Just as clay bars emerged from the professional world into mainstream car care, snow foam is now part of just about every maker’s range, and a lance to lay it on is equally important. We would only recommend its use in place of a shampoo if your paintwork has very light soiling. In these circumstances please ensure you rinse the vehicle first to remove any heavier contamination. It’s easy to see snow foam as an alternative to shampoo and a replacement for traditional cleaning when it’s actually designed as a supplement. That’s not to say there are snow foams capable of washing a car, but it’s not the best course of action. What should I look for in a good snow foam?

After testing several formulas, we found that the best snow foam is the Autoglym Polar Blast, which produces high-density foam that clings to the paintwork for far longer and effectively prewashes your car. However, if you want a snow foam that offers better value, the Pro-Kleen Cherry (as pictured above from our testing) is the best alternative. Leave Polar Blast time to dwell and loosen dirt for up to 10 minutes, although do not allow it to dry on. Use the maximum foam setting when using the Polar products. However, it is possible to rinse the Polar Blaster through between uses by turning the foaming adjustment off. The cleaner will begin to loosen dirt on all surfaces. For the most thorough clean we recommend agitating the foam with a sponge or wash mitt.

Conclusion

Having sprayed on the foam, leave it for the recommended length, usually about five to 10 minutes. Following this, you rinse it all off. Now it’s shampooing time. Does my snow foam gun matter? The Autoglym Polar Kit contains 3 products used via a pressure washer to maintain & protect your vehicle. Car cleaning got a whole lot easier when we were able to buy our own pressure washers from leading brands such as Karcher & Worx. They can help to dislodge stubborn dirt and debris, leaving your car’s paintwork ready for a coat of polish and wax. There are an amazing array of pressure washer accessories and add-ons that can improve the performance of your pressure washer - and you can find them at Halfords. Attachments for pressure washers

Once you return, you’ll need to rinse it off, but the bodywork should be substantially cleaner, and importantly comparatively free from dirt and grit, allowing you to finish the job with a cloth and shampoo followed by a coat of wax. Another helpful feature is that most snow foams will gently lubricate the bodywork, meaning that you’re less likely to leave scratches or swirl marks.

What you need to know about snow foam:

Uneconomical compared to rivals. Have to use 200ml in the average snow foam lance compared to most commonly 100ml of rivals. We recommend a pre-wash with Polar Blast to gently loosen dirt. If not, rinse first with water to loosen heavy contamination. Thoroughly rinse and dry your car to reveal a high-gloss finish that is protected with a hydrophobic coating. The car must be dried with a cloth and not allowed to air dry as water spotting may occur. Depending on your needs, snow foams generally come in two forms, for a less aggressive treatment, UF Ultimate Snow Foam is ideal if you have an existing wax or sealant on the vehicle which you are keen to protect, not remove. Alternatively, if you require a little more bite, using a snow foam such as Auto Finesse Avalanche is recommended. It is still completely safe to use on all surfaces of course, but is specially designed to strip heavily soiled vehicles. Rival brands offer 5 litre offerings rather than the 2.5 litres here for similar price points which perform very effectively.

Every snow foam is a little different, but in essence they’re all pH-neutral cleaning solutions that, as the name suggests, will cover your car in a dense white foamy layer. You cover the car from tip to toe – including glass, plastic trim and the wheels – and leave it to do its work. How long depends on the instructions, but is usually somewhere between five and 15 minutes. Enough for a cup of tea, in other words. The Polar Blaster is a foam cannon that can be attached to domestic pressure washes to enhance the foam levels and user experience of the three products in the Autoglym Polar range. It fixes to the lance and comes with a bottle reservoir that contains the dilute product, negating the need to place a fill pipe in the product bottle. Polishing your car is a great way to fade small scratches and imperfections. Find out how with our handy guide. As well as our testing and experience using multiple snow foams, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the foam’s effectiveness, formulation, cling ability, scent and value for money. ConclusionOnly a small amount of Polar Seal is required. Pour no more than 40ml (four capfuls) into your foam bottle and then add at least 200ml of water. This should be all the finished solution required to cover your vehicle. There is no benefit in using any more than 40ml as over application can compromise the finish. Keeping your car exterior clean is a great way to take care of the aesthetic of your car as well as its longevity. Follow our step by step guide. At Halfords, you’ll find a selection of the best car snow foam from brands such as Autoglym, Auto Finesse, Demon Foam and Meguiar’s. Tested to perform, these fantastic foams are some of the best car shampoos on the market today. They will give you a professional clean at a fraction of the price of a car wash div>