I have a Weapon*R filter and it is foam. It is a hollow filter though with a thin liner of foam which is in between the metal gilling part of the grill. So its not just a big chunk of foam. The foam piece can not be replaced because it doesnt come out, its just the foam liner like I said earlier. My question is, Can I clean this with soap and water instead of spending 25 bucks on a foam filter cleaner from Weapon*R? Ive heard both opinions, some say soap and water is perfectly fine and some say to stick with the foam filter cleaner. I have the oil to put on the filter after I clean it I just need to know if I can just use soap and water. Please respond quickly I have the filter out and am waiting to clean it. Please help
Thanks

 

Ill make this a little bit easier, will it hurt the foam to clean it with soap and water? I rambled a lot in the first one, just wanted to make it more clear. Thanks

 

The foam filters on small engines (lawnmowers, etc.) are cleaned with soap and water, and subsequently reoiled. I don't know what kind of foam the Weapon*R filter is made of but I can't imagine that soap and water would degrade it.

 

I have a Weapon R as well. Just to be on the safe side I would use the filter cleaner. I bought the K&N one for about $10.00 from an auto store. When I sprayed it on the dirt just ran off while the chemicals broke up the dirt. Then I just rinsed it out, let it dry, reoil and dry again. I know regular soap wouldn't clean as well. Also, I still have enough to last at least 2 years if I cleaned it 3 times a year. It doesn't take much! My 2 cents, but it's your decision. Would you wash your hair with dish soap? No, because it wasn't made for that.

 

I was told specificly not to use K&N filter cleaner. They are not made for foam filters. It says so on the Weapon*R site and I talked to a guy that works at Weapon*R that told me never to use K&N because it would ruin the foam filter. He told me to go to a motorcycle shop because motorcycles have foam filters and would probably carry the foam filter cleaner, but I have checked at every shop and store in town and can not find any cleaner that is for foam filters. Im not sure what I should do. Please Help Thanks

 

By the way, MAXINXS what kind of Weapon R filter do you have? The V2 or the Dragon? Just curious.

 

I decided to go ahead and by the K&N kit since it was a lot cheaper. My thinking was this, the cleaner is just made to break up surface soil using some type of surfactant which doesn't really matter what material it is used on. You could probably even clean your upholstery with it! Anyway, the oil is just an animal derived product that applies to any surface simply to attract particles that adhere to the oil. I'm sure it won't harm the foam or at least it hasn't yet. It would have to contain a chemical that would deteriorate the lining of the filter which I just don't see happening. Maybe he's right? Maybe K&N is a big competitor and he wants your money? Btw I don't have the dragon filter. I bought mine before those were introduced. They do look really cool though! I'm not sure what the V2 is, but if that's the only other model, then that's what I have. Later.