When it comes to cleaning your car, both snow foam and shampoo play an important part. However, they perform best when used at different stages of the washing process.
What is a Snow Foam?
Snow Foam is a thick, snow like pre cleaner that clings to the cars surface when applied through a snow foam lance attached to a pressure washer, making this one of the first steps in the washing process.
Snow Foam loosens road grime and pulls dirt down from the vehicle before the contact wash stage, reducing the risk of swirl marks and scratches. Some snow foams include Traffic Film Remover (TFR) as well as other components like fallout removers, tar removers and other specialised agents. However the majority of snow foam products are pH neutral and safe for all paint finishes.
What is a Shampoo?
Unlike many household cleaners, car shampoo's are a special blend of detergents and surfactants designed to remove road grime, dirt and other contaminants collected by the car whilst driving.
Shampoo is used during the contact stage applied using a wash mitt along with the two bucket method providing lubrication to keep washing safe and swirl free.
Their are many types of car shampoo's including ones with wax, gloss enhancers or hydrophobic properties to boost shine and add protection to the vehicle however most shampoos are pH neutral ensuring they're safe on existing protection and ceramic coatings.
So what is the difference?
Both products are designed to remove dirt from the paintwork. However, shampoo is created using a lot more lubrication than snow foam for the safest possible wash, whilst snow foam is formulated to help break down and remove the dirt build-up without the need to touch the surface of the vehicle's paint.
Can I use a snow foam as a shampoo?
In most cases you shouldn't use snow foam in replacement of a shampoo as they lack the lubrication needed to prevent scratches and swirling during a contact wash. However, some specific snow foam products are suitable and can be used as a shampoo for lightly soiled cars.
