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Want to have some fun with the sometimes-mundane task of washing your favorite ride? Want to do it in a way that actually helps save your vehicle’s paint from swirls and scratches? If the answer to either of those questions is “yes,” then acquiring a foam cannon or foam gun might be the answer. Wash Wax Car
Think about the traditional way most of us wash our cars. We get an empty bucket (hopefully a clean one!), add some car wash soap, turn on the garden hose and spray the wash liquid until it foams up. We then take a wash mitt and start washing our car, and typically we use the same bucket of suds to rinse the dirt from the first application on the car, then suds up the wash mitt for rounds two, three, four and so on until the car is washed from stem to stern.
Well, if your car’s paint looks like you took a spirograph and drew swirl marks on your car, you need to start “gunning” with a foam cannon or foam gun. Most swirls and scratches come from improper car washing and drying techniques and products. Adding slick car wash foam to the equation reduces the risk of swirls and scratches on your vehicle.
Foam cannons and foam guns use a special device with a wash liquid reservoir that attaches to a hose or power washer to create a thick layer of foam to coat your car from top to bottom with the sudsy mixture. The impact of the foam cannon’s soapy blast helps loosen and remove dirt and debris without the manual scrubbing of a traditional soaping process. The foam is also thicker and more evenly dispersed than what you apply with a regular washing mitt. The thick layer of foam sits on your car for a few minutes until you rinse the car off with the same pressurized spray.
But not all foam cannons and foam guns are the same, and which you choose depends on the additional equipment you have at your home workspace. Foam cannons usually attach to pressure washers, whereas the foam gun connects directly to a standard garden hose. Foam cannons typically require a 2 gpm (gallons per minute) flow rate, a minimum force of 1,000 psi (pounds per square inch) and a maximum psi of 3,000 to work properly. Foam guns work best when attached to fully opened spigots that have good water flow.
For our list of the best foam cannons, we’ve included a broad selection of both cannons and foam guns based on the most widely available examples on the market from known and trusted brands. These products were reviewed on material durability, ease of use, cleaning performance, liquid capacity and cost. Looking For Car Accessories? Match your car to your style with varied car accessories like seat covers, floor mats and more. Get competitive pricing from top brands here. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Explore Options On Amazon
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1/4" quick connection plug, 5 nozzle tips, water regulator knob
ABS construction, adjustable spray angles, double filtration
1/4" quick connection plug, adjustable spray angle, Maximum flow: 5.3 GPM
You’re going to use your foam cannon for more than just one type of car or one type of application. What makes this product such a great value: It’s versatile. It comes with multiple attachments and an array of settings. It features a quick-connector coupling, an adapter coupler and a large sponge and multiple microfiber cloths. Some users do report that there is some leakage over time. It should also be noted that this product is not universal with all pressure washers. You’ll need to check the fitment before using.
SwiftJet Car Wash Foam Gun Sprayer
Some of these products require special equipment to use them, including pressure washers and attachments. This straightforward product attaches to a common garden hose. The foam ratio dial knob allows you to adjust the amount of wash soap used, potentially saving you money. The brass hardware and PVC bottle are all durable. The water stream is controlled by a dial on the handle. It also comes with a helpful microfiber wash mitt, quick hose connector and rinse spray tip.
MTM Hydro 28 Special PF 22.2 Foam Cannon
During our research for the top foam cannons, the MTM Hydro 28 Special PF 22.2 Foam Cannon earned the highest ratings. Not a single negative comment was posted on Amazon about this foam cannon. The Hydro 28 Special PF 22.2 is made of heavy-duty materials, including anti-corrosion brass fittings, a reinforced ribbed housing, commercial grade accessories and a replaceable water filter that helps ensure a spotless wash.
Chemical Guys Torq Foam Blaster 6
At the sub-$50 price point, there are a lot of poorly made products to sift through when shopping. But the Chemical Guys have a solid reputation and they back it up with an affordable, easy-to-use foam gun. It has a large capacity soap bottle (32 ounces) and it connects to a common garden hose. It lacks the multiple attachments of some other more expensive rivals, but it makes up for it with simple operation. The handle is easy to adjust, and while the foam stream is weaker than that of power-washer units, the delivery is accurate thanks to the extended foam nozzle.
At under $30 and pressure-washer compatible, the Tool Daily Foam Cannon makes a great case for the best deal. It gets high consumer marks for ease of installation and use, quality construction and value for the money. It features an adjustable foam nozzle, quick-connect capability and an additional nozzle orifice for more coverage flexibility. It doesn’t come with much, but it’s a good start.
After an initial rinse of the entire vehicle with clean water, which helps loosen and soften dirt, attach your foam cannon to a pressure washer or hose (depending on the type of foam cannon you’re using) and apply a thick coat of soap suds to your vehicle.
Some professionals recommend starting with the wheels and tires. After applying soap to all four wheels and tires with the foam cannon, scrub them with a wheel brush that can get into all the tights spots and clean all parts of each wheel properly.
Next, use the foam cannon to apply soap to the rest of the vehicle. With a wet microfiber cloth in hand, rub down the entire vehicle in order to lift away any dirt that might need a bit more attention.
After rinsing the vehicle with clean water in order to remove all the soap, use a dry microfiber cloth to remove all the water droplets and to dry the vehicle completely.
These products were reviewed on material durability, ease of use, cleaning performance, liquid capacity, price and overall value. We evaluate all foam cannons based on the following weighted metrics:
Almost all commercial car washes have a small risk of brush contamination that can result in paint scratches or other damage. Hand washing your car correctly improves the process. Foam cannons and guns are a good cost-effective tool to wash your car the right way. Be sure to never wash your car in direct sunlight, as water spots can quickly mar the vehicle surface.
If you are looking to properly clean your car, absolutely. These products allow you to wash away dirt without damaging vehicle paint.
No. Use the proper wash soap formulated for vehicle paint finishes. Using alternatives like dish soap will strip any wax or ceramic coating from your vehicle’s finish.
A foam cannon works with a pressure washer or other type of powered equipment. A foam gun will connect to a common garden hose. The foam cannon is more powerful, but it requires additional equipment. The foam gun is not as powerful, but is more versatile and costs less.
Yes. Foam cannons and guns can be used for a variety of cleaning jobs including car, motorcycle and other motor vehicle cleaning. You can even use them on floors, windows, patios, siding and driveways.
You should always rinse your vehicle before washing. The above products are great for getting rid of dirt, but if it is caked on, the removal process might damage the vehicle’s finish. Applying water before will loosen a lot of that dirt. It’ll make the job easier and it will also protect your ride.
Cleaning Microfiber Cloth Brian Armstead has been involved in print, radio and television for over 46 years. He is president emeritus of the Washington Automotive Press Association, a North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) juror and is a regular contributor to several automotive media broadcasts and websites. In his spare time, Brian enjoys tending to the care and feeding of his Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover vehicles.