Briefly about the device
Before you start making a foaming agent on your own, it’s worthwhile, properly, to figure out what this device is! It is impossible to wash the car in a non-contact way without a foam generator. The most important functions of this type of device are: the formation of foam of the density you need, and its uniform distribution over the entire surface of the car. This process goes like this: a jet of water passes through a tank in which there is a washing liquid (which is used in foam generators), after which it mixes with a stream of air that enters through a special hole. As a result of this, foam is formed, but it is still not suitable for use. In order to obtain foam of a certain density, it is fed at a very high speed onto a special foaming tablet, after which the substance of the desired density comes out.
Foam kit as a kind of foam generator
In garage conditions, it is better to use a foam kit - a variation of equipment for contactless car washing.
The gun with a nozzle for a sink. Connects via a hose to a pressure washer
This equipment works a little differently. It also has a capacity, but it is much smaller in volume than the foam generator - only 1 liter. Also, its design includes a foaming agent, which immediately plays the role of a gun for application. But unlike foam, the foam set does not work from a compressor, it is a nozzle for high pressure washers.
A container with a foaming agent, otherwise called a foam nozzle for contactless washing
Foam nozzle diagram
The foam kit works like this:
- It is put on the water supply hose from the pressure washer.
- After the washer is switched on, high-pressure water is supplied to the foaming agent, and from there to a container filled with detergent, where primary foaming occurs.
- The solution obtained in the container is squeezed out by the incoming water again into the foaming agent, where it passes through the foaming tablet.
- At the exit from the tablet, finely dispersed foam is formed, which is fed through the socket to the surface of the body.
For ease of use, extension cords (spears) of different lengths can be connected to the foam concentrate to ensure that foam is applied to any surface of the car, including the roof and bottom.
The jet obtained at the outlet of the foam set can also be regulated using a valve installed on the foaming agent.
- small overall dimensions;
- output foam of good quality;
- ease of refilling (no water is required to create a solution);
Due to the powerful jet output, the detergent consumption of such equipment is slightly higher than that of foam. In general, this is quite an acceptable option for a contactless car wash at home. Yes, and the foam kit is much cheaper than the foam generator.
The structure of the device and its specifics
To begin with, it is worth understanding the functions and composition of the device, if you want to assemble it. This is a metal tank with a capacity of up to 100 liters, consists of a filler neck, a drain valve, 2 fittings, then a nozzle for spraying foam is attached. The tank, its (2/3) is filled with a special agent (10 ml) and 1 liter of water.
A special shampoo contains wax, which protects the car body. When the tank is full, the compressor starts to work, the compressed air comes out into the tank. The pressure must be at least 6 atmospheres. Also, water and product are supplied separately. It is bred in a pistol, it is much more difficult to invent such a mixture yourself.
Foam is formed in the tank and exits through the filter, the sprayer is in the nozzle, the pressure gauge monitors the pressure, and the water measuring tube monitors the degree of filling.Such a device helps a person, it does not interact with chemicals. Washing time is about 20 minutes.
How to make a foam generator for washing yourself
Complete foam generator
Considering the design of both types of equipment, you can see that their main component is a foaming tablet, which can be bought separately. This means that it is quite possible to make a foam generator with your own hands.
The easiest way to make it is to take a regular garden sprayer as a basis and redo it a little. At the beginning it was mentioned that the foam generator and the sprayer are structurally similar, and this fact is often used when creating homemade foam.
Next, consider one of the simplest designs of a foam generator, which can be independently made from improvised means. So, you need:
Squeezes for foam
Foam tablet assembly
- sprayer (volume may be different);
- two drives ½ inch and nuts for them;
- check valve;
- air fitting;
- foaming tablet and adapter for it;
- metal tube.
With all this, you can start reworking:
- We cut off the pressure relief valve and the fitting for connecting the hose from the sprayer.
- We insert the drives into the holes obtained and fix them with nuts on both sides and using gaskets.
- On one of the drives we install a tube (so that it almost reaches the bottom of the container), a check valve and an air fitting.
- On the second drive, we wind a foaming tablet through the adapter.
- The sprayer's manual pressure pump must be completely shut off, as it will not be needed and will only act as a reservoir cap.
Video: Do-it-yourself foam generator
It remains only to connect the hose to the outlet fitting of the tablet, on the other end of which put a garden spray gun. On this, the product can be considered ready.
It is not as convenient to work with it as with factory equipment, but it is quite acceptable. To wash your car:
fill the container with cleaning solution (2/3);
connect the compressor and pump air into the cylinder (it is important to monitor the pressure and not exceed the allowable limits);
after opening the sprayer valve, the air will squeeze out the solution, push it through the tablet, and at the outlet of the gun we will get a foam of quite acceptable quality;
Of the inconveniences of a homemade foam generator, one can note the need for periodic pumping up of pressure, since the homemade product is not equipped with a regulator, as well as the inability to adjust the outgoing jet.
But the described design can always be improved by installing additional equipment in order to eliminate the shortcomings and increase the convenience of working with the foam generator.
This article describes the features of their designs, how to make it for washing, how to make a nozzle.
Car washing has a number of features, the main thing is not to damage the paintwork of the car. At modern car washes, there are not very high-quality guns that do not wash the car very well and often break. Gels are turned into foam using this device or dispensers. You can wash your car in this way at home. It is worth making such a device yourself.
How to make a device yourself
Everyone knows that people with good ingenuity have a fairly developed imagination, so reinventing the wheel a second time will not be difficult for them, and a home-made foam generator is no exception. Thus, if you have a need, then, probably, there is a desire to make this device, which requires the following materials: a set of keys (wrenches), a grinder, and, well, directly those elements that are needed for the foam concentrate itself (nozzle, gun, hoses, cylinder, standard compressor).
As a body (tank), you can use the most ordinary oil or gasoline canister (with a volume of at least 15 liters). Of course, a used fire extinguisher can is best suited for these purposes. The fact is that a metal container can withstand the pressure of more powerful atmospheres than plastic. This will create a high density foam. The compressor should be chosen based on the volume of the tank, but it is better to take with a margin of 5-10 liters.
Once you have decided on the tank and compressor, the next step is to connect the tube. Take an inch tube 75 centimeters long. In the middle of the pipe, in a spiral, place a fishing line of different sections so that it forms a wall. After that, it is necessary to close the tube on both sides, at the end of the tube from which foam will come out, a special nozzle with a hole (threaded foam nozzle) is mounted, or an ordinary lawn sprayer nozzle can be used as such a nozzle. On the second side, an adapter is inserted in the shape of the letter T, to which the hoses from the compressor are connected. and detergent containers. To attach the nozzles and they are not torn off under pressure, use mounting glue, I think there are no problems getting it. Also use it to fasten the hoses that will be connected to the nozzle.
Roughly speaking, an elementary foaming agent is ready. Now you can fill in the liquid and turn on the compressor.
A decent foam kit costs 2000 - 2500 rubles, plus add 1000 rubles for a tube, plug and glue, and 500-600 rubles for a compressor. The result of self-collection of a foam concentrate is approximately 4,000 rubles, while the price of a professional device starts at 9,000 rubles. Well, if you have an unnecessary compressor, and a tube, I think there is one in the garage, this device will cost you a penny.
Now, in addition to saving on the purchase of a foam generator, you can save on specialized car washes.
