If you already own a car pressure washer, you can improve your car washing technique by attaching a foam cannon. The purpose of this attachment is to produce a foamy blanket of soap upon the paintwork for the best possible pre-clean (as shown above).
The best foam cannon is the Chemical Guys TORQ, which uses an advanced foaming technology and adjustable nozzle to produce the desirable thick snow foam.
Popularity of foam cannons has exploded among detailing enthusiasts due to the enjoyment of washing your car with the foam and the great photo opportunities. The foam itself sticks to the car and soaks up all of the debris for safe removal with water.
Table of Contents
Foam Cannon Comparison
| Foam Cannon | Min PSI | Max PSI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Guys EQP 310 TORQ | 800 | 3,500 |
| SudMagic | 1,000 | 3.200 |
| TriNova Gun Attachment | 800 | 3,200 |
| McKillans Lance | 1,000 | 3,000 |
| Adams Polishes Red Blaster | 870 | 3,190 |
| MTM Hydro Professional | 1,000 | 2.600 |
| MATCC Adjustable | 1,000 | 3,000 |
The foam cannon soap is designed to act as a pre-cleaning technique before actually washing your car. It loosens the dirt and other grime, which can then be rinsed off after a specified dwell time. A common misconception is that people think that the foam cannon soap is a car wash soap but this isn’t the case as it won’t provide the same foaming effect.
Most foam cannons allow users to adjust the water to product ratio for additional thick foam output. You may also be able to adjust the spray pattern but this is often only found on premium examples. Some cannons can also operate using a basic garden hose but you won’t be able to achieve thick foam without the use of a pressure washer.
Below is a list of the best foam cannons that produce thick foam output and are built to last.
The Best Foam Cannon
1. Chemical Guys EQP 310 TORQ Foam Cannon
Chemical Guys is a brand that’s highly reputable among detailing enthusiasts and professionals. Their TORQ professional foam cannon is a premium option that’s packed full of features and uses the latest technology to produce thick suds.
It’s a universal foam cannon that works with any gas or electric pressure washer and connects with ease. The TORQ foam cannon also allows for simple adjustments of the thickness with a vertical jet nozzle and an air injector controller.
Other features of the Chemical Guys EQP 310 TORQ include:
- Compatible with all pressure washers
- 32 ounce fluid tank that is protected against UV
- Fully adjustable nozzle for full coverage
- Uses advanced foaming technology
- Airtight thread locked design
- Air injector controller
- Complete kits available
- Corrosion resistant brass and stainless steel components
The Chemical Guys EQP 310 TORQ is the best foam cannon for thick foam. Although it’s fairly expensive, it has been built to the highest of standards, which is due to the heavy duty components used within the construction. There are cheaper alternatives but this foam cannon has the backing of the reputable Chemical Guys brand for peace of mind.
Check it Out2. SudMagic Pressure Washer Foam Gun
The SudMagic foam cannon is a more affordable alternative that has been built to last with a heavy duty construction. Unlike other cheaper cannons, this model uses a patented brass threaded bottle as opposed to weak plastic alternatives.
Even the bottle of this foam cannon has been built for maximum durability as it uses a strong HDPE construction, which is able to withstand heavy impacts and UV ray exposure.
Other features of the SudMagic Blaster include:
- Valve to adjust the thickness of the foam
- Adjustable nozzle for controlling the height
- Durable brass threaded bottle with a HDPE construction
- 1/4 inch male quick connector
- Suitable for pressure washers up to 3,200 PSI
- Measurement on bottle for adding correct amount of soap
- Lifetime warranty against any defects
The SudMagic Blaster is by far the best foam cannon for the money and it won’t disappoint. Compared to similar priced cannons, it has been built to last and the brand are so confident of the build quality that they provide a lifetime warranty.
Check it Out3. TriNova Car Foam Cannon
The TriNova foam cannon is a highly rated option that’s ideal for car washing as it clicks into your existing pressure washer lance. It has a standard 1/4 inch quick connector, which makes it quick and easy to use to connect.
Unlike the alternatives, this foam cannon has a distinctive wide necks, which won’t crack and is designed to withstand years of heavy duty usage.
Other features of the TriNova Foam Cannon include:
- Compatible with all pressure washers
- Larger base that avoids it falling over
- Minimum pressure of 800 PSI
- Maximum pressure of 3,200 PSI
- Unique wide neck to avoid cracking
- Adjustable dial to manage the airflow
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Available as a complete kit
The TriNova is a well-designed foam cannon that’s easy to use and built to the highest of standards. The unique wide neck and larger design along with the low water pressure requirement makes it a great option to consider.
Check it Out4. McKillans Professional Grade Foam Cannon
The McKillans snow foam cannon is an affordable option that’s compatible with most pressure washers. It uses high quality connectors and a durable bottle that’s made from strong translucent plastic which allows you to check the level of the soap with a quick glance.
As with most of the premium options, the foam output can be adjusted via a control knob and so can the spraying pattern width to best suit your requirements.
Other features of the McKillans Professional Foam Gun include:
- Brass and copper connectors
- Adjustable spray pattern and foam thickness
- Compatible with both gas or electric power washers
- Ergonomic grip
- High quality mesh filter
- Translucent bottle to view the soap level
- Hardened plastic neck
- Wide base for stability
- Durable and leak resistant construction
Overall, the foam cannon by McKillians is a high quality example that combines value for the money and durability into a single package. For the best results, McKillans recommend that you quarter fill the bottle with soap and fill the rest with warm water.
Check it Out5. Adam’s Polishes Red Foam Cannon
The brand also offers a snub nose as an additional extra and it makes connecting to the pressure washer far easier, which may be a requirement for many.
Other features of the Adam’s Polishes Foam Gun include:
- Adjustable spray pattern
- 32 ounce container
- Efficient spraying that uses less soap
- Adjustable air intake valve
- Stainless steel and brass components
- Min PSI of 870
- Max PSI of 3,190
- Made in the USA
- 110% satisfaction guarantee
As with the Chemical Guys alternative above, this is a foam cannon targeting enthusiasts and professionals. The high price tag may put many people off but the adjustable spray pattern and air intake are very desirable features that makes producing thick suds very easy.
Check it Out6. MTM Hydro Foam Gun with Bayonet
The MTM Hydro is a premium foam cannon that uses high pressure water flow, detergent and air to produce thick snow foam. The brand state that it’s able to spray over 20 feet in length, which makes it great fun to use and easier to tackle larger vehicles such as trucks or RV’s.
Included with this foam cannon are three different attachment that allows you to connect to various pressure washers such as Karcher, Sun Joe and others.
Other features of the MTM Hydro Professional include:
- 2,600 max PSI
- 1,000 min PSI
- 34 ounce bottle
- Shoots up to 20 feet
- 1.10 mm nozzle
- Adjustable spray pattern and flow
The MTM Hydro is an excellent all-round foam cannon that won’t disappoint. It’s adjustable and able to produce thick foam that can travel long distances for larger vehicles. The only drawback is that it does come with a premium price tag when compared to some of the alternatives.
Check it Out7. MATCC Adjustable Snow Foam Lance
The MATCC snow foam gun is one of the cheapest within this article but still performs as well as the premium alternatives. It even uses heavy duty brass connectors to improve the longevity, which ensures that you get the best bang for your buck.
Due to its affordability, it’s one of the most popular foam cannons on the market and even comes with a one year warranty against defects for peace of mind.
Other features of the MATCC Snow Foam Gun include:
- Maximum pressure of 3,000 PSI
- Core is made from quality brass
- Nozzle to adjust spray pattern
- Integrated water regulator
- Adjustable dial for altering the amount of spray
- 1/4 inch quick connection
- 35 ounce fluid container
The MATCC snow foam lance offers the best value for money and contains all the features found on much more expensive alternatives. It’s also a universal lance that works with most pressure washers that provide water pressure between 1,000 to 3,000 PSI.
Check it OutFoam Cannon Buying Guide
Snow foam is a washing solution that you spray onto your car as a “pre-cleaning” technique. It removes loose dirt and grime to help prevent scratches when you come to washing the car. It also makes it easier to wash your car and it’s great fun too.
Although you can use a hose for washing cars, you will need a pressure washer to use a foam cannon. Most have a minimum PSI rating in order to achieve thick snow foam.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding snow foam cannons.
Adjusting the Thickness and Spray
All of the recommended foam cannons above have the ability to adjust the way the spray comes out of the reservoir. Although making the foam thicker doesn’t correlate into a cleaner car, it does provide excellent photo opportunities of your car covered in snow foam.
Reducing the amount of water in the mixture with the snow foam product is how it’s made thicker. The cannon will have an adjustable knob that alters the amount of water going from the pressure washer into the snow foam cannon.
On top of adjusting the thickness of the foam, adjusting the vertical size of the spray is just as desirable. You will want to reduce the amount of wastage of snow foam because after all, it isn’t the cheapest detailing product out there to waste. Most will have a vertical jet nozzle that you can control and easily move to reduce or increase the size of the spray.
Durability
The amount of pressure that passes through a foam cannon can be immense and start from 800 all the way to 4,000 PSI. Therefore it’s important to check whether your pressure washer won’t break through the snow foam cannon reservoir.
The most common flaw with cheap and even the best branded snow foam cannons is that they can crack at the top opening. If the bottle is plastic threaded, avoid it as this won’t be durable and it could potentially strip through. The best foam cannon examples feature brass threaded bottles that won’t break under pressure.
Foam Cannon Compatibility
As there is a wide variety of pressure washers on the market, it’s important that you find a foam cannon compatible with your specific machine. Most come with adapters to fit the major brands such as Karcher, Snow Joe, AR Blue and others.
Another compatibility issue that may arise is the fact some foam cannons require a minimum pressure in order to work. Some can be as low as 600 PSI whereas other may require at least 1,000 PSI in order to fully function.
Before purchasing a foam cannon, you should always check which connector you have and the pressure that it provides.
How to use a Foam Cannon
Using a foam cannon is fairly simple and you will need foam cannon soap, the cannon itself, a pressure washer and water to begin. Once you have what is needed, you can then begin setting up your snow foam cannon. Below are brief steps to using your foam cannon.
- Use the specified measurements of soap and water
- Adjust the amount of foam spray
- Adjust the thickness of the foam (less water = more foam)
- Start applying snow foam evenly all round the vehicle
- Let the foam dwell for at least 10 minutes
- Rinse of the snow foam from the vehicle
By using a foam cannon, you can easily cover most cars in less than a few minutes. The only time consuming part is waiting for the foam to sink into the dirt. However, this of course gives you enough time to get a photo of the car covered in foam.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that using a foam cannon is only really used for a pre-clean. This means it removes dust, dirt and other debris prior to washing your car, which make it safer to wash. It reduces the amount of debris that may cling onto your car wash mitt, which is great for reducing any damage to the paintwork such as swirl marks.
There are premium and cheap foam cannons available but you should always be aware that cheap alternatives can break easily. Premium examples such as Adam’s and Chemical Guys cannons have been designed by professionals for the best results. However, the price tag is fairly high, which may put many people off.
Our recommendations cover a range of different budgets and only include non-plastic threaded bottles. This is a common fault of cheap foam cannons and is something you will want to avoid.
