Calling All Who Get 70 psi Out of Their Steamers

Here in Austin we're faced with an ongoing drought, and with the lake levels slowly decreasing, currently at level 2 water restrictions, we have decided to completely change everything within the business. Sold the full size 2010 e250 V8 van and went to a ford transit connect 4 cylinder, we no longer carry a water tank, large loud generator, carpet cleaners, big vacuums, etc...



We have gone completely eco-friendly, and cut out 70%+ of all chemicals & materials!



We went with the optima steam vapor system, it's gonna take a little getting use to, but $500 fines and many customers/businesses keeping us from detailing on their property, has now been averted by this change, plus it opens the door for so many more opportunities that we couldn't do before because of water run off/waste water.



I did extensive research prior to going with the optima, and this system will allow 2 workers on 1 system with plenty of power, it's a very impressive machine, just not a cheap though!
 
Question for high psi steamer owners will you be able to tackle this with your steamer ?



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Seems to be soapy water drips scale build up
 
sulla- A potent steamer oughta clean that up *IF* it's merely "stuff on top of the paint", but sometimes that is also etched into the clearcoat.



Are you in a "limited water use" area? I'm wondering why you're choosing to approach this as a steaming application...not that it's a bad idea or anything.. :think:
 
I just picked up the Dupray Tosca. I read in the manual that the boiler can build up minerals from the water but the manual doesn't give any info on how to clean out the machine. I was wondering what you guys do after each use of your steam cleaner. Also, none of the Dupray models require distilled water. Should I use it anyway?
 
mbs431 said:
I just picked up the Dupray Tosca. I read in the manual that the boiler can build up minerals from the water but the manual doesn't give any info on how to clean out the machine. I was wondering what you guys do after each use of your steam cleaner. Also, none of the Dupray models require distilled water. Should I use it anyway?
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Distilled water is better but it's a pricey PIA too. I would *NOT* run really hard water through it, IMO that's asking for trouble.



Don't leave water in it between jobs (something I tend to do more often than I should :o ).



I've done OK just running some vinegar through mine. Or you could use some CLR or something else specifically made to demineralize stuch equipment.
 
mbs431 said:
I just picked up the Dupray Tosca. I read in the manual that the boiler can build up minerals from the water but the manual doesn't give any info on how to clean out the machine. I was wondering what you guys do after each use of your steam cleaner. Also, none of the Dupray models require distilled water. Should I use it anyway?
Click to expand...



The Tosca doesn't have the self-cleaning feature? With my Hill Injection, it says it has an "electromagnetic float" feature that scrapes any scale out of the boiler during operation, and the only needed maintenance is to drain the tank manually (has a drain plug on the bottom of the unit) every 50 hours of operation. You can hear it run periodically as the machine makes a buzzing/grinding sound.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
The Tosca doesn't have the self-cleaning feature? With my Hill Injection, it says it has an "electromagnetic float" feature that scrapes any scale out of the boiler during operation... You can hear it run periodically as the machine makes a buzzing/grinding sound.
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Huh, that's a neat feature!
 
Charlie, it might have a self cleaning feature, but how do I know?! I have only used it once and unscrewed the cap from the bottom to drain out the water.
 
mbs431 said:
Charlie, it might have a self cleaning feature, but how do I know?! I have only used it once and unscrewed the cap from the bottom to drain out the water.
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Guess I'd assume if it doesn't say anything in the manual about it, it doesn't. Since you said you ran it for 2 hours today you probably would've heard it, too.



Not a big deal, just thought it was an interesting omission since I think all the others Dupray sells have the automatic cleaning boiler.



Looks like the Tosca did a great job on that oven!
 
2 Hrs cleaning that oven. F'that. I let chemicals do the work. Easy off...dwell and go to town.



Back on topic. I have the Dupray and I use the Direct Injection WAY more than just the steam method on alot of things.

As a example, you can use high pressure steam on grout. That's like the dentist cleaning girl who cleans my teeth.

With the direction injection, it's using similar high pressure but with a boatload of liquid washing it out. I go through water ALOT faster on the boiler but IMO, it cleans the tile faster and more efficiently.



There are certain times you want less liquid and more vaporization....

But HAVING that option and after using one with the *direct injection*, it will change your outlook in whether you want a steam cleaner WITH or WITHOUT direct injection, if you budget allows.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
The Tosca doesn't have the self-cleaning feature? With my Hill Injection, it says it has an "electromagnetic float" feature that scrapes any scale out of the boiler during operation, and the only needed maintenance is to drain the tank manually (has a drain plug on the bottom of the unit) every 50 hours of operation. You can hear it run periodically as the machine makes a buzzing/grinding sound.
Click to expand...



I heard my Daimer making that grinding/buzzing sound the other day and didn't know what it was. Good to know!
 
jsoto- Hmmm..I might have to put some stuff in the Daimer and give the injection a try :think:



JPostal- You sure the Daimer has that self-cleaning feature? Mine makes a fair bit of noise, but doesn't have that.
 
Accumulator said:
jsoto- Hmmm..I might have to put some stuff in the Daimer and give the injection a try :think:



JPostal- You sure the Daimer has that self-cleaning feature? Mine makes a fair bit of noise, but doesn't have that.
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The daimer and dupray both have the technovap technology I believe, but not sure if the rest of the internals are the same. If it wasn't a self cleaning thing it was sure making a lot of noise...more than normal. I have the largest commercial machine Daimer makes so not sure if that would make a difference either.
 
jsoto said:
2 Hrs cleaning that oven. F'that. I let chemicals do the work. Easy off...dwell and go to town.



Back on topic. I have the Dupray and I use the Direct Injection WAY more than just the steam method on alot of things.

As a example, you can use high pressure steam on grout. That's like the dentist cleaning girl who cleans my teeth.

With the direction injection, it's using similar high pressure but with a boatload of liquid washing it out. I go through water ALOT faster on the boiler but IMO, it cleans the tile faster and more efficiently.



There are certain times you want less liquid and more vaporization....

But HAVING that option and after using one with the *direct injection*, it will change your outlook in whether you want a steam cleaner WITH or WITHOUT direct injection, if you budget allows.
Click to expand...



I would NEVER use chemicals in an oven. I wouldn't like APC mixed with my meatloaf, thank you very much. One of my decisions to go with the Tosca was based on the fact that a lot of people have problems with the water pump with water injection. Some say it is built to fail.
 
mbs431 said:
I would NEVER use chemicals in an oven. I wouldn't like APC mixed with my meatloaf, thank you very much.
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Not to get into a flame war, but do you rinse your dinner dishes after you have put soap on them after cleaning ?

For a lightly dirty oven, I can see using a steamer. But in the pic you posted, which was baked on grease splatter, Easy Off is definitely the only thing I would use. Spend a couple of minutes to apply.....let it dwell, wipe off scum and rinse, rinse clean..



I was once into as *gentle* as possible. Take a heavily dirty wheel with YEARS of brake dust. I'm not going to spray P21 Wheel Cleaner, clean, scrub, Spray P21S wheel cleaner, clean, scrub, for however long it takes to get the wheel clean.



I'll use the strongest chemical I know that will clean it within the Limits Of the Medium I am working with...



I used to be *that guy*. The one that uses the least most gentlest stuff in the world on everything just because.... I value my time much more and while detailing is all fun and such, be smart and use chemicals that get the job done - with the preface of ~within the limits of the medium~
 
As far as the PSI thing goes, i found my VX to be very good. Then i turned it up to 5 bars and now low is like medium, medium is like high, and high looks like a space shuttle taking off. More PSI then i would ever need, and i do engines with it.
 
As far as the PSI thing goes, i found my VX to be very good. Then i turned it up to 5 bars and now low is like medium, medium is like high, and high looks like a space shuttle taking off. More PSI then i would ever need, and i do engines with it.
 
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