VX-5000 still a preferred steamer?

bennylava

bennylava

New member
Hi all, new here. Just wanted to stop by and ask about what the preferred detailing steamer is these days. I did some looking around and a bit of research, and it seems that the VX5000 steamer is, or was for a long time the sort of go-to steamer for a great many detailers. Is that still the case? I certainly like the price, as its around $750. I was expecting to have to spend about double that for a quality commercial grade steamer. I run a small car business from my house, buying broken stuff and fixing it and selling it. But presentation is key, and I need to be able to get all that old grease, oil, and dirt off of the engines. As well as being able to make cleaning an interior a heck of a lot easier.

I'll be wanting to use a steamer on engines, as well as interiors. And of course I need it to perform very well. So I guess I'm just asking if the VX5000 has been replaced by something better by now. I know there are a ton of steamers to choose from, but I like its compact size. Is there any reason I shouldn't get the VX5000? Is it still pretty up to date?
 
I just purchased a Vaporxbief single pro
Outspecs the vx5000/VM3000 while being cheaper
But if you prefer the vx I know a site that sells it for 680
 
From my research allot of machines that were over speced in the 1500 and under price ranged arnt true commercial grade and its iffy if they'd really last in our line of work..

The ones that are built solid that'd I'd consider are the
Vx5000/VM3000 single boiler
Vaporchief single
And dupray Tosca

Vaporcheifs single pro out specs the vx5000/vm3000 while being cheaper
The vapor chief continuous outspecs the Dupray Tosca bit is 200 to 300 more

Anything else besides the ones mentioned I wouldn't invest in
 
VX is a fine unit, takes a beating over here in Australia with a 240 volt aussie transformer in it and 15 amp socket, but Its the hose thats the problem. they've just gone to brass fitting inside hose as the plastic bit inside fails eventually and steam pisses out the front of the machine then.
 
I have had the VX5000 for over a decade and its a fine machine, but I dont think (like 65Chevy does) it will be that great on a full on engine cleaning...
The bigger machines with a bigger, longer hose and more psi would perhaps be better...

For that reason I just use my smaller pressure washer with a wide fan nozzle and never have an issue cleaning the engine, compartment, underside of the hood, all the places down the sides of the engine, blowing out the radiator from the back side, and all those nooks and crannies inside the front fenders, the back of the grills if accessible, etc...

Good Luck !
Dan F
 
So 2 votes for vapor chief, and 2 saying the VX-5000 would take too long to clean engines. So I'll scrap my VX-5000 idea.

But will the Vapor chief clean engines fast enough?
 
An afterthought:

Also, which particular model of vapor chief are you guys recommending? They seem to have several, with a ranging from $450 to $2,000
 
What is the reason? Just more PSI blowing out? Or higher temperatures?

What are we really talking about here? Why is one steamer better than another for detailing engines, specifically. Lets get it all out.
 
bennylava said:
What is the reason? Just more PSI blowing out? Or higher temperatures?

What are we really talking about here? Why is one steamer better than another for detailing engines, specifically. Lets get it all out.
Click to expand...

More PSI = hotter temp, which equates to more cleaning power which speeds up process

Me personally.. for engine detailing, I'll be using BF waterless wash and trim/tire AIO
 
Besides cheaper price and extra PSI I chose Vaporchief over the vx5000/vm3000 due to the following
External heater element.. Replaceable and less dependant in needing distilled only water
More powerful wattage heater element = quicker initial water heatup..
3liter boiler vs 3.5 of vx..with that in conjunction with higher wattage heater element means quicker PSI recovery and possibly higher continuous use PSI.

I got the 75 psi model.. If I let it sit it initially reached just shy of 85psi
Continuous use I never noticed it drop past 50psi
 
Seems like this really isn't an exact science, and different people have different opinions on it. I'll probably just buy the Vaporchief $1200 unit just to be on the safe side. No way that thing is somehow bad at detailing engines.
 
nothingface5384 said:
More PSI = hotter temp, which equates to more cleaning power which speeds up process

Me personally.. for engine detailing, I'll be using BF waterless wash and trim/tire AIO
Click to expand...

I'd second this. I just got a VX5000 and also just started doing engine detailing on my own cars. The BF trim/tire AIO is quite good for this (tires too, but I didn't like it on exterior plastic trim). I plan on doing as much as I can with waterless wash, then hit the tight areas with the steamer. Then I'll follow that up with the BF trim/tire AIO and some aerosol dressing.
 
Alright I'll go ahead and say, that compared to you guys, I'm something of a noob to detailing. When it comes to a car that I'm going to sell, I generally just wash it, clean out the interior and armorall, and clean the engine as best I can with simple green and a rag. Then wash the engine with a water hose. You know, all average basic stuff. Generally, this is good enough to sell a car.

I'm trying to step up my game and make these cars look really nice. Like they would, when they leave you guys' shops. A great looking car commands top dollar. So to me, what you guys are talking about, all sounds like finishing stuff. Like engine dressing, for an engine that has already been thoroughly cleaned and degreased. Am I right about that? What I'm asking about, is more along the lines of how to get a dirty engine, cleaned up and ready for that kind of thing.
 
Id save the money and get the 75psi single pro and just do a waterless engine cosmetic detail
The 2 products I've mentioned will clean the engine bay rather well
 
They don't seem like degreasers though, they seem like light cleaners, and engine dressing. Am I wrong about that?

I guess I'm unclear about what you're telling me to do. Let me see if I got this right, I'll line out my imagined process and then you can tell me if its what you're saying.

1. Spray engine with Simple green, and let it sit for 2 minutes. (i like simple green cause its environmentally friendly)

2. Come along with the steamer, and steam clean the engine, wiping up with a microfiber cloth as I use the steamer.

3. Use BF trim/tire AIO

Finished? Or should I use an engine dressing like Chemical Guys' Black on Black?
 
I have read in the past that Simple Green can harm some metals by ruining the finish on them..
I have never liked it even before I read this, that smell - not good for me.. :)

Have only used Meguiars Super Degreaser and it is low foaming, cleans extremely well, and doesnt leave a bad smell or anything on the surfaces.
They are just really clean after I hit them with my pressure washer..

Then use my Master Blaster to air dry as much as possible, leave the hood up to get all the water to drain out of the underhood insulation, dry it with Master Blaster a lot..

Then if you really want to make the engine compartment POP, spray it with Meguiars Hyper Dressing and let it air dry.. It wont last very long though..
Or spray it with Chemical Guys Black on Black, and it will really look great and will last a little longer, and not be greasy, etc., at all..
Dan F
 
Hmm... if I'm getting the feel for this right, it looks to me like most of you guys don't really use a steamer on the engine. Is that fair to say?
 
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