Steam Car Wash equipment

Lonnie said:
512detail:
What would cause the marring, except improper drying techniques (like using an old cotton bath towel) or perhaps not having clean paint surface in the first and then wiping it dry? (when I say not having a clean paint surface, road residue from dirt or clay driveways/roads can adhere to a paint surface and require physical agitation with a wash media (sponge/chenille pad/boar`s hair brush) to remove... just saying)
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I`m guessing its from the towels he uses and method to dry the steam residue or whatever it leaves. I`ve never seen him use it but I have seen the damage it has left. Now granted I`m sure the owner inflicts his own fair share of marring with QD`s etc, but I am constantly giving him good quality micros which I find tossed into the same pile as his nasty towels.

I personally don`t think steam cleaning offers enough lubrication on the drying side much less on the wash side- from my knowledge of how the process works it involves the user cleaning the vehicle essentially the same way as you`d steam an interior with a cotton towel over the steam device head. He said he just kind of brushes the car with his steam tool.

I`m sure if you used multiple towels (like 20 for a car) it may be safer but I`m guessing they don`t do that.
 
You shouldn`t even need to dry the panels if it is dry steam, it just evaporates instantly.

I`m guessing that the guy with the steamer is using bad technique. Dry steam should be able to blast off pretty much anything that`s on the paint, but the nozzles tend to produce a narrow steam pattern that cleans effectively -- if he follows the nozzle closely with a microfiber towel to catch any contaminants, the edges on either side will likely be outside the steam pattern and just grind dirt into the paint.
 
I`ll start by admitting I have not used steam to clean a vehicle. (interior or exterior). With that out of the way I have a few "concerns / issues" with using steam to clean especially the exterior of a vehicle.


  • Steam is hotter than most waxes can handle thus it would automatically remove wax protection. Now a sealant might withstand steam but I would guess it would be broken down much more quickly than normal. Now coatings on the other hand should make this a much safe and long term option. But I still worry about the dry steam.

  • Dry steam creates and has almost zero lubrication. Thus the risk of marring while even during the washing process is exponentially increased. So now you have to have the best ultra premium towels that are perfectly clean at all times. And that might not be enough.

  • These exterior steam cleaners are large and most are gas or diesel and would take up a large foot print and also need fuel all the time.
 
i didnt click the link due to IP address lol
so was this the Optima steamer? or the Fortador steamer?

theres a couple non diesel electric only steamer wash systems, but I dont think they`d have enough volume to steam wash a car in a timely manner...but atleast they`re at an affordable 1500 and 2400
 
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