I think I need a new vacuum...

W

watermantra

New member
My small Lowe's shop vac unit just doesn't seem to be cutting it. Which brand/type do you guys use? Keep in mind, I am a hobbyist! I would love to get a vapor machine, but can't yet justify the expense, even with its other household uses.



Also, what sort of attachments and accessories are your favorites?



Opinions?



Thanks!
 
watermantra said:
My small Lowe's shop vac unit just doesn't seem to be cutting it. Which brand/type do you guys use? Keep in mind, I am a hobbyist! I would love to get a vapor machine, but can't yet justify the expense, even with its other household uses.



Also, what sort of attachments and accessories are your favorites?



Opinions?



Thanks!
Click to expand...



The Rigids from Home Depot are excellent machines and come in a variety of sizes. I picked up a 16 gal one a few years ago along with the detailing kit that comes with a smaller diameter hose along with various attachments. The big hose is a little cumbersome but with the smaller attached hose I can just set the unit at the front of my car and have enough length to vacuum out all door areas.
 
I also have a Rigid and it's great. I didn't realize they made a smaller diameter hose for it though, I'll have to check that out.
 
I just use a shop vac bought at Wallmart. Paid sixty bucks for it and it does a great job. I have to have a couple of them because I have one at the shop and one at a customers house. They have the smaller hose so it is not so cumbersome and Wallmart also has the detail package for something like twelve dollars. I don't really know why you would need some huge vac if you are just using it on your own cars. But in all honesty, all of the vacs look just a like. Shop vac has been around for a long time and really were the first one out on the market. But if you get a really large vac it will have the larger hose that seems to be harder to keep off of your car.



All of this is null and void if you need it for yard work. In that case deff, get the larger one because my hoses are a little small for picking up larger leaves.
 
i just got the shop-vac "contractor" vacuum from lowes, its small (6 gall), but it has the 5.5hp motor from the larger models. It also has a screw on hose for a sure seal. I like it.



edit: this one

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X3 for the Rigid I got my year before last during black friday at HD and got it for a steal. I would've paid full price for the unit. Its great! Its a 12gal 5hp wet/dry unit.
 
I think I have a Shop Vac 3 gallon, 3HP model. Hose is short and not as 'rubbery' as I want, but the unit is so small I can carry it to each area I'm going to clean.



It actually came free with the micro-cleaning kit for use on computers, crevices, etc. so that really helps.



There's a Rigid vac that is shaped like a toolbox with a powerful motor that I've wanted to get, but I can't justify spending $70 on a shop vac when the one I have works fine.
 
I have both the Metro Vac N Blo and the rigid 4550. The Metro is not a wet vac but it comes with all the little accessories you need for detailing the interior. The 4550 is a "tool-box" shaped vacuum that's very easy to transport. Pick up the 20' pro hose (orange) for it and you're all set.
 
I have both a large Shop Vac and one of their small units and both pull a lot of air. I have been using one of those sticky roller lint removers (the kind your find at home shows, with a long adjustable handle and a pinkish, rubbery coating that's cleanable) to use on a brand-new canvas soft top. It works, but I would like to find a vacuum unit that would be safe to use on a soft top. Even my smaller Shop Vac seems to pull too hard. Plus, the unit is so small that I have to hold it under my arm while using the hose on the top. Maybe I'm being too cautious [?] :think2 Something like a Dust-Buster just seems too small for this job. Any feedback appreciated. ;)
 
I'd get the Vac N' Blow with a wall mounted attachment so you can hang it and keep it out of the way.
 
I went through 3 rigids before. While they work they work great. I've actually had better luck with craftsman over any rigid I've own so far. But both are very very comparable to performance. I have (2) 6.5 hp craftsman in the shop now. fairly cheap ( I think they're around $80 here)
 
karburn said:
I have both a large Shop Vac and one of their small units and both pull a lot of air. I have been using one of those sticky roller lint removers (the kind your find at home shows, with a long adjustable handle and a pinkish, rubbery coating that's cleanable) to use on a brand-new canvas soft top. It works, but I would like to find a vacuum unit that would be safe to use on a soft top. Even my smaller Shop Vac seems to pull too hard. Plus, the unit is so small that I have to hold it under my arm while using the hose on the top. Maybe I'm being too cautious [?] :think2 Something like a Dust-Buster just seems too small for this job. Any feedback appreciated. ;)
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Try the round nozzle with a soft brush on it. It's also invaluable for interior cleaning - does a better job on air vents than a q-tip, and good for headliners and consoles too. I got one in my rigid accessories kit, but I've seen them for other brands too.
 
themightytimmah said:
... does a better job on air vents than a q-tip, ....
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Amen! A great trick I like to do in order to combine a couple steps and get the best results is to spray a bit of interior quick detailer on the bristles and then vacuum the vents, this way it makes sure to grab every bit of lasting dust/dirt from there :)
 
Looks like a great unit. An actual-size photo, no less!! :) That looks like the best choice for what I need, even though I'm not a pro detailer. Once I get this rag top clean, I'm COVERING the car. Dust is relentless. Thanks for all the great feedback. :xyxthumbs
 
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