Koch Chemie Active Foam is a highly concentrated, professional-grade car wash foam engineered for gantry wash systems, self-service car wash bays, and high-volume hand washing operations. Formulated with advanced anionic surfactants, it produces a thick, stable foam that clings to the vehicle surface and safely lifts dirt, road film, and grime off paint without scratching or degrading the finish.

Phosphate-free and NTA-free, making it an environmentally responsible choice for commercial car wash facilities. The formula actively assists with brush self-cleaning and helps extend brush life in automated systems, reducing maintenance costs over time. Features a long-lasting sandalwood fragrance that gives the wash experience a premium feel customers notice.

If you are looking for the best car wash foam concentrate for commercial car washes or professional detailing operations, Koch Chemie Active Foam is a trusted choice used by top detailing businesses worldwide. Available in 1L and 5L.

Koch Chemie Active Foam Dilution & Usage

Active Foam is Koch Chemie's high-foaming touchless pre-wash concentrate — built to soften and lift heavy dirt from paint before the wash stage, reducing wash-induced marring.

• Foam cannon, heavy soiling: 1:10 dilution
• Foam cannon, medium soiling: 1:30 dilution
• Pre-wash pump sprayer: 1:10 direct-spray on panels

pH: Alkaline. Use case: Pre-wash before a contact wash. Allow 1-3 minutes of dwell (don't let it dry), then rinse thoroughly before foam-cannon shampoo or bucket wash. Not recommended for frequent use on ceramic coatings — use Gentle Snow Foam (GSF) for coating-safe pre-wash.

See the full Koch Chemie dilution chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Koch Chemie Active Foam pH neutral?

No. Active Foam is alkaline — that's what makes it effective as a touchless pre-wash on heavily soiled vehicles. For a pH-neutral, ceramic-coating-safe pre-wash, use Gentle Snow Foam (GSF) instead.

Is Koch Chemie Active Foam a pre wash?

Yes — that's exactly what it's designed for. Foam onto a dry or damp vehicle, dwell 1-3 minutes, rinse, then proceed to the contact wash. It lifts and softens dirt so the wash mitt does less work against the paint.

Koch Chemie Active Foam vs GSF — which should I use?

Active Foam is alkaline and stronger — use it for heavy soiling, touchless-only pre-wash, and non-coated vehicles. GSF (Gentle Snow Foam) is pH-neutral and safe on ceramic coatings — use it for maintenance pre-wash on coated or regularly-washed cars.

Koch Chemie Active Foam vs Bilt Hamber Touchless — how do they compare?

Both are strong alkaline touchless pre-wash products. Active Foam foams slightly denser in a cannon and rinses cleaner on most paint. Bilt Hamber Touchless is a UK-market favorite with a similar cleaning strength. At the shop level they're interchangeable; Active Foam is the more-available option for US wholesale accounts.

What's the best Active Foam dilution ratio for a foam cannon?

1:10 for heavy soiling (or first-of-season wash), 1:30 for medium soiling. Start with 1:30 if you're unsure and work up to 1:10 if the dirt load requires it.

Buying for a shop? See our Koch Chemie wholesale program for B2B pricing on Koch Chemie Active Foam and the full Koch Chemie lineup.