Steamers on Interior & Engines

S

SR77

New member
I see alot of people are starting to use steamers for detailing Interiors and Engines etc.., so my question is what materials or parts on the interior and in the engine bay is the streamer safe on, and what materials should be avoided. Do you literally just spray the streamer directly on the interior parts and wipe or are there tips to using them inside? Also in the engine bay, there is alot of computer, sensor etc.. type parts, is it safe to just spray everything down in the engine bay or are there parts to avoid. I have a portable steamer to use which is definitely not as powerful as a commercial one, but it should get the job done, i just don't want to do damage to anything, so i figured I'd ask before I whipped it out and go crazy. thanks for the help!
 
I have several portable steamers that I use. Non are powerful enough to clean a bad engine but I use them to spruce up areas. I've used them on almost all surfaces on the interior and exerior at one time or another. Most likely the heat several inches away from the tip is not too terribly hot. Areas I avoid are displays on navigation systems, radios and such. Any passes I make on electronic is quick. I also would use caution in winter around glass. I've used my steamers hundreds of times though and can't recall a single instance that something was harmed. They are great tools and I couldn't imagine not having one.
 
I have one of the more powerful industrial steamers from a co. called (Euro Steam). It was pretty expensive, but I tell my clients that I sanitize and deep clean the interior of the car. I also find myself using less APC etc. I don't use it to clean engines, it is said that it will harm the computer devices and such. On interiors you just wrap a MF around one of the attachments (it has clamps to hold it in place) and just go to work. You just steam an area, then wipe w/ a dry MF or towel. There are several attachments to be used. I use the machine to do everything on the car from the windows, jambs, cloth and leather seats. I also love using it to clean the air vents. They have cleaning instructions on their web site. I hope this is useful info.
 
SR77- Other than avoiding the obvious, I don't think you'll run into trouble in engine compartments.



Sure, you want to avoid the Optispark ignition on GM vehicles and any cracks/etc. in electrical lines/plug wires/etc. I did melt a plastic clip (that held the hood prop rod) by steaming it too long (duh...). But otherwise I've never taken any special precautions. The steam evaporates to a great extent, it's not like it leaves things soaking wet. And even then, *IMO* the dangers of getting electronic stuff a little damp are often overstated.



I really steamed the engine compartment of my new beater-Blazer, and that was after thoroughly soaking it with degreaser/APC. No problems at all. A little common sense goes a long way and it sounds like you're leaning towards erring on the side of caution anyhow.



On interiors, I watch it around plastics (based on what happened with the aforementioned clip) and leather, but again, it's not like I'm super-careful or anything. The leather thing will, as best I can tell, depend on the way the leather is dyed. I used the steamer full-strength (and my Daimer is pretty potent) on the leather in a '89 Benz and it worked great, but I'd never do that on my Jag.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have to take alook again, but i don't think my steamer has a MF attachment. I might have to spray and wipe with a MF. I guess I will give it a try and see. i just want to know which materials to watch out for so i don't to harm with the hot steam. thanks again
 
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