Steamer Hose made Heavy Duty

Greg Nichols · Nov 18, 2009

I’ve picked up a steamer for dang cheap and have been looking for one for a VERY long time. I got the VX5000 steamer. I have seen steamers with a web sheathing covering the hose, used to resist abrasions and help it slide easier over the interiors as the hose is coiled and catches. I tried to buy the materials from the guy that makes these sheathings but no go, I understand as he is in it for the $$$ and all the time it took to work out the issues.

However, I have the time and patience to research this on my own, it took about 10 hours. The materials cost about 40$ to get, much cheaper than replacement of the hose!! I have all the info on what materials, sizes, lengths, amounts, etc. You can email me and I’ll get you the list and contacts. If you are so inclined, any product trades for this info would be welcomed…. SORRY THE PICS ARE POOR, INDOOR LIGHTING.

The steamer hose that needs to be built to heavy duty standards.

Here is the webbing used, its expandable and using the correct diameter is the trick. Too small and it wont fit over the ends, too big and the hose moves too much in the web.

You need to pull the webbing over the hose.

Slip the plastic shrink wrap over the webbing, getting the correct size and shrink ratio is critical. The hose on this is close to 1” diam, but the ends are closer to 2.25” diam.

Get the pieces aligned. Once its starts shrinking its very hard to reposition, and it conforms to the ends.

Add heat and shrink down the wrap, be careful not to melt the webbing, it can handle the heat to a point. Make sure you heat evenly, so it tightens down correctly.

Do both ends. I started with the connector end, then the handle last. Getting the shrink over the handle is tight, and it would be tighter if I had added the shrink to the handle first. I guess it would be near impossible with out tons of swearing and gnashing of teeth!

I think this is a very good idea for any steamer hose you have, its amazing how beat up the hose got the few times I used it, before I got all my supplies and built this up.

Hope this helps you!

Cheers,

GREG

Superior Shine · Nov 18, 2009

Thats it! Your the man!

MichaelSpoots · Nov 19, 2009

Great job, Greg. Thanks for sharing! Looks like you're going to get a few extra years of use out of that machine.

Your DIY is great! You're the man! :up

todd@bsaw · Nov 19, 2009

That's awesome, Greg!

My steamer has the webbing already, but it is getting a little worn for wear. Its nice to know that I can just replace the webbing instead of having to buy a whole new hose.

Greg Nichols · Nov 19, 2009

Superior__Shine said:
Thats it! Your the man!

Yes Joe it should look like your steamer hose, I got the idea from your steamer and another guys I saw online.

Cheers,

GREG

Greg Nichols · Nov 19, 2009

MichaelSpoots said:
Great job, Greg. Thanks for sharing! Looks like you're going to get a few extra years of use out of that machine.

Your DIY is great! You're the man! :up

Thanks, I hope others can use the DIY idea I research out.

todd@bsaw said:
That's awesome, Greg!

My steamer has the webbing already, but it is getting a little worn for wear. Its nice to know that I can just replace the webbing instead of having to buy a whole new hose.

Todd, the webbing is the most expensive part. I have some of the shrink left over so if you want I can sell it to you for cost.

Cheers,

GREG

Woob · Jun 16, 2014

Reviving this old thread since a few people have asked me for info. http://liquid-finish.com/equipment-reinforce-vx5000-vapor-steamer-hose/

REINFORCE YOUR VX5000 VAPOR STEAMER HOSE
In January of 2010 we were crazy enough to purchase a VX5000 Steam Cleaner from Steam-Cleaners-Direct. Itâ€™s been a reliable work horse and fearless around interiors. Do a search on any Detailing forum and youâ€™ll see itâ€™s one of the best entry line professional vapor steam cleaners you can buy on the market without entering the $1000-$2000 range. Weâ€™ve modded ours with a custom horsehair brush attachment we may reveal in the future. What was particular awesome was seeing Greg Nichols of Reflections Detailing Utah reinforce his steamer hose:
Autopia â€“ Steamer Hose Made Heavy Duty
DetailingBliss â€“ Steamer Hose Made Heavy Duty

So with his blessing and a couple emails this is our write up on how to reinforce your VX5000 steamer hose without breaking the bank. Reinforcing the hose allows:
- cheap straightforward option to preserving your hose
- protection for your hose around doors, walking on the hose, hard abrasion, and heat reduction
- wonâ€™t scratch paint as easy when moving the hose up and down
- looks funky cool with custom heat shrink tubing colors
- spend $25-40 to save a $1000 steamer hose
- at the moment there is only one company that sells the existing VX5000 unit with a reinforced hose.


MATERIALS FOR VX5000 HOSE REINFORCEMENT
The hardest part of this process is obtaining the right materials. Your biggest obstacle is finding the right materials to go over the thick handle. Greg was awesome in providing the info:
1) 1 3/4 dia expanding braided sleeving (will expand to 2 1/2 which should fit over the handle) at 11 Feet.
Measure your hose as a precaution. I measured my hose to be cheap and came up with 11 feet. Having finished the install 11 feet is plenty, you will trim some off the hose during the install.
** For future installers, try and see if you can chose â€œRounded Sleevingâ€�. Mine came flat and I despise the look, it adds way too much material to the hose. They also make these sleeves with fire retardant specs.
2) 3:1 heat shrink tubing 2 Inch size
1 Foot is plenty, but you may use 2 feet. 2inch tubing allows the heat shrink to pass through the handles. I went with2:1 heat shrink tubing since finding 2 inch tubing was so hard. You may also use 4:1 tubing.
3) Heat Gun
4) Scissors



HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Pretty cheap. I sourced everything from CableOrganizer. The biggest issue is finding a place with the 2inch heat shrink tubing specifications:Shipping Method: First Class Mail (USPS) Payment Type: CREDITCARD Last 4: 5213 ORDERED SKU DESCRIPTION PRICE 11 BS175BK 1 3/4 in PET Sleeving- Per Foot- Black

<div style="margin:0px;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(204,0,0);">

$16.50 1 HS2-200FT-GN 2:1 HEAT SHRINK TUBING 2 inch Per Foot

$5.62 Returns will only be accepted with an approved RMA. Product Total: $22.12 Sales Tax: $0.00 Shipping: $3.77 Grand Total: $25.89

http://www.cableorganizer.com/expandable-sleeving/
http://www.cableorganizer.com/heat-shrink/heat-shrink2.htm?gcssku=HS2-200FT

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE EVERYTHING?
A few other options that you can play with:
http://www.wirecare.com/products.asp?prodline=h3
http://www.wirecare.com/products.asp?prodline=ptn
http://www.parts-express.com/techflex-1-3-4-expandable-sleeving-25-ft-blackâ€“082-396
http://www.parts-express.com/2-black-2-1-heat-shrink-1-ftâ€“080-702


INSTRUCTIONS & METHOD: REINFORCING YOUR VX5000 HOSE
If you havenâ€™t read Gregâ€™s original guide: Autopia â€“ Steamer Hose Made Heavy Duty, do it.

Step 1: Assemble your items. Remove hose off steamer and find a large flat working area.

Step 2: Thread sleeve on top of hose, youâ€™ll find lots of extra material. My biggest tip is to hold one end of the sleeving, then slowly pull in the opposite direction so you smooth out the sleeving. This enables you to cut any excess at the end.

Step 3. The sleeving will make it, hence why you should push the material the entire length of the hose. Trim the sleeve, I would advise you to have at least 1 inch of sleeving up the plastic handles.

Step 4. Start with one end for the heat shrink tubing, the connector handle is easiest. Itâ€™s crucial you align the flat shrink with the flat section of the steamer hose. Shrink slowly and constantly around the hose so it goes on evenly. Itâ€™s better to have more sleeving underneath the shrink tubing. (Donâ€™t ask me how I know). Again, pull the sleeving all the way to the end so you donâ€™t have excess throughout the 11 feet of hose.

Step 5: The main handle is the hardest due to the size, but if you give enough material it should be a cinch at the end. I went with green to make it funky.

CONCLUSION & FINAL THOUGHTS
Reinforcing your VX5000 is fun and pretty easy. The hardest part of this guide is really finding all the parts. If I had to redo everything I would recommend:
- purchase funky heat shrink tubing colors
- try to purchase rounded sleeving (I dislike the flat sleeving I used)
- make sure your sleeving is secured enough underneath the heat shrink tubing.
This hack is a quick 20 minute improvement that makes your steamer way more professional, custom, and preserves the longevity of the hose. Just position your materials correctly and shrink away. Thanks to Greg Nichols for his information. It only took us 2 years to finally sit down and accomplish guide.

Greg Nichols · Jun 16, 2014

Well Done!

I just used my steamer today, and its going strong! What I like about it the most is the webbing slides easily over surfaces, unlike the ribbed naked hose that catches on everything.

Cheers,

GREG

David Fermani · Jun 16, 2014

Awesome upgrade!

Greg Nichols · Aug 13, 2015

Accumulator · Aug 13, 2015

Even without the sheathing, the shrinkwrap is a great idea! Especially where the hose plugs into the steamer; it's just *so* tempting to pull the steamer along by tugging on the hose, at least when working under a vehicle, and that's where such abuse causes damage.

Greg Nichols · Dec 22, 2015

bouncing up as some have inquired about this. the set up has faired really well over the years. I might be looking to replace some the heat shrink soon.

Cheers,

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