is one my dislikes about detailing

 

[Jassyo06]

Snow foam, show foam.
May aswell throw pound coins down the drain while your at it.
It's only good for the neighbours curiosity.

So you've scientifically proven this statement or are you just too miserable with your money to snowfoam your car

 

[CHEZ]

So you've scientifically proven this statement or are you just too miserable with your money to snowfoam your car

Hahaha yeah always miserable lol but that's nowt to do with show foam.
I find it's just a waste of time, energy and money.
Never once used it and thought, yeah that was worth it.

 

[Bristle Hound]

There's a lot you dont like when it comes to detailing lol
Valet pro citrus prewash is one my dislikes about detailing

You are getting a bit predictable with your negative comments Mr.Grumpy !
I'll put it down to the weather

 

[cuke2u]

@Moon - Snow foaming is a bit of fun TBH
Have a look at some of the other members photo's incl.my efforts lol
https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/show-us-your-snow-foam-pics.227914/

I'm not a fan of SF'ing as I don't find it as effective as ValetPro Citrus Pre Wash
But you'll find with car Detailing that you go with what works for you & not what works for someone else

This, the only time I have snow foamed is when I can't physically wash a car due to health issues. Always found a citrus pre-wash to be more than enough...

 

[Jassyo06]

You are getting a bit predictable with your negative comments Mr.Grumpy !
I'll put it down to the weather

Says the man who's not really into detailing anymore........negative...?..just saying each to their own...mate

 

[Moon]

Any suggestions for a good place to start guys?

I’ve been looking into Auto Finesse products.
I like their story.

They do a massive range and it’s all one brand so I thought this would be an easy option for a first timer like myself, without getting too deep into it and getting bogged down in all the brands and products as there’s soooooo much out there.
Plus it means good compatibility between products. Make sense??

 

[Bristle Hound]

Any suggestions for a good place to start guys?

I’ve been looking into Auto Finesse products.
I like their story.

They do a massive range and it’s all one brand so I thought this would be an easy option for a first timer like myself, without getting too deep into it and getting bogged down in all the brands and products as there’s soooooo much out there.
Plus it means good compatibility between products. Make sense??

@Moon - The general consensus of opinion is that the Autobrite SF lances are the best
https://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/p...foam-500ml/ad-foamlance-magi-500ml-karcherhds

Altho' a certain person will be along to disagree with me lol

The main thing is with car detailing is that you enjoy yourself, have a bit of fun and don't take it all to seriously

As far as SF's. There loads out there. Everyone has their favourite &not everyone agree's which one is best
As for Auto Finesse products. Best place to purchase them IMHO is EuroCarParts & CarParts4Less. Always heavily discounted on those sites
Just as an aside AF SF is supposed to be quite good altho I've never used it myself
https://detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=281866
https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=369719
https://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/auto-finesse-avalanche

 

[Moon]

Wow that’s a great price on that link.

It’s my birthday in a couple of days so I’ll be spending any birthday money on some cleaning products as I’ve yet to clean my new car and it’s currently filthy!

Thanks for all the ever-helpful and POSITIVE advice. Much appreciated.
I’ll have a good look at the links over the weekend.
Appreciate you time, cheers pal.

 

[cuke2u]

@Moon

The main thing is with car detailing is that you enjoy yourself, have a bit of fun and don't take it all to seriously

This....

 

[Moon]

This....

Yes I totally agree too, my basic philosophy for most things in my life

Cheers guys.

 

[S32B]

While i have snow foam in the garage along with the pressure washer it think snow foam is very overrated. "Yes'' it looks good as in post#3 but i find that in reality a blast/soaking from your normal hose loosens dirt etc just as good.

^^^THIS^^^ I can't remember the last time I used snow foam (in the proper way...see below)...should use what I have left just to get rid of it and make some space on the shelf.

I just use a pump sprayer with a prewash and blast that off with my pressure washer, just as effective and in my opinion easier.

Pump spray here as well, I use it with Bilt Hamber Auto Foam, spray it on, leave and then jet wash off. Better results than snow foam via a lance and not as messy.

Valet pro citrus prewash is one my dislikes about detailing

Yep it's not as great as people make out

 

[Moon]

This seems like decent value.
Worth getting?

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs...goryId=165671&productId=1406840&storeId=10001

 

[AndrewW]

This seems like decent value.
Worth getting?
https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs...goryId=165671&productId=1406840&storeId=10001

I've not much experience with AutoFinesse but that does look to be decent value to get started.

I know it's £20 more but I'd be more tempted with this: https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs...=-1&categoryId=165671&request_type=bestseller

Just tried the ceramic sealant on my car to get soe protection during this weather and it's very impressive so far, and is supposed to last very well accounding to youtube.

Just a note, I wouldn't use clay without a machine polisher nearby. Even if you use a good amount of lube it can leave some marring on the paintwork which can be very difficult to sort by hand.

 

[Moon]

Oh maaaan!!!!
Yeah I looked at that kit too, but a couple of things in there I didn’t need, and I wanted the clay in the AF kit.
But having read what you’ve said, I wish I’d got that instead now! Oh well, we live and learn!

Having FINALLY got round to washing my car for the first time, it’s paint felt very rough indeed. So I was chuffed that I’d gotten the clay. (Didn’t actually clay it as time ran out). But now I’m glad I didn’t due to the marring you mentioned.

As I have yet to get a lance and snow foam, I also bought some AF Citrus Power. But I used so much of it I was gutted. Seems to be far more cost effective to get the snow foam lol! Oh well.

Cheers for the advice and post ma man, much appreciated

 

[AndrewW]

If you get a highly concentrated citrus pre-wash and a pump sprayer then it should go a bit further. I use KKD citrus magic which is diluted 100:1 in a pump sprayer. So 15ml fills my 1.5l pump sprayer and that generally does for 2 washes.

Carparts4less have a pump sprayer for £2.odd delivered if you use a discount code https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/trade-quality-1-5-litre-compression-sprayer-552980470 which is the same one I use (and paid about a tenner for ) and then the KKD citrus is about £10 for 500ml, £16 for a litre. So the cost per wash is pennies. There’s bound to be some other decent concentrated ones too.

Someone else may be able to give more advice on the claying issue but that’s what I’ve always been told and stuck to.

 

[Moon]

Wow that’s great advice.
I’m learning so much!...and saving money in the process which is certainly no bad thing.
Thank you so much for taking the time out for the advice.
Cheers

 

[Jassyo06]

My k4 18 months old broke yesterday so the only choice left was to use a pump sprayer and hose to rinse needless to say it was pointless didn't even dare attempt to wash the car with all the grime still left on the car....pressure washers are invaluable