I noticed recently that, when I steamed a friends car, the plastic faded(Luckily he wasn't upset, he's selling it) I have a cheap steamer, so I'm thinking I'm using it too close. Can anyone else relate? How do you use your steamer, so when I buy a better one, I will do it 100% correct. Also, I notice after I steamed, then wiped, it smudged a bit. Can anyone else relate? Is it just my steamer or am I doing something wrong?
Steaming Questions
- Thread starter AquaHawk
- Start date
Accumulator
Well-known member
With a better/most potent steamer you'll need to be even more cautious about damage like that. I really like my Daimer 1500C, but I've done a little damage with it too (and I know from using a steamer 
). You can "bleach out" pigmented plastics, you can melt synthetic carpeting.. lots of ways you can mess up even if you're not doing anything that seems obviously risky.
Aquahawk- Could you elaborate on that "smudging" issue?
pmnewton- Opinions vary about steamers- constant fill or not (I need it), chemical injection or not (I never use it but mine has it). I've had a number of steamers, and IMO you should buy the best, and most powerful, one that you can afford.
). You can "bleach out" pigmented plastics, you can melt synthetic carpeting.. lots of ways you can mess up even if you're not doing anything that seems obviously risky.Aquahawk- Could you elaborate on that "smudging" issue?
pmnewton- Opinions vary about steamers- constant fill or not (I need it), chemical injection or not (I never use it but mine has it). I've had a number of steamers, and IMO you should buy the best, and most powerful, one that you can afford.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Ah, OK. That must just be one of those surfaces that doesn't take kindly to steaming. You'll run into those, hopefully not in a way that ruins somebody's car! Gotta start out very gentle and only ramp things up (gradually) if it's really necessary. And keep in mind that the steamer isn't always the right tool for the job, even jobs that *seem* like good candidates.
Accumulator
Well-known member
AquaHawk- I guess that depends on what you mean by "no chemicals". I'd probably use regular Interior Cleaner, maybe even an Interior QD product. I bet somebody here would suggest ONR, that might be worth a try (never used that for it myself).