IK vs Marolex | DIY BEST Battery Foamer Conversion | Test & Review

[@SPECIAL_detailing]

Great video as always!! I can’t wait till the IKe comes out seems like forever

[@CarsWithKeav]

Its going to be great, but save up its not going to be cheap.

[@mattap98]

Can't wait to get my IK pro 2+. Looks to be the most rounded out of the bunch. Awesome video again Keav!!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yeah, I love mine had it for years and still going strong.

[@serranosmobile]

Look at that marolex ❤ looks like it never misses taco Tuesday 5:11

[@CarsWithKeav]

Its got a lot of air in it must have had some beans too.

[@patrickbyr]

Just discovered your channel. Tremendously informative, thanks for all your hard work. I've been using the Marolex for 2 yrs. Added a presta valve that I pump with a good bike pump but eventually stopped using it as it's too hard to keep pressure up. I could only do 1/4 of the car at a time before needing to repump. Never occurred to me to add one of the mini inflators.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Awesome, the inflators make a big difference. Especially the bigger ones they will keep up with the spraying and sometimes will keep building pressure and hit the max while constant spraying.

[@stevecharnasjr.7241]

Great video Keav. Thanks for sharing the hack on those. Looks like Marolex for rinseless, but IK for foam. I definitely will buy the E IK at some point. Love those pump sprayers…especially for wheels. Thanks again and excellent job as usual bud!

[@CarsWithKeav]

yeah I'll be trying to get my hands on one as quick as I can. For sure at SEMA want to demo one if they have one there. The $120 price tag is a bit stiff though.

[@willsridecare]

Great tutorial! I preordered the new IK e foam pro, won’t get it until January. Nice shirt btw! I met him a couple weeks ago, Roman is a great guy!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yeah, I've been watching Roman since before the vlogging. Started watching with the prank stuff with Dennis and Vitaly. Must have gotten the pre-order from detailed image. I remember when they dropped the pre-order for the Griots electric foamer saying january and it ended up being like almost May.

[@willsridecare]

@@CarsWithKeav Wow you're one of the OGs, he's such a genuine stand-up guy. You gotta go to the laundromat. You're right, I did order from DI, hopefully it doesn't take that long...

[@debtennis1301]

Great review! I am loving my Solo sprayer - I am gonna add the Schrader valve to it - thanks for the suggestion!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Awesome, it saves so much time.

[@Andresthebigkat]

Shout out to Phil Miranda for being one of the first ones introducing the valve method, and shout out to you for highlighting it. You came in clutch with the hook and loop method for the battery just got mines strapped up and ready to go for my ik and Marolex 3000 👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@CarsWithKeav]

I didn’t know he had showed it I just heard in my comments over the years especially when I reviewed the Ik with the valve built in. Many said you can do that yourself so I finally tried it out and wished I would have done it sooner.

[@adamstrachn]

Awesome stuff Keav! I'm going to do this with my iK until they release their E Foamer.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Hopefully they release on time. The Griots one was delayed like 6 months before it released.

[@serranosmobile]

Amazing video keav

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thanks Carlos!

[@IamDetailedAF]

I did the IK mod long time ago. I will never look back. IK is the reason my forearm was 💪🏻

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yeah, I did the air chuck for the first few years then last year switched to the inflator. I'll never pump again. LOL

[@ThisOldDetailingDude]

Great hack to make your sprayer an E sprayer. Bc of your channel. I wil never use a pump again. I ❤ my E sprayers! Nemesis is the Bomb

[@CarsWithKeav]

#Neverpumpagaingang LOL

[@ThisOldDetailingDude]

@@CarsWithKeav that’s right 😂 never pumping again!

[@jobeddpagan940]

​@@CarsWithKeav Thank you for this video! So, in terms of covering a whole vehicle, would you still recommend this IK, or would you recommend another? At the moment I don't have access to a a garage so I need to visit a self service carwash and I don't trust their soaps so I'm looking to spray my car when I visit the self service carwash.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@ I myself to cover a whole vehicle tend to use the bigger IK Foam Pro 12, but that is going to be a challenge to fit in a vehicle. It will work, but you might need to fill it with your soap mix twice to get the whole car coated well.

[@marcg1964]

I added a Schrader valve to my IK foamer 6 months ago, and it was a game changer. The foam was so much better and more consistent.

[@CarsWithKeav]

It takes a lot fo pumping to get into the really good foam zone whcih is why I think some don't like them sand say they don't foam well because they just can't get enough pressure.

[@nomad509]

Both IK and Marolex has their place in my detail arsenal. The Foam Pro 2 is my favorite for Brakebuster while the Ergo 3000 is my preferred pump sprayer for rinseless washes with the locking feature. I've used my Axel foamer the least because I believe the IK outperforms it by a long shot and the fact I got the Foam Pro12 around the same time. Since that sprayer needs some maintenance I may give the Axel a shot again with some precleaning soap on the next daily driver bath. If I ever get bored with pumping by hand I will definitely give this modification a consideration, thanks Keav!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Great points, the Axel just seems that it requires more pressure which means more pumping initially, but once there it holds longer.

[@DetailingMadeSimple]

🔥. Yeah I see the IK foamer did a lot better with the spray pattern. Definitely rinseless needs to be at a lower psi. Looks like a very simple DIY upgrade. That nozzle for the pressure washer looks awesome!!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Crazy I'm more excited for an $8 rinsing nozzle than everything else in the video. LOL

[@owensamuels-h1r]

Thanks ! Another great video ! I’ve had the marolex spray and foamed - 3 liter for over a year. Amazing for Rinseless pre- spray - the sprayer is absolutely great- the 3liter can get around a large suv with lots to spare. Definitely worth getting the dedicated sprayer for Rinseless - much better than using the foamed for spraying. The foamer works amazing with brake buster in 1:5 dilution. Thanks for all you do. The only thing better in my opinion is the 3 gallon kegs. More $$$ but no noise - holds pressure and super versatile- can replace foam cannon ! Owen from Atlanta 😊

[@CarsWithKeav]

ATL!!! Brake buster 5:1 foams amazing for sure in these. The Fanttik nb8 2 gallon is amazing for rinseless if you have not heard of it. 1/3 the cost of a keg and it has a built in pump so no need to fill with air. amzn.to/48sjBk5 The price is a bit high right now its usually out there for $85 to $90.

[@diydetailofficial]

Great video

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank You

[@jeffc6832]

You can convert the IK Foam 2+ foamers (with the schrader valve) to a Multi sprayer (non-foaming) with some off the shelf parts from IK. Then you will get a better spray pattern for rinseless with less sputtering. Just swap over to the conical tip, remove the foam orifice and replace the intake tube with a flexible IK Multi 360 sprayer intake tube. I have a video on my channel.

[@CarsWithKeav]

This is great information and thank you for sharing. That’s what makes the comments section feel like a community.

[@ssjcajas]

Looks great but if I was to use a foamer it would be for wheel and tire so then at that point the spray pattern wouldn't matter since it would be up close anyway. Now I might look into adding a valve to my IK Multi Pro 2 spray for my rinseless so I don't have to pump it.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yup, all of these I would only use for wheel& tire or small areas to put a soap/apc mix for caked on road grime or bug guts on the front bumper. Like mentioned in the video the closer you get the spray pattern is good either way. i do sometimes find though on my wheels a good spray pattern covers them faster. tires it doesn't really matter.

[@BreezeMW]

I just bought the Shrader valves you linked and will be adapting my Foam Pro 2 as I already have the “Xiaomi Portable Air Compressor 2” that my wife purchased for me to use with my MultiPro 9 but it doesn’t come with a Shrader valve so I’ll be able to utilize it with this. I’ll be putting the Shrader valve at the top because I just think it look more sleek.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Sounds like a plan to me just of putting on the top make sure it’s an easy connect type air hose or taking the top off won’t be fun.

[@BreezeMW]

@ thanks bro

[@CarsWithKeav]

@ You’re welcome

[@leinitta1760]

Keav…you are the man! Great Channel. What do you think of the IK Window tinting & PPF vs IK FOAM Pro 12 when comparing for a rinseless wash?

[@dwaynejohnson6545]

Good question

[@CarsWithKeav]

It looks really nice, but to me for the price you can get the foam pro 12 with the add on compressor. If you are doing tint and ppf and need that kind of sprayer I would get a detail keg. The foam pro 12 sprays rinseless pretty well or you can get the Multi, but I would rather have the ability to both spray and foam.

[@TRIGGAMAN_LOCO]

Awesome video! I’m going this today. FYI IK has a lock. That’s what the red button near the trigger is 😊

[@CarsWithKeav]

It’s a safety lock out. It won’t let you lock the trigger to spray constant though. At least not in my sprayers.

[@TRIGGAMAN_LOCO]

@ oh I see what you meant.

[@abramians1]

Great review! Thank you!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank You

[@danmcmanigal1978]

Hey Keav! Based on your videos I purchased the IK Foam Pro 2 for my wheel and tire cleaning. The purple tip is very wide and curious if you’ve compared the other tip options they have available? Thanks for the informative videos!

[@CarsWithKeav]

I have not tried the other tips they have maybe thats an idea for a video. I will look into it.

[@BillHamal]

Way to go on the weight loss Keav

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank you! I had to in order to get my diabetes in check. best thing for audio is I no longer have the heavy breathing in the microphone.

[@Enthusiast_detailing]

I got a Ik foam pro 2+ I typically keep about 20oz of liquid and air it up with my compressor. That’s enough to get around all 4 wheels without pumping

[@CarsWithKeav]

For sure the more void for the air the longer it sprays.years ago when I first reviewed it I tried to find out how many trips to the compressor if you fill it all the way up. It was like 8 times and the last two times was like 75% of the spray time. LOL

[@DonAnderson-x6w]

Love the pressure washer shower tip. Do you have a link for it?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Here is the link, but it sold out already unfortunately. Hopefully they are back in stock soon. You can try looking for them on AliExpress they should be there as well. amzn.to/4e3Dlfd

[@CelticInteriorShine]

If not mentioned, on the marolex theres even more storage in the handle, the white ribbed cover can come off

[@CarsWithKeav]

I found that out later after I banged it on the floor hard. 🤣

[@CelticInteriorShine]

@CarsWithKeav haha, if it works it works.

[@wescat2]

Another awesome video Keav. Do you think the velcro would work for the Foam Pro 12 and the bigger Fantekk?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yes it should work just fine. The bigger Fanttik being much narrower and taller will adhere better on the curve.

[@wescat2]

@CarsWithKeav I like the long velcro straps but like these better

[@BXGreen_DrivewayDetails]

This was a great review. Going to add some valve s to mine! Now if Fanttik could make a foamer like that rinseless sprayer!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Everybody is coming out with foamers in the next year. Not sure if they are though. SOme of their stuff seems to be white labeled and other things are seem to be unique to them. Like the 2 gallon sprayer there is a Karcher version that is like 85% the exact same.

[@BXGreen_DrivewayDetails]

@ interesting. I didn’t know that! Cheers to foaming in the new year!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@BXGreen_DrivewayDetails For sure and hopefully hybrid rinseless foaming.

[@danielfletcher1384]

Great video Keav! Since I purchased my Foam Pro 2+ I haven't touched my Marolex foamer. I could never get my it to produce any foam no matter which color foaming inset I put in. I did try adding a valve (for compressor use), but it didn't help, so it sits on my shelf collecting dust. What color foaming insert are you using in the video? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have regarding the Marolex.

[@CarsWithKeav]

I'm using the darkest blue one. It needs a lot of pressure to even start foaming. If you are manually pumping ti twill take awhile.

[@serranosmobile]

Marolex ❤❤❤❤❤

[@CarsWithKeav]

It is a great sprayer, but IK has my heart still.

[@ShurikGi]

a tip for that DIY,take a 90 degree valve ....

[@CarsWithKeav]

That is a good idea especially if your inflator hose is direct screw on. If it is a quick connect it all depends on how you are mounting it.

[@zk9058]

IK has an electric foamer coming out soon, no?

[@CarsWithKeav]

They sure do I mention in the video looks like early 2025. I'm going to try to get my hands on a demo model at SEMA.

[@timwhittemore1299]

cool video!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank You 🙏

[@adamrusch7112]

I believe from using both,IK has the better foamer, but the Maralox sprayer is by far better than the IK!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Have not tried their sprayers or the IK, but I hear really good things about Marolex sprayers.

[@bn_1997]

Will the shower tip work with the cheap ryobi/greenworks pressure washers or just with higher gpm pressure washers?

[@CarsWithKeav]

It works good on them too tried it on my Craftsman. You just will have around 1.5gpm flow rate so not as much pressure, but the shower fan is still very uniform. Plus its only $8 so I said to myself it's worth the risk. LOL

[@bn_1997]

@@CarsWithKeavI just ended up ordering it anyways since there were only 7 left. Glad I did since they were gone soon after LOL.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@bn_1997 Yup, they sold out fast. You can get them on Aliexpress still.

[@bn_1997]

@@CarsWithKeav It works pretty well with a Kärcher cube. Got a little over 1 gpm but since the pressure washer is off that might have more to do with the gpm through my hose.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@bn_1997 Usually the flow through the pressure washer is around what the max GPM is for the machine. Once you add this nozzle you need a little pressure to push through the holes so it slows down some.

[@timeless1000]

Newer subscriber, is that a swiss trax type floor? Do you like it? How is the cleaning? Does it retain lots of dirt? Thanks

[@CarsWithKeav]

It is Swisstrax. Dirt does get trapped underneath just think as if you didn’t clean your garage floor that is what it will look like underneath. Good thing though you can blow it out with a leaf blower and the channels help get the dirt out and not dusty either. You can also pressure wash from the top as well. I take them out once a year to clean underneath. You can do it in large sections. A little work to have a clean floor just about 100% off the time. Here is a video of me taking them out and cleaning. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5XKnHukhrapa8Usi=n5HmDZUQzJ5SBQbl

[@timeless1000]

@ thanks!!

[@Ray-Chien]

Do you like SPTA more or these two pressurized sprayer more?

[@CarsWithKeav]

I find myself using the SPTA more right now for wheels and tires. I would pick the inflator IK every day of the week if I was foaming larger surfaces or using for rinseless.

[@masonreever731]

What’s the reason other foamers like the Ik foam pro 12 E have it automatically re pressurize with the compressor and these batteries don’t?

[@CarsWithKeav]

The IK are designed specifically for the sprayer so they programmed them to stop and start at specific pressures. No tire inflators have an auto start because that is a feature not worth developing for tire inflation. So we are stuck manually starting ourselves. I have heard people custom coding them or getting a manufacturer to do it for them though, but those people have industry pull for that kind of request.

[@molopez619]

Do you keep the pump running as you spray or do you only turn it on when the pressure gets low?

[@CarsWithKeav]

You can do it either way. I didn’t in most of the video to show the pressure ranges and it’s annoying for audio.

[@wilfredgomez2632]

This battery works better than the ones you showed us a year ago?

[@CarsWithKeav]

About the same just a smaller size so less battery life overall.

[@1kontrabida]

Try the aquarium pump their quiet and compact. and use less product like half of what u have in the video on the ik ie more air volume/space to fill

[@CarsWithKeav]

I will have to look into that. Those can do up to 40 PSI? You need at least 30 to even get a Marolex to work.

[@jluisp7]

We just need to find a battery air compressor that comes on automatically as soon as it senses a pressure drop inside the bottle. Do you know of any out there?

[@CarsWithKeav]

I’ve been trying I have heard there are some out there than can reprogram them. Haven’t dived deep into it yet.

[@aaron30569]

Keav thanks for the Velcro rec! I do the same thing with my ik I use an A8 cyclops bike tire inflator lasts for multiple cars, also bought some screw on air chucks to make it quick connect works so good!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yeah the screw on air chucks that quick connect are so much better. The cheaper ones come with them of the ones I got and the Fanttik has a screw on hose which I don't like.

[@NeilDetails]

Can you add the air chuck to a IK foam pro 2 that doesn’t have it built in.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Of course, you can do exactly like I did with the Marolex in the video.

[@NeilDetails]

@@CarsWithKeav is it better to add to the top of the sprayer or the side. I’m looking to just add an air chuck and not the pump.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@NeilDetails If just doing for an air chuck the top is better. The balance of the IK will make it easy to fill from the top.

[@BuckRogers2491]

The IK doesn't have a trigger lock? Isn't that what the red switch is on the handle?

[@CarsWithKeav]

That is the safety lock out button. There is not way to lock the trigger into spraying constant.

[@chausonharmon693]

Good video its nut though not a bolt...

[@CarsWithKeav]

Oops must have misspoken of course that will happen in every video and someone will find it. LOL

[@KingTheDetailer]

Ik pro 12 is the way to go for the price and being mobile i just charge it with my air compressor

[@CarsWithKeav]

Love my IK pro 12 I use for the whole car. Wheels and tires I stick to the smaller foamers.

[@flowinthrou]

Why don`t you keep it pumping?

[@CarsWithKeav]

You can do it either way. I didn’t in most of the video to show the pressure ranges and it’s annoying for audio. If you want it to run constant with a bigger inflator you set it above the pressure release of 50 PSI so it runs at max. They will inflate faster than you can the sprayer can release.

[@SalvadorSTMZ]

My marolex holds 50psi. My IK only holds 30 psi. I really prefer the marolex.

[@SalvadorSTMZ]

Also the ik didn't come with a marble so I can't spray at the best angles.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Weird my Ik holds more than the Marolex by a few PSI.

[@CarsWithKeav]

My Marolex didn't come with a weighted ball for better angle spraying. Its a good idea though to find one and get a more flexible tube.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

First!!!

[@onecoldgamer6022]

You’re always first in every detail video I watch 😂😂

[@CarsWithKeav]

Woohoo!!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

A few times he came in second. LOL

[@myriadcorp]

Marolex is complete trash. I have that exact blue one and it's horrible. It sprays for about 10 seconds and you have to keep pumping. I hate it. The cheapo China battery sprayer you reviewed months ago is way better. Nobody buy Marolex. It's overpriced garbage.

[@victoryensured7137]

Axel is not good but Industry? Best there is in the world, destroys the IK sprayer all day everyday in all aspects. So don't be discouraged, you just bought the wrong one

[@SalvadorSTMZ]

Idk my marolex sprays twice as long as my IK. I think you got a bad one.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Do you pump it to where the pressure valve releases? You can see in my video you have to get to a pretty high PSI to get decent foam and you saw how long it sprayed. Maybe you got a bad one which there are bad of every brand out there. The cheapo China one if you got a good one it was great for sure. You got a good one!

[@CarsWithKeav]

In todays manufacturing world there seems to be more bad ones of every brand. Quality is getting worse.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Do they make an Industry foamer? All the foamers seems to be Axel and mine works great still.

[@victoryensured7137]

Keav keep training your polishing skills, it's not super hard, it's like this - to get pretty good at it you don't need much, but to master it takes a lifetime.. 🫃 #Keavthebuffmaster 🫃

[@CarsWithKeav]

I will get there one day.