Snow foam is a popular pre-wash solution that helps loosen dirt and pollution from the car before you wash it. In this article, we list some of the best formulas that are pH neutral and produce the desired thick lather.
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After testing a number of snow foams, we found that the best snow foam isAutoglym Polar Blast, which produces high density foam. But if you want a formula that provides better value,Pro Kleen Cherryis the best alternative. As shown in the photo above, the Pro-Kleen formula produces a thick layer of pink foam that adheres to the car.
In addition to testing and researching the latest snow foams, we have also based our recommendations on several factors. These factors included foam density, effectiveness, formulation and value for money. If you're new to snow foam, we recommend you read our in-depth article on itInstructions for usebefore making a purchase.
Best snow foam overview
- Best overall:Autoglym Polar Blast
- Best for foam thickness:Pro Kleen Cherry
- Best for tough dirt:Auto Finesse Avalanche
- Best all-rounder:Dirtbusters Car Candy
- Best for sticking:Meguiar's Ultimate
- Best ready mix:Tortoise wax 53111
- Best Fast Acting:Muc-Off prewash
- Best all-rounder:CarPlan Demon
Compared to a standardcar wash shampoo, snow foam is designed to be used as a prewash solution. This means that it loosens and removes dirt before you wash your car with onewashing glove. The purpose of this is that it helps reduce the chances of introducing swirl marks on the paint as very little dirt will be left on the car.
It is important to note that you must use a compatible lance in order to use the snow foam in this article.
Below is a list of the best snow foams that are pH neutral and effectively loosen dirt without removing any wax or sealant previously applied to the paint.
The best snow foam
1.Best overall:Autoglym Polar Blast
Autoglym Polar Blast isone of the highest ratedsnow foam on the market. It is a rich blend that provides superior adhesion and loosens dirt with ease. In terms of getting the best foaming effect from this formula, the brand states that you can use either a pressure washer or a lance.
Advantage
- High density foam
- pH neutral and does not remove polish or wax
- Requires 10 minutes residence time
- Removes dirt and pollution
- Made in the UK
Disadvantages
- Relatively expensive compared to the alternatives
Although expensive per litre, Polar Blast snow foam is made in the UK and backed by the reputable Autoglym brand for complete peace of mind. It is a high quality formula that produces athick foam with high densityit will not disappoint.
2.Best for foam thickness:Pro-Kleen Cherry Snow Foam
If you want the best bang for your buck, Pro-Kleen snow foam is an excellent choice. The formulaproduces super thick foamand according to the brand it is used by many professional officers in the UK. Another great benefit of choosing the Pro-Kleen formula is that the brand offers its snow foam in a variety of scents, which include cherry, pineapple, strawberry, banana, mango and many others.
Advantage
- Super foam thickness
- Includes wax in the formula
- Effective and safe on all exterior surfaces
- Non-corrosive formulation
- Available in several scents
- Large 5 liter bottle
Disadvantages
- Does not stick to the car as well as the Autoglym alternative (based on our testing)
Pro-Kleen snow foam offers itbest value for moneyand can produce super thick foam of high quality. It is also available in a variety of scents that smell amazing and make using it even more enjoyable.
3.Best for tough dirt:Auto Finesse Avalanche
Auto Finesse is a well known British detailing brand and they produce several high quality products. Avalanche Snow Foam is a good example of their reputation, and it has beendesigned and developedby professional retailers.
To maximize its ability to loosen and remove tough road grime, this snow foam is infused with citrus for extra cleaning power.
Advantage
- Citrus infused cleansing power
- Trusted by professional retailers
- Does not remove wax or other products
- 5 minute residence time
- Suitable for general use
- Made in the UK
Disadvantages
- One of the most expensive formulas
Auto Finesse Avalanche snow foam is a high-quality option thereprovides effective cleaning results. It only takes 5 minutes for the foam to work and is one of the best pre-wash solutions on the market.
4.Best all-rounder:Dirtbusters Car Candy Snow Foam
Another popular and budget-friendly car snow foam is from the Dirtbusters brand. It is aconcentrated formulathat loosens dirt and leaves a pleasant cherry scent when left to linger on the car.
Advantage
- Safe on all exterior surfaces
- Contains no corrosive chemicals
- Extra-sticky formula
- The formula includes premium wax
- Leaves a cherry scent
Disadvantages
- Foam is not as thick as other formulas
Overall, Dirtbusters Car Candy produces a high quality snow foam thatcleans and smells amazing. It's also relatively affordable, allowing you to be extra generous with the solution and achieve extra thickness.
5.Best for clinging:Meguiar's Ultimate Snow Foam
By far the most expensive snow foam per liter is Meguiar's Ultimate, which is ahighly concentrated formula. The brand states that it only requires 100 ml per 500ml of water, which means it goes a long way. The formula uses a patented Xtreme Cling formulation, which is specially developed for waxed or sealed finishes and provides a swirl-free wash and shine.
Advantage
- Advanced hydrophobic polymers for a streak-free finish
- Encapsulates grease, oil and dirt
- Leaves a rich cherry scent
- Safe to use on all types of paint, alloys and trim
Disadvantages
- Far more expensive than alternative snow foam
The biggest downside to Meguiar's Ultimate Snow Foam isthe premium price tagbut the brand promises that it delivers amazing results every single time without fail.
6.Best ready mix:Turtle Wax 53111 Car Snow Foam
The Turtle Wax brand also produces an affordable snow foam solution that provides a rich cherry scent. It is available in either a 2.5 or 5 liter bottle and it is apH neutral formelthat is designed to provide a thick foam blanket for your car.
Advantage
- Advanced hydrophobic polymers for a streak-free finish
- Encapsulates grease, oil and dirt
- Leaves a rich cherry scent
- Safe to use on all types of paint, alloys and trim
Disadvantages
- Since it is a pre-mixed formula, it will cost more in the long run
For those who want a cheap snow foam solutionbacked by a reputable brand, this Turtle Wax formula is perfect. It is suitable for all exterior surfaces and provides a streak-free finish every time.
7.Best Fast Acting:Muc-Off snow foam prewash
Another top-notch option is Muc-Off Snow Foam, which has astrongly scented cranberry scent. According to the brand, the formula can quickly remove dirt and grime and provide maximum coverage.
Advantage
- New and improved formula
- Water-based and pH-neutral
- Cranberry scent, while you stay
- Suitable for all exterior surfaces
Disadvantages
- A bit expensive (although it comes in a big 5 liter bottle)
Overall Muc-Off car snow foamticks all the boxes and is fast-actingwith a residence time of approximately 5 minutes. Although expensive, it goes a long way when diluted correctly and will not disappoint.
8.Best versatile:CarPlan Demon Wash Snow Foam
CarPlan Demon Foam is a popular and affordable option thereproduces dense foamto remove dirt and grime. Unlike many of the alternatives, you can also use this formula as a regular car wash shampoo if required.
Advantage
- Foam action with high density
- Suitable for high-pressure cleaners or bucket use
- Suitable for all exterior surfaces
- Leaves a lovely fragrant cherry scent
Disadvantages
- Uses a lot of the formula per wash, which means you can get through it pretty quickly
Overall, CarPlan Demon Foam is an excellent all-round optionproduces dense foam of high quality. The brand even offers a nifty foam gun accessory that connects to the bottle itself for use with a regular hose. This is great for those who don't own a pressure washer but still want to use snow foam on their cars.
That's how we rated it
Due to the popularity of snow foam, there are hundreds of formulas to choose from. But to help you choose the best, we've done hours of research and tested a variety of formulas while cleaning our own cars.
This includes testing snow foams that produce pink foam to those produced by the major brands in the retail industry. We also tested the formulas on cars covered in months of dirt and grime as well as cars with minimal dirt. As you can see from the picture, we recently tested the Pro-Kleen and Autoglym formulas and we highly recommend them both.
During our test, we tested the effectiveness as well as how well the snow foam adhered to the paint. Compared to the Pro-Kleen formula, the Autoglym snow foam definitely excelled and did a great job of clinging to the paint. But as noted in our roundup, you'll pay a premium for the Autoglym formula.
Below are some pictures we took during the test of the two formulas and it shows how both snow foams appeared on the cars when they were first sprayed on the paint.
We aim to continue our snow foam testing and keep this article updated with all the latest formulas.
If you follow us on Instagram, you'll see that we regularly post pictures and videos of us using snow foam on our cars. Below is an example of us using the Pro-Kleen formula, which we rated as one of the best in this article.
See this post on Instagram
Conclusion
Snow foam is a popular detailing product among enthusiasts and professionals, and for good reason. Not only does it allow you to safely wash your car without coming into contact with the paint, but it's also fun to use.
All of our recommendations fit a range of budgets and are safe to use on all exterior surfaces. For best results, we recommend using a heavy dilution of the formula as it will produce an even thicker lather. Ideally, you'll want to use one as wellcar pressure washerbecause a standard garden hose may not give the best results.
If you need any further information on any of the snow foams listed in our roundup, please feel free to contact us and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
Car Snow Foam Frequently Asked Questions
Snow foam is a pre-wash solution that helps break down and remove dirt on your car's paintwork, wheels and other surfaces. It's a great first step to your car wash routine because it's completely contactless, meaning you're less likely to scratch or introduce swirl marks into your car's paintwork.
After you have coated your car with snow foam, you need to leave it on to stay for a certain period of time. Most brands state that snow foam should sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off. During this time, the snow foam solution adheres to any debris that it then carries with it as it is washed away. It is important to note that you should not use snow foam in direct sunlight because it will dry too quickly on the paint.
Thick snow foam is very desirable and can be achieved by using hot water and adjusting the snow foam and water mixture in your lance. Regarding the mix, you will want to increase the air intake in the lance and use a higher concentrate of the snow foam solution. If you are still not able to achieve thick foam, we recommend that you check that your lance is working fully or switch to another snow foam solution.
To ensure you are mixing the best snow foam possible, it is critical that you use the correct dilution ratio. The exact ratio required will be indicated on the bottle and we strongly recommend that you use warm water to dilute the formula (as discussed above).
Written byDan Morgan
Dan has been a car enthusiast for as long as he can remember and has an extensive collection of cars that includes classic cars that he has restored himself from a junkyard condition to modern performance cars. Whether you need advice on how to install car parts or recommendations on what products to buy, Dan's first-hand experience is sure to help.
If you wantlearn more about Dan, our testing process or the website itself,visit our about pagefor mere information.