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I currently have the coiled hoses going to my foam brushes but have been kicking around the idea of just plain old straight hoses. Which is the preferred method? Will straight hoses provide less foam?
I had trouble with the coiled hose freezing in the winter using my washer fluid/blowdown system...I believe the hose was 35 feet long in the coil and was too long to blow out effectively and efficiently. Using 3/8 straight air hose (About 15' long), I use a lot less washer fluid in the winter, I've never had a freeze-up, and the foam seems to be the same as using the coiled hose. Plus I don't have tangled messes like I did before when using the coiled hose. I'll never go back to coiled hose.
Slapping the car harder is what would worry me. I haven't had any freeze problems with the coiled hoses is the winter soap is the correct dilution. I would use 1/4" straight hose if I did it. Not sure how much of a problem 1/4" hose would be slapping the car.
I use 3/8 air hose. It's pretty light and doesn't slap too bad. I would think hydraulic hose would be worse. I get 2-3 years out of the air hose. Pretty cheap if you make them yourself.
I have found that the foam is more consistent when using straight hose. I think the coiled hose restricts flow and causes spitting/sputtering. I purchased the premade 3/8 hose from Kleen Rite about 3.5 years ago and they are still in good shape. https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-11210-15-blue-38-foamy-hose-38-mpe-38-mse.aspx I pretty much have to use the curly hose for my triple foam. Wish I could use straight hose...curly hose is a pain for me.
I use 3/8" Goodyear for HP hose...Couldn't imagine using it on the foam gun or Foam Brush....1/4" HP hose might be a little more forgiving...IMHO, both are overkill for LP functions...The 3/8" air hose lasts a long time and is light enough it doesn't "Whack" the car too hard.
I use 3/8" black Goodyear air hose outside in my truck bay. Full sun exposure...I think its been out there 3 years since I changed it last...I use the red hose inside just because I bought it early on and need to use it up. It also lasts a long time, but I think the black hose lasts a little longer.
I use 3/8" 300psi hose in one of my washes and 1/2" 300psi hose in the other two. Works great, but do have to replace every now and then as expected. IMHO using an HP hose would give you the same benefit in terms of foam, but would add weight with the steel braid and add to the force of the slapping against the vehicle. You don't need steel braid hose for your foaming brush.
We have a hand crimper and make up our own Foam brush hoses using 3/8” Polybraid hose. We mount the Foam brush handle so it’s horizontal on the wall with a 90 on the end of the Foam brush handle to take the strain off the hose. By doing this way they last a long time.