Sprayer as a foam generator. How to make a foam generator for washing with your own hands: materials, instructions, tips. Improving the device - installing additional parts

The non-contact car wash allows you to quickly and efficiently wash the car without damaging the paintwork. The washing effect is achieved due to car shampoo applied to the car body in the form of foam using special devices.

The frother is not the most affordable part. But you can replace it with a foam generator.

Types of car wash equipment

1.High pressure foam generator. Foaming occurs in two stages: first, when connected to a high-pressure apparatus (120-190 kg / cm²), primary (active) foam is formed, and then, due to the foaming tablet, a stable high expansion foam is obtained at the exit.

2.Low pressure foam generator. Connected to a compressor (6-20 kg / cm²). Foam is also formed in two stages, but of inferior stability and not as abundant as when connected to an AED.

3.Sprayer. Works like a regular garden spray, that is, it sprays a solution of car shampoo. Low expansion foam.

4. Dozatron. The dosing pump is connected through a filter to the water supply network. Does not require compressed air and works without electricity. A low pressure spray gun is used to apply the cleaning solution. There is practically no foam.

The device and principle of operation of the foam generator

The foam generator is a metal tank with a capacity of 20-100 liters with a filler neck at the top, a drain valve at the bottom and two fittings. The inlet connection is connected to the compressor, and a nozzle is connected to the outlet connection for the formation and application of foam. The reservoir is filled two-thirds with detergent solution (10 ml of car shampoo per 1 liter of water) and served compressed air (pressure not less than 6 bar). The resulting foam, through a special filter, enters the outlet fitting and, passing through the nozzle nozzle (foaming agent), is applied to the car body. Pressure control is carried out using a pressure gauge, and the filling of the reservoir is carried out with a water meter.

Advantages and disadvantages of foam generators

The whole washing cycle (preliminary washing off of dirt and dust, applying a layer of foam, finishing the car wash, drying) takes 15-20 minutes.

The absence of contact with the surface of the body during the washing process excludes the appearance of microdamages, stains and cloudiness of the paintwork.

High-quality washing in hard-to-reach places the car body is provided by the fluidity of the foam and the surfactants contained in it.

The formation of a thin protective anti-corrosion film after the foam has been washed off protects the paintwork.

The cost of a low pressure foam generator is measured in tens of thousands of rubles. Sprayers and dispensers are cheaper, but the washing quality is worse. The foam generator (foam kit) is an inexpensive device, but requires connection to a high-pressure machine, the cost of which is from 50 thousand rubles. It is easier and cheaper to make a low pressure foam generator yourself.

Do-it-yourself foam generator from a garden sprayer

For making a homemade foam generator, an old garden sprayer "Quasar" with an inoperative pump or a pump "Beetle" is suitable. The purchase of a new sprayer for subsequent alteration will cost 500-800 rubles.

To supply compressed air, drill a hole at the top of the sprayer body and insert a nipple with a non-return valve. If this option does not suit you, then you can unscrew the existing overpressure relief valve from the body and, by inserting the nipple, connect the hose from the car compressor to it. The quality of the foam depends on the pressure value - the higher the pressure created by the compressor, the better.
We disassemble the spray boom. We fill the adapter tube tightly with fishing line or a metal washcloth for washing dishes to improve foaming at the outlet.
In the intake hose at the top of it, from the side of the sprayer outlet fitting, we make 5-10 punctures for better foaming.
Pour water with added car shampoo in a ratio of 1:50 through the neck in the body, or select the required concentration empirically. The volume of the cleaning solution occupies 70% of the spray capacity. After turning on the compressor, we eliminate possible leaks and evaluate the quality of the foam.

Nuances in the independent manufacture of a foam generator

Making a foam generator with your own hands from improvised means, take into account the power of the existing compressor and the volume of the tank. The ratio of the volume of 20 liters and the pressure of 6 kg / cm² will allow you to wash the car without additional filling of the solution into the tank.

The foam tablet device (foaming agent) determines the quality of the foam. If the stability and multiplicity of the foam is not satisfactory, then they buy a ready-made foam kit or upgrade the design of a homemade foam concentrate.

What to make a foam generator from

The basic part of the foam machine is the reservoir on which the rest of the components are collected. For the manufacture of a foam generator use:

Metal pipe.
Garden sprayer.
Propane tank.
Water heater tank.

How to make a foam generator with your own hands from a water heater (video)

See how an efficient foam generator works and what you need for it

Outcome

Knowing the device and the principle of operation of the foam generator, motorists independently make washing devices. The savings are obvious, but do not forget about common sense. Crafted foam, dry and not washed off in time, damages the paintwork of the car.

The non-contact method of washing cars has a number of advantages, but the main advantage is the absence of the likelihood of damage to the paintwork. The effectiveness of the non-contact washing method is achieved thanks to the car shampoo applied to the body in the form of foam. To transform the gel into foam, special devices are used: foam generators, sprayers and dosatrons. To wash a car with shampoo, it is not necessary to sign up for a car wash, as you can do it at home. To convert shampoo to lather, you need to design a foam generator yourself.

Design features of the foam generator device

Before figuring out how the foam generator is made, you should understand its design and the principle of operation. A foam generator is a metal tank or tank with a capacity of 20 to 100 liters. In the upper part of such a tank there is a filler neck, as well as a drain valve with two fittings. One of the fittings (inlet) is connected to the compressor, and a nozzle is connected to the second (outlet) to create foam and apply it (spray) to the car body.

The reservoir, depending on its volume, is filled with a special detergent solution, the amount of which is 2/3 of the tank capacity. The solution is a mixture of 10 ml of car shampoo with 1 liter of water.

It is interesting! Additional protection of the car body with shampoo is achieved due to the content of wax in it.

After filling the tank with detergent, the compressor is switched on and compressed air is supplied to the tank. To create foam, the air pressure must be at least 6 atmospheres. In the tank, under the influence of compressed air, foam is formed from the shampoo, which enters the outlet fitting through the filter and the sprayer (foaming agent). The sprayer is located in a nozzle through which foam is supplied to the car body. The pressure in the tank is controlled by a pressure gauge, and its filling level is controlled by a special water-measuring tube.

The main purpose of the device is the formation of foam from the working solution.

Thanks to such a device, a person does not need to come into contact with a chemical, and the application of shampoo in the form of a foam helps to better wash off dirt from the car body. In addition, the speed of car wash increases, which takes no more than 15-20 minutes. A number of additional advantages of using a steam generator also include:

Complete absence of physical contact with the body surface. This eliminates the occurrence of damage, stains and turbidity of the paintwork.
Ability to remove dirt in hard-to-reach places.
Additional protection of the paintwork due to the formation of a thin protective anti-corrosion film.

However, of all the advantages, it is also important to highlight the disadvantage that a factory-made steam generator is quite expensive (from 10 thousand rubles, depending on the capacity). Based on this, many home craftsmen resort to the manufacture of low pressure steam generators. This approach allows you to significantly save money, as well as get a high-quality steam generator for home use.

Features of the manufacture of a foam generator for washing

The cost of the cheapest foam generator for washing will cost more than 10 thousand rubles, and with an independent approach to manufacturing the device, you will need no more than 2 thousand rubles. This amount can be even less if the arsenal contains the items necessary for the construction of the device. For such purposes, you will need the main elements presented in the form:

Capacities;
Reinforced hose;
Pressure gauge;
Metal clamps;
Shut-off valve;
Metal tube.

Before proceeding with the manufacture of the foam generator, it is necessary to select the appropriate tank. The main requirement for the tank is the ability to withstand pressure up to 5-6 atmospheres. The second requirement is the volume of the product, which must be within 10 liters. This is the optimal amount to apply the foam to the car body in one go without re-adding the detergent solution. All other products can also be found in the garage or purchased if they are not available.

The scheme of the foam generator for washing has the form shown in the photo below.

The reservoir of the device must withstand pressure up to 6 atmospheres inclusive

Preparation of drawings for the manufacture of the device

Before you start making a homemade foam generator, you need to prepare drawings with sketches. This will not only allow you to understand what you need to get homemade products, but also help you avoid missing the following tasks:

Determination of the sequence of the operation for assembling the product.
Formation of a complete list of required materials and parts.
Preparation of the tool that will be needed for the manufacture of products.

A diagram of a homemade foam generator is shown in the photo below.

For clarity, it is best to sketch on a piece of paper.

Based on such a scheme, you can make a list of the necessary materials, as well as tools for the manufacture of the product. In each case, depending on what the foam generator will be made of, the required consumables will differ. A number of mandatory tools include:

Spanners;
Roulette;
Pliers;
Bulgarian;
Screwdriwer set;

After the sketches are completed, you can start making.

From the "Beetle" sprayer

Surely many have at their disposal an old garden sprayer of the Zhuk brand or its analogues. It can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also for the manufacture of a foam generator for car wash. Let's consider what the manufacturing process itself is. First you need to use the following types of materials:

Capacity. A tank from a garden sprayer "Zhuk" or other brands, for example, "Kvazar" or "Spark", is used as a reservoir.
A pressure gauge designed to measure pressure up to 10 atmospheres.
The valve, which will regulate the supply of foam.
Metal tube with nozzle for the spraying process.
A hose that can withstand pressures up to 8 atmospheres.
Hose adapter.
Clamps.
Automotive nipple with a shut-off valve that conducts compressed air in only one direction.
Two half-inch squeegees or nozzles and 4 nuts with seals.

The spray tank is ideal option for the manufacture of a foam generator tank

The operation of the foam generator is based on a metal mesh or tightly whipped fishing line, with the help of which the cleaning solution will be sprayed. You can purchase a ready-made foam tablet from a specialist store.

A foamy tablet responsible for the consistency of the solution can be purchased at a store or made by yourself

It is important! The capacity of the foam generator must withstand pressure up to 6 atmospheres. The plastic tank should not show signs of deformation or damage.

When working with the device, wear protective clothing and protective equipment. When all the materials are ready, you can start designing the device.

The hand pump must be removed from the sprayer, and then the existing holes must be plugged.
In the upper part of the tank, 2 half-inch squeegees are installed. To secure the girders, nuts are used, which are screwed on from both sides. The tightness of the connection is achieved by using gaskets.

To ensure tightness, it is possible to use sanitary gaskets

A T-shaped adapter is installed in the air supply nozzle. A pressure gauge is attached to it, as well as a shut-off valve.
Inside the tank to the squeegee is attached steel pipe by screwing onto the threaded connection. From this pipe, air will be supplied to the bottom of the tank, thereby foaming the liquid.
Foam will be supplied from the second nozzle. A tap is installed on the nozzle, as well as a foam tablet. The hose is connected to the nozzle on one side, and to the metal tube on the other. A nozzle or spray is connected to the metal tube, after which the device is ready for use.

The resulting design is very similar to the factory one.

To be able to regulate the pressure in the tank, it is necessary to install a special air injection control valve. This valve will relieve excess pressure in the tank.

It is possible to simplify the manufacture of the foam generator by using a hose with a spray, which is completed with a sprayer. To do this, the sprayer needs to be slightly modified:

Make a small hole in the shampoo intake hose. This hole is made just below the top, and its purpose is to mix air with the shampoo.

A hole made in the tube is necessary for additional air supply

The second type of modernization involves the production of a foam tablet from a metal dishwashing brush. This brush is located inside the adapter tube. Instead of a brush, you can install a foam tablet or a ball of fishing line.

Using a kitchen dishwashing brush as a foam tablet can save you money

To supply compressed air to the tank, you need to drill a hole in the sprayer housing and install a nipple in it. Connect a hose from the compressor to the nipple, after which one part of the compressed air supply is ready.

After that, we get a simplified version of the foam generator with our own hands, which will serve for a long time and efficiently.

From a fire extinguisher: step by step instructions

Consider what the process of making a foam generator from a fire extinguisher is. To do this, you need to use an old five-liter fire extinguisher with a gas generator. This volume is enough to wash the car from one filling of detergent.

The body of the fire extinguisher is a priori designed for high pressure, therefore it will be an excellent option for making a foam generator

A fire extinguisher with a gas generator is an almost finished foam generator that requires minor modifications. In addition to the cylinder, the following materials will be needed to build a foam generator from a fire extinguisher:

Valve for tubeless wheels.
Dishwashing brushes.
Fine mesh mesh.
The hose that will be used to connect the canister to the foam spray gun.
Hose clamps for secure hose fixation.
A sealant that can be used to seal threaded connections.

Of the necessary tool you only need a drill and a hacksaw for metal. After that, you can start working:

Initially, the fire extinguisher locking and starting device is unscrewed. In the lower part on the cover there is a tube with a gas generator. The gasifier is a small canister for compressed air.
The locking and starting mechanism is disassembled. The tube and the cylinder are unscrewed together with the couplings.

The locking-trigger mechanism is disassembled, and the tube and cylinder are unscrewed

The gas generator must be sawn into two parts, for which a metal blade is used. The upper part of the gas generator must be at least 4 cm long. This will be our foaming tablet in what follows.

The top of the gas generating device must be at least 4 cm in length

The lower part of the gas generator is retracted to the side. We start making a tablet, for which a round mesh is cut out along the diameter of the gas generator. It is located inside this balloon.

As in the previous case, we will use dishwashing brushes to create a foaming tablet.

The cylinder also contains metal brushes, which are designed for washing dishes.
To prevent the washcloths from falling out, another fixing mesh is installed. The mesh diameter must be larger than the balloon size for tight fixation.
A hole is drilled in the sleeve where the bottle neck is screwed in, which is necessary to improve the foam permeability. Drilling is carried out until the diameter is at least 7 mm.
After that, a homemade foam tablet is screwed into the hole. To seal the hole, the threads must be coated with sealant.
In the next step, a hole is drilled in the body of the fire extinguisher, where the tube sleeve will be screwed. A fitting will be installed in this hole, so it must be of the appropriate size. The optimum size is 10 mm.
The valve is installed and the tube coupling is immediately screwed in. This valve will be used to pump compressed air into the cylinder from under the fire extinguisher.
A tube is put on the coupling, after which the air supply line to the cylinder is considered ready.
A foam tablet is screwed into the second hole of the lid, after which you can start preparing the gun.
The old hose is disconnected from the fitting, after which it is screwed into the locking and trigger mechanism from the pistol.
The parts are connected to a new hose, and connected to the shut-off device.
Hose connections must be secured with clamps.

The fire extinguisher device is reliable and has a much longer service life.

The device is ready-to-use and handles or holders can be welded to the cylinder to facilitate transport. The device is ready, so you can start testing it. Pour 2 liters of water into a container, then add shampoo. The ratio of shampoo to water can be found on the chemical packaging. The pressure in the cylinder should not exceed 6 atmospheres. If the pressure is lower, then pumping will be needed while washing the car.

It is interesting! Even if a compressor is not available, air can be pumped in with an ordinary hand or foot pump.

From a plastic canister

If there is an old plastic canister in the garage, then a foam generator can also be made from it. The advantage of using a canister is the simplicity of manufacturing the device, as well as minimal costs. From tools and materials you will need:

Compressor;
Plastic canister;
Bulgarian;
Flushing tubes;
Pistol;
A set of keys.

The principle of making a foam generator from a plastic canister is to perform the following manipulations:

The 70 cm long tube is filled with line or metal brush.
At the edges, the tube is fixed with special plugs using threaded connections.
One of the plugs has a T-shaped adapter.
A fitting is installed on the second plug.
Hoses and taps are attached to the T-shaped adapter on both sides, through which the water supply will be shut off.
On the one hand, the compressor will be connected, and on the other hand, the foamy liquid from the tank will be supplied.
It remains to put on a pistol and use a homemade device.

Canister foam does not require a huge investment of time and money and is known for its ease of execution

Schematically, the design of the foam generator will be as shown in the photo below.

General scheme homemade device from a canister

From a gas cylinder

A metal barrel of a cylinder is an excellent option for making a tank. Its advantage lies in the thickness of the cylinder walls, which are able to withstand high pressures. As in previous cases, you first need to prepare drawings. After that collect all necessary materials and tools, and only then start work.

Foam check valve drawing

A check valve with a pressure gauge will be used to supply air. The drawing of a homemade foam tablet is as follows.

We will use fluoroplastic as a material

You will also need to make a foam spray nozzle. This nozzle will slide over the hose through which the foam is delivered. The scheme for making a spray nozzle is as follows.

From the materials, you will need the details that are shown in the photo below.

Necessary consumables for the manufacture of the device

The manufacture of a foam generator for washing is carried out from a cylinder with a capacity of 5 liters. You can use a larger cylinder, but this is just not necessary.

Once everything is ready for work, you can start:

Initially, the handle is dismantled from the cylinder and 2 holes are drilled.
After that, using welding machine a fitting with a 1/2 ″ thread is welded into which the tap will be screwed.
A tube is welded to supply air to the cylinder. It should hit the bottom. After welding, a check valve will be screwed onto the tube. Several holes must be made in the tube in a circle with a diameter of 3 mm.

To supply air to the cylinder, we weld the tube

After that, the handle is welded into place to the cylinder.
We start assembling the check valve. To do this, you need to make a membrane from a thin elastic band. We also drill 4 holes with a diameter of 1.5 mm. Appearance the membrane is shown in the photo below.

4 small holes are drilled around the center in the membrane

The resulting check valve must be screwed onto the tube, and a pressure gauge with a "daddy" quick release must be installed.

The check valve is screwed onto the tube

Now you need to make a device for removing the foam. For this, a tap is fixed to the fitting.

We use a tap to remove the foam

A tablet is fixed to the tap, which can be made of stainless steel.

A hose with a diameter of 14 mm is put on the brush. Let's start making the attachment. This will require a fluoroplastic, as shown below.

Nozzle material - fluoroplastic

The filler neck is made from a standard cylinder check valve. For this, the valve is drilled out and a thread M22x2 is cut in it. The plug is made of fluoroplastic.

After that, you can pour 4 liters of water into the bottle, as well as 70 g of shampoo. At this point, the process of making a foam generator from a cylinder is considered complete, and you can start testing it.

Device upgrade

Refinements include improved performance of the nozzle. The disadvantage of standard nozzles is that the water is supplied under low pressure, therefore, full mixing is not observed. Consider two ways to modify factory foam generators.

Replacing the injector

To upgrade, you will need to use a screw nut. You can find it in the computer system unit. This is a product that fixes the motherboard. The advantage of the screw nut is that it is made of soft materials, so it is not difficult to drill a hole in it. To do this, you need to take a drill with a diameter of 1 mm. A hole is made in the middle of the nut. A cut is made from the end part so that it can be tightened with a screwdriver. The resulting device should be screwed into the nozzle.

Now you need to take a similar type of nut a little bigger size. A hole with a diameter of 2 mm is drilled in it. From the side that will be turned towards the nozzle, the nozzle is installed. For this, a rod is taken from a gel pen, from which a part with a length of at least 30 mm is cut. A hole with a diameter of 4.6 mm is made on the nozzle in the upper part. Everything is connected with a sealant. You can start testing.

Modernization of nozzles with meshes

The mesh in the nozzle acts as a water divider and a foam former. The disadvantage of nets is their rapid wear. To modify the product, you will need to use the carburetor nozzle from any car. You will also need a mesh made of stainless material.

The nozzle must be positioned instead of the standard nozzle, paying attention to size. If necessary, drill a hole to accommodate the nozzle. You need to make a new one according to the standard grid template. The new mesh should have a mesh diameter of no more than 2 mm. After that, the product can be installed in place of the standard one and tested in action.

Summing up, it should be noted that it is not difficult to build a foam generator for washing a car. All parts and tools are available in every garage, so if such a need arises, you need to take and do. The material contains indicative samples, so in each individual case you can use your ideas.

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Foam nozzle, foam kit, injector, and in some cases even a foam generator …

As soon as they do not call it a small, but at the same time very important device used for non-contact washing of cars. And in order not to be confused with the definitions, let's name these devices here in the same way as the title of the article - foam nozzles.

In addition, you must immediately clarify that in this material we will focus exclusively on professional devices, i.e. foam lances for household car washes will not be considered. The fact is that most household foam nozzles, to put it mildly, are far from ideal, and their design and performance do not allow achieving the required results when foaming. In other words, the use of unprofessional (household) foam nozzles, at a minimum, can lead to increased consumption of car shampoo and poor washing quality.

The principle of operation of any foam nozzle is based on the ejection effect. If you do not delve into physics and, in particular, the laws of hydrodynamics, then we can say that the essence of the ejection effect is the transfer of energy from one medium moving at high speed to another. According to Bernoulli's law (the great physicist and mathematician Daniel Bernoulli - Wikipedia link), the flow of water inside the foam nozzle creates a reduced pressure of one medium in a narrowing section, which causes another medium to "suck" into it (washing solution from the cylinder), which is then transferred and removed from the place of absorption by the energy of the first medium.

To ensure maximum washing effect, it is not enough to apply the washing mixture in liquid form to the surface of the car, because, frankly, this could have been done without resorting to a foam nozzle. However, practical experience shows that much better result can be achieved by applying the detergent in the form of a foam. To transfer the car shampoo from a liquid state to a foam, a special insert is provided in the design of the foam nozzle, popularly called a "tablet". It is a small cylinder (diameter about 10 mm, height ~ 7 mm) of a thin pressed stainless steel wire. Moreover, between its fibers there are so-called "pores", passing through which the washing solution is converted from liquid to foam. Just in the same foam that is applied to the car and provides a high-quality contactless body wash.

Fig. 1 foam tablet

The design of the foam nozzle also provides a mechanical regulator of the flow of detergent - valve. Its function is to increase or decrease the nominal diameter of the water flow through the foam nozzle. If we go back a little and remember the great physicist Bernoulli, due to whose law our device works, we can understand how exactly a change in the nominal bore diameter affects the consumption of autochemistry. With a minimum flow diameter (fully turned valve), the water flow rate is maximum, with a maximum (fully turned off valve) - minimum. According to Bernoulli’s law, the higher the flow rate, the more liquid from another medium this flow can follow. As a result, we find that at different positions of the control valve, the consumption of the detergent is different: the valve is twisted - the consumption of auto chemicals is large, the valve is unscrewed - the consumption is small. Thus, this simple device, with skillful use, allows you to flexibly adjust the composition of the applied solution, thereby achieving significant savings in detergent.

Last but not least !!! what is worth mentioning when speaking about the design of the foam nozzles is the foam jet adjustment unit. It consists of two stainless steel plates located inside a cylindrical hollow body (jet regulator). When this knob is rotated, the plates are either reduced or parted, which directly affects the shape cross section jets of foam, which at the same time changes from a round spot of small diameter to a narrow strip that immediately covers a significant part of the surface of the car body. As practice shows, most washers prefer the latter option, since it allows you to apply the detergent composition more evenly, more economically and much faster.

Foam nozzles , like any other equipment, require careful attitude and, at least occasionally, - maintenance.

The main points that should be paid attention to during operation and maintenance:

Foamy "pill" is used to clogged with dirt, impurities and other debris, which one way or another may be present in the water. To increase the life of the “tablet”, be careful about cleaning / replacing the water filters, as well as the cleanliness of the detergent solution. It is also necessary to avoid getting dirt on the connecting surfaces of the foam lance and the high pressure washer.
It should be remembered that the use of a foam nozzle as a spray of liquid wax significantly reduces the resource of the foam "tablet". Wax clogs her pores like nothing else. Foaming properties drop sharply and, as a result, the performance of the packing deteriorates.
Periodic complete disassembly with cleaning of parts, channels and valve will not damage the device. The ingress of sand grains of dirt into the control valve causes an increased consumption of detergents, which can be avoided by simple preventive cleaning.
Disassemble and assemble the fixture very carefully. Most parts of the foam nozzle are made of brass and therefore the likelihood of damage to the device due to inaccurate maintenance is quite high.

In conclusion, we give some classification of professional foam nozzles.

Their main difference in the mating elements is the trigger-nozzle. Each manufacturer of car wash equipment prefers to use their own docking parts, whether it be quick-detachable joints of various configurations, a nut, a fitting or a rotary wedge-locking mechanism.

Fig. 2 Classification of foam lances by type of docking station

	Name	Connection
	Foam nozzle for household Karcher	Quick Connector 90 °
	Foam nozzle for prof. Karcher
	Foam lance for Comet, Kranzle, Portotecnica.
	Foam nozzle with KW nipple for Alto, Wap (long nipple)	KW quick coupling
	Foam nozzle LS3 with PA nipple (short nipple)	PA quick-release couplings, car wash equipment, and car care products. For all questions, please contact by phone and e-mail specified in the section.

At modern car washes, one of the most popular and high-quality types of services is a non-contact sink. This method will allow not only to quickly clean the car of dust and dirt, but also save the paintwork of the car, without leaving chips and scratches on it. The same "bath" for his iron horse can be arranged at home. To do this, you need a foam lance. With their own hands to make it or purchase it in a store - minus everyone’s personal business. Buying, of course, is easier, but making it yourself will cost less, although it will require certain skills.

Contactless sink

The washing effect of this type of washing is achieved due to a special car shampoo, which is applied using special devices & minus - these are foam nozzles. The process itself looks like this:

How the foam generator works

The principle of contactless washing is very simple - minus the more foam, the cleaner the car. To get a good result, you will need a foam generator. This is a special bottle or other container with a volume of 20-100 liters, into which a car shampoo or a special reagent diluted with water is poured. At least 60 bar pressure is applied to the vessel using a compressor — this is enough to eject the mixture through a special hose-gun.

The foam generator nozzle can have several nozzles (up to 4 pieces), which allows you to increase the amount of active foam. Such appliances are commonly used in industrial sinks where it is necessary to wash. a large number of machines in a short time. At home, a sprayer cylinder is usually altered for a foam generator, and instead of a compressor, manual air injection is used. It turns out such a homely "Karcher". Foam tablet, nozzle, car shampoo & minus - and your car shines clean!

The device and principle of operation of the foam nozzle

Now let's talk about what a good foam device is. A special foam nozzle with your own hands & minus is a rather troublesome, time-consuming business and most likely will require special skills. Honestly, it's easier to buy ready-made, well, if not all, then at least some parts. The kit includes:

Video: How to modify a foam nozzle or foam set

The foam sprayer has special regulators:

The first & minus is a wing-type, located on top of the device. It is a special micrometric screw with a nozzle for adjusting the nozzle opening and is used to regulate the supply of car shampoo to the mixing chamber.
The second minus cylindrical is located in front and represents special "legs" of the duck beak type, which opens at an angle of up to 40. This allows you to turn the usual stream of mixture into a vertical fan and increase the spray area.

Another very important element of the spray gun & minus is the foam tablet. It is very easy to make it with your own hands, and this is important. Tablet & minus is consumable, which requires periodic replacement, especially if the device is used incorrectly.

Foam tips: causes of breakage

In order for the device to work properly, you need to follow a few simple rules:

do not throw the foam nozzle on the ground, this can cause clogging of the tablet or the nozzle of the solution;
do not throw the device on hard surfaces, as the nozzle has many plastic parts that can crack;
rinse the foam lance after using it;
do not leave the prepared solution in the nozzle tank; it is better to pour it into a separate container and hide it away from children.

What is a foam tablet? Why does she fail?

One of the main parts of the device is a tablet for a foam nozzle. It is she who is responsible for the quality of the foam and its quantity. Failure of this element can completely paralyze the operation of the sink.
The cause of the breakdown may be the following:

the foam tablet has worn out due to frequent use of the device;
the mesh is clogged with sand or mud, as the appliance is often thrown to the ground;
the remains of the washing solution have dried inside the tablet, since the device has not been washed after previous use;

On large commercial washes, the mesh changes quite often & minus - once every 2-3 months, and at home one tablet is enough for several years, of course, provided it is used correctly.

How to make a pill yourself

What to do if a faulty mesh became the cause of the breakdown, and the car needs to be washed urgently, and you don't want to spend money. There is only one way out - to make such a device, a foam tablet, with your own hands, especially since it is very simple to do. The fact is that this thing is called a tablet only because of its shape, but in fact it is a small cylinder of pressed wire. Therefore, making a foam tablet with your own hands is very simple. To do this, you need to take an ordinary metal washcloth for washing dishes and compress it into a tight lump.

In order to give the tablet the desired shape, you can take the usual plastic bottle and crop it like a funnel. Place it on the table and stuff the neck tightly with a metal net for dishes. Leave the mesh in the neck of the bottle for a while to fix the shape well, then gently squeeze it out. That's all & minus - a do-it-yourself foam tablet is ready.

Changing the mesh step by step

It remains only to replace the foam element. In order to change the tablet, it is not necessary to completely disassemble the blowing agent. You need to do it like this:

on one of the plastic parts there is a pin & minus - we take it out with a thin drill or slotted screwdriver;
remove the plastic casing of the jet regulator;
now take out the guide block & minus- "duck";
with a wrench the right size unscrew the foam mesh holder;
using a screwdriver or drill, push the foam mesh out of the holder body;
we press in a new tablet;
tighten the foam tablet holder again, not forgetting to apply a layer of sealant to the threaded joint;
then all actions are performed in the reverse order: insert the "duck", return the cover and the pin to their place.

That's all, the blowing agent is ready to go again.

Video: Easy Foam Lance Repair, Bottle Replacement # 1

How to rinse the foam lance

In order for the foam mesh to serve you longer, you must rinse the foam concentrate after each use. You need to do this like this:

Carry out this procedure after each use of the sink, otherwise the foam tablet may become clogged. Leftovers washing foam can clog the jet or the mesh tablet itself, be compressed inside and block the foam outlet. If this happens, you can try to fix the mesh. To do this, remove it and soak it in kerosene for a while, and then try to clean it mechanically with a knitting needle or thick needle. If the above manipulations did not bring the desired result, then the foam tablet will have to be replaced.

Attention, only TODAY!

Every car owner must call in a car wash. Water procedures help keep the vehicle clean, and special products that are applied during washing create an additional barrier to dirt and protect the bodywork. For high-quality cleaning, a thick active foam is used, obtained by foaming in a special device. Some motorists use their own foam generators when washing.

Benefits of using a foam generator for car washing

The foam generator is sold in a shop that sells equipment for professional car wash. The price of the purchased foam generator is from 10 thousand. And if you take a branded device, you will have to pay twice as much. Not everyone can afford such costs. Therefore, below is a small instruction on how to make a foam generator yourself and spend only 500 to 2 thousand rubles on its manufacture. In addition to saving money, the owner of a homemade generator receives the following benefits:

time saving - washing with the active foam of the car is faster, about 10-15 minutes;
detergent is consumed more efficiently and more economically;
active foam eliminates the use of sponges, which helps protect the paintwork from mechanical stress;
the foam generator allows you to thoroughly wash hard to reach places.

Do-it-yourself assembly: schematic drawing and manufacturing instructions

To understand the principle of the foam generator, below is a diagram. Water is poured into the container and the detergent concentrate is added. Air from the compressor is supplied through a shut-off valve. To control the pressure in the container, a pressure gauge must be used. The output is a mixture of water and detergent. It passes through a foam tablet, which produces a dense active foam.

A simple and clear diagram of the foam generator helps to understand the principle of the device

What will be needed for assembly

To make a generator yourself, you will need:

Capacity.
Pressure gauge.
1 shut-off valve (it only allows air to pass in one direction).
1 tap (they regulate the supply of finished foam).
Metal tube.
Reinforced hoses that can withstand a pressure of 6-8 atmospheres.
Metal clamps for reliable connection of hoses and fittings.
Foam tablet.

First of all, you need to determine the capacity. The main requirement is the ability to withstand pressure of 5-6 atmospheres. If it is possible to carry out welding work, then a receiver from a truck or an old compressor can be used for the generator. Weld 2 1/2 inch fittings and a filler neck onto the body from above. The optimal volume is 20–30 liters, which is enough for personal use.

If an old water heater is lying around in a garage or shed, then it can be used to create a foam generator. In this case, no welding work is necessary.

How to make a foam generator without welding: video

will not be needed. How to do it, watch the video: https://youtu.be/yF8xmbzRuBw

Homemade unit from an old sprayer

In the economy of each summer resident, there is always an old sprayer, which is a pity to throw away. With a small upgrade and using the drawing attached above, it can be easily converted into a foam generator. Getting started:

Remember that the sprayer body can withstand 4-5 atmospheres pressure. Do not overdo it, control the pressure on the pressure gauge.

We buy a foam tablet in a store or make it ourselves. The main element of the tablet is a metal mesh. It is easy to make from a regular metal dish brush. It is sold at any hardware store.

Using a Homemade Device: Highlights

Pour water through the neck by ⅔ of the total volume of the container and add the detergent concentrate in the amount indicated on the package. Usually it is 10-20 g per 1 liter of water. Securely close the neck and outlet tap. We supply compressed air from the compressor to the inlet. Be sure to monitor the pressure on the arrow of the pressure gauge.

At the outlet, we connect a hose with an irrigation nozzle. We open the tap gradually. We direct the hose to the car and apply the foam. Density can be regulated by a garden nozzle for watering.

Thick active foam quickly corrodes dirt and removes it from the surface without a washcloth

The foamed car should stand for 10-15 minutes. Active foam flows down with the dirt. Then it is enough to wash off the foam with plain water and wipe the surface of the car.

As you can see, it is not difficult to assemble a foam generator with your own hands. No special skills or abilities are required. It will cost 10-15 times cheaper than purchased. The quality of the sink will increase several times, and the savings in time and detergent are noticeable. Remember that the eyes are afraid, but the hands are doing. Good luck

The safest for car body paintwork is a non-contact washing method using a foam generator (we also call it foam). The essence of this method is to apply a chemical detergent to the surface of the body in the form of finely dispersed foam. After application, it softens the dirt and dust, then it remains to rinse everything with a stream of water. with a paint-and-lacquer coating (rag, brush, etc.) excludes damage to the surface layers of the varnish, that is, the formation of the so-called "cobweb" is completely excluded. Therefore, this method of car washing is now a higher priority and advanced.

The efficiency of washing is in many respects - the higher its density, the better the cleaning properties, the lower the consumption of water and chemicals. And the foam is given just by the foam generator. Therefore, the main task of the foam generator is to obtain finely dispersed dense foam, as well as its uniform distribution over the surface of the car body.

Structurally, the foam generator is very similar to a conventional garden sprayer, circuit diagram they have almost the same. But there is one significant nuance - foam is an equipment operating under high pressure.

The main components of this equipment are:

Cylinder (the volume is different - from 25 to 100 liters).
Mixer.
Pistol.
Connecting hose.

Large-sized equipment, with a large-capacity cylinder, can be installed on a transport trolley to ensure easy movement.

Since the equipment operates under high pressure, cylinders are made of stainless steel or ordinary steel, but with the obligatory coating with anti-corrosion agents. In some factory models, a measuring ruler is installed on the cylinder, which allows you to control the flow and timely refuel.

Penogen cannot work independently, since compressed air is required. For this, a compressor connection is provided on the cylinder. Typically, the operating pressure for a foam generator is 5-6 bar. To control the pressure, a pressure gauge is installed on the container, the pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulator available in the design.

Foam tablet

The main element of the mixer is the so-called foaming tablet. In reality, it is a fine mesh, folded in several layers and made of corrosion-resistant wire. It is installed in a housing mounted on a cylinder. And it is to him that the feed hose is connected. This tablet provides a breakdown of the primary foam that is fed to it into a finely divided fine fraction.

The principle of the foam generator

Do-it-yourself foam generator

The principle of the foam is very simple:

The washer refills the bottle with a solution of water and a foaming agent (detergent). Then the neck closes tightly, which ensures the tightness of the container.
A compressor is connected and air is pumped to the required pressure.
When the pistol valve is opened, the air begins to squeeze out the solution through the nozzle, where the primary foaming occurs.
Moving at high speed, the foamed solution strikes the grid of the foaming tablet and, passing it, is divided, which is accompanied by the formation of a fine foam.
The finished foam is fed to the gun and then through this nozzle to the surface of the body.
If necessary, the washer can adjust the feed on the gun (make the spray front wider, increase the speed of the jet).

It is noteworthy that another equipment for contactless washing works approximately according to this principle - a sprayer. But unlike the foam generator, an emulsion is formed at the outlet of the gun, in which the washing effect is lower than that of the foam.

The difference between them comes down to the different spray guns used. An emulsion is a slightly different state of a liquid than a foam, so a nozzle with an enlarged opening is needed to spray it. In addition, the sprayer cannot adjust the emulsion supply parameters, that is, there are no adjustment elements on the gun. These nuances will help you easily distinguish the foam generator from the spray.

The main advantages of the foam generator are:

economical consumption of detergent;
the foam obtained at the exit has an excellent washing function;
the ability to adjust the flow of the jet;

The main disadvantages of this equipment are two - large dimensions and the need to connect a compressor. Of these qualities, the foam generator is considered equipment for not very suitable for home use.

Foam kit as a type of foam generator

In garage conditions, it is better to use a foam set - a variation of equipment for contactless car washing.

A gun with a sink attachment. Connects through a hose to a high pressure washer

This equipment works a little differently. It also has a capacity, but it is much smaller in volume than that of a foam generator - only 1 liter. It also includes a foaming agent, which immediately plays the role of a gun for application. But unlike foam, the foam kit does not work from the compressor, it is a nozzle for high pressure washers.

A container with a foaming agent, otherwise called a foam nozzle for contactless washing

The foam kit works like this:

It fits over the pressure washer water hose.
After turning on the sink in operation, high pressure water is supplied to the foaming agent, and from there to a container filled with detergent, where primary foaming occurs.
The resulting water in the container is squeezed by the flowing 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 bell to the surface of the body.

For the convenience of work, extension cords (spears) of different lengths can be connected to the foam concentrate in order to ensure the application of foam 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 foam concentrate.

Video: DIY foam nozzle

The foam kit is different:

small overall dimensions;
good quality foam obtained at the exit;
ease of refueling (no water is required to create a solution);

But without a high pressure washer, the foam set cannot work.

Due to the powerful jet received at the outlet, the detergent consumption of such equipment is slightly higher than that of the foam. In general, this is a perfectly acceptable option for contactless car wash at home. And the foam kit is much cheaper than the foam generator.

Video: Do-it-yourself foam generator for $ 2

Do-it-yourself foam generator

Foam generator assembly

Considering the design of both types of equipment, you will notice that their main component is a foaming tablet, which can be bought separately. So it is quite possible to make a homemade foam generator.

The easiest way to make foam is to take a regular garden sprayer as a base and redesign it a bit. At the beginning it was mentioned that structurally the foam generator and the sprayer are similar, and this fact is often used when creating a homemade foam generator.

Foam tablet assembly

sprayer (the volume may be different);
two ½ inch drives and nuts for them;
check valve;
air fitting;
foaming tablet and adapter for it;
metal tube.

Having all this, you can proceed with the alteration:

Cut off the pressure relief valve and the hose connection from the sprayer.
We insert the shafts into the holes obtained and fix them with nuts on both sides and using gaskets.
On one of the squeegees, we install a tube (so that it almost reaches the bottom of the container), a check valve and an air fitting.
On the second squeeze through the adapter we wind the foaming tablet.
The hand pump for pumping the pressure of the sprayer must be completely shut off, since it is not needed, and will only serve as a tank cap.

Video: Do-it-yourself foam generator

It remains only to connect the hose to the tablet outlet, on the other end of which to put on a garden spray gun. On this, the product can be considered finished.

Working with him is not as convenient as with factory equipment, but it is quite acceptable. To wash your car you need:

fill the container with detergent solution (2/3);
connect the compressor and pump air into the tank (it is important to monitor the pressure and not exceed the permissible norms);
after opening the valve of the atomizer, the air will squeeze out the solution, push it through the tablet, and at the exit from the gun we will get foam of quite acceptable quality;

Hello dear friends! Today we have a very interesting topic. Especially for those who prefer to wash the car with their own hands or think that the current prices are too high for a car wash. That is, it is going to move from professional to manual washes. Therefore, the topic of our conversation is a foam generator.

But not GPSS, which is used to extinguish fires by feeding foam. And not generators for foam concrete. While some might be interested in renting them, it’s not about them.

We are talking about a special high-pressure device that is used for. Such a garden tool that allows you to wash your own car in the territory of a private house or even in the courtyard of a high-rise building (who are not afraid of neighbors or other threats).

Of course, the job can be done with a conventional low pressure sprayer. However, a high quality result cannot be obtained from a sprayer. But the penniks create a uniform and finely divided foam. Due to it, a wonderful effect is achieved. I use it myself, because I know what I'm talking about.

Features of the device

It doesn't matter if you buy an Italian foam generator or order from China, structurally they all look about the same.

The structure includes:

pistol;
mixer;
balloon.

A special nozzle, as well as a foaming tablet, provides this mixture under high pressure. As a result, the machine quickly becomes coated with a layer that cleans dirt.

Such washing cannot be called completely non-contact. If you need a result, you will also have to work with sponges or brushes.

An important characteristic, on which the work and the best indicator of efficiency depend, is the volume of the tank. Usually they are made for 25-100 liters. The compressed air supplied from the cylinder must have a pressure of 5-6 bar. At the exit, the manual foam generator has a special regulator. It allows you to control the pressure due to the built-in pressure gauge.

Sprayer or generator?

This is where a very important point arises. If you need a mini-washer, I advise you to choose a foam generator. Although many sellers offer to buy a spray for car wash. Some even give the usual sprayer for a supposedly high-performance foam generator.

In some cases, a universal sprayer can perform well. But it is inferior to penny because it is not able to create the same resistant foam. At the exit, you get a conventional emulsion, the efficiency of which is much lower.

Therefore, I will teach you how to distinguish sprayers from generators.

the sprayer scheme does not provide for a regulator to control the quality of the mixture;
at the sprayer, the nozzle at the outlet has a larger diameter than the pennik.

These distinguishing characteristics are enough to make the right purchase.

Speaking specifically about manufacturers, you should pay attention to the following brands:

Karcher;
Monsoon;
Calm (Stihl);
Huter
Bosch
Elitech;
Procar;
Idrobase;
Interskol;
Champion;
Patriot.

Go to Aliexpress, read reviews, explore different stores. The Internet works 24 hours a day, so information about a particular model can always be found.

How does a foam generator work?

Now we will study the principle of operation of such a device. And what is he like? The work is carried out on the basis of fairly clear processes.

In short, due to compressed air, a special shampoo passes through the foaming agent and a finished product is obtained, that is, foam. Conditionally, the education process is divided into two stages.

Primary foam. A jet of water under high pressure exits through the nozzle and mixes with shampoo. In parallel, air is added to the mixture, supplied through special holes. But such a foam does not have the necessary characteristics, therefore it will not be suitable for washing the machine.
Finished foam. The so-called pill plays the main role here. The mixture we got in the first step passes through the tablet at high speed. This is a small device that provides the creation of foam mass with the desired characteristics. The foaming tablet is made from corrosion-resistant wire. They have different cell sizes. It is important to obtain high expansion foam. This directly affects the quality of the car wash.

At the exit, we get a stream of foam, which is easily applied with a hose to the car, and then washed off with water.

Advantages and disadvantages

Such a low pressure washer has important advantages:

component liquids are converted into foam without loss;
at the exit a stable mixture with excellent detergent properties is created;
foam consumption and parameters can be adjusted;
one charge of a 50 liter cylinder allows you to wash from 10 to 15 cars.

But there are also a couple of downsides:

you will have to constantly refill the cylinder with compressed air;
need to install a compressor.

Having available good washby using a special adapter, you can combine them into a common device. Perfect solution for those who have already acquired a sink and want to increase the efficiency of their equipment for washing the car.

Someone even creates a makeshift apparatus from a fire extinguisher or other improvised means. There are even a number of special videos where everything is clearly shown. But I would not recommend doing such things. If you want a device for feeding foam and a really high-quality car wash, do not spare money and buy yourself even a Chinese, but a good generator.

But revision is another question. When buying a household or professional penny, many note that some parts are not efficient enough.

A little bit about refinement

How can I make my foam maker even better? Here we are talking about improving productivity, that is, increasing the amount of foam created.

No complicated repairs are required. And you don't have to open the generator drawing. The essence of the refinement is to make the nozzle work better.

I note that many foams have problems with mixing components due to the imperfection of the standard nozzle. Water is supplied under low pressure, because although the shampoo enters the mixture, it does not fully mix. There are models with a too narrow hole through which shampoo is fed. Water simply does not allow the detergent to push through there.

There are two methods by which you can improve the lack of factory pennies.

The cost of such a revision can be zero if the necessary materials are available.

About shampoos

Where to buy shampoos? In any automotive chemistry store. But it is very important to understand how to use special chemistry.

Cities such as Moscow, Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg and many others offer a huge range of special active foam. To be more precise, the concentrate is being sold.

Try to choose quality mixes that are popular. Never use concentrates with a pH value of more than 12. More aggressive mixtures can corrode paintwork, chrome parts, rubber seals, etc.

It is also impossible that the shampoo contains a component called sodium hydroxide or just caustic soda. It is abused by manufacturers because it effectively destroys dirt and is cheap. But at the same time, it causes enormous damage to the paintwork.

Shampoo is used according to the manufacturer's manual. Usually, 1 liter of water goes up to 20 grams of the product. But the figures may vary. Look at the label.

Of course, in the photo, the sellers of generators demonstrate just the miraculous effect of contactless washing. But in practice, it takes more time and effort. If you like to wash the car with your own hands, then the presence of a foam generator will greatly simplify the task, when compared with the standard set of a bucket of water, sponges and car shampoo.

Write your opinion on the foam generators. It will be interesting to discuss them with you. For those who, for some reason, do not want to have their own foam generator and sink, we advise you to ride on. Information about it has already been posted on the site.

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At modern car washes, one of the most popular and high-quality types of services is a non-contact sink. This method will allow not only to quickly clean the car of dust and dirt, but also save the paintwork of the car, without leaving chips and scratches on it. The same "bath" for his iron horse can be arranged at home. To do this, you need a foam lance. Making it with your own hands or purchasing it in a store is everyone's personal business. Buying, of course, is easier, but making it yourself will cost less, although it will require certain skills.

Contactless sink

The washing effect of this type of washing is achieved through a special car shampoo, which is applied using special devices - these are the foam nozzles. The process itself looks like this:

How the foam generator works

The principle of contactless washing is very simple - the more foam, the cleaner the car. To get a good result, you will need a foam generator. This is a special bottle or other container with a volume of 20-100 liters, into which a car shampoo or a special reagent diluted with water is poured. At least 60 bar pressure is supplied to the vessel with the help of a compressor - this is enough to discharge the mixture through a special hose-gun.

The foam generator nozzle can have several nozzles (up to 4 pieces), which allows you to increase the amount of active foam. Such devices are usually used in industrial washes, where a large number of cars need to be washed in a short time. At home, a sprayer cylinder is usually altered for a foam generator, and instead of a compressor, manual air injection is used. It turns out such a homely "Karcher". Foam pill, nozzle, car shampoo - and your car shines clean!

The device and principle of operation of the foam nozzle

Now let's talk about what a good foam device is. A special foam nozzle with your own hands is a rather troublesome, time-consuming business and most likely will require special skills. Honestly, it's easier to buy ready-made, well, if not all, then at least some parts. The kit includes:

The foam sprayer has special regulators:

The first one is a winged one, located on top of the device. It is a special micrometric screw with a nozzle for adjusting the nozzle opening and is used to regulate the supply of car shampoo to the mixing chamber.
The second is cylindrical, located in front and represents special "legs" of the duck beak type, which opens at an angle of up to 40 °. This allows you to turn the usual stream of mixture into a vertical fan and increase the spray area.

Another very important element of the spray gun is the foam tablet. It is very easy to make it with your own hands, and this is important. The tablet is a consumable material that requires periodic replacement, especially if the device is used incorrectly.

Foam tips: causes of breakage

In order for the device to work properly, you need to follow a few simple rules:

do not throw the foam nozzle on the ground, this can cause clogging of the tablet or the nozzle of the solution;
do not throw the device on hard surfaces, as the nozzle has many plastic parts that can crack;
rinse the foam lance after using it;
do not leave the prepared solution in the nozzle tank; it is better to pour it into a separate container and hide it away from children.

What is a foam tablet? Why does she fail?

the foam tablet has worn out due to frequent use of the device;
the mesh is clogged with sand or mud, as the appliance is often thrown to the ground;
the remains of the washing solution have dried inside the tablet, since the device has not been washed after previous use;

At large commercial sinks, the mesh changes quite often - once every 2-3 months, and at home one tablet is enough for several years, of course, provided that it is used correctly.

How to make a pill yourself

What to do if a faulty mesh became the cause of the breakdown, and the car needs to be washed urgently, and you don't want to spend money. There is only one way out - to make such a device, a foam tablet, with your own hands, especially since it is very simple to do this. The fact is that this thing is called a tablet only because of its shape, but in fact it is a small cylinder of pressed wire. Therefore, making a foam tablet with your own hands is very simple. To do this, you need to take an ordinary metal washcloth for washing dishes and compress it into a tight lump.

In order to give the tablet the desired shape, you can take a regular plastic bottle and cut it into a funnel. Place it on the table and stuff the neck tightly with a metal net for dishes. Leave the mesh in the neck of the bottle for a while to fix the shape well, then gently squeeze it out. That's all - the foam pill is ready with your own hands.

Changing the mesh step by step

It remains only to replace the foam element. In order to change the tablet, it is not necessary to completely disassemble the blowing agent. You need to do it like this:

there is a pin on one of the plastic parts - we pull it out with a thin drill or;
remove the plastic casing of the jet regulator;
now we take out the guide block - "duck";
using a wrench of the desired size, unscrew the holder of the foam mesh;
using a screwdriver or drill, push the foam mesh out of the holder body;
we press in a new tablet;
tighten the foam tablet holder again, not forgetting to apply a layer of sealant to the threaded joint;
then all actions are performed in the reverse order: insert the "duck", return the cover and the pin to their place.

That's all, the blowing agent is ready to go again.

How to rinse the foam lance

In order for the foam mesh to serve you longer, you must rinse the foam concentrate after each use. You need to do this like this:

Carry out this procedure after each use of the sink, otherwise the foam tablet may become clogged. The remains of the washing foam can clog the nozzle or the mesh tablet itself, be compressed inside and block the foam outlet. If this happens, you can try to fix the mesh. To do this, remove it and soak it in kerosene for a while, then try to clean it mechanically with a knitting needle or thick needle. If the above manipulations did not bring the desired result, then the foam tablet will have to be replaced.

Foam nozzle, foam set, injector, and in some cases even a foam generator …

To ensure maximum washing effect, it is not enough to apply the washing mixture in liquid form to the surface of the car, because, frankly, this could have been done without resorting to a foam nozzle. However, practical experience shows that a much better result can be achieved when the detergent is applied in the form of a foam. To transfer the car shampoo from a liquid state to a foam, a special insert is provided in the design of the foam nozzle, popularly called a "tablet". It is a small cylinder (about 10 mm in diameter, ~ 7 mm high) of thin pressed stainless steel wire. Moreover, between its fibers there are so-called "pores", passing through which the washing solution is converted from liquid to foam. Just in the same foam that is applied to the car and provides a high-quality contactless body wash.

Fig. 1 foam tablet

Last but not least !!! what is worth mentioning when speaking about the design of the foam nozzles is the foam jet adjustment unit. It consists of two stainless steel plates located inside a cylindrical hollow body (jet regulator). When this regulator is rotated, the plates are either brought together or spread apart, which directly affects the cross-sectional shape of the foam jet, which changes from a round spot of small diameter to a narrow strip that immediately covers a significant part of the car body surface. As practice shows, most washers prefer the latter option, since it allows you to apply the detergent composition more evenly, more economically and much faster.

Foam nozzles , like any other equipment, require careful attitude and, at least occasionally, - maintenance.

The main points that should be paid attention to during operation and maintenance:

Foamy "pill" is used to clogged with dirt, impurities and other debris, which one way or another may be present in the water. To increase the life of the “tablet”, be careful about cleaning / replacing the water filters, as well as the cleanliness of the detergent solution. It is also necessary to avoid getting dirt on the connecting surfaces of the foam lance and the high pressure washer.
It should be remembered that the use of a foam nozzle as a spray of liquid wax significantly reduces the resource of the foam "tablet". Wax clogs her pores like nothing else. Foaming properties drop sharply and, as a result, the performance of the packing deteriorates.
Periodic complete disassembly with cleaning of parts, channels and valve will not damage the device. The ingress of sand grains of dirt into the control valve causes an increased consumption of detergents, which can be avoided by simple preventive cleaning.
Disassemble and assemble the fixture very carefully. Most parts of the foam nozzle are made of brass and therefore the likelihood of damage to the device due to inaccurate maintenance is quite high.

In conclusion, we give some classification of professional foam nozzles.

Fig. 2 Classification of foam lances by type of docking station

	Name	Connection
	Foam nozzle for household Karcher	Quick Connector 90 °
	Foam nozzle for prof. Karcher
	Foam lance for Comet, Kranzle, Portotecnica.
	Foam nozzle with KW nipple for Alto, Wap (long nipple)	KW quick coupling
	Foam nozzle LS3 with PA nipple (short nipple)	PA quick-release couplings, car wash equipment, and car care products. For all questions, please contact by phone and e-mail specified in the section.

Structurally, the foam generator is very similar to a conventional garden sprayer, the concept is almost the same. But there is one significant nuance - foam is an equipment operating under high pressure.

The main components of this equipment are:

Cylinder (the volume is different - from 25 to 100 liters).
Mixer.
Pistol.
Connecting hose.

Large-sized equipment, with a large-capacity cylinder, can be installed on a transport trolley to ensure easy movement.

Foam tablet

The principle of the foam generator

Do-it-yourself foam generator

The principle of the foam is very simple:

The washer refills the bottle with a solution of water and a foaming agent (detergent). Then the neck closes tightly, which ensures the tightness of the container.
A compressor is connected and air is pumped to the required pressure.
When the pistol valve is opened, the air begins to squeeze out the solution through the nozzle, where the primary foaming occurs.
Moving at high speed, the foamed solution strikes the grid of the foaming tablet and, passing it, is divided, which is accompanied by the formation of a fine foam.
The finished foam is fed to the gun and then through this nozzle to the surface of the body.
If necessary, the washer can adjust the feed on the gun (make the spray front wider, increase the speed of the jet).

The main advantages of the foam generator are:

economical consumption of detergent;
the foam obtained at the exit has an excellent washing function;
the ability to adjust the flow of the jet;

Foam kit as a type of foam generator

In garage conditions, it is better to use a foam set - a variation of equipment for contactless car washing.

A gun with a sink attachment. Connects through a hose to a high pressure washer

A container with a foaming agent, otherwise called a foam nozzle for contactless washing

The foam kit works like this:

It fits over the pressure washer water hose.
After turning on the sink in operation, high pressure water is supplied to the foaming agent, and from there to a container filled with detergent, where primary foaming occurs.
The resulting water in the container is squeezed by the flowing 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 bell to the surface of the body.

The jet obtained at the outlet of the foam set can also be regulated using a valve installed on the foam concentrate.

Video: DIY foam nozzle

The foam kit is different:

small overall dimensions;
good quality foam obtained at the exit;
ease of refueling (no water is required to create a solution);

But without a high pressure washer, the foam set cannot work.

Video: Do-it-yourself foam generator for $ 2

Do-it-yourself foam generator

Foam generator assembly

Foam tablet assembly

sprayer (the volume may be different);
two ½ inch drives and nuts for them;
air fitting;
foaming tablet and adapter for it;
metal tube.

Having all this, you can proceed with the alteration:

Cut off the pressure relief valve and the hose connection from the sprayer.
We insert the shafts into the holes obtained and fix them with nuts on both sides and using gaskets.
On one of the squeegees, we install a tube (so that it almost reaches the bottom of the container), a check valve and an air fitting.
On the second squeeze through the adapter we wind the foaming tablet.
The hand pump for pumping the pressure of the sprayer must be completely shut off, since it is not needed, and will only serve as a tank cap.

Video: Do-it-yourself foam generator

It remains only to connect the hose to the tablet outlet, on the other end of which to put on a garden spray gun. On this, the product can be considered finished.

Working with him is not as convenient as with factory equipment, but it is quite acceptable. To wash your car you need:

fill the container with detergent solution (2/3);
connect the compressor and pump air into the tank (it is important to monitor the pressure and not exceed the permissible norms);
after opening the valve of the atomizer, the air will squeeze out the solution, push it through the tablet, and at the exit from the gun we will get foam of quite acceptable quality;

Benefits of using a foam generator for car washing

time saving - washing with the active foam of the car is faster, about 10-15 minutes;
detergent is consumed more efficiently and more economically;
active foam eliminates the use of sponges, which helps protect the paintwork from mechanical stress;
the foam generator allows you to thoroughly wash hard to reach places.

Do-it-yourself assembly: schematic drawing and manufacturing instructions

A simple and clear diagram of the foam generator helps to understand the principle of the device

What will be needed for assembly

To make a generator yourself, you will need:

Capacity.
Pressure gauge.
1 shut-off valve (it only allows air to pass in one direction).
1 tap (they regulate the supply of finished foam).
Metal tube.
Reinforced hoses that can withstand a pressure of 6-8 atmospheres.
Metal clamps for reliable connection of hoses and fittings.
Foam tablet.

If an old water heater is lying around in a garage or shed, then it can be used to create a foam generator. In this case, no welding work is necessary.

How to make a foam generator without welding: video

will not be needed. How to do it, watch the video: https://youtu.be/yF8xmbzRuBw

Homemade unit from an old sprayer

Remember that the sprayer body can withstand 4-5 atmospheres pressure. Do not overdo it, control the pressure on the pressure gauge.

We buy a foam tablet in a store or make it ourselves. The main element of the tablet is a metal mesh. It is easy to make from a regular metal dish brush. It is sold at any hardware store.

Using a Homemade Device: Highlights

At the outlet, we connect a hose with an irrigation nozzle. We open the tap gradually. We direct the hose to the car and apply the foam. Density can be regulated by a garden nozzle for watering.

Thick active foam quickly corrodes dirt and removes it from the surface without a washcloth

The foamed car should stand for 10-15 minutes. Active foam flows down with the dirt. Then it is enough to wash off the foam with plain water and wipe the surface of the car.