Forum menu
That foam stuff the...
 

That foam stuff they use to wash cars with...?

Posts: 4333
Full Member
 

I use it on my car, works for me. The advantage is that it keeps detergent on the car for ten minutes before I wash it off. The bubbles popping add more detergent on the body. Softens up dirt nicely so less chance of scratching the car when using the microfiber gloves.

I wouldn't bother for the bike, it doesn't get left for months between washes


 
Posted : 14/06/2022 12:19 pm
Posts: 311
Free Member
 

I use this with bike cleaner in and works really well. Any cleaner will do but I use muc off as having tried the competition it is the best out there.

It just makes cleaning your bike easier. Spray the whole bike in foam which takes seconds, leave for a few minutes, while you degrease the drivetrain then a quick scrub with a sponge or brush on the worst areas, rinse off and job done.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snow-Foam-Foaming-Sprayer-CLEANER/dp/B0170M5PKA/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2SFBUM1KQQDW1&keywords=Foam+Sprayer&qid=1655203687&sprefix=foam+sprayer%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-10


 
Posted : 14/06/2022 12:51 pm
Posts: 1666
Full Member
 

I use washing up liquid, I have a 5L container I fill with hot water and washing up liquid, then use it with my Worx Hydroshot on the sprinkler setting, quick scrub with a soft brush, then rinsed off with the Hydroshot attached to the hose pipe if I’m leaving it out to dry, or fresh clean hot water if I want it to dry quickly.

Regarding salt in washing up liquid, see below.

Does washing-up liquid damage your vehicle? We asked Dr Bob Eden BSc MSc PhD MICorr (Member of the Institute of Corrosion) for the truth:

“Washing up liquid does contain a ‘salt’ but this is the active ingredient and should not be confused with road salt. There is nothing in a washing-up liquid that will exacerbate corrosion – there’s no sodium chloride salt to worry about. The issue regarding corrosion is the ‘chloride’ bit of the salt. In ‘chloride nests’ at the base of a corrosion pit, the chloride exists as hydrogen chloride, which in damp conditions creates a solution of dilute hydrochloric acid, and it’s this acid that does the damage. You need to avoid ‘chloride’ from any and all sources, e.g. seawater, road grit and fish & chips (but not washing up liquid).


 
Posted : 14/06/2022 1:05 pm
Posts: 85
Full Member
 

Refreshing the thread. 

Any recommendations?

 

 


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 11:35 am
Posts: 10743
Full Member
 

My recommendation is don't use fairy liquid on your specs.  I had a pair of glasses with all the standard Specsavers coatings.  About once a month if they were grimy I used to put a bit of fairy on and gently wash.  I now realise the last 6 months haven't been unrelentingly foggy, even in the house.  My new pair will not go near the stuff.

Co-incidentally I washed my gravel bike on Thursday for what must be the first time in nearly a year (the other bikes stayed as they are).  Friday's ride got it nicely back to normal though.  I'm not a fan of sloshing water round bearings and stuff and driving grit into new places.


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 11:45 am
Posts: 85
Full Member
 

I need to do something as we’ve got a new car and I don’t want to get it shit high with mud and crap getting it in and out of the car. 


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 12:07 pm
Posts: 7422
Full Member
 

Posted by: Superficial

It's not mud I need to shift. It's the horrible road grime that somehow* accumulates on my commuter

I use stainless steel wipes after getting home from a grotty commute... they clean dirt off anything, saves the road grime building up.. Brand is Green Shield.


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 12:48 pm
Posts: 2681
Full Member
 

Posted by: BigJohn

My recommendation is don't use fairy liquid on your specs.  I had a pair of glasses with all the standard Specsavers coatings.  About once a month if they were grimy I used to put a bit of fairy on and gently wash.  I now realise the last 6 months haven't been unrelentingly foggy, even in the house.  My new pair will not go near the stuff.

I always use handsoap or shower gel on my swimming goggles and sunglasses which seems fine. 

 

Posted by: kernowgaz

Any recommendations?

I still use Autofinesse Avalance as my snowfoam of choice, after a 2 bucket clean I then use Autofinesse Lavish which stays on for a month or so and makes the water bead of nicely. It used to be sold in Halfords, but then wasnt and then there wasnt a Halfords in my town anymore! Website is handy and has the usual sales to keep stocked up on. 


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 3:07 pm
Posts: 13291
Free Member
 

Before covering your motors in foam and then washing it all off for it only to run to the next drain, it might be worth checking where the drains lead to. 

 

I'm sure the fish don't need the degreaser in their water.


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 5:04 pm
Posts: 4669
Full Member
 

I use this on my van: https://bilthamber.com/product/touch-less/

(And their shampoo & hydrophobic coating, it's the best result you'll get for the minimum of effort.)


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 6:50 pm
Posts: 16168
Free Member
 

2nd the touchless stuff it’s way better than the auto glym I had before 

 

Also I now use a hydrophobic coating too

 

Ceramic coating for the absolute win though 


 
Posted : 09/03/2026 7:14 pm
Posts: 8753
Full Member
 

An alkaline car shampoo should clean road grime off well. Although I've ceramic coated mine I'm going to start using a ceramic sealant as well after washing (not every time) to keep topping it up


 
Posted : 10/03/2026 11:11 am
Posts: 85
Full Member
 

Cheers all


 
Posted : 10/03/2026 9:49 pm
Posts: 517
Free Member
 

If you just want a simple wash'n'wax rather than going through a dozen steps, the Autoglym Ceramic wash'n'wax (they call it something else IIRC, but that's what it is in my book!) is simply incredible. Amazing beading/run off which just lasts and lasts like nothing else I've ever used (usually a Meguiar's fan)


 
Posted : 10/03/2026 11:19 pm
Page 2 / 2