Potential added value of "Vapor steam cleaning"

J

Jordan@DD

New member
I've brought up the vapor steam issue a few times and I still really want one.



Basically I'm trying to justify the cost for the business.



Benefits I see:

Reduced chemical cost

Improved interior efficiency (?10-25%)

Marketing ability of "vapor steam" (Kills bacteria, 300 degrees, etc)

?Less physically demanding (Not as much brush/toothbrush work)



These are the 2 units I'm considering, both from Dailmer.



KleenJet ULTRA 1500C $1400



link



KleenJet Pro Plus 300CS $950 w/cart



Link



If anyone has any input on the added value to the business or the models I'm considering, that would be awesome.



Thanks,



Jordan
 
My vapor steamer is one of the few tools I could not work without. If you are using small brushes and toothbrushes to clean with, the steamer will not only improve the quality of the detail, but will most likely improve the efficiency by more than the 10-25% you mentioned. I utilize the VaporMaster 3000, and it has been a very reliable and very effective machine. I know I've commented on the benefits of steamers in other posts, so you may want to do a search as this topic has been discussed before. At any rate, I use my steamer to clean and disinfect the entire interior of EVERY vehicle I work on. From shampooing carpets and cleaning leather, to the headliner and the dash and console area (works especially well here as there are many nooks and crannies that aren't accessable with brushes. The only chemical I use to clean the interior is shampoo, and maybe leather cleaner if the seats are really bad. Otherwise, the steamer will do all the work...and does it very well.



I promise you, a steamer will pay for itself very quickly with the time it will save you and the improved results you can achieve. I'm amazed at how many detailers still do not utilize one of these machines. Once you use one, especially on a particularly rough interior, you will never want to do another detail without it. Good luck with however you choose to proceed.



Matt Williams

Silver Lining Detail
 
replied to your pm, There are a couple of guys there, one that is out of boise that love their steamers. They give instructional time for every steamer they sell.
 
generally it is only 300* at the psi pump. By the time it makes it through the hose it is 200-240 at the tip. 2" away you loos as much at 40*.
 
Grouse said:
generally it is only 300* at the psi pump. By the time it makes it through the hose it is 200-240 at the tip. 2" away you loos as much at 40*.
Click to expand...



Sounds reasonable, thank you for the info. But my other question still stands. What exactly do you steam? Interior metals? The carpet? Everything?
 
Grouse said:
replied to your pm, There are a couple of guys there, one that is out of boise that love their steamers. They give instructional time for every steamer they sell.
Click to expand...



I purchased my steamer from Renny Doyle (Attention to Details), the gentleman I believe you're referring to from Boise. I also attended his detail training course...can't say enough goods things about both the steamer and his course. Probably to two best investments I've made in my business to date.
 
Wow what a coincidence as I was looking into getting a vapor steamer and just yesterday hit that same site.



Supposely cleaning carpets and upolstery with steam is better as your not leaving them wet from the water used in the extractor method which could lead to mildew.



I hope this thread keeps going cuz I'm on the fence about it and want to learn more.



Morbid
 
MorBid said:
Wow what a coincidence as I was looking into getting a vapor steamer and just yesterday hit that same site.



Supposely cleaning carpets and upolstery with steam is better as your not leaving them wet from the water used in the extractor method which could lead to mildew.



I hope this thread keeps going cuz I'm on the fence about it and want to learn more.



Morbid
Click to expand...





Well that is kind of misleading you would have to be extremely negligent in your cleaning process to leave a carpet wet enough, for long enough, with out air movement to cause mildew.
 
Unfortunately, the steamer has not worked out very well for me. I bought the Desiderio for $1200...so it's a good one. However, since drying is not an issue where I live, I have found that I can clean the carpets quicker and better with a hot water extractor. Also, though it is quick, the steam just doesn't get leather and vinyl as clean as when I use my degreaser, APC, or Magic Eraser pad (though if the vehicles isn't real dirty I guess the difference is negligable). For instance, I tried using it again a couple days ago on a black on black interior that wasn't very dirty... but I couldn't even get the steam to remove those white irradescent-colored smudges from peoples fingers and sweat that always show up on black leather and vinyl...so I had to go over the car again with some cleaner and a brush. And I never have been able to get the steam to clean leather to my standard; after steaming, I can always get the leather a lot cleaner by using some good cleaner with my special brush (about 15 toothbrush heads glued together). Basically, I only use the steamer if I'm in a hurry and don't have a car with dirt in the "grain" of the leather and vinyl. But that's just my 2 cents, as a lot of guys are having good luck with it.
 
Hey rag, I have a suggestion.



Heat is a key factor in cleaning but not the only one. Basically there are 3 factors. It is the combo of all three that make for a good clean in the shortest time spent.



It goes like this. Think of a pie chart. with 33% for each of these three sections.



Chemical/agitation, Heat, Time.



With each of those the at 33% you have a good clean. But lets say you don't have heat. Well You then add more dwell time and more agitation/chemical product. Lets say you don't have product/agitation, Well you add more time and heat. If you don't have time you add heat and product/agitation.



My suggestion is combine your APC with your steam cleaner. Try it at 10:1 or so, then steam clean and buff dry.
 
Just to reinforce what has already been said. We have two TR6s from Vaporclean.com. Hard to do an interior without a steamer (now :getdown ).



I'm not that big on cleaning leather with steam, but the dash vents get sterilized (IMHO), not just clean. Great in the console, jambs and any small crack or crevice. We use a serious extractor for carpets, but the steamer is wonderful for prespotting.



Grouse's pie chart analogy is quite valid...



Good investment, go for it!



Good Luck.



Jim
 
Hey Rag, maybe when you get some time you could take another swipe at carpet's with that new machine you got (following Grouse's suggestions). I was looking at that model and am sorry to hear it was a dissapointment for you.



I wanted to get it for a carpet's (among other things).



MorBiD
 
Morbid, these people giving you advice very much know what they are doing - steam cleaning works for a lot of people.



But I think we are in agreement that the steamer does not compare to a good extractor as far as cleaning carpets - gets the surface okay, but the stains come back through in short order. Also, (Morbid), for you referance, the carpet attachment has several "ports" that the steam jets out of...unfortunately these ports result in a pattern of lines in the carpet where the steam jets out, not only does it not look good, but this tells me it isn't cleaning uniformily either. If you don't already have a hot water extractor...this would be a better first investment (unless drying is a serious problem in your area, not allowing you to get the carpets "wet"). Also, most steamers will run out of "steam" before you can get the capets done, forcing you to stop and wait for the unit to regenerate.



And I understand quite well what Grouse is saying...it's just that I can't seem to get "dirty" leather and vinyl truely clean without the agitation compontent...but to spray chemical, then agitate, and then steam is simply too time consuming. Look, the unit cleans pretty well, just not as well as I can with some chemicals and a set of good brushes; this is most evident on dirty leather eats - I can spray some cleaner on the leather and then steam them. They come pretty clean. But I can then do another spot with the same cleaner and one of my specially-designed brushes and get the same leather noticably cleaner. BUT, if a car is not very dirty, the steamer can get the job done very quickly. I just still prefer the good 'ol agitation method (brushes, not rags) and even use the magic erasure pads when it's safe.



But I haven't given up all hope - I periodically force myself to use the unit, hoping it'll grow on me.
 
Rag:



Thanks dude for the follow-up. Like I said I was on the cusp of getting that model as a all-in-one tool but was waiting to hear some feedback. I don't have an extactor yet but will probaly do like most and get a Steamer and a extractor (question is which one first?)



Your a brave soul for plucking down that amount of smackers and not knowing if it would work out for you.
 
Okay, as i said they are two different beasts. what you need to figure out is which of the two is your most pressing need.



Carpet/ upholstry/ headliner



or



dash, door jambs, engine.



Which one takes the most of your time, or is not giving you the results you need. It realy is as simple as that.
 
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