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GPM of my pressure washer is listed at 2.4GPM.

That MATCC is the one that comes up first when I search for foam cannon and seems to get good Amazon reviews. It's one that I am considering, so it's nice to have your recommendation on it.

Chemical Guys, who I don't think very highly of as a company, has one for $90 that comes with 3 16oz containers of soap (listed at $10 each on their website). They are also offering 20% off to new customers. https://www.chemicalguys.com/torq-p...Aa2d9HQrU8d9kk8D1Xz9lA01zluPRPvhoCkTIQAvD_BwE. That's still more than I want to spend, but with the soaps, it gives me some varieties to try and helps with the cost. With discount, it comes to about $72 (and I think free shipping).

As for intended use, I'm not planning on firing up the pressure washer every time I wash. Just an occasional use. Now, with that said, my wife has a black Expedition. I keep reading the benefits of using a foam cannon on black paint, so I might end up using it more than I think (or less depending on how it goes).

I'll probably go with the MATCC foam cannon (since it also comes with the snub nose) and just get some soap separately. Even at $10 a container, I'm still be $35 ahead of ordering the kit. Unless someone tells me that's a bad plan.

 

Do I have to get a foam soap specific, or would regular car wash get the same effect (like Meguiars Gold Class wash)?

Edit: Per Amazon, Gold Class Wash is Foam Cannon Ready. (

$56 Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash, Ultra-Rich Car Wash Foam Soap and Conditioner for Car Cleaning, Car Paint Cleaner to Wash and Condition in One Easy Step, 1 Gallon

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G71...s=foam+soap+automotive&qid=1610814341&sr=8-20) So I guess I'll use that up before springing for the specialty stuff.

 

Some soaps are specifically designed to foam. That being said, any soap will foam out of a foam cannon. Your local WalMart carries Chemical Guys.....check out Honeydew if they have it. I'm not a huge Chemical Guys fan, but their soaps are good and I think Honeydew is the best of them. If you look at YouTube videos, you will see guys who get foam that is almost like shaving cream, and others who only seem to get very thin foam. In my opinion, something in the middle is ideal. Gold Class is inexpensive enough, but do not go cheaper than that. Meguiars Deep Crystal is a crappy soap.

Here's a link to a YT video of a guy using Honeydew. I think he added a little too much....and ideally you put the water in first. Still a pretty decent idea of what you can expect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei9GVnWW928

 

For comparison purposes....here's a video of Megs Gold Class. Disclaimer - I do not know if the second guy was using an electric or gas pressure washer, nor do I know the specs on either. I also do not know what the ratio of soap to water was. This video does, however, illustrate how nice the snub nose is. I believe that is an MTM SGS-28 he is using with the MTM PF22 foam cannon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGwwzSoU0xw

 

Looks like another purchase to make.
On another note, I stopped three places to buy some clay bar yesterday, but nobody had any. I can order online, but it seems you always have to get something else with it. Any guidance?

 

I just use soapy water and the clay bar...no need for special lube.

 

I've always used Griots Garage Speed Shine as a clay lube, with zero issues. It typically can be purchased at Autozone, and probably Advanced Auto Parts. They may also have Griots clay there.....which is fairly mild as clay bars go. As CowboyTaco just mentioned, you can use soapy water as a clay lube. I've seen professional detailer Larry Kosilla do that, I've just never had confidence that it was providing sufficient lubrication.

 

I have used speed shine for a lube as well and it works great. I really like carpro immolube for a clay lube and have mixed some of that with ech20 or ONR. I also use the immolube misted on polishing pads if they get a little sticky or hot, its a great product and cheap. I highly recommend picking up a bottle.
https://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-M53/Immolube-P1363/500-ml-S1/

 

From what I have read, I agree no special lube is needed, it just seem the only clay bars I have found in Houston come in a box with something else. Where do you get just the bars from?

 

There are a lot of clay 'kits' out there. I have two brands of clay...Griots, which is on the mild side, and 3M Perfect It, which is more aggressive. Purchased both online. Call you local PepBoys locations...looks like they carry Griots Detailing Clay....comes in a tub by itself...not part of a kit

 

I use a Nanoskin mitt from Amazon. Maybe not as good as clay, but I can’t really tell much difference. It’s easier to use, faster, and reusable. Just not enough difference to be worth the extra effort of using real clay in my opinion. You can also usually find a Griots or Mother’s synthetic clay at the auto parts or Walmart. I haven’t tried those, but assume they work well also.

$43 Nanoskin AUTOSCRUB Fine Grade Wash Mitt,Weft Knitted Microfiber [AS-016] Blue, 6" x 8.7"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOS0LH2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_wuTbGbY2PFDC3


As for lube, pretty much any detail spray will work. As others have said Griots Speed Shine is perfectly good for this purpose. No need to buy a dedicated lubricant.

 

Ive been using the MATCC for several years with no issues. CG Honeydew Snow Foam is my favorite for using a foam cannon. One of the few CG products I use.

 

Went to order some bottles from Griots yesterday, but the sprayers are on back order. I was also hoping to get Black Satin Tire Shine in gallon containers, but it doesn’t see, to be available. The aerosol cans were definitely cheaper directly through them than Amazon or the auto parts store though. @briarpatch have you seen Black Satin in bulk sizes, or just aerosol?

 

Good to know. My MATCC showed up yesterday. It'll get tested on the next reasonably warm day.

 

Just a heads up - the dial is a bit confusing. You’d think turning it toward the plus sign is how you increase foam, but it’s the opposite. Threw me off at first. Also, it works a lot better if you use hot water.

 

By the way - Griots started selling Cerakote, but it’s too expensive. 4 wipes for $20.00. It’s 10 wipes for the same price through Amazon.

 

I am on my second Nanoskin mitt, they do a good job and easy to work with.

 

I've not seen it in bulk size......have only used the aerosol. I think Black Satin is only available in an aerosol, but Black Shine is available in gallons.

 

Excellent advice right there on the water temp. I add the water first to keep it from foaming up.

 

did you ever try the headlight Cerakote?

 

I have done a lot of reading the last few days and am excited (for an old fart) about getting really good product for hobby level detailing. I’m grateful for War Machine and Briarpatch for good responses to my entry level questions. Looks like I’ll need to decide on a product line and choosing a foam cannon and polishing machine. I’m working on a 2016 White Tundra, then I’ll graduate to my wife’s Lexus. I learned it’s a good activity while enjoying a nice cigar. Keeps me out of the bars and other trouble spots. I’ve done some searches, but still looking for a few items before I dive in. It sure looks like I have to up my photography skills to keep up with the guys here, there have been some great shots!

 

If there is such a thing, it is a healthy obsession. I'm not driven to keep the truck perfect, but it looks pretty good for a member of the 100K club. It also gives me the perfect candidate to practice the craft of detailing on. I'm not sure if you can feel it or not, but I believe you're now well on your way down the rabbit hole.

 

This is an awesome post. It hints on many of the reasons I love detailing. It’s great for the head and it is very rewarding overall. The knowledge of products and techniques is very good for the mind as well. You will be doing that Lexus in no time and we are all happy to support newer members that are willing to put in some work and contribute to the quality of the detail threads.

 

The support of newcomers is evident. Most of the repeated questions were treated with at least a modicum of dignity. Now you have seen the fanciest language I can use. I’m a 40 plus year veteran of the electrical trade and still working (they keep sending me checks to show up, what a deal!) So as a token of gratitude, I’ll be glad to share any knowledge I have to help others. Brairpatch mentioned “rabbit hole”, I’m an expert in running down those and loving it. I lost many an hour on a fishing forum a few years back. Now back to topic, last weekend I went about using up some car wash products and a spray wax, but mostly to discover what I don’t have (like a little brush to clean out that spot around the bolts that hold the wheel flare thingies on.) Also discovered I don’t know a thing about what to use on the trim around the windows and rear glass. Guess I need to figure out which thread has that going on. Be back tomorrow, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel.

 

Ok let’s start with the black trim. Cerakote trim is exceptional but takes some time to do correct. Tape off all painted surface and clean the trim very well. Lastly do not let it get wet until it is cured. Order on Amazon for the best price and free shipping. For interior I use two products. Shine supply clean and shine and CarPro pearl. Keep em coming glad to have ya around.

 

One thing I’ve noticed on other detailing groups is how shitty they are about repeat questions. No reason for that.

1) There’s a limited amount of topics to discuss. If we only entertain questions we haven’t covered before, the forum isn’t going to be very active.

2) We were all new to this at some point. Not just detailing, but discussion groups in general. Not everyone knows to just search for the answer in the beginning. (If they did, see reason #1.)

3) Things change. Maybe someone has a different technique or product they use, but haven’t shared it before. Continuous discussion makes it more likely someone will speak up.

4) These questions are a lot of times someone’s first interaction with us. If we just respond “use the search bar” or ignore them, they’re not likely to stick around.

Most of us started here with zero knowledge, and helpful members taught us and helped us to get to the point where we could contribute ourselves.
Myself and at least a couple of other major contributors here started that way. Didn’t know squat about detailing, asked a question, and grew from there. If we’d been shut down, that would have been the end of it, and we’d probably be using automatic car washes still.

I’ve spent a good bit of time on several detailing groups, and almost all of them are full of snobby, arrogant people who have no interest in anything but self-validation. This one is different. It’s weird that the very best detailing group on the internet is a sub-forum on a Toyota Tundra website, but it most certainly is.
All of us, and others who came before us work hard to make it that way. A guy named Steve who’s no longer here set this example and we try to keep it going.

 

Several posts to respond to.

Agreed that this is arguably one of the best threads on this forum. Also, agree that most detailing forums are full of snobs that can't be bothered by the likes of me.

As for the trim, I have traditionally used Mother's Back-to-Black and have been mostly disappointed with it. Some pieces of trim it does wonders and others it does nothing. The ones that it does wonders to only last so long before they are back-to-grey.

I decided to try something new a few months back and bought some Meguiars (who I generally think pretty highly of in terms of quality-to-availability) hybrid spray on ceramic coat. I accidentally got some on the trim and noticed that it was very black in that section. I had to do the entire piece of trim to make it uniform and ended up doing the rest of the trim with it as well. I was pleasantly surprised by how new the trim looked and how long it stayed that color. I don't have any other ceramic product experience, so I can't compare the job it did on the paint to any other ceramic coats; however, it was just as good (if not better) as putting on a quality wax. Both in terms of longevity and water beading.

 

Damn with that much soap he better have thick shaving cream coming out of that foam cannon, what a waste of soap.

 

Rag cleaning day. Got a little backed up not having a washing machine at the house for a bit.

 

Agree a total waste, but that's what happens when you are not using the proper product and a quality foam cannon. (Yes, I have used both, and the foam cannon did not last long -about 7 months-. Honey dew left a lot to be desired)

I am currently using the Trinova foam cannon and after a year of use and many washes its still producing nice thick foam and has no leaks. The only thing I wished it had is measurement markings or dilution ratios. I am also using a combo of either Griots Foaming surface wash and Adam's polish soap, depending on which one I have on hand at the moment.