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Koch-Chemie Active Foam

Concentrated aromatic active foam for pre-wash

Koch-Chemie Active Foam

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£14.99

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Size 1L

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Koch-Chemie Active Foam Koch-Chemie Active Foam £14.99
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Highly concentrated, phosphate- and NTA-free foam with intensive aroma for gantry washing systems, wash systems, self-service carwashes and hand washing.

  • Strong cleaning power for regular exterior washing
  • Economical dilution for frequent use
  • Suitable for both foam application and bucket washing
  • Helps remove loose dirt before contact washing
  • Leaves a cleaner working surface before further detailing stages
Read the full description

Full Description

Highly concentrated, phosphate- and NTA-free foam with intensive aroma for gantry washing systems, wash systems, self-service carwashes and hand washing.

The extremely high ratio of anionic surfactants creates a unique foam formation as well as an intensive and paintwork protecting cleaning performance and supports the self-cleaning and therefore the service life of the brushes.

The attractive and long-lasting odour of sandalwood provides an intensive fragrance experience. Optimally suited as well for biological service water treatment plants.

Recommendations for use

Apply undiluted or diluted up to 1:10 with the dosing pump. Recommended dosage per car: foam and self-service systems: 3-8 ml. Shampoo: 1-3 ml. Hand wash: 1:300. Because of its higher product viscosity (lower delivery capacity of the dosing pumps) the product may have to be diluted beforehand. VDA conform to class A: reaction time max. 5 min, max. application concentration 1:100

pH: 9,5

More in Snow Foam and from Koch-Chemie.

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Key features

  • Concentrated Foam
  • pH 9.5
  • Sandalwood Scent
  • Phosphate Free

The Drivers HQ

Expert Notes

Koch-Chemie Active Foam is not just a cosmetic snow foam. It is a concentrated active cleaning foam built around a high level of anionic surfactants, giving it strong foam formation and useful cleaning performance for pre-wash, foam systems and hand washing. The formula sits at pH 9.5, so it has more cleaning bite than a neutral shampoo while still being designed for controlled automotive cleaning when diluted correctly. It is particularly useful on regularly maintained vehicles where you want a foaming pre-cleaner that can loosen road film and general dirt before the contact wash. The sandalwood fragrance is a genuine part of the product experience, but the important detail is dilution control. Do not let it dry, avoid hot panels and use sensible dilution for the job rather than treating it like a heavy-duty degreaser.

Perfect For / Suitable Surfaces

  • Paintwork
  • Wheel faces
  • Exterior plastics
  • Foam wash systems
  • Hand wash buckets
  • Maintenance wash routines

Caution: Use only on cool surfaces away from direct sunlight and rinse thoroughly after application. Avoid using strong mixes on fresh waxes, sensitive finishes, hot panels or delicate untested surfaces.

Technical Specifications

Product Type
Aromatic Active Foam
Brand
Koch-Chemie
Product Code
AF
Formula Type
Concentrated Foaming Cleaner
pH Value
9.5
Surfactant Type
High Anionic Surfactant Content
Fragrance
Sandalwood
Phosphate Free
Yes
NTA Free
Yes
Application Methods
Foam Systems, Self-Service Wash Systems And Hand Washing
Dosing Pump Use
Neat To 1:10
Foam System Dosage
3-8ml Per Car
Shampoo Dosage
1-3ml Per Car
Hand Wash Dilution
1:300
VDA Classification
Class A
VDA Reaction Time
Maximum 5 Minutes
VDA Application Concentration
Maximum 1:100
Available Sizes
1L And 10kg
Professional Use
Yes

How To Use

Foam pre-wash use

  1. Make sure the vehicle is cool and out of direct sunlight.
  2. Rinse heavy loose dirt from the vehicle first.
  3. Dilute Active Foam according to the foam system or foam lance being used.
  4. Apply an even layer of foam across the exterior.
  5. Allow a short controlled dwell time.
  6. Do not allow the foam to dry on any surface.
  7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water using a pressure washer.
  8. Continue with a safe contact wash if required.

Hand wash use

  1. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly before contact washing.
  2. Dilute Active Foam at approximately 1:300 in a wash bucket.
  3. Use clean wash media suitable for paintwork.
  4. Wash from the cleanest upper areas down to the dirtiest lower areas.
  5. Rinse the wash media regularly during the process.
  6. Do not allow shampoo residue to dry on the vehicle.
  7. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly after washing.
  8. Dry with a clean microfibre drying towel.

Professional dosing use

  1. Use through a suitable dosing pump or foam system.
  2. Apply neat or diluted up to 1:10 depending on the equipment.
  3. Adjust dosage according to water pressure, foam output and cleaning requirement.
  4. Follow Koch-Chemie guidance for foam and self-service systems.
  5. Keep reaction time controlled and within the stated maximum.
  6. Rinse all treated surfaces thoroughly after application.

Top Tip: Use Active Foam as a controlled cleaning foam rather than a heavy degreaser. Keep the surface wet, manage dwell time and rinse thoroughly before it dries.

Performance Benefits

  • Produces dense active foam
  • Cleans road film effectively
  • Supports safer pre-washing
  • Suitable for hand washing
  • Leaves sandalwood fragrance

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Koch-Chemie Active Foam pH neutral?

No, Active Foam has a pH value of 9.5, so it is mildly alkaline and offers more cleaning strength than a neutral shampoo.

What is Koch-Chemie Active Foam used for?

It is used as a concentrated foaming cleaner for foam wash systems, self-service systems, pre-wash cleaning and hand washing.

Can Active Foam be used as a hand shampoo?

Yes, Koch-Chemie lists hand wash use at a dilution of 1:300.

Does Active Foam have a fragrance?

Yes, it has a sandalwood fragrance designed to give a long-lasting aromatic wash experience.

Is Active Foam phosphate free?

Yes, Koch-Chemie lists Active Foam as phosphate free and NTA free.

Can Active Foam be left to dry?

No, it should not be allowed to dry on the vehicle. Apply to cool surfaces and rinse thoroughly.

Is Active Foam safe for paintwork?

It is designed for automotive cleaning when used correctly, but always use the correct dilution and test first on sensitive or unknown finishes.

What sizes are available?

This listing is for 1L and 10kg sizes.

Is Active Foam suitable for professional use?

Yes, it is designed for gantry wash systems, wash systems, self-service car washes and hand washing.

What makes Active Foam different from a basic snow foam?

It is a concentrated active foam with high anionic surfactant content, pH 9.5 cleaning performance and professional dosing guidance.

HQ Suggests Tips & Insights

  1. Do not let Active Foam dry on the vehicle.
  2. Rinse thoroughly after the dwell stage
  3. Use on cool panels away from direct sunlight.
  4. Use correct dilution for the equipment being used.
  5. Use stronger mixes only where extra cleaning is genuinely needed.
  6. Follow with a safe contact wash for a complete clean.
  7. Flush foam equipment after use.
  8. Ideal for regular pre-wash and foam system use.

The Brand

Koch-Chemie

Koch-Chemie (often written Koch Chemie) is a German car care maker from Unna. Hans Koch, a trained carpenter unhappy with the vehicle care products of the time, began mixing his own polishes in his garage in 1968 and founded Koch-Chemie GmbH. The company moved to its Unna headquarters in 1971, developed its Star range in 1990, and has been part of the French Novarc Group since June 2017. It is one of the few companies in the trade that researches, produces and sells its own products, with development and production in Unna, and many of its products are tested and approved by car manufacturers.

At The Drivers HQ we stock Koch-Chemie online with UK delivery and in our Ilkeston shop. Our customers' favourites are Green Star, Gentle Snow Foam, Pol Star, Micro Cut M3.02 and One Cut & Finish P6.02.

Shop all Koch-Chemie
Koch-Chemie Micro Cut and Finish P3.01, Heavy Cut H9.02, Micro Cut M2.02 and Headlight Polish 1 on a black display plinth in a photo studio

Koch-Chemie products by job

Pre-wash and wash. Gentle Snow Foam is a pH-neutral, cherry-scented foam that does not attack waxed or sealed paint. Use about 20ml per litre of water in a foam sprayer, or 50ml in 10 litres as a hand-wash shampoo, and add 10 to 30ml of Green Star to the mix for an active foam on stubborn dirt and insects. Green Star is the alkaline universal cleaner: 1:5 to 1:30 for exteriors and engines, 1:10 to 1:20 for interiors and textiles. Never let it dry or use it on hot panels. Active Foam, Autoshampoo and Ceramic Effect Shampoo complete the wash range, and Magic Wheel Cleaner is the wheel cleaner.

Decontamination and preparation. Eulex and Eulex M remove adhesive and stains, Orange Power lifts adhesive, tree resin and rubber marks, and Panel Preparation Spray cleans the paint before polishing or coating.

Machine polishing. Koch-Chemie gives its machine polishes a cut and gloss rating, and Heavy Cut H9.02, Fine Cut F6.01 and Micro Cut M3.02 are silicone-oil-free. Heavy Cut H9.02 (cut 9.0, gloss 6.0) takes out deep scratches and sanding marks up to 1,200 grit, Fine Cut F6.01 (cut 6.0, gloss 7.0) removes wash marks and 2500-grade sanding marks, and Micro Cut M3.02 (cut 3.2, gloss 9.0) removes holograms, fine scratches and P3000 sanding marks for the final gloss. One Cut & Finish P6.02 (cut 6.0, gloss 8.0) corrects and seals in one step. We also stock Heavy Cut H8.02, Heavy Quick Cut B9.01, Micro Cut M2.02, Micro Cut & Finish P3.01 and the P1.03 and P2.03 finish polishes, plus Headlight Polish 1 and 2 for clouded lenses.

Gloss and protection. ProtectorWax, QF Quick Finish, Quick & Shine and Finish Spray Exterior keep the gloss up between details, and the Coating Towel 5 Pack wipes off residue.

Interior, plastics and glass. Pol Star cleans textiles, leather and Alcantara, COLOURLOCK Leather Care looks after leather, and Allround Surface Cleaner and MZR clean hard interior surfaces. Plast Star is a silicone-free plastic care, alongside Gummifix, Motorplast and Hydro Plast Care. Glas Star and Glass Cleaner Pro clean glass, and Fresh Up tackles odours.

Shop Koch-Chemie by type: snow foam, all purpose cleaners, heavy cut compounds, finishing polishes, quick detailers and glass cleaners.

Koch-Chemie Micro Cut and Finish P3.01 and Heavy Cut H9.02 on a detailing trolley in front of a black BMW M2 Competition having its bonnet machine polished

Choosing a Koch-Chemie polish

Koch-Chemie rates its machine polishes for cut (how much they remove) and gloss (how much shine they leave), so you can pick the stage that matches the paint.

  • Heavy Cut H9.02 (cut 9.0, gloss 6.0) is the first stage on heavily weathered paint, deep scratches and sanding marks up to 1,200 grit. It suits soft and scratch-resistant paint. Koch-Chemie recommends a rotary polisher at medium speed and pressure, then a finishing stage with Micro Cut M3.02 or Micro Cut & Finish P3.01.
  • Fine Cut F6.01 (cut 6.0, gloss 7.0) is the middle stage for medium to heavily weathered paint and wash marks, at no more than 2,000rpm. Remove any streaks it leaves with Micro Cut M3.02.
  • Micro Cut M3.02 (cut 3.2, gloss 9.0) is the finishing polish. It removes holograms and fine scratches rather than filling them, which makes it the one to finish dark and sensitive colours.
  • One Cut & Finish P6.02 (cut 6.0, gloss 8.0) corrects and seals in one step, with carnauba wax, on a dual action polisher with at least a 15mm stroke: five pea-sized drops on the pad. Keep it off painted plastics and rubber.

Use a separate pad for each polish, keep off hot panels and store polishes away from frost and heat. For the pads and machines, see our polishing pads and polishing machines.

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