Close up of a foam cannon spraying soapy foam on a Yellowfin boat.

Have you come across a video online of a foam cannon blasting tons of thick foam and thought, “how do I get those results?” The secret is often in the soap. One of the biggest questions people have when they are introduced to foam cannons is what kind of soap they should be using with it. The answer is—a soap designed for foam cannons. 

Foam cannon soaps are specially formulated to create thick clinging foam that is ideal for washing your car, truck, boat, or RV. While standard car wash soaps might kind of work to create suds, to maximize the results from your foam cannon, you’re going to want a dedicated foam cannon soap. 

How to Select the Best Foam Cannon Soap

If we’re looking for the absolute best soap for foam cannons, how do we grade and rank them? There are several key factors to consider:

Foam production from the best foam cannon soap.

1. Foam Production

Maybe the most important factor, foam production refers to the ability of the soap to generate thick foam. This will give you the ultimate satisfying foam coverage when used with your foam cannon. 

A black car covered in clinging foamy soap during a car wash.

2. Foam Cannon Compatibility

This is important if you are planning to use the soap with an existing foam cannon. The best foam cannon soaps are compatible with a wide range of cannons.

A car tire being sprayed with lots of foam from a foam cannon.

3. Cleaning Use

Most foam cannon users are looking to clean their car or truck in the driveway. The best soap is going to be one that fits most applications–from car washing, to boat cleaning, to washing farm equipment. Not all soaps can handle all uses.

Foam drying spotty on a black car.

4. Cleaning Effectiveness

Many love foam cannons for their efficiency and ability to cover a vehicle with soap much faster than you could by hand. This is all useless if the soap in question is trash though. A good foam cannon soap will start working as soon as the foam hits your vehicle. The soap and suds help break down and encapsulate dirt and grime buildup, making it easier to wash off.

A ceramic coating being applied to a shiny car surface.

5. Gentle on Finishes

One thing to be careful of when sampling different soaps, is that some cleaners can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s finishes. Soaps that are too caustic or harsh can strip protective coatings, leaving your vehicle exposed to the elements and open to costly damage. The ideal foam cannon soap is an effective cleaner, while being gentle on your coatings and finishes.

A chart showing the relation between costs and benefits of a product.

6. Cost

Now more than ever, consumers want to be sure they’re getting a good bang for their buck. The ideal foam cannon soap will be affordable enough to use on a regular basis without breaking the bank.

A man near his car vents holds his nose from a bad smell.

7. Scent

Lastly, and maybe most easily overlooked–the best foam cannon soap will smell good. This may seem silly, but some soap smells are just downright unpleasant. The last thing you want is a gross smelling soap ruining what would be an otherwise satisfying car wash. 

Our #1 Pick for Best Foam Cannon Soap

This soap creates massive amounts of foam and can be used on cars, trucks, boats - any vehicle safely. It can be used on any foam cannon and is super effective at removing stuck on dirt and grime. It was formulated to be gentle on finishes—all at an affordable price (a little soap goes a long way). Best of all, it has an amazing blue raspberry scent.

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Captain's Fury

Captain's Fury Foam Cannon Soap

$18.95 USD
$24.99 USD $18.95 USD
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Foam Cannon Soap & Sprayer Kits

A foam cannon sitting in thick foam on a boat deck.

Honorable Mentions for Best Foam Cannon Soap

These soaps performed well in some categories, but fell short in others. If you're exploring alternatives, you may want to check these out.

Our Honorable mentions include:

  • Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow Foam Wash
  • Adam's Mega Foam
  • SurfaceMaxx Foam Cannon Soap
  • Big Rig Soap Cannon Foam

Foam Cannon Soap FAQs

What should I look for in a good foam cannon soap?

The seven factors to consider are 1. Foam Production, 2. Foam Cannon Compatibility, 3. Cleaning Use Compatibility, 4. Cleaning Effectiveness, 5. Gentle on Finishes, 6. Cost, 7. Scent. A foam cannon soap that scores high in all these categories is best in class.

How much soap to put in a foam cannon?

We recommend filling the foam cannon’s reservoir around ¼ of the way with soap. Add water to dilute and thin out the soap.

We find this to be an ideal foam cannon to soap ratio for most cannons. Start there and adjust the foam dial (if present) to control the amount of soap being used. You can always add more soap to get your desired result.

What’s the best foam cannon soap for ceramic coating?

For ceramic coatings, look for a soap that isn’t overly harsh or stripping. Generally, foam cannon soaps for marine use (where ceramic coatings are common) are ideal. These also tend to be gentle on the environment, unlike many products designed for auto use.

Can I use any soap with my foam cannon?

We don’t recommend it! Foam cannon soaps are specially formulated to work with a foam cannon to create thick foam that cleans well and is easy to wash off. Some soaps may foam up in your cannon, but the suds are impossible to wash away or may damage your finishes. It’s best to use a foam cannon soap that is designed for what you’re doing.

What can I use foam cannon soap to clean?

Always check your soap, but all-purpose soaps like Captain's Fury Foam Cannon Soap can be used on cars, trucks, boats, RVs, planes, farm equipment, and other heavy equipment. Really any vehicle can benefit from a good clean using a foam cannon.

How do I use a foam cannon?

For a full guide on how to use a foam cannon made for hoses, check out this Complete Guide for Using a Foam Cannon.

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