Avalanche Snow Foam Citrus Infused Pre Wash

You can, but we don't recommend it. The idea of the pre-wash stage is to get grit and grime off the vehicle and safely on the floor. When applying snow foams from the bottom upwards you risk pushing soiling from more contaminated areas, up higher to cleaner areas. The lower areas on a vehicle are typically the most contaminated so it makes sense to work from the top down to avoid the chance of inflicting defects unnecessary. Don't worry about Avalanche lingering on dirtier areas for as long as possible, the thick foam it creates will do that regardless. For more on the correct way to use Avalanche you can check out our article: How To Use Snow Foam.

For the best, professional results, yes. Dedicated snow foam lances - just like our own Foam Lance - should not be confused with syphon-based detergent dispensers which are commonly supplied with home-use pressure washers. Snow foam lances are an industry-standard detailing tool designed specifically to whip up the solution into a foam, activating the cleaning agents and mixing them with more water to enable proper application. They do this by dragging the mix through a special metal gauze before exiting the body of the lance. This is the only way to get a useable snow foam that will be effective for even coverage, and not simply waste the concentrate in the container.  

The great thing about silica-based (SiO2) ceramic coatings is that they're specifically developed to help your vehicle look better for longer. The hardy protection layer they install is essentially chemically bonded silicon dioxide, which is like glass, so it smooths the surfaces enough to prevent water molecules and grime from bonding. Regardless of application to paint, glass, vinyl or any other exterior surface, this is why they bead to the extreme and offer the longest lasting protection of any product. What's most important here is that grime will sit on top of the ceramic layer rather than sticking, and this makes cleaning easier. But it's still important to carry out safe maintenance to stop heavy grit and grime from being rubbed in and abrading the coating and the paintwork, causing the infliction of defects. Using coating-friendly pre-wash products, such as Citrus Power Bug and Grime Remover and Avalanche Snow Foam will also prevent damage to coatings because they don't contain harsh acidic or alkaline cleaning agents that may etch into the top layer. It's the same story for the shampoo you use in your two-bucket wash. Lather Car Shampoo is a great choice as it will never damage previously-applied coatings, but alternatively you can use Wash 'N' Gloss Car Shampoo or our Caramics Enhancing Shampoo to actively top-up and prolong the life and performance of your SiO2 coating as you wash paintwork, glass and all other exterior surfaces. Other products that are great for topping up during routine maintenance include Aqua Coat Hydrophobic Rinse Aid, Lavish Ceramic Foam, Caramics Gloss Enhancer, Caramics Glass Cleaner and Ceramic Spray Wax. When it comes to paint correction, all you have to remember is that Si02 coatings have to be allowed to chemically bond to the topcoat or lacquer layer, so it's crucial to use a compound or a polish that doesn't contain any waxes or fillers, because these extra layers will block the chemical bonding process. For paint correction, polishing and refinement before adding a coating, we'd recommend using products that only reveal a true finish, such as One Step All-in-One Compound, or our Revitalise System V2 Compounds (which are also available separately). Don't forget that SiO2 coatings are extremely durable and can only be fully removed through abrasion, this means that polishing your vehicle using any abrasive after applying a ceramic coating will remove the Si02 layer, meaning that reapplication of protection will be required after you polish. For more on how to prepare a car for a ceramic coating, see our guide: Detailing & Ceramic Coating a New Car.

Yes. Avalanche is suitable for use on any ceramic coating, along with vehicles protected with previously-applied wax or sealant layers. In fact, Avalanche will not degrade any protection layers at all, and it's these non-stripping characteristics and gentle nature of the cleaning agents and surfactants used in this formula that makes this product ideal for use on any detail, including regular maintenance washes.

No. Lavish Ceramic Foam is not designed to clean surfaces and shouldn't be confused with a traditional snow foam. Avalanche Snow Foam is designed for purging heavy soiling during the pre-wash stage to prevent the infliction of paint defects and swirl marks. For this reason it contains surfactants and degreasers capable of breaking down, lifting and encapsulating grit and grime, allowing these harmful contaminants to be safely rinsed away without contact with a wash mitt. Lavish is purely designed to add Si02 protection, and only once the vehicle is already clean, so it doesn't contain surfactants or cleaning agents. It comes in the form of a ceramic foam to enable quick and easy application via your Foam Lance and (like Avalanche) will work its way into all the panel gaps to contact, and in in this case add protection to, the unseen areas. Unlike a snow foam though, Lavish should be used immediately after the cleaning process, while vehicle is still wet, and the ceramic foam should be rinsed away immediately after application, and never left to dwell.

It's important to look after any previously-applied wax layers as much as possible during routine maintenance, and the same rules apply as for looking after paint, lacquer and other sensitive exterior surfaces on any other detail. Wax protection is simply a top layer that's impermeable to water molecules and it protects paintwork by installing a physical barrier, and by stopping grime (and water) from sticking, this in turn always makes maintenance washing easier. However, it doesn't mean that the wax (and the paintwork underneath) can't be damaged through improper wash techniques. Carrying out safe maintenance, including a thorough pre-wash, is crucial to stop heavy grit and grime from being rubbed in and abrading the wax or the paintwork, essentially stripping your wax and inflicting defects in the paint. Using wax, sealant and coating-friendly pre-wash products, such as Citrus Power Bug and Grime Remover and Avalanche Snow Foam will also help to prevent damage to coatings because they don't contain harsh acidic or alkaline cleaning agents that may strip protection. As for the shampoo you use in your two-bucket wash,... Well, that's crucial, too. Our pH neutral Lather Car Shampoo is the ideal choice here, as it will never damage any previously-applied coatings, regardless of if they're waxes, sealants or ceramic coatings. At this point of course, you can simply eave the vehicle, or choose to top up your protection for extra durability and shine. You can use your original hard wax or, for the ultimate in speedy details, utilise Radiance Carnauba, or Glisten Spray Wax. Do not use abrasive products during maintenance, though, as these will remove the entire protection layer, requiring reapplication of your wax.