Pump Foamers

A pump foamer is a pressure sprayer with a foam nozzle: pump it up and it lays foam onto wheels, arches, paint or fabric, with no pressure washer needed. The range runs from hand foamers by IK, Maxshine, SGCB and The Drivers HQ to the 6 litre IK Multi Pro 12 Foamer and IK's e Foam models.

How to choose

• Size: a 1 to 2 litre hand foamer covers wheels, arches and interiors; for a whole car, the 6 litre Multi Pro 12 saves refilling.
• Hand pump or battery: the IK e Foam Pro 2 is battery powered, which saves pumping on long jobs.
• Foam or spray: the Hand Pump Foamer And Sprayer 2L does both.
• Chemical: seals suit particular chemical groups, so check a foamer's rating before using acid wheel cleaner or solvent.

Good to know

• The foam is wetter than what a pressure washer and one of our Snow Foam Lances produce, so mix at the label's pump sprayer dilution; too weak and it runs straight off.
• Rinse the foamer through with clean water after use; product left to dry can clog the foam nozzle.

Does foaming a car really work?

Yes, as a pre-wash. The foam sits on the panel and softens the dirt, so more of it rinses away before a mitt touches the paint. Foam from a pump foamer is wetter than lance foam, so use the pump sprayer dilution on the label.

Related: Bottles, Sprayers & Chemical Handling, Pressure Sprayers, Snow Foam, Citrus Pre-Wash. Popular brands here: IK Sprayers, Maxshine, SGCB, The Drivers HQ.