SONAX Actifoam Energy

• Products: ActiFoam Energy.
• Manufacturer: SONAX.
• Packaging: 1L.

SONAX offers with Actifoam Energy a product that can be used both as a pre-wash solution or as a shampoo for the two-bucket method.
A highly concentrated, versatile product, the reputation of ActiFoam Energy, beyond its proven results, has been built on its characteristic energy drink scent.

We will test Actifoam Energy with various accessories to highlight its versatility and verify its effectiveness.


Description:

ActiFoam is first and foremost a foaming agent to be used in the pre-wash phase, but it also contains a cleaning solution.

Several uses can be considered in the pre-wash phase: either with a foam cannon (foam-lance, foam-gun) or a pre-pressure sprayer.

We will first look at use with a pre-pressure sprayer.



For this use, simply measure out around 80ml to 100ml of Actifoam Energy into your 1.5L sprayer. Adjust the amount of product according to the capacity of your sprayer.
Then ideally top up with warm water.

You can then use Actifoam Energy on the bodywork, but also on the wheels and wheel arches to help loosen contaminants in the first instance.
Always start from the bottom of the vehicle and work upwards to avoid product drips.

You immediately notice the product's characteristic scent that made it famous.







Actifoam Energy will respect your vehicle's protections — this is what we would class as a Soft pre-wash solution. That said, you will notice the excellent foam quality of the solution, with a film that clings well and tends to soften contaminants effectively. Obviously, this product would not be recommended as a hard pre-wash solution before renovation on a heavily soiled vehicle — that is not its purpose — but it will be perfect for maintaining your existing protective layers.

Don't forget to rinse thoroughly with plenty of water after leaving the product to dwell and work for approximately 2–3 minutes on the surface. Never let a pre-wash solution dry on the surface before rinsing, especially in hot weather.

In this second part of the presentation, we will look at application with a foam cannon — a foam-lance specifically.

The test vehicle of the day had a fairly significant level of dirt with quite a bit of embedded dust and road film as well.
So, we deliberately chose to dilute 100ml of product in the foam cannon. For a standard maintenance wash on a lightly soiled and well-maintained vehicle, 60ml will be more than enough.





Top up your foam lance reservoir with warm water once more, then spray your solution from top to bottom.



Actifoam Energy turns out to be even more foamy (almost too much so) and forces us to set the product flow of the foam lance to half in order to avoid creating foam that is too thick and ineffective.
It is important every time, regardless of which pre-wash product you use, to achieve a film that is thick enough but not too thick to allow sufficient run-off.



You will immediately notice the quality of the product film in terms of the tension generated; the bulk of the grime runs off well, thus aiding our future wash.



Don't wait to rinse, from top to bottom.
You will immediately notice that the protection applied to the vehicle is absolutely not affected, with beading and sheeting still present.



One last possible use of Actifoam Energy is the two-bucket method for hand washing.
The dilution recommended by SONAX is between 50ml and 80ml per 10L bucket, giving an interesting dilution ratio of 1:125 to 1:200.



The glide of the wash mitt in our dosage configuration (1:125) is really very good; the microfibre of the mitt glides perfectly over the surface. This is reassuring in terms of avoiding micro-scratches in the process.
The cleaning capacity of Actifoam Energy is, however, fairly limited — don't expect a cleaning power capable of removing dried insects or a heavy greasy film, particularly on an unprotected vehicle. That is not its purpose. Think of Actifoam Energy purely as a pre-wash agent containing a shampoo that can therefore be used with the two-bucket method for washing, but only as a pure maintenance wash.



General conclusion:

SONAX, true to form, delivers with Actifoam a quality product that does exactly what is asked of it. The brand offers both an economical product (foaming solution and integrated shampoo, not just a foaming agent), highly versatile and with an intoxicating scent. It is indeed always a pleasure to find a product that smells good, as it adds to the enjoyment of maintaining your vehicle.

The cleaning capacity of Actifoam is very good on a maintained vehicle even when it presents a high level of dirt. If needed, increase the product concentration.
It is also appreciated that it respects the applied protections.

Finally, we were able to confirm that Actifoam Energy allows you to then wash your vehicle using the two-bucket method, which is a major plus thanks to its integrated shampoo — ultimately giving you a 2-in-1 product.

A product well worth trying and, ideally, adopting.

Advantages

+ Versatility (pre-wash and wash).
+ Scent (Red Bull).
+ Wax-friendly.


Disadvantages

- High consumption at strong concentration.
- Scent (for those who don't like Red Bull)