Anyone familiar with this steamer(vaporclean TR5) ?

PM member gbackus. He was telling me about some steamers just the other day. I'm not in the market to upgrade right now so it didn't matter to me.;)
 
SpoiledMan said:
PM member gbackus. He was telling me about some steamers just the other day. I'm not in the market to upgrade right now so it didn't matter to me.;)
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Will do--thanks. :D
 
If you can afford it, I'd go for the TR6, as from what I hear the continuos fill can come in real handy when you are doing big jobs, other than that the TR5 is IMO a stellar performer. Although on paper, it may only look slightly more powerful than the Saeco, remember that the big dollar units($1300+) really aren't all that much more powerful than the TR5, but the difference is huge. It seems that a little extra PSI, and as little as 10 degrees increase in the boiler temp will provide a lot more cleaning power.



The TR5 is great. I can clean a filthy iinterior in about 1/2 to 1/3 the time it took me without it, and it's probably 20-30% faster on carpets than the Saeco. I was going to recomend a place that had some used units for sale($200 and $300 for the TR5 and TR6 respectively) but they are apprantly out and won't be restocking. If you can find a used one, it costs about $180 to get it fully refurbished, so depending on how cheap you can get it, it may be a better deal than buying one new, the only probably is the turn around time is really long, especially if you pick up an analog version(I won't get mine back for about 4 months).



Is there anything else more specific that you wanted to know?
 
The more I think about it, the more I realize that I might as well buy the TR6--might need to continuous fill.



Thanks for the info--I think I will just buy the new model with the "digital stuff." Of course they are back ordered and I can't detail without a steamer--guess I will have to make due. :D
 
Eurosteam 1900 Commercial Vapor Steam Cleaner



Way more than your budget but if you do a lot of detailing, this one works great and make sure you get the cart with it, makes it much handier to use
 
Maybe this is a juvenile question, but how to these vapor steamers like the tr5 work? I can see how the more expensive ones work by steaming and vacuuming at the same time, or steam/hot water/vacuum....but how do these smaller units that just do the steam vapor actually remove the dirt/contaminants? Maybe I'm just a little fuzzy on how you actually use one of these to detail an interior. Thx. That desiderio model sure looks heavy duty!
 
I use to blast out debris from crack and crevices, steam the headliner, vents, etc. It's also great for removing "crud" on steering wheels, blinker posts, shift knobs, etc. I can't detail without now. I don't really use it for carpets, unless I am spotting it.
 
I guess I'm just missing literally how the dirt/debris is removed. I can see how the hot steam loosens or dissolves stains, but what actually removes it from said headliner etc?
 
I believe Anthony Orosco uses the one found at TOL's website and loves it. You may want to check that one out too and PM him about his feelings and reliability / construction quality issues.



http://www.topoftheline.com/vaporblitziv.html



I also believe Sean (G35Stilez or whatever he goes by now!) uses one similar to those you linked to. It is his father's. He loves it. You may want to PM him too about which model it is. I know it is fairly expensive but very bad a$$.
 
Spilchy said:
I believe Anthony Orosco uses the one found at TOL's website and loves it. You may want to check that one out too and PM him about his feelings and reliability / construction quality issues.



http://www.topoftheline.com/vaporblitziv.html



I also believe Sean (G35Stilez or whatever he goes by now!) uses one similar to those you linked to. It is his father's. He loves it. You may want to PM him too about which model it is. I know it is fairly expensive but very bad a$$.
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Thanks Seth, I believe that Sean (and others) use the Daimer unit, but for the same cost the TR6 offers continuous fill (another $150 within the Daimer line). The Daimer unit does have 75 psi compared to 65psi of the TR6. Other than that, I believe that it comes down to service, accessories, etc.
 
Lightman said:
I guess I'm just missing literally how the dirt/debris is removed. I can see how the hot steam loosens or dissolves stains, but what actually removes it from said headliner etc?
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Do you see all of the loose debris in the cracks here?

tn_IMG_4694.jpg




I made it all disappear in about 30 seconds without any cleaner--only steam:

tn_IMG_4749.jpg




The steamer combines 65psi with steam to emulsify dirt and grime. In the case of a headliner, I use a triange attachment covered with a MF. The steam shoots into the MF, onto the headliner lifting the grime. As the grime is lifted it is absorbed into the MF towel. Does that make sense?
 
Thanks, that makes a bit more sense. I guess I am still just a bit unclear on where the dirt/grime actually goes. In your headliner example that makes sense, if I'm understanding it correctly - the steam is blasting through the mf towel(?) and then the towel absorbs the dirt that rises to the surface.. How about in your console/shifter pictures though, is the stuff in the cracks just dissolved down farther in there?



I read on TOL's faq that these are not as well suited to do carpets/mats as an extractor, especially if they are very dirty. Would most consider both machines requirements in the arsenal or do you guys really get away with just the vapor machine?
 
Lightman said:
Thanks, that makes a bit more sense. I guess I am still just a bit unclear on where the dirt/grime actually goes. In your headliner example that makes sense, if I'm understanding it correctly - the steam is blasting through the mf towel(?) and then the towel absorbs the dirt that rises to the surface.. How about in your console/shifter pictures though, is the stuff in the cracks just dissolved down farther in there?



I read on TOL's faq that these are not as well suited to do carpets/mats as an extractor, especially if they are very dirty. Would most consider both machines requirements in the arsenal or do you guys really get away with just the vapor machine?
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The debris is blasted out, or is blasted below the console--I guess it depends on the design of the console. My old method was to use soft bristle brushes to loosen the debris, then wipe with MF, repeat. Steaming cuts the time in half (at least in half).



If I was a full time pro, I would have both machines. IMO a hot water extractor is far better suited to tackle carpets/upholstery.
 
Carpet Extractor shoots extremely hot water into the carpet or upholstery "drowning" the dirt and lifting it without leaving any residue. The Steamer on the other hand reacts usually with stains, breaking down the organic/inorganic residue with the use of heat and/or chemicals.



Did you use to have the Saeco $60 Steamer? Seemed like a nice light duty Steamer, but wondering if it's really worth using during Details.
 
thesacrifice said:
wowwww had no idea steamers were that expensive....won't be adding one to my collection anytime soon.
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IMO, it all depends on the volume that you are doing. I am doing about 15-20 cars per month--I could *not* do an interior without steamer now, it's that important of a tool for *my* process. If you are doing any volume and saying that you cannot afford it, IMO you are already paying for it in the lack of productivity--might as well have the equipment.
 
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