Shop Vac- Filters

[Beemerboy]

I know this is going to seem like a stupid question. I have a shop vac with a paper filter.

Do I need to remove the filter when I`m using it to suck up water? Like after washing the rugs, the Little Green machines sometimes needs a little help with the lift.

I think that I know the answer but wanted to hear what others are doing.

Thanks
Hair Brained Beeemboy

[skifreak122]

i have always taken the filter off just because first off i dont see the point in filtering water that im going to dump out and second it wouldnt do the filter any good. make sure you dump all of the debris inside the can too, or you`ll have a muddy mess....not that ive done that or anything

[dimedrol]

it seems like it make a lot of differences in power suction. Everytime i remove the filter the suction power goes down. I don`t know maybe it is just me.

[OI812]

Yeah you want to remove the filter, if you don`t you will get it wet and destroy it. Most shop vacs require no filters at all for sucking up water. Just an idea if you are using it around a car is to rap a rag at the base of the motor. Depending on the shop vac water can spit out around the base and the rag will trap the water and any dirt that might get blowen out

[CharlesW]

My older Shop-vacs use either a foam filter sleeve with a paper bag filter over it or a pleated paper filter for dry pickup.
For wet pickup, you are supposed to remove the paper filter, but use the foam filter sleeve.
:dunno

Charles

[OI812]

My mistake, I should have remembered the foam filter. Have you had a problem with the foam filter getting wet and falling off? I`m sure for the little bit of water you will be sucking up it probably won`t matter

[Beemerboy]

Thanks for the help mines an older one so I plan on removing the filter at 16 bucks a pop just makes sence. I do not remember getting a foam one with the vac but will look at the store and see if ones made!

[kimwallace]

I remove my paper filter ... I have a Craftsman
The one time I did not ... it was history ... plugged and could not clean it out at all.

[Beemerboy]

Kim

That`s what happened with mine, so now that I have a new one I take it off. I just got done with the mats and sucked out the water turned out great. Washed the can out and put the filter back in. I`m now wondering what the filter is for?

[CharlesW]

Originally posted by Beemerboy
I`m now wondering what the filter is for?

To keep you from blowing all that dust and dirt back into the air.

Charles