Need a little clarification on equipment

jakeroni,



I might ask you if you need an extractor. Yes Steam is Eco Friendly, very. It can do the majority of jobs an extractor can. it can clean interiors, many times without use of chemicals. Can clean rims.



And, in a Water $mart Environment, you will not have to deal with the waste water.



For time, money and space, Steamer first.



-jim
 
dallen said:
Remember that these steamer are not build to be used everyday, they are not going to last long.
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What it will do is give the OP a good idea of what a steamer can do for less then $100.
 
Relaited said:
I might ask you if you need an extractor. Yes Steam is Eco Friendly, very. It can do the majority of jobs an extractor can.
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What jobs can a steamer replace an extractor for?



A steamer cannot replace the main function of an extractor, to flush and rinse carpet and upholstery.
 
I think things might have gotten a bit muddied up here. Ok I own a brick and mortar location I have alot of equipment already including a very good HWE. The issue being I want a mobil unit all set up for this season and the Mytee GP HP 100 is just way to bulky to carry around in the back of my explorer. (I can do it but it takes up considerable room) I want a smaller more compact version. So I was looking at the Mytee lite II and other compariable machines. Another Detailer I know mentioned that maybe instead of another smaller HWE I should look into a Steamer. Never having used one or personally knowing any detailers that have one on hand that I could go try out I decided to ask on here what the steamer v. HWE comparisons are. From what I've been told by people on here and looked up the 2 machines are not in competition with each other. the steamer is a better way of "cleaning" the upholstry meaning Instead of foaming cleaners and chemicals and a scrub brush or a MF towel I can use a Steamer to clean it. The HWE is still the only way I know to properly flush out the upholsty.When stuff gets into the matting of the carpet or the jute (god forbid) or into the foam of the seats the extractor is the only machine I know that can get that deep.



So the steamer might come in handy (and I actually might go check out that harbor freight one just to see) for cleaning. But for rinsing one really must have a good extractor. And in the salt belt where I am you have to be able to get deep into the carpets.
 
Jake,



What you said here is basically correct. A vapor steamer can loosen up dirt and oils by exposing them to hot steam, allowing for much easier removal. However, it does not actually remove these things from the upholstery. To do that you need to vacuum with either a wet dry vac or an extractor. The advantage of an extractor is that it can put down hot water at the same time as vacuuming, for a thorough rinse. A steamer can also be helpful on door panels, etc, where a vacuum might not work for you. Both are very useful tools.
 
Yea I'm kind of taking an interest in more "green" methods of detailing and I think a steamer is right up my alley here in the future.. Hopefulyl here in a couple of weeks I should be good to give this a try out. Thanks for all the help guys.
 
Dan O said:
Jake I own both a steamer and extractor. I find one does not replace the other. I use the steamer more for the hard surfaces and not quite as much for the carpet. Like Danase said "A steamer is not going to pull / extract anything out". Unless you do a towel wrap on the steamer head this is true, but it would take way too many and take too much time. So for carpets I use the extractor. I have the Mytee HP-60 Spyder extractor which weighs in at 90lbs. unfilled but has the same lift as your HP-100. I have not tried to lug it out for some mobile work yet but will come spring. I use the Vapor Systems VX-5000 steamer which so far has worked really well, especially on sticky coffee or soda spills around the center console. I also use it on limited areas under the hood. It does save me time and chemical use on the interior. Hope this helps, Dan.
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I think Dan hit the nail on the head.



If you can afford both, get them. :2thumbs:
 
Jakerooni said:
Yea I'm kind of taking an interest in more "green" methods of detailing and I think a steamer is right up my alley here in the future.. Hopefulyl here in a couple of weeks I should be good to give this a try out. Thanks for all the help guys.
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I'm sure you already know this Jake, but if you are interested in more "green" alternatives, look at Optimum. All of Optimum's products are eco-friendly.
 
Yea I was recently presented with a very unique opportunity that I just might have to take full advantage of. If it pans out as presented I'll be looking very heavily into eco-freindly methods and products.
 
I too have primarily brick and mortar locations, located well within the salt belt. Our HWE gets used at most once a month(we average form 10-30 cars per day depending on location) , our steamers are used 8 hours a day. While the steamer does not replace an extractor when it's really needed, but for 99% of cars a steamer is faster, and as a bonus the seats and carpet are dry within 15mins. For salt deposit removal, once you have tried steam you will wonder why you did not take the plunge years ago.



As for the cheap steamers, yes they can give you an idea of what a steamer can do, but in reality a cheap steamer is more of a hindrance than a help, many who have tried a cheap steamer have closed the door on a steamer, because of the experience. You can get a decent steamer for around $700, and it will do the job. Definatly get a steamer before you get an extractor. When looking for a steamer get one that delivers at least 70psi, a minimum of 300 degrees f, and a 12 foot hose.



For your mobile rigs, the solution is simple, if the detail requires more than what the steamer can provide, refer them to the shop, no need to carry more weight just in case.
 
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