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Keep your hands off your vehicle and keep your paint and finish free from swirls and scratches.

The best way to achieve that car-wash shine without that expensive car-wash price is by using a foam cannon. Also known as a soap gun, a foam cannon automatically mixes car-wash soap with water, ensuring the perfect solution every time for every vehicle. Whether you use a pressure washer or just a standard garden hose, you'll keep your paint and finish free from swirls and scratches caused by rags and sponges, and roll away with a scratch-free shine every time.

While professional detailers invest in expensive pressure washers and filtration systems to use powerful foam cannons, the car-detailing enthusiast can achieve much the same effect with an inexpensive foam cannon. Many of the ones we've selected below are designed for use with your ordinary garden hose—no pressure washer required. If you go this route, you'll probably want to use the right car-wash soap, the three-bucket system, and a microfiber wash mitt to make sure you get all the grime.

If you have a pressure washer, though, you should definitely consider using it and one of the foam cannons below to wash your car. Quick and easy car washes can be achieved with the high-pressure soapy spray, blasting away dirt and debris without ever touching the car yourself.

In the market for a foam cannon? Here are some of our favorites.

We like the Torq because it lets you adjust the soap-to-water ratio, depending on your vehicle's filth factor. And we like that it comes straight from the Chemical Guys, one of our favorite car accessory companies.

If you prefer to use your pressure washer to wash your car, this foam cannon and spray gun kit from ProWash features a 14mm connector and a selection of tips to control your spray pattern from fine to fan.

TriNova is one of the most respected names in car-wash and finish products, and we like this foam gun because it comes with a full gallon of TriNova's awesome Car Shampoo & Conditioner.

Not surprisingly, the bestselling pressure washer at Home Depot comes from one of the top names in power tools. It features a Foam On/Off control lever, and you can easily attach a quarter-inch spray wand if you prefer.

Grant's 32-ounce soap reservoir is translucent for an easy view of the soap remaining. The quick-disconnect pistol grip detaches from the reservoir for easy cleaning. And it connects right to your water hose.

If you own a big truck or van, a couple of vehicles that you like to wash all at once, or even if you're a part-time detailer, you need a soap gun that can get the job done fast. For that, you need a blaster with a large reservoir that can spit out plenty of suds in a short time. Hence: the Big Mouth from Chemical Guys.

If you're on a budget—or, like a lot of us, a foam blaster is just one of those items that you refuse to pay a lot of money for—then the Carwash Cannon is perfect for you. It attaches right to your hose.