Foam cannons are an absolutely essential piece of detailing kit. It allows you to have a safe pre-wash and at least for me it is so aesthetically pleasing, making your cleaning experience a lot more enjoyable. You can even use them to apply wax and sealants saving protecting your paint and speeding up the drying process.
The MJJC Foam Cannons are the favourite in the detailing industry. MJJC really changed the game with the Pro V2 - wide neck, wide-based, strong bottle and an amazing consistent shaving cream like foam - how could it get better? Well MJJC launched S V3, introducing some refinements but it raises the question: Is it truly better?
I am going to delve into the details, comparing the MJJC V2 and V3, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, and examining how they fare against the MTM Hydro PF22.3.
Table of Contents
The real benefit of using foam in this way is the reduction in the need for manual scrubbing. When foam clings to the car’s surface, it encapsulates the dirt particles and allows them to be rinsed away with water. This minimizes the chances of scratching or swirling the paint during the wash, a common issue with traditional methods where dirt particles can drag across the paint surface while being scrubbed.
Using foam significantly enhances the cleaning process and saves time compared to scrubbing every inch of the vehicle. Foam also provides a more uniform coverage, ensuring that even hard-to-reach areas, like the wheels and undercarriage, get a thorough cleaning.
The V2 is praised for its robust construction, using brass parts. Its thick, wide-base bottle ensures stability during use, while its wide-mouth design makes refilling easy. The durable plastics used in its construction make it resilient to frequent use and occasional drops. The clear, measurement-marked bottle allows users to accurately mix solutions.
The V3 introduces subtle refinements, such as a modernized clear bottle for better visibility of solution levels and a new twist-lock mechanism for easier assembly. While its lightweight design enhances manoeuvrability, it sacrifices some stability when the bottle is full.
The hallmark of the V2 is its ability to produce exceptionally thick foam, resembling shaving cream. This is achieved through its unique dual-layer gauze filter, which creates a dense, even layer that clings to vertical surfaces. However, its high draw rate can lead to rapid consumption of product.
The V3 builds on this foundation, offering slightly more consistent foam production with less solution consumption. The V3 has even thicker foam but is so thick that it just clings to the car. This can be adjusted by the concentration adjustment but that does impact the panel impact ratio.
The V2 provides excellent control over spray patterns and foam thickness but has been critiqued for the stiffness of its adjustment knobs. These require firm handling, especially for users with smaller hands.
The V3 improves user experience with smoother adjustment mechanisms and an upgraded suction tube design. Its weighted tube ensures consistent solution pickup, even when the cannon is tilted during use. Its key standard out feature is the quick connect, 1-turn nozzle head. I love this feature.
The MTM Hydro PF22.3, often considered the gold standard, produces foam with remarkable consistency. However, the V2 excels in creating denser foam that clings to surfaces longer, making it ideal for heavy-duty cleaning.
The MTM Hydro boasts premium build materials, such as reinforced nozzles and heavy-duty plastics, ensuring longevity. While the V2 is highly durable, its materials may not withstand the same level of wear and tear.
The MJJC Pro V2 offers 90% of the MTM Hydro’s performance at a significantly lower price point. For most enthusiasts, the V2 strikes the perfect balance between quality and affordability. Really unless you are doing this as a professional, MJJC V2 or V3 is more than enough.
The following table presents our own scores based on hands-on experience. The lowest score represents the best performance, with higher scores indicating areas for improvement. The total score reflects the overall value of each product.
Category | MJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2 | MJJC Foam Cannon S V3 | MTM Hydro PF 22.3 |
---|---|---|---|
Bottle Design | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Build Quality | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Foam | 1 | 3 | 2 |
User Experience | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Price | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Total | 7 | 13 | 10 |
Dilution ratios play a critical role in achieving optimal foam density. Start with a 1:10 ratio of snow foam to water, adjusting based on your specific cleaning needs. Using warm water can further enhance foam production.
To calculate the panel impact ratio:
Foam cannons perform best with high-flow pressure washers. Look for models with a flow rate of 1.6–2.0 GPM for thick, consistent foam. For lower-powered units, consider using a smaller orifice size, such as the 1.1mm nozzle included with MJJC cannons.
If you want to learn more, this Reddit Discussion might be helpful to you.
Bilt Hamber Touchless, when used with MJJC Foam Cannons, delivers a powerful and efficient cleaning experience. It produces dense foam that clings effectively, loosening dirt and grime with minimal effort.
When applied with an MJJC Foam Cannon, the rich foam covers the car evenly, thanks to the cannon’s precise spray adjustments and thick foam production capabilities. This combination maximises the dwell time of the foam, lifting contaminants for a streak-free rinse.
To optimise results, dilute Touchless at a 1:10 ratio for heavy cleaning or 1:20 for maintenance washes, (you should use 1-4% PIR for accurate dilution). The pairing of these two products ensures thorough pre-wash minimising risk to your car's finish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned detailer, this duo guarantees spotless results every time.
Features:
Pairing Bilt Hamber Touchless with your MJJC Foam Cannon ensures a flawless, streak-free finish every time.
After a thorough analysis, in my opinion the MJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2 emerges as the best choice for most car enthusiasts. It combines exceptional foam production, robust build quality, and affordability, making it a standout performer in its category.
While the V3 offers minor refinements and the MTM Hydro delivers premium-grade performance, the V2 strikes the perfect balance for everyday use. Pair it with Bilt Hamber Touchless for an unparalleled car cleaning experience.
For anyone serious about car detailing, the MJJC V2 remains the foam cannon of choice. It’s a tool that delivers professional results without consuming too much.
What is the main difference between the MJJC Foam Cannon V2 and the V3?
The primary difference lies in their design and foam production. The Pro V2 produces more effective foam, ideal for heavy-duty cleaning, while the V3 focuses on consistency with even thicker foam.
Which foam cannon is better, MJJC Foam Cannon V2 or the MTM Hydro PF22.3?
The MJJC V2 delivers 90% of the MTM Hydro’s performance at a much lower price. While the MTM Hydro is considered a gold standard in foam production, the V2 stands out for its high foam density and cost-effectiveness, making it the better value for money.
Can the MJJC Foam Cannon be used with any pressure washer?
Yes, the MJJC Foam Cannon works best with pressure washers that have a flow rate between 1.6–2.0 GPM, although lower-powered washers can still work effectively by using the smaller 1.1mm orifice that is provided.
What is the recommended dilution ratio for snow foam with the MJJC Foam Cannon?
It depends on the product and pressure washer (review your snow foam recommendation) but generally, for optimal foam density, use a 1:5 ratio of snow foam to water for heavy cleaning, or 1:10 for maintenance washes. Adjust the ratio based on your cleaning needs.
Is Bilt Hamber Touchless snow foam good with the MJJC Foam Cannon?
Yes, Bilt Hamber Touchless provides a high concentration of foam that clings well to the surface, ensuring effective cleaning. Its an alkaline formula giving it strong cleaning properties and safe for all finishes, including waxed and coated surfaces. If you do have a PPF, wrapped vehicle or are concerned you can use a pH neutral snow foam
How can I maximize the performance of my MJJC Foam Cannon?
Ensure you are using the right dilution ratio, a high-flow pressure washer, and maintaining the foam cannon by cleaning it after each use. Regularly check the filters and store it in a cool, dry place to avoid any damage.
What’s the ideal pressure washer to pair with the MJJC Foam Cannon for the best results?
The best results come from pressure washers with a flow rate of 1.6–2.0 GPM. For optimal foam production, pairing the cannon with a powerful washer ensures a dense, consistent foam layer. The Foam Cannon is effective with Karcher K2 upwards, I personally use a K4, but you don't need to an expensive pressure washer for good foam, there comes a point where it is just marginal differences.
Tahmid Rashid (the one in the middle) is one of the three owners of CA Detailing, alongside his trusted cousin-brothers. A long-time car enthusiast, Tahmid founded Carbon Accents, a car styling store, in 2019. His passion for cars and maintaining his own BMW 1 Series (F20 M135i) led him to dive into the world of detailing.
With over eight years of experience developing products in another industry, Tahmid noticed that customers across the UK were often purchasing low-quality car detailing products. Driven to make a difference, he co-founded CA Detailing in 2021. His goal is to provide high-quality products at reasonable prices and to share his knowledge so that customers can make the most informed decisions when buying detailing products.
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