Steam Cleaner

[Troy@Protekt]

Just FYI, I hope I don`t sound like a salesman for Vapor chief here but they don`t want you using distilled water. Only tap water in their machines. Has something to do with sensors in the machine. The heating element is not inside the boiler so the water can`t hurt it. Another plus in my book.

 

[PRND[S]]

Just FYI, I hope I don`t sound like a salesman for Vapor chief here but they don`t want you using distilled water. Only tap water in their machines. Has something to do with sensors in the machine. The heating element is not inside the boiler so the water can`t hurt it. Another plus in my book.

That may be because pure (distilled) water is a poor conductor of electricity. If they have water level or temperature sensors inside the tank that rely on electrical conductivity, they wouldn`t work well, or at all.

 

[RaydiantDetail]

Well just took the plunge and purchased the Vapor Chief 75 before the black Friday month sale ended. I think for the number of cars I work on and what I would use it for it should be more than enough especially since I am currently using a McCulloch. it will probably be a night and day difference.

 

[donbeezy]

just pulled the trigger on a Brio 500cc, got it for a good deal... i hope

 

[ShakingHorizons]

I`ll look tomorrow when I get home. Almost positive it does

 

[bicycle]

Can`t go wrong with the Vapor Chief.

 

[bicycle]

I bought it less than a year ago and it was $700. I got it from
1car-detailing-training.com.
I just checked their site and they have it for $649.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nothingface5384]

I got mine when the single pro was still blue and the 100psi used a different/better looking case
With the $ 100 rebate I paid 549 for it

 

[XxBoostinxX]

Well just took the plunge and purchased the Vapor Chief 75 before the black Friday month sale ended. I think for the number of cars I work on and what I would use it for it should be more than enough especially since I am currently using a McCulloch. it will probably be a night and day difference.

How do you like it? I received a $200 gift card for DI over Christmas to purchase a VX5000, but debating whether I want a Dupray Hill Injection. Go big or go home I suppose.

 

[Accumulator]

Timely bump for this thread as I used my Daimer to do the kitchen floor yesterday. Sure appreciated the continuous fill, went through over two tankfuls (it`s a pretty big floor). Had occasion to call Daimer, and the guys were nice and helpful.

 

[Lonnie]

For those of you who work at car/truck/semi dealerships, full-service detail/carwash shops, or have (a lot of) money to spend for detailing, check out these high-end professional steamers offered from Detailed Image: Fortador | Free Shipping Available - Detailed Image

Personally, I can justify this expense at a larger dealership for cleaning customer vehicles in the winter that come in for service with snow-and-ice built up in the wheel wells. Makes life a lot easier and cleaner for the service technicians and/or mechanics. At high-volume full service car washes, its the same thing. I HATE going through an automated car wash, only to have the ice chucks still hanging in my wheel wells and mud flaps or on the undercarriage rocker panels. I do not like to see the car wash personnel kicking the ice off my vehicle!!

 

[ShaneB]

How do you like it? I received a $200 gift card for DI over Christmas to purchase a VX5000, but debating whether I want a Dupray Hill Injection. Go big or go home I suppose.

Get the hill injection (or any steamer with detergent injection) you will not be disappointed.

also, continuous refill is a must IMO

 

[ShaneB]

Timely bump for this thread as I used my Daimer to do the kitchen floor yesterday. Sure appreciated the continuous fill, went through over two tankfuls (it`s a pretty big floor). Had occasion to call Daimer, and the guys were nice and helpful.

+1 for Daimers customer service. Always excellent.

Just out of curiosity, which model do do you have anyway?

 

[mobiledynamics]

Not quite sure what I have posted in this thread but fwiw....

I have the Hill Injection. IMO, one cannot be without a Steam Cleaner WITHOUT Injection
I have had the older Hill Injection and the Newer One.
Dupray says minor mods like the display and the detergent.
THERE is something different about the new one. BETTER without saying. I find the recovery time is much better than it`s former predecessor.

However

- I purchased this for auto and use it more for indoor house cleaning....
- It`s amazing on wood floors and Injection is even more amazing in the bathroom tiles

- I can`t recall why I`m not a fan of this on auto. It just did some weird stuff in color to a doorboard.....and I`m pretty cautious due to tip temps....and I`ve strayed away from automotive use for this reason.

- same like pressure washers. For some, they may find it cumbersome, due to weight and how YOU use it.

- I guess/sorta see the value for a detailer who actually uses one as a profession.... I dunno, just wasn`t my fancy for me and automotive applications.

 

[Accumulator]

+1 for Daimers customer service. Always excellent.

Just out of curiosity, which model do do you have anyway?

They used to have a Cust. Serv. guy who, uhm...wasn`t my favorite human, but he`s been gone for a long time and yeah the current guys are great.

I have a 1500C.

..[my steamer].. did some weird stuff in color to a doorboard.....and I`m pretty cautious due to tip temps....and I`ve strayed away from automotive use for this reason.

Yeah, I`ve done that "bleach out the pigment" thing a few times too, and never the first time I did the surface in question...I`d steam it, think "OK, this approach is safe enough" and then the next time I did the exact same thing...damage I only use it on the dog-haulers for the most part and yeah I too simply find it not all that great for detailing stuff.

Well, one thing I *do* use it for on all vehicles is cleaning the pedals in the winter. Just seems like the easiest way to do `em and they need done all the time what with salt/etc., almost as often as the daily windshield cleanings.

 

[XxBoostinxX]

Get the hill injection (or any steamer with detergent injection) you will not be disappointed.

also, continuous refill is a must IMO

I am about 90% positive that is what I will go with.

Not quite sure what I have posted in this thread but fwiw....

I have the Hill Injection. IMO, one cannot be without a Steam Cleaner WITHOUT Injection
I have had the older Hill Injection and the Newer One.
Dupray says minor mods like the display and the detergent.
THERE is something different about the new one. BETTER without saying. I find the recovery time is much better than it`s former predecessor.

However

- I purchased this for auto and use it more for indoor house cleaning....
- It`s amazing on wood floors and Injection is even more amazing in the bathroom tiles

- I can`t recall why I`m not a fan of this on auto. It just did some weird stuff in color to a doorboard.....and I`m pretty cautious due to tip temps....and I`ve strayed away from automotive use for this reason.

- same like pressure washers. For some, they may find it cumbersome, due to weight and how YOU use it.

- I guess/sorta see the value for a detailer who actually uses one as a profession.... I dunno, just wasn`t my fancy for me and automotive applications.

IIRC, your earlier post said something about the color of a dashboard.

After owning two Dupray Hill Injections I take it you would say they are worth the money? Have you had any issues with the Dupray with basic tap water?

I plan on using it for detailing, but love the idea of household stuff. Especially without having to use chemicals with a newborn around. Excellent selling point to use on the wife.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Yes, tap water is recommend.

Is is worth 2K . I would not even consider one without it.......it makes a big difference. Consider it a very localized boiling mini pressure washer....
Cleaning tile grout with injection. I can`t imagine cleaning it with steam. I would rather than use softscrub or the like....

My last bullet point though, it`s heavy empty and heavier with water.
I`ve noticed posters on here complain about pressure washers, lugging it , etc.
Same analogy for the unit. So if you have a 2 flr house, she might not lugging it up/down the stairs...
I know I hate it.

When I plan to use the steamer, I plan accordingly and it`s a cleaning Sunday day. Floor, etc, all in one shot so I`m doing all the heavy lifting of the machine.

One more disclaimer. The hoses are the weak point. They have a braided strain relief on it....but eventually it get`s worn.
If you get one, from day one, thicken up both ends and make it a real ~strain relief~.

I make it a point to support the hose with my left hand as I hold the nozzle with the right hand - to alleviate the strain off the hose-body connection. It`s a combo of cheap material that is not thick - wiring/water feeds in there, etc. Same hose is used on the older HI and the new HI. It should be of much thicker material

 

[mobiledynamics]

Boostin -

Just wanted to post some more to avoid you buyers remorse if you jump the gun

Just some more comparative notes..
While the reserve/recycle time on the new Hill Injection is better, there is one annoying flaw. Old one had single chamber - just water. new one has 2 chambers, due to the ability to inject detergent. Anyhow, due to this, I suspect, occasionally, when using Injection mode, it will air-lock...and you need to let off the trigger, then trigger it to get the air to purge, and then injection/forced water comes out.

Just saying...new technology, features doesn`t mean it comes with some flaws.

 

[JSFM35X]

Full disclosure, I am in the jan san business and sell some commercial and some no so commercial steamers

1. Don`t buy a cheap steamer, and you just wand to hit calipers, or grease spots you can make due with a cheaper unit, just don`t be to surprised when one day its inoperable.
2. Steamers are for detail work, not large area cleaning unless you get a super expensive machine.
3. If you are committing to getting into steam cleaning to make money. Get a steam cleaner with extraction capabilities. You will be pushing 4K at this point but you have a useful tool, that can also replace an extractor / spotter plus a machine on this price range should with a lifetime boiler warranty and a good dealer network or manufacturer that will stand behind their machines for many years to come. Dupray, Diamer are good units (I don`t sell those-more full disclosure).
4. For about 4K you can also get one that is tested by a 3rd party to kill germs and that is something to sell your customers on as an upcharge.

Try one before you buy one, most people are surprised. They expected more (and faster) performance and I don`t want you to be disappointed. Your cleaning by the inch not the foot. They are great on grease, and at driving dirt out of cracks and tight spots.

Continuous flow units are a must if you are going to use this commercially, it will kill your time to have to wait for the unit to cool down between refills.
If you have any more specific questions, I`ll try my best to help.

 

[mobiledynamics]

JSF -

Without over generalizing it, any tips you can shed on using it around the household.
I have found it`s amazing on wood floors and for cleaning grout lines - Our laundry room is full on modern white. Laundry cabinets are lacquered white, white Ceasarstone, etc. The grout is epoxy grout, so nothing really absorbs into the grout. Over time surface dirt, etc does make those grout lines no so bright white. Steamer makes quick work reviving it.

Not to derail this thread, but I can`t find any usefullness on using it any where else

6 Burner Stove - I won`t ever use the bristles, etc to clean the stove with the steamer.
Hood Grates go into the DW (let the chems do the work)
Burner surfaces get baking soda. If it`s stubborn, then I get out bigger chems. I prefer chems vs, abrasive mechanical scrubbing for the stove
We cook, entertain alot. Even with the fancy pants exhaust system, there is always some level of oil overspray.

House Windows. You know how dirt falls into the cracks and crevices on the outside. I tried the steamer on a test spot. While great it blasts out the dirt due to what I call a ~localized mini pressure washer~, where the water hit the surface, it lightened it up.

Bathrooms - I still prefer chems/towels for cleanings. Chems again for the inevitable soapscum on the tub .

I do run it over the mattress and over all the toddlers toys, Just Because it`s good practice and I own the dang machine. However, just like RR/WW vs. traditional hose washes, I still prefer to wash the toddlers toys and such and let them dry.

When I got my 1st steamer, I looked at all the marketing videos. Yeah, wow, going to clean XYZ with it.
But in real world usage, I ended up not using it for XYZ.