Karcher K7 Car Cleaning Experiment - To snow foam or not to snow foam?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 3 апр 2021
- I decided to try an experiment using my Karcher K7 pressure washer. I wanted to see if using snow foam detergent prior to pressure washing would make a difference. I had a very dirty car, not washed for around two years. I used snow foam on one half of the car. Let it soak for 5 minutes and then pressure washed the full car. Watch the video for the result. I was suprised!
Хобби
Thank you very much for the adequate and beautiful explanation, and to be honest, no one has explained the product better than you.
Glad it was helpful! :-)
Its explained right on the back of the bottles of snow foam. This video is exactly what snow foam was NEVER intended for. Why do so many, praise the few who also don't know what they are doing?
This entire video is basically what a Troll looks like.
Lets take a product that isn't intended for this, then show that it doesn't work, so that other people will think I'm a genius!
Seriously, read the instructions on the products. Although, most people who do read them, still don't understand what "loosens dirt / contamination" even means.
This car didn't have any "dirt/contamination" on it when he started. A bit of moss...
I'd bet the car still has a layer of grease on it though, that some TFR should be used on.
Bilt hamber auto foam is what you need. Fantastic cleaning power.
Thanks for the tip Leon!
Also Surfex HD for a pre wash also spray on the car then rinse off with the K7
Great review many thanks
Cheers Steven! :-)
I've been looking for ages for a video that compared using snow foam vs just the high pressure washer because I've been soaking my car with the foam and it felt so pointless.
I think it looks cool in videos and people like the idea of "lifting the dirt off the car" but I think the results are minimal to none.
I now use just water with the pressure gun to remove the dirt, then use the snow foam gun to layer the car with soap for extra soapness which I leave on there while using the mitt and bucket wash method.
I think that your way is the best way to clean a car. :-)
Why? All you had to do was read the back of a bottle of snow foam and you would instantly know its NOT intended for city cars / normal traffic dirt. This video is 100% pointless because he's using a product that wasn't intended for this, on a car he doesn't give a crap about.
TFR is what he should have been using, but he clearly knows nothing about car cleaning, paintwork or even what debris / mud is.
Finally a review that saves me money in the long run . Thanks mate. It's the first of your videos I've watched.
Cheers David! :-)
Such a Great experiment, the money you save with the foam you could use a good polish , thanks Mate
Glad I could help! :-)
a great test, thx
Thak you! :-)
I dont know how many people will either agree or disagree with you but you have convinced me. This was a great experiment, thanks!
I think it depends on how 'car proud' you are. I love my car, but it is not a fashion accessory! :-)
@@RussellPlatten I think this is because we are using pressure guns while soaps help when low pressure is the only available option
:-)@@rafaelcid
Thanks for this test that you did. Maybe your K7 is such a great machine that you don't need the soap. I can tell from washing my car with a bucket and soap with a wax in it that the car does give a great shine. I have a silly pressure washer and without soap, there is just still a film of dirt left on the car. But that's because I have not such a great pressure washer as yours, in my case, the soap definitely helps. I'm going to check your other video review of the K7 because I'm in the market to buy a good pressure washer. Thanks again.
Personally, I think that you need to use a cloth or brush after applying the foam if you want a showroom finish. :-)
@@RussellPlatten Right, so you can rub the grit all over the paintwork and really scratch the crap out of it... Make sure the swirl marks are clear for all to see ;-)
Green car, green jumper, all fits the environment!
LOL, Camouflage! :-)
As an italian I am proud of your Panda.
LOL - I love that car! :-)
Thank you for the informative video. A question, why did you use the nozzle instead of putting the foam bottle directly on the washer?
Really good video reminds me off one foot in grave 👌
LOL
Interesting experiment. My tip for you is to clean from the top down, this way you are washing the dirt off the car as you go, in the video you did the roof last, that means that any dirt on the roof runs down over the areas already cleaned. All the best.
Agreed Casper. Top down is the way to go! :-)
Used Polar Blast products in the past, was never impressed with it. Thanks for confirming it does not do the job as advertised. I think the only thing that could help with a foam coating is that you do not forget spots, because it will show.
I have always just power hosed the car, then used a bucket of warm water with some car wash detergent added and a soft brush, the trick is that the power hosing has removed all the gritty stuff. Great vid. Just going to watch your Karcher K7 review because my old Aldi power washer just gave up the ghost.
Have a look at the Ava of Norway pressure washers. :-)
Firstly, pre rinse the car. THEN, the purpose of snow foam is to lay down a thick layer of foam onto the paintwork. Then you should commence washing the car with a 2 bucket method. The additional layer of snow foam on the car acts as added lubrication for your Microfibre wash mitt, preventing swirls and scratches. No point in foaming, rinsing the car fully, and then washing the car with soap in your bucket alone. You want the extra layer of lubrication on the paintwork when your gliding across it with the wash mitt. ✅
For me, the idea is to avoid touching the car and go for the quickest, easiest method to make it look reasonable. I don't want a showroom finish. I am not particularly interested in cars. Thanks for the tips though Antony!
@@RussellPlatten bashing the car with a pressure washer to get the dirt off will not only just scratch the hell out of the paint because you’re forcing dirt particles and contaminants to fly across the paintwork at incredible speed, it will make the cars paintwork look horrible when the sunlight hits it!! It’s takes little to no effort to snow foam a car prior to making a contact wash with the added thick layer of snow foam lubrication. Don’t be lazy and just bash the car with pressure! You will thank me in 10 years when u go to sell the car!! :)
A pressure wash won't get rid of traffic film.
Unless a traffic film remover is sprayed on first.
Otherwise, hands on is the only way.
It was obvious to me that detergent does very little unless it is rubbed onto the dirt to agitate it. I thought that it would make a big difference Peter, but in practice it did not. I do think that 'hands on' is the only way to get an excellent finish. :-)
Agree with 100%
Did you find yourself washing the non detergent side for longer ?? Did the detergent make for a quicker easier clean ??
It did not seem to take any longer. I noticed no discernable difference. :-)
Interesting. The acid test would be to ask someone who didn't know which side you foamed. I'm sure the detergent must loosen the dirt but if you are using a pressure washer then it doesn't really matter!
I had a real good look at the car after it dried as I though the wax additive would make it stand out Richard, but there was no difference! :-)
On the colors other than black and white, yes the pressure wash alone does the job mostly. But when the paint is black or especially white, you see the grime stuck on body when you smidge the paint slightly with your finger. And that grime builds up unless you use shampoo every now and then.
Worth knowing! :-)
What setting were you using on the K7 when applying the foam. Looked like it was still on Jet. I thought this would have used the "mix" setting.
I used a foam lance Duncan, not the Karcher bottle/mix system. :-)
Great video, I often question myself when using snowfoam does it do anymore than a good pressures washer wash. I find it therapeutic applying it but for out right cleaning I don't think it makes much difference, especially if your thorough like yourself.
It lets you see where you have cleaned and where you haven't I suppose.
I am not convinced it helps. I reckon ot would make a difference if used with a cloth or brush. For contactless cleaning, I do not think it is worth the money, time or effort. :-)
True! :-)
My pressure washer is way less powerful than this one. Never tested it with foam, but it leaves a bit of ‘mud’ on the sides of my white car
If you use a decent snowfoam then yes it makes a HUGE difference. Most snowfoams are just shite
Any snow foam is just a pre wash. You will always get hands on after it just makes it safer without creating scratchers. Just water won't do anything but create scratches and move dirt. Only saying this as your giving advise that will damage paint work.
Snow foam, Rinse, foam up again and hand wash.
:-)
For your method of cleaning and desired results then that's all you'll need.
It might be worth spraying a low concentrate All Purpose Cleaner (e.g. Bilt Hamber Surfex HD) at 10-20% concentration around the lower sections of the car and tailgate prior to washing just to degrease the surfaces and make removing grime quicker when you spray it (once a month or so).
It might also be worth spraying a hydrophobic coating on after you clean it (once every 6-9 months). Once sprayed on it can be immediately rinsed off.
What it does is make water "bead" so that when you get around to washing it it'll be faster as the water will collect and remove the dirt faster.
Saves water, electric and time and will keep the car cleaner for longer.
Self cleaning when it rains :D
Thanks for the advice! :-)
Exactly. This video was 100% pointless, because his car had no Dirt contamination on it to start with. Would be a 100% different story if he'd driven it through a ton of mud or greasy salt water after heavy snow and it was all stuck to his car.
He's basically showing a product that is not intended for this usage, doesn't work. Pointless display of "Let me show you that I know nothing about car cleaning"... So many weekend warriors making shite videos like this only to gain the praises of those who also don't know what they are doing.
Bought the K7 yesterday, going to clean my cars with it tonight!
I went out and bought the spray foam handle with foam and shampoo as well... but seeing this it might be the only time I do it.
Only hoping that the wax additive will keep it clean a little longer as I also only wash them once a year... I always think I have gunmetal gray/black rims until I actually wash my car... :-)
:-)
You should have run your hand gently along the side bottom part of the sides just after you washed if, then you would have felt a big difference in the side that was foamed compared to the one which was not...
I was happy with the result straight from the pressure washer Jóhan. :-)
You don't seem to understand what snow foam is for at all. The whole point of using snow foam is to minimise scratching the paintwork by removing as much dirt or fine debris as possible before physically using your wash mitt or sponge. It is NOT about cleaning more dirt off. It is about protecting the paintwork. The before / after test should be to inspect the paintwork for micro scratches and swirl marks on a car that has been prewashed regularly with snow foam and one that hasn't.
:-)
Sooooo you waste money using the foam for years just to not get micro scratches which will be easily dealt with a waxing?
@@mt4592 Yes
I watched a guy on RUclips cleaning motorbikes with 50 different cleaning methods, from specific motorbike cleaning solutions to ordinary supermarket stuff...His conclusion...Use Aldi cheap washing up liquid, lol...My advice...Clean a car/motorbike every week :-)
We all used to use washing up liquid to clean our cars, didn't we Russ. I am afraid cleaning cars is way down on my priority list. Unfortunately, cleaning the car is not even on anyone else's! LOL
Washing up liquid often contains salt though.
Try bilt hamber auto foam at a 4% pir ( it’s amazing! ) that’s a very powerful pressure washer to be holding it so close to the paint 😬🤦♂️
:-)
I'd be willing to bet the uploader understands nothing about panel impact ratio and will continue washing his panda with sandpaper
Are you using setting 2 med pressure when washing the car or high?
I am using high pressure because my paintwork is in very good condition. :-)
well, another variable is wich foam you're using ofcourse, 1 is stronger or weaker then another.
:-)
What about after, the wax additives might keep it cleaner for longer and the water (when it rains) should dry faster. I’ve notice if I get my car cleaned using the cheap car wash it looks dirty a week later, but when I use the wax programs in the same car wash, costing double, it definitely stays cleaner for longer..Also, I’ve read you really need to agitate the foam after applying it to make a difference......
Good points Paul. I think the the experiment showed that the detergent does very little if there is no hands on.
Russell - excellent review - it will now save me a few Bob on car detergents !! Well done.
There is a huge difference.
No chemical pollution in your local waterway.
:-)
See you in 2023 for its second clean :D
:-)
Hi mate does any snow foam lance work on any pressure washer
Pressure washers have various bayonette connectors for their attachments so you need to make sure the snow foam lance will fit your machine. As far as I am aware, so long as your machine generates enough pressure any snow foam lance should work. :-)
@@RussellPlatten i have the stiga 345r pressure washer, if I get the mjjc pro lance would it fit?
If there is one with the correct adapter, they sell several different adapters. :-)
Just mix it up. Sometimes i have up to 4 intermediate wash with only water minimum contact, then i have a big wash with form, shampoo and hydrophobic wax treatment.
Thanks for the advice walter! :-)
It would have been more interesting for the average car washer if you had compared the results with far less pressure, typical of an affordable pressure washer and not one that costs in the region of £500 and puts out 160 bar.
Good point! :-)
The problem with this video, and so many that do these is that its totally mis-using what Snow Foam was every intended for.
Snow foam was NEVER intended as a pre-wash road dirt remover. Snow foam is for removing or softening caked on dirt / ditritus. If you went off-roading or had an exceptionally dirty car, such as covered in mud or snow/salt etc, THAT is when snow foam is needed, to remove that mud/snaow/salt by softening it first.
Use snow foam on a mud covered range rover... Vs just the pressure waher, and see the huge difference it makes when your not blasting the abrasives (Mud/Sand/Salt) around on the paintwork. Then do it on a car you actually give a shit about...
Its even on the instructions on the bottle!!! How do so many people make videos about things that are so factually inaccurate right from the start and get 40k subscribers?
What this car actually needed was TFR. A road/traffic film degreaser, typically used on the lower half of the car.
This video might as well have been called "Will taking a shit first, make my car cleaner...
Clearly another case of "All the gear, no idea...."
The vast majority of people are not into cleaning cars at all and wait until they have to clean them. That includes me. I love my little Fiat, but do not care if it looks like it needs a clean most of the time. I want to get cleaning it over with as quickly as possible and so does just about everyone else who owns a car. The pressure washer provides a means of cleaning very quickly and does a good enough job without snow foam. My car is not a status symbol or something to show off. :-)
@@RussellPlatten Your reply makes absolutely no sense. Your completely ignoring the fact that you demonstrated a product completely incorrectly, in order to show it wasn't needed, on a vehicle that didn't need it.
The video doesn't even need to exist, but you created it in order to bash a product you don't know how to use.
How many more videos have you made, bashing products that you know nothing about, being used incorrectly?
Your don't need to be a vehicle detailer to READ the instructions.
What are your thought on the hose tangling up all the time ?
It is a nuisance. The Ava of Norway machines are better than Karcher in my opinion. :-)
That hose is a trip hazard lol and how long is that lance you so need a gun and hose upgrade nice m t m stubby gun in fact best to just bin the yellow peril karcher and get a proper pressure washer KRANZLE 1152 T S T 👌👌👍👍
:-)
Learn how to use your snow foam. Wheels first with wheel cleaner use a wheel brush,, then top to bottom snow foam, clean wheels first before jetting the snow foam off top to bottom, then clean rest of the car using the two bucket method with car shampoo I like chemical guys, dry and seal with wax or ceramic. I rather ceramic as it lasts longer. I do that every two weeks but only use the ceramic every 6 week. Every 5 weeks I do the windows Clean, polish and seal. Try it and let me know 😊 also after market snow foam lance are better just bought the ava pro
My car is lucky if it gets cleaned twice a year! LOL
@@RussellPlatten 😂😂
Most snowfoams are basically snowy for the sake of looking good for social media "likes". If you're gonna do a reliable snow foam test use a snowfoam that has genuine cleaning power like Bilt Hamber or Wax Planet 8 Below. When using a decent snow foam, after you rinse it off, the car would almost look like it's been washed before you even go near it with a wash mitt. You said you did a lot of research beforehand, you clearly didn't.
Clearly I didn't! :-)
That power wash will last year's if you only wash your car once ✌️
:-)
People tend to be disappointed with snow foam because they don’t realise it is a pre-wash, and not a shampoo. If you think your car needs pre-washing before shampooing, use snow foam, otherwise don’t bother.
:-)
If I saw someone getting that close to my car with a jet washer I’d probably knock ‘em out 🤣🤣🤣……….please don’t do this if you have a motorhome, you’ll wreck the seals 😳
No issues with my car Terry! :-)
Interesting, but your car was pretty much clean at the beginning
The car is very dirty, look at 0:58. :-)
I would probably just drive that car into the ocean rather than clean it.
I love that car Dan, it is a great 4x4 and costs so much less to run! :-)
It's not even a debate anymore if you aren't snow foaming as a pre wash you're doing it wrong.
:-)
Companys are aware of consumers fears of scratching cars through washing so they pedal a gimmicky product to minimise the risk of scratcing your paint snd imo is a total waste of time snd money.
It certainly did not see to make a difference Dave! :-)
Being a Fiat, I'm surprised it didn't just disintegrate.
I love that car! :-)
Get a kitchen paper or towel idk how yall call it, and wipe the both sides, see how dirty the paper is. Thats how our trusty Balkan friend does! @Dino Diy
:-)
I’m going to take a shower without using soap and shower gel .
So long as you do not use 160 bar water! ;-)
Poor demonstration, you should have used a very low pressure setting and stood back further to see if a light rinse made a difference, then you could tell if the suds were breaking down the dirt.
:-)
hahahah over year not washed nonsence my wasnt washed over 3 weeks and looked worse than this 1
We do not use the car very much Vlad! :-)
@@RussellPlatten had mine done yesterday I leave foam on the car for10 min great results foam gun is fun to use