Can You Use A Foam Cannon With A Garden Hose? [Tips For Detailing Your Car]

Foam cannon's are a great way to wash your car without having to go to a detailer or a car wash. But will a foam cannon work with a garden hose? Let's take a look to see if this is an option.

There are foam cannons, also known as foam guns, that can connect to a garden hose. However, some foam cannons only work with a pressure washer.

Generally, a foam cannon connected to a garden hose won't provide the same amount of pressure or suds a pressure washer foam cannon will.

Buying a foam cannon can make washing your car a lot easier. In this article, we will explain the differences between the two types of foam cannons and how to use them. In addition, we will provide other tips and tricks for detailing your car, so read on!

Which Foam Cannons Work With Garden Hoses?

Many foam cannons need to be connected to a power washer to work. However, there are many (usually labeled as "foam guns") that can work with a garden hose.

Here are some of the best foam guns that can connect to a standard garden hose:

These are some of the most popular foam cannons that connect to a power washer instead of a hose:

If you have a foam gun or foam cannon not included in these lists, you should be able to check your owner's manual or look up the product online to see if it is hose-compatible.

How Do You Use A Foam Cannon With A Garden Hose?

Woman washing her car using high pressure water

Going to a car wash or a detailer can be expensive and time-consuming. Instead, you can hand wash your vehicle, but that also can take time out of your day off.

One viable solution is to use a foam cannon. A foam cannon is a device that attaches to your garden hose or pressure washes and sprays a thick layer of soap onto your vehicle.

It's similar to going to a manual car wash and using the pressure sprayer to cover your car with soap, but instead, you have one in your driveway. There are two different types of foam cannons on the market.

The first kind of foam cannon is also called a foam gun and can be used with your garden hose. You simply fill your foam cannon with an automotive soap, turn the water supply on, and spray your vehicle.

The other type of foam cannon connects to a pressure washer. A pressure washer foam cannon is more effective as it will create more foam and coat your vehicle more consistently.

The downfall of a foam cannon that connects to a pressure washer is that you need to own a pressure washer. If you don't own a pressure washer and don't want to buy one, then a foam gun is the cheaper solution.

With that said, let's take a look at how to wash your car with a foam cannon step-by-step.

Rinse Your Vehicle

Before attaching your foam cannon or foam gun, you should rinse your vehicle. Rinsing the vehicle will remove any loose dirt or debris, making it easier for the foam cannon to do its job. We also recommend spraying the tires and rims, as you will be spraying the foam cannon on these areas as well.

Add Soap To Foam Cannon

After your vehicle is rinsed, it's time to fill your foam cannon with soap. We recommend using a soap that is approved for a foam gun. While all soap will create suds, you want one that is specifically designed for a foam cannon.

Whatever brand foam cannon or foam gun you buy, check with the manufacturer what soap they recommend.

Connect Foam Cannon

The next step is to connect the foam cannon or foam gun to your garden hose. Foam cannons that are meant to be used with a garden hose will have an adapter that screws onto the end of the garden hose. The same goes for pressure washer foam cannons.

Check out the SwiftJet gardenhose foam cannon on Amazon.

Turn On The Water Supply

Once your foam cannon is connected to your garden hose or pressure washer, you can turn on the water supply. For the garden hose, be sure to turn the water supply on all the ways, so you get enough pressure.

Spray Away

Applying non-contact foam to a car from a gun to a car wash

Now it's time to spray away and apply the foam suds to your vehicle. The key difference between a garden hose foam cannon and a pressure washer foam cannon is the amount of suds you get.

A pressure washer foam gun will provide a thicker and more consistent foam layer. In addition, you will get more pressure which will make it easier to remove all dust, dirt, and debris.

Depending on how dirty your vehicle is, you can use a sponge to scrub the vehicle. If your vehicle isn't too bad, then you can go without the sponge and just rinse the vehicle with the foam cannon.

Either way, it's a good idea to let the foam sit on the vehicle before rinsing it off. This allows the suds to break down and loosen the dirt on your vehicle.

Rinse The Vehicle

Once you have sprayed your vehicle with the foam cannon, you can remove it. Be sure to turn off the water supply before removing the foam cannon, or you will get a bath.

Now you can use your garden hose or pressure washer to rinse your vehicle. Be sure that all of the soap is removed from the vehicle before moving on to the drying process.

Dry The Vehicle

It's vital not to let your vehicle air dry. Letting your vehicle sit outside can cause water spots. If left unattended, these spots can be hard to remove and could damage your vehicle's paint.

With that said, use an automotive towel to dry your vehicle. These towels are designed to be non-abrasive, so they won't cause swirls or damage to the paint.

Apply Wax

Auto service staff in red uniform cleaning car with microfiber cloth

To protect your vehicle's paint, it's a good idea to apply a coat of wax. There are several types of wax on the market. If you are looking for an easy but effective solution, we recommend using a spray wax.

As the name states, a spray wax can be applied in a few minutes. Be sure to follow the directions on your spray wax to ensure you are applying it correctly.

And just like that, you have detailed the exterior of your vehicle. When you are done, be sure to clean up your foam cannon and store it as advised by the manufacturer.

Is It Worth Buying A Foam Cannon?

Washer holds a high pressure gun in his hand, Can You Use A Foam Cannon With A Garden Hose? [Tips For Detailing Your Car]

You may be wondering if it's worth it to buy a foam cannon, and the truth is, it depends on your needs. If you are looking to save money versus going to a professional car detailer or car wash, then a foam cannon is worth buying.

You can find foam cannons or foam guns for $50-$100 online or at automotive stores. In the long run, you can save a lot of money since a detailer can cost $200 or more, and a single car wash can cost $15-$40. In other words, you can recoup your investment in one or two uses.

The other benefit of owning a foam cannon is the time it saves you washing your vehicle. If you don't use a foam cannon, you will be using the soap, water, and bucket method. While this is an inexpensive way to wash your car, it's not always effective.

When using a foam cannon, you will be able to get a thick layer of soap on your vehicle. You can also see where you have scrubbed the vehicle, so you don't miss any spots.

If you are a person who doesn't want to spend time washing your vehicle, then it's not worth buying a foam cannon. Instead, you are better off getting a membership at an automatic car wash. There are some automatic car washes that offer unlimited washes for a monthly fee.

At the end of the day, a foam cannon is only worth it if you are willing to put in the necessary time and effort to wash your vehicle. If you do decide to go this route, then you will be saving money, time, and effort in the long run.

Check out this pressure washer foam cannon on Amazon. 

Is A Foam Gun Or Foam Cannon Better?

Vehicle cleaning with pressure foam gun

If you have decided a foam cannon is worth buying, you now have to decide whether you want a pressure washer or garden hose set up.

When it comes to applying a thick layer of suds and removing dirt, mud, and other debris, a pressure washer foam cannon is the way to go. However, you will be paying more money as you need an electric or gas pressure washer for them to work.

On the other hand, if you don't want to invest in a pressure washer, then a garden hose foam gun is a good choice. While they won't apply the same amount of pressure or suds, they will get the job done.

You will notice with the garden hose foam gun that the suds will slide off of the vehicle, making them less effective at lifting the dirt from the paint.

If you already own a pressure washer or plan on buying one, then a foam cannon is a better product. You will find that cleaning your vehicle is a lot easier and faster with the pressure washer setup.

Final Thoughts

Overall, foam cannons are an effective way to wash your vehicle in the comfort of your home. It's worth buying one if you want to save money from going to a detailer or carwash. Just be sure to read reviews on foam cannon products before making a final buying decision.

Made it to the end? Here are other articles you might find helpful:

Car Detailing Vs Car Wash: What’s The Difference?

Can Auto Detailing Remove Smoke Smell?

Do Car Dealerships Detail Cars? [With Other Pertinent Info!]

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