Smith

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Jan 28, 2011
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If you read this before pictures are added then be patient, writing this how to on the computer and uploading pictures from my phone. I'll delete this sentence when I'm done....

First off to give credit where credit is due, used a helpful how-to to get an idea of how to do this from rshadd on 355nation, props to him...Also to the girlfriend for paying for this for our anniversary/some of my birthday :crazy:

Project
How to Make a Foam Cannon

What is a Foam Cannon?
Also known as a foam lance, a foam cannon is used to cover your truck (or car/suv) in lots of thick foam. It is to be used with a power washer and produces thick, clinging foam to help remove dirt from your automobile. As quoted by rshadd "he benefit of using a foam lance to deliver the soap to the vehicle is that it doesn't require you to touch the vehicle, which could rub dirt against the paint. The Foam Cannon sprays the vehicle with a thick coat of soap to loosen and lubricate dirt. On dusty or lightly dirty vehicles, you may not even need to hand-wash. The Foam Cannon HP minimizes the amount of hands-on contact with the vehicle, which can minimize wash-induced swirls. Plus, a Foam Cannon is a just plain fun"

These go for upwards of $120 on many detailing sites but can be had for less if made yourself..


Skill Level
Easy

Estimated cost

$100ish USD


Tools Needed

Pliers or a wrench to tighten connections

Parts Needed

***I personally recommend ordering the foamer attachment and pressure washer spray gun first and then going to a local hardware store once it is in and getting the rest of the fittings as I ended up with some I didn't need and ended up having to go to the hardware store and spend an extra $10 getting some more I needed.

-MTM Hydro Long-Range Detergent Foamer Attachment ($59.99)
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-Pressure Washer Trigger Spray Gun ($19.99)
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-1/4 inch brass pipe fitting ($4.36)
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-Blue Hawk 3/8-in Quick Disconnect Socket x Male Metric Thread($7.98)
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-NorthStar Pressure Washer Plated Steel Nipple — 3/8in. Male Inlet, 4000 PSI ($3.99)
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Parts laid out..
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Gun put together..
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Hooked up to power washer...
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Will upload some pictures as well as a video of it getting used in the next few days once the rain lets off and I get a chance to wash the truck and g/f's car.

Edit: Video of cannon in action...
http://youtu.be/twqR8ljOu2k
 
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Khaos

Bed Dent Club Founder
Mar 24, 2012
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I'll be looking into making my own maybe next spring, depending on how good the pics look :crazy:

Nice write-up!
 

Smith

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I'll be looking into making my own maybe next spring, depending on how good the pics look :crazy:

Nice write-up!

Haha, thanks! Gun turned out alright, will be interesting to see what kind of foam it put out. Currently have this one..
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I'm hoping this new one with the power washer put my old one to shame.
 

Khaos

Bed Dent Club Founder
Mar 24, 2012
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A tip I read from one of the Adam's guys was to add a little bit of waterless wash to your car shampoo when using the foam cannon because it greatly increases the amount of foam produced.
 

Smith

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A tip I read from one of the Adam's guys was to add a little bit of waterless wash to your car shampoo when using the foam cannon because it greatly increases the amount of foam produced.

Read that over on their forum once as well but I don't have any waterless wash :/ My truck is a daily and gets way to dirty way to fast that I've never invested in any waterless wash.
 

Bassmaster

Media Mod
Mar 8, 2012
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So you can make your own for about 100..but can't you buy an actual foam Lance for like 60-80? :shrug:

Edit. Quick amazon search
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Sent from my Galaxy S-Fawhore
 
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Smith

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Ah, fair enough then. Just throwing the info out there.

Thanks man, def appreciate you trying to help.

Awesome, too bad I can't wash at home lol

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

I use to live in an apt complex and hated it.

Can't wait to see the review!

Hopefully I can use it tomorrow!

So you can make your own for about 100..but can't you buy an actual foam Lance for like 60-80? :shrug:

Edit. Quick amazon search
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Sent from my Galaxy S-Fawhore

I linked that one in my parts :crazy:.....you can buy the acutal foam lance part on amazon which is what I did, however, with this set up your foam lance has it's own gun attached to it as well as quick connects so you can just move from it as an attachment back to your actual power washer gun instead of having to remove the nozzle off your power washing gun, then put on the lance on the power washing gun, then take it back off, then put back on the original nozzle, etc.

Much more convenient and practical to make an entire separate gun such as what I did for an extra few bucks :shake:
 

Smith

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Jan 28, 2011
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Used the entire bottle just messing around with the settings. Made it go from real thin and watery to real thick, of course it used more the thicker I made it. Just foamed the truck up and then rinsed it back off, going to actually foam it up and wash it tomorrow. Will try and getting better video as well...
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ScottyBoy

The LED Man
Apr 6, 2012
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Damn Chris, I need to come by your house and try this on my truck. I will of course bring my own Adams shampoo. Let me know what your next off day is.
 

Smith

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Jan 28, 2011
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Looks like it works really good! I bet it smells heavenly, I love how that shampoo smells.

Smells great! My g/f was talking about how great it smelt lol

Damn Chris, I need to come by your house and try this on my truck. I will of course bring my own Adams shampoo. Let me know what your next off day is.

Def. welcome to man :shake:

Well I guess it works lol

Works real well. Recorded some video but its not much, need to upload it to YouTube and post it I guess. Washed the truck for real today...
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