Best Foam Cannon Soap: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Formula [2023 Reviews]

Foam cannon soap is a car wash soap applied to your vehicle using a foam gun or cannon. Many people will tell you the best foam cannon soap for car detailing uses a pH-neutral formula and can remove dirt and debris from your vehicle without scratching it. However, there are so many different products on the market it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a complete guide to have a better insight into the foam cannon soap, followed up by the 5 best foam cannon soap that is loved by car detailers.

For those who are in for a quick winner:

My favorite product is Chemical Guys Snow Foam Soap and Cleanser is my top pick because of its affordable price and still gives the best results for the car cleaning task. And it’s clearly shown on your cars’ surface.

But if you have the time, don’t miss some of the best options on our highly-rated product list!

Name	Product Image	pH Level	Dilution Ratio	Concentration	Price
Mothers Triple Action Foam Wash		7.5	5 oz per gallon	Medium	Check Price on Amazon
Chemical Guys Snow Foam Soap and Cleanser		7	1 oz per gallon	High	Check Price on Amazon
Adam's Ultra Foam Shampoo		9-10	1-2 oz per gallon	High	Check Price on Amazon
Sun Joe Premium Snow Foam Soap		7-8	2 oz per gallon	Medium	Check Price on Amazon
Bilt Hamber Auto Foam Soap		9-10	1-2 oz per gallon	High	Check Price on Amazon

How Does Foam Soap Work?

The foam soap will create a thick blanket of foam over your vehicle just like how dishwashing liquid soap forms bubbles after mixing with water. The foam will work as an effective lubricant to remove the dirt and debris on the surface of your vehicle. This is especially true for surfaces with scratches and swirl marks on them. You can use a car wash mitt, sponge, or towel to wipe off the dirt and debris, allowing you to clean your vehicle more effectively than with traditional soaps.

Is There a Difference Between a Foam Gun and Soap?

Yes, there are. The foam gun is the device you use to apply your car wash soap. It shoots the soap in foam form, then covers the vehicle’s surface. The best foam gun can provide you with thick foam to lubricate and protect delicate surfaces, such as paint, from scratches and swirls. The foam will also be soft and cushiony, allowing you to wipe off dirt and debris more effectively.

Benefits of Using the Foam Cannon Soap

There are several benefits to using foam cannons soap over traditional car wash soaps.

1. Foam soap makes it easier to clean your vehicle.
2. You can completely avoid scratching the surface of your vehicle.
3. It will protect the surfaces from swirls and scratches.
4. The foam will protect your vehicle, preventing dirt and debris from sticking.
5. The foam soap is ideal for washing large vehicles like trucks and SUVs.

Types of Foam Cannon Soap

Before purchasing foam cannon soaps for your car detailing, you must understand that not all products are equal. There are two types:

#1 Industrial strength car wash soap

These are perfect for heavy-duty situations like commercial auto detailing or car washes. You can remove dirt and debris from your vehicle’s paint, chrome, wheels, bodywork, rubber, and plastic components. They have a pH of 8 – 9.5 and can provide a thick layer of foam that will lubricate each surface for you to clean properly without scratching it with your dirty wash mitt or sponge.

#2 Unique car wash soap

This type of foam cannon soap is only to clean your vehicle. They work by simply soaking the dirt and debris in the water, and they will lift it off from the surface. In most cases, these products contain a pH between 4 – 7 and can’t provide you with a thick layer of foam that will lubricate each surface for you to clean properly without scratching it with your dirty wash mitt or sponge.

If you are looking for a foam cannon soap that provides you with a thick layer of foam, choose an industrial-strength foam soap.

Top 5 Best Foam Cannon Soaps 2023 Reviews

Here is the list of the top 5 foam cannon soaps many car owners favor.

#1 Best Overall: Mothers Triple Action Foam Wash

The first product I want to mention comes from the Mothers brand, Mothers Triple Action Foam Wash. One thing that I like about this product is that it provides you with the thickest layer of foam.

You have to spray it onto your vehicle, and you will see the thick layer of foam. This is perfect for car detailing since it will lubricate each surface, giving you a cleaner, more effective car wash.

The pH level of this product is within the acceptable range (pH 5-9), which means that it produces a rich, thick foam without damaging your vehicle’s paint or other surfaces. The foam will stay on your vehicle for a decent amount of time, approximately two minutes.

This is also ideal for car detailing since it provides you with enough time to wash your vehicle thoroughly. The foam will protect your vehicle from swirls and scratches while it cleans the dirt off the paint, chrome, wheels, bodywork, rubber, and plastic surfaces.

Also, it won’t damage any protective layers, such as a ceramic coating or wax. The one thing that I don’t like about this product is that it produces a bit of froth when using it in a foam cannon or gun.

Pros

• Foamy and thick
• Acceptable pH level
• Good foam duration
• Protect your vehicle from swirls and scratches
• No harm to ceramic coating or waxes

Cons

• A bit of froth when used in a foam cannon or gun

> What I like: Provide the thickest layer of foam!

#2 Chemical Guys Snow Foam Soap and Cleanser

Another best foam cannon soap on my list is Chemical Guys Snow Foam Soap and Cleanser. This is a concentrated foam that contains no water. This is why it can get your vehicle completely wet by providing a thick, rich layer of foam without dripping water all over your car. It provides a long level of protection while remaining in the car for a long time.

As this product is highly concentrated, you can save money on the soap compared to other products.
It gives you roughly 20 applications per container, enough for a whole car wash. All you need to do is to use 1 oz of the soap and 4-5 drops of very gentle dishwashing liquid or degreaser.

The foam will stay on your vehicle for a good period, and it protects your paint from swirls and scratches while also cleaning all dirt and grime off the paint and other surfaces.

This is also a pH-neutral product, so it protects your vehicle’s paint from damage.

One thing I don’t like about this product is the scent. It’s fruit-scented, which I think is not appropriate for cars. Anyway, the scent is light and unnoticeable after a while.

Pros

• A thick layer of foam
• Protects your vehicle from swirls and scratches
• It can be used in a foam cannon
• It gets completely wet when sprayed onto the vehicle
• No harm to ceramic coating or waxes.
• The foam provides adequate protection against the damaging effects of dirt and grime.

Cons

• Fruit-scented soap

> What I like: If you’re looking for a concentrated type, this is the right one!

#3 Adam’s Ultra Foam Shampoo

The third product on my list is the one from Adam’s, Adam’s Ultra Foam Shampoo. It produces a nice thick layer of car wash foam that stays on your vehicle for a considerable time. It rinses off easily, making it ideal for people who don’t want to spend too much time getting rid of all the soap and residues.

This product contains no ammonia-based ingredients, which makes it easier to rinse off. It also contains polymers and acrylics, which are abrasive enough to scrub off the dirt and grime from your vehicle’s paintwork. The foamy substance that is created by this product is thick, rich, and long-lasting.

The ingredients in this product are perfect for producing a thick, rich foam without hurting the quality of your vehicle’s paintwork or affecting any protective coating.

Using pressure washers with PSI 870-3190 or GPM 1.3-5.3 is suggested.

One downside of this foam shampoo is its price. It’s one of the most expensive ones on the market.

Pros

• Rich foam
• No harmful ingredients
• Rinses easily

Cons

• Most expensive

> What I like: Looking for the thick foam type but quickly rinse off! Look no further than Adam’s Ultra

#4 Sun Joe Premium Snow Foam Soap

Another great product is Sun Joe Premium Snow Foam Soap. Sun Joe is a big name for pressure washers, and they make soap as well. This product is designed to be used with a pressure washer, and it’s reasonably priced. It produces a thick layer of foam that stays on your vehicle for a considerable amount of time.

As it’s a biodegradable formula, it won’t harm your vehicle’s paintwork. The foam is thick, rich, and long-lasting. However, you can reduce its thickness by using less product (it makes much foam) or by increasing the pressure of the water (which creates a thinner foam).

You will need to apply 2-3 ounces of soap for one car; make sure you keep it well after adding soap. It requires a pressure washer to wash your car. However, you can also use it to clean your garden deck or pavement.

One downside of this product is that it’s not concentrated and runs out fairly quickly.

Pros

• The foam is thick, rich, and long-lasting
• No harmful ingredients
• It can be used to clean your garden deck or pavement.
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Runs out quickly

> What I like: A biodegradable formula foam soap specialized for pressure washer!

#5 Bilt Hamber Auto Foam Soap

Bilt Hamber Auto Foam Soap is another great product that cleans, protects, and maintains your vehicle. It produces a thick layer of foam on your vehicle, which will provide you with a long-term level of protection. This product is highly concentrated, so diluting it before using it is recommended.

This item received many positive feedbacks from users because of its cleaning power. You don’t have to do much but can get the best result. The formula is made from natural ingredients, leaving a fresh scent on your vehicle. The formula is biodegradable so it won’t harm your vehicle’s paintwork.

It quickly removes dirt and grime while protecting the paintwork from swirls and scratches. It’s also concentrated, so you only need a small amount to wash your car.

As this product is concentrated, you can also save some money on it. The price for one bottle is rather high, but you can use it for more washings than other products.

One downside of this product is that you should only apply it on a painted surface.

Pros

• The foam is thick, rich, and long-lasting.
• No harmful ingredients.
• High concentration
• Removes the dirt and grime in no time

Cons

• High price
• Apply it on a painted surface only

What I like: A biodegradable product that gets positive reviews from customers.

What You Should Look for in a Foam Cannon Soap

#1 Foam Thickness

The thickness of the foam is one of the most important factors in determining which foam cannon soap you should purchase. The thicker the foam, the better it will lubricate and protect your vehicle from scratches and swirls in a car wash or a car wash tunnel.

This is why not all foams are suitable to use in a foam cannon. If the foam is too thin and you use it in a foam cannon, then it will not be able to protect your vehicle from scratches and swirls.

Look for products that contain sulfate surfactants, such as alkyl dimethyl amine oxide (LAS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These products will create the kind of thick foam that you need for a car wash or a car wash tunnel.

#2 Foam Duration

Foam duration refers to how long your vehicle stays covered in foam. If it doesn’t stay on for a long time, then you may need to add more soap to the mixture when using a foam gun or cannon. This is especially true if the thick car wash soap contains strong surfactants such as LAS and SLES.

Adding too much soap can cause foaming and bubbles to form on your vehicle, and they may damage the finish in some cases.

Even though your vehicle will be covered in foam for a short period of time, it does its job of protecting the surface from getting scratched by dirt and debris.

#3 pH Level

The pH level of the foam is also important in determining the type of foam cannon soap you should buy. The pH level determines how much soap is in your product, and therefore, it will affect the appearance and performance of the foam.

An industrial-strength car wash soap has a relatively neutral pH (around 7-9), containing little to no acid. The foam will stay on the vehicle for a longer period too. A unique car wash soap has a pH between 4 – 7, slightly acidic. It will not stay on your vehicle for long and may adversely affect the paint.

#4 Foam Volume

The volume of the foam is important because, depending on your use, you may need more or less foam in your car wash soapy mixture. A foam gun will typically allow you to shoot out the foam 12 feet, while a foam cannon will typically allow you to shoot out the foam 25 feet.

If you will use a foam gun or a sprayer, look for products that can produce a relatively thick layer of foam. However, a product that creates a small amount of thick foam is ideal if you use a foam cannon.

Foam Cannon Soap vs. Regular Car Wash Soap

Foam cannon and regular car wash soap are two cleaning agents that serve different purposes. Regular car wash soap is designed to remove dirt and grime from the surface of a vehicle, while foam cannon soap is specifically formulated to create a thick foam that clings to the surface, lifting and removing dirt and grime.

Foam cannon soap is designed with a foam cannon attachment, which connects to a pressure washer and sprays a thick foam over the vehicle. The foam helps to lubricate the surface, reducing the risk of scratches and swirl marks, and it also helps to lift and remove dirt and grime from the surface.

On the other hand, regular car wash soap is designed to be used with a bucket and sponge or mitt. The soap is added to the bucket of water and then applied to the vehicle’s surface using a sponge or mitt. While regular car wash soap can still effectively clean the vehicle, it may not provide the same level of lubrication or lifting power as foam cannon soap.

If you’re looking for a deep, thoroughly clean one with maximum lubrication and lifting power, foam cannon soap is the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a basic clean or don’t have a pressure washer and foam cannon attachment, regular car wash soap will still get the job done.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dilution ratio for foam cannon soap?

The dilution ratio for foam cannon soap can vary depending on the specific product and manufacturer. However, most foam cannon soaps require dilution with water in a range of 1:10 to 1:128, meaning that you would add 1 part of the soap to a specific number of parts of water. The recommended dilution ratio will usually be listed on the product label or in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can foam cannon soap be used on any vehicle?

Yes, foam cannon soap can generally be used on any type of vehicle, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats. However, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s instructions and any specific recommendations for your type of vehicle to ensure that the soap is compatible and won’t cause any damage.

Is foam cannon soap safe for the environment?

Foam cannon soap can be environmentally friendly and safe if formulated to be biodegradable.

Can foam cannon soap damage the vehicle’s paint?

When used properly, foam cannon soap should not damage a vehicle’s paint and can even reduce the risk of scratches. However, if not diluted properly or left to dry on the surface for too long, it could potentially cause damage. Following the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and use, rinse the vehicle thoroughly after applying the soap.

How often should I use foam cannon soap?

As a general rule, it’s recommended that you wash your vehicle every two weeks or so to keep it clean and protect the paint. However, you may want to use foam cannon soap more frequently if you live in an area with heavy pollution, drive on dirt roads, or frequently encounter harsh weather conditions that can cause dirt and grime buildup.

Check out This Video for How to Get More Foam from Your Foam Cannon!

Final Words

My favorite product is Chemical Guys Snow Foam Soap and Cleanser, as it does a great job on your cars at a very reasonable price, and you can apply it to different surfaces.

You shouldn’t be worried about how to get rid of soap residue if you buy quality foam soap because it’s easy. You only need 2-3 ounces of the product for one wash. It leaves a thick layer on your vehicle which is ideal for protecting it against swirls and scratches; you can also use it for cleaning other surfaces like your garden deck or pavement.