Snow Foam vs Citrus Pre-Wash | Which Should You Use?

In this video I’ll be comparing a citrus pre-wash with an alkaline snow foam and looking at a pH neutral snow foam too. I’ll also be talking about the pH of these pre-wash chemicals and discussing traffic film removers (TFR) and where they fit into the mix.

Here are links to all the products used/ mentioned. The In2Detailing link/ code is affiliated so if you make a purchase after the clicking the link I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Test Products:

Dilutions Used:
• Shiny Garage Citrus Oil (1:19 dilution) = 50 ml citrus and 950 ml water in the sprayer
• Bilt Hamber Auto Foam (4% PIR) = 220 ml foam and 280 ml water in foam lance
• Stjarnagloss Sno (1:9 dilution in lance) = 50 ml foam and 450 ml water

Other Products Used/ Mentioned:

0:00 Citrus vs Snow Foam
0:27 Test #1
2:28 Test #2
3:15 pH Testing
4:32 Citrus vs TFR Chemistry
6:14 Taking a Cautious Approach
7:06 My Preferred Approach

[AutoCareHQ]

P.S. All the products used in this video are linked in the description
Thanks for watching!

[DavidHalfordsLane]

I will always treat the lower 1/3 of a car with a good citrus pre-wash then allow to dwell while I prepare snow foam (Autoglym Polar range preferred) then apply foam over citrus. Allow to dwell while preparing contact wash buckets. It works. In fact, just back from my car service and the service manager commented, “your car is gleaming!!!”. Maintenance wash just snow foam before contact. Great video Heather - interesting PH testing which I enjoyed and found very informative. Thank you. 🚙

[NorthwoodDetailing_]

Very good and professional! I learned a lot from this. Thanks!

[pigeonpoo]

Just to say, I was watching some of your earlier videos and your confidence in front of the camera really improved. well done. For reference, a darling of the YT community, GT Decon contains sodium hydroxide, hence why its so flipping effective. Care in sun. sorry mum's car lol

[tommyholt]

Excellent content! I’ll add that I really enjoy the 3D Nano Pails super concentrates. Unbelievable value (at least here in the USA). All their products are made to meet California’s strict standards for safety in regard to both environmental and personal health. Try the Super Citrus apc if you’re curious. 1oz in a 32 ounce bottle with water can clean anything including wheels and tires. 1/4 ounce is good for interiors.

[RickRST]

Good video, not sure if video is slightly influenced by a comment I made on another regarding citrus and snowfoam :) You have used the most powerful citrus you can get, and most of the cleaning power is from its caustic nature. If you compared the Auto Foam to Say GT Citrus, you would need to use a much much higher concentration of the citrus to get similar cleaning power. Compared to the new touchless, where it is 1:50, citrus just becomes much more expensive to use. There is a notion that citrus should be used for the heavier cleaning tasks and it is simply wrong.

[Babylon]

Thank you for your thorough in depth comparisons. Great presentation as always !

[thesamsquatch]

I am rinseless primarily however the pre wash is absolutely essential. Let the chemicals do the work and after I wash my vehicle I top with a drying aid. These normally have some form of protection so no harm done.
A good quality sealant or coating should resist these chemicals as well.
Excellent video!!

[brianmcallister]

Heather, I love your habit of giving your viewer a comprehensive analysis of the advantages/disadvantages of the various products available for the DIYer. Your videos explain the chemistry of products and their possible effect on a car's paintwork that is rarely, if ever, mentioned by other detailing sites. The consumer then has the knowledge to make his/her decisions about which products or type of products they should use. By the way, I recently washed my new car for the first time and I followed your apparent preference for using both a pre-wash (one that I have seen you use several times) and a "no-name" sno-foam to prolong the dwell time of the pre-wash. Wow! What results! I still contact washed but only to remove the dirt that I couldn't see. Thank you for your videos and for the advice you have given me.

[stevec]

Heather you must already or be well on your way to being the UK's go-to resource for detailing and cleaning advice, very well done and enjoyable to watch

[johngriffiths]

Great video Heather - the comparison section is great for beginners. Like you I use a mixture of Citrus sprays and Alkaline Snow foams, always delighted by the amount of dirt removed by both.

[fretho]

Very true. A few years back I used Auto Brite snow foam which caused severe fading of high gloss black plastic trim that eventually had to be replaced. That product contains sodium hydroxide which is caustic even when diluted. Since then I've been staying away from any car product using this ingredient.

[CBall]

New Bilt Hamber touchless formula way to go. £30 for 5 litres, half of the product needed compared to previous version/auto foam

[darndarn]

I just started using yumcar foam+ and it’s magic . And their drying towels are amazing

[leah]

I really thank your for spending too much time comparing all of these products! Excellente job!

[Standard_MT]

Thumbs up before the video even started… i debate this topic in my head more than any normal human should. Thanks for the demo!

[daviegraham]

I use Surfex HD in a sprayer at 1-10 + cover with Auto Foam..Perfect 😊

[gary]

Snow foam and citrus pre wash are both types of pre-wash products used in car cleaning, but they have different compositions and purposes:

1. Snow foam:
- Snow foam is a thick, foamy cleaning product that is typically used in a foam cannon or foam gun to cover the vehicle in a blanket of foam.
- It is designed to loosen and lift dirt, grime, and contaminants from the surface of the vehicle before the main wash process.
- Snow foam usually contains surfactants and cleaning agents that help break down and encapsulate dirt for easier removal.
- Snow foam is often used as a pre-wash step in the car cleaning process to minimize the risk of scratching the paint during washing.

2. Citrus pre wash:
- Citrus pre wash is a type of pre-wash product that contains citrus-based cleaning agents, typically derived from extracts of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, or grapefruits.
- Citrus pre wash is known for its strong cleaning power and ability to break down greasy and oily residues on the vehicle's surface.
- The citrus extracts in the pre wash have degreasing properties that can help remove stubborn contaminants that are not easily removed by regular washing.
- Citrus pre wash is often used to tackle areas of heavy contamination, such as bug splatter, tar, and road grime, before the main wash process.

In summary, the main difference between snow foam and citrus pre wash lies in their compositions and intended purposes. Snow foam is a foamy cleaning product used to lift and loosen dirt for easy removal, while citrus pre wash contains citrus-based cleaning agents for tackling greasy and stubborn contaminants on the vehicle's surface. Both products can be used as effective pre-wash treatments in the car cleaning process.

[Jim-ubqy]

Another excellent teaching video. You always provide a thorough explanation of your products and process. The best tip I learned from you last year is the application of a citrus prewash cleaner topped off with snow foam to hold it and let it work...and it works amazing. I always learn from your videos and look forward to adding your new channel. Well done Heather!

[Mogsyuk]

good comparison video Heather, i so like sugar based products, and use a combo of IW's Citrus Prewash and Powerfoam blanket combo.