Wash wheels/tires before foam cannon wash?

Discussion in 'Pre Wash, Wash, Decon, Claying, Engine, Wheels, an' started by starmax, Feb 21, 2009.

  1. starmax

    starmax Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    I've noticed that everyone that's using a foam cannon ends up spraying down their wheels and tires with it too. So my question is, are you guys first washing your wheels/tires with their corresponding cleaners/brushes and then move on to spraying down the car with a foam cannon?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. mShu7

    mShu7 Birth of a Detailer

    I like to spray my wheel and tire cleaners on the surfaces first so they can dwell for a few minutes. Then, I'll foam the ENTIRE vehicle, including wheels, tires, and wells. While the foam is dwelling, I'll manually clean each wheel, tire, and well with the appropriate brushes. From there, I'll use bucket of soap & water to wash the body of the vehicle. Lastly, a good pressure rinse of all areas.
     
  3. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    I do not think I could ever wash the wheels while the foam is dwelling. I have issues with soap drying too much and leaving spots too. I am not washing in the sun or when hot either.
     
  4. mShu7

    mShu7 Birth of a Detailer

    Bunky - Are you using a foam gun or foam cannon? With a foam cannon and Citrus Wash as the shampoo, it's not an issue because it clings very well. If it looks like it's going to dry on the surface, I'll spray some water on it to keep it wet.
     
  5. Buddy

    Buddy Getting to know Detailing

    I use a foam cannon. I do the whole car including wheels,tires and wells. When I'm ready for the pressure rinse. I concentrate on the paint but I hit everything else to see if I can save on some product and time if the car isn't that bad. I can get everything clean with the foam and the PW and not use anything else. It saves me time and product. If I can't get everything clean in one shot then I start over with the wheels,tires and wells while I have the PW in hand. Oh, let me add that I don't let things dry up. Don't be to hard on me. I've only used my foam cannon a couple of times and hope to perfect my method with pratice and the right soap for my Foam cannon which I have not found yet...Thank you.
     
  6. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    I have used a foam gun (not a foam cannon) but the same idea about the foam drying on the paint while I would be washing the wheels. Maybe it just takes me longer to do wheels than others.
     
  7. Berscht

    Berscht Jedi Nuba

    I do a high pressure rinse on the entire car before any foam or wheel cleaner. I do this

    because I see no point scrubbing dirt and grime off the wheels which can be simply rinsed off.

    Then I spray on the wheel cleaner/degreaser on all applicable areas and foam over that after

    2 minutes, then go back and clean the wheels, tires, and wells. Then I high pressure rinse

    everything off and finally then 2BM wash the vehicle.


    Just my method which I have found to work for me as well as cut down on product use.
     
  8. supercharged

    supercharged DB Forum Supporter

    I use a foam gun myself, and I tell you that foam is gone in just a couple of minutes. Planning to upgrade to foam cannon, and pressure washer. This combo turns a shampoo into a "shaving cream" and you can only imagine how long it will last. Can't wait for this to happen.
     
  9. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    The foam does go away quickly but the soap residue remains. It is the residue I have issues with if let on the paint for more than a few minutes -- definitely not long enough to wash four wheels.
     
  10. richy

    richy Guest

    The answer for me depends on the condition of the wheels. If it's a customer's car and the wheels are really neglected, then they come first with an intensive effort of at least 15 minutes a wheel. If it's one of my DD's then the foam would be fine b/c those just get washed in the course of the regular wash with nothing special. Even though I've only ever used a foam gun (I got my new cannon but my f*cking p.w. broke again) so in my experience, when it's really hot out, I don't like to let any soap, in any form, sit on the paint too long. Hope that helps.
     
  11. starmax

    starmax Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    So I have a somewhat related question. In general do you guys pre-rinse things before applying your cleaners? It knocks the dirt off but then the cleaner doesn't cling as well. oh boy, technique refinement never ends...
     
  12. MadOzodi

    MadOzodi Nuba Guru

    I always pre-rinse whether I'm using my foam gun, foam cannon or even an ONR wash. Maintenance wash on my own car, I use the foam gun and whatever wash method I feel like; mitt trailing foam gun w/1 rinse bucket or foam gun pre-soak followed by 2BM.

    Latest car I did with DJ_JonnyV, we pre-rinsed whole car with PW, then foamed it down. He proceeded to tackle the wheels and wells with P21S TAW and GWC while I waited for the foam to dwell. I then rinsed the car, being careful not to shoot him with the PW while he was on wheel duty. It wasn't until after he finished that we realized we could spend 2 hours doing a full detail on just the two front wheels! Point is, depends on the condition of the wheels like richy said.
     
  13. supercharged

    supercharged DB Forum Supporter

    Upgrade to Foam cannon/PW.
     

Share This Page