The OP mentioned "the foaming action of starsan made a mess when using the vinator." I have not experienced this because I follow the rule (borrowed from a rhyme my mother taught me long ago about chemistry), "Do as you oughter, add StarSan to water." In other words, I fill the vinator with water, and then add StarSan. This applies to most of my uses for StarSan, including how I fill the spray bottle I use to sanitize surfaces, and how I fill bowls or other containers when I'm sanitizing small components. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong, but it works for me. I still get foam, just not nearly so much.
I too have used iodophor and StarSan and have not seen a head retention issue associated with either.