Does Foam Help Clean Your Car?

There seems to be a number of ongoing myths surrounding car care products, yet for the most part, these aren’t quite myths but simply hearsay from car care ‘enthusiasts’. Foam when hand washing is high up on the car care enthusiasts list of must haves, alongside the microfiber wash mitt and genuine leather chamois.

But here are some interesting facts about foam that might change the way you perceive car washing detergents. The majority of foam when handwashing your car is simply a cookie trail, indicating where you have and haven’t been. It can be a handy tip for the average punter but not high on the essential priority list of the experienced; to whom the saying ‘you missed a spot’ is nothing more than a distant memory.

High foaming detergents are more likely to leave residue and unsightly watermarking on a just-washed car as the foam clings to the surface with rapid air drying – which is necessary – for preventing it from running off the bodywork before rinsing. Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo is a high foaming product designed with adequate ‘cling’ in mind to keep the panel from drying out, also promoting itself as a great product to use with Aqua Wax where a damp surface is required before application.

Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner, which is a low foaming product, means that conversely it requires less water to rinse away after the car is washed and glides off the surface with ease. It has become a common thought that more foam equals more cleaning power, though this is not the case. Foam is the by-product of many cleaning agents in shampoos, and having a mountain of foam will not clean your car any better or faster. You will have to spend more time rinsing, prolonging the wash process with a foaming wash, also.

It is the actual cleaning chemicals in shampoo that do the real work and these are the most important to ensure your car stays spotless. Both Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo and Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner will clean excellently and both are pH neutral, meaning they are safe to use on waxed finishes.