Pre wash recommendations

Technical Area Cleaning & Detailing
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: __
  2. I’m based near: __
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __can anyone recommend a good pre wash something I can spray on the car to loosen the dirt other than snow foam which I find to messy
2

Try a citrus pre wash, garage therapy do a good one.

3

Out of interest, what is it about snow foam that you find messy? That’s the best pre-wash approach in my view. Foam on, let it dwell and drag any loose dirt off, rinse. Then you’re onto a shampoo contact wash with less work to do.

If not, I’d apply a citrus degreaser solution via a pump sprayer. I can personally recommend Bilt Hamber Surfex HD or Viro-Sol - used at a dilution suitable to the level of dirt/contamination. Either product also makes for a great wheel cleaner and has a variety of other uses around the house/garden too :+1:

Cheers,
Steve

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4

it just seems when I rinse it of the soap and foam hang around on the ground forever and hosing it down just makes more foam

5

Which foam were you using? I’d recommend Built Hamber again here. Either Autofoam or Touchless. And make sure you work out the Panel Impact Ratio for the pressure washer you’re using, to ensure you’re using the right amount of product.

A bit more about PIR here:

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6

Wouldn’t the panel impact ratio vary with how near/ far you’ve got the lance ? :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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7

I’ll use a very weak solution, and stand a long way away… :joy:

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I use Bilt Hamber Touchless (and previously Autofoam) and have very little left on the ground after rinsing. It’s not a thick, clingy foam but that shouldn’t dissuade you - it’s very effective at loosening dirt. I found snowfoam with wax in it would lay around on the drive for days afterwards prior to switching to the Bilt Hamber.

I use Bilt Hamber Surfex HD in an IK Sprayer as a pre-wash. Studies however have shown that you shouldn’t rinse the car before applying the snowfoam as this causes it to be less effective. The thicker foam is often just for show, Bilt Hamber comes out top on a lot of tests and is much thinner.