Question about Extractors
- Thread starter The Truth
- Start date
googledude
New member
I have this model but with the shorter hose and cord. I like it very much so.
http://www.topoftheline.com/carpet-extractor-steamer.html
http://www.topoftheline.com/carpet-extractor-steamer.html
Ed Hartman
New member
www.crossamerican.com"Mitey One" with upgrade
Ed, I truly appreciate your contributions on this subject. :up
I have a question regarding the Mitey-One upgrade option. In the automotive detailing arena, will the extra 40 PSI (100 vs 60)and 3-stage (vs 2-stage) motor make a noticeable improvement in the process? How? What is the implication (benefit) of having a "epoxy painted" motor? Is that common in the industry?
Another question regarding the hot vs cold water cleaning. I haven't kept up with the carpet industry as I'm sure you have, but at least one carpet (not I can't remember the mfg) I purchased (home not auto), I was cautioned by the supplier that the carpet "twists" were "heat set" and to avoid hot (read steam) cleaning as it could (or would) loosen the pile leaving a fuzzy looking mess. Is that common? Any similar problem when cleaning automotive carpets?
TIA
I have a question regarding the Mitey-One upgrade option. In the automotive detailing arena, will the extra 40 PSI (100 vs 60)and 3-stage (vs 2-stage) motor make a noticeable improvement in the process? How? What is the implication (benefit) of having a "epoxy painted" motor? Is that common in the industry?
Another question regarding the hot vs cold water cleaning. I haven't kept up with the carpet industry as I'm sure you have, but at least one carpet (not I can't remember the mfg) I purchased (home not auto), I was cautioned by the supplier that the carpet "twists" were "heat set" and to avoid hot (read steam) cleaning as it could (or would) loosen the pile leaving a fuzzy looking mess. Is that common? Any similar problem when cleaning automotive carpets?
TIA
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
Extraction - you want about 130" Waterlift
Injection - you want 100psi.
Heat - you NEED >200 degrees.
Capacity - I find 6 gallons sufficient.
Build quality. Pros use dependable, durable tools.
To be blunt, IMHO the Little Green Machine is a joke/toy.
Jim
Injection - you want 100psi.
Heat - you NEED >200 degrees.
Capacity - I find 6 gallons sufficient.
Build quality. Pros use dependable, durable tools.
To be blunt, IMHO the Little Green Machine is a joke/toy.
Jim
For under a grand, I think the Aztec is the way to go. However, for just OVER a ground, you can get a heluva carpet extractor at www.topofthline.com. I just got mine and it is AWESOME! It's their best seller and I can see why. Hope this helps.
Ed Hartman
New member
Mr Clean, having a higher PSI means you move water faster, with more force meaning you can clean faster. Sure you can clean with less PSI its just going to take longer and more elbow grease. As far as Epoxy painted, Im not sure exactly what benefit that would have to the motor. Most if not all major carpet manufacturers (Shaw, Mohawk) recommend hot water extraction to maintain carpet. I don't know what kind of carpet you have but that seems odd they would say that. Ive cleaned with hot water for years, never a problem. Automotive carpet in general is very forgiving. Its typically a nylon or a nylon blend. You can throw just about anything at automotive carpet and it will take it. And I agree with Jimmy, If I wanted to be a cut above my competition and be the best at what I do, I wouldn't go cleaning with a Bissel.
General Lee
New member
Not to highjack this thread, but can anyone post some tips on the proper use of an extractor? For example like should you add cleaner to the the hot water or just extract with the hot water alone.
Also do most extractor users clean the carpet with a stand alone product then extract using only the water provided by the extractor. I know these machines are pretty self explanitory, I was just wondering the best way to use these machines to get the most out of them.
My portable one I just got as a gift (the Original one I posted about had to be returned and I was provided a different one) Is a Hawk with these specs:
1 1/2 gal. solution tank
2 gal. recovery tank
200 degree heated solution tank
102" of vacuum lift
60 psi pump
Not to bad I think for a small portable.
Also do most extractor users clean the carpet with a stand alone product then extract using only the water provided by the extractor. I know these machines are pretty self explanitory, I was just wondering the best way to use these machines to get the most out of them.
My portable one I just got as a gift (the Original one I posted about had to be returned and I was provided a different one) Is a Hawk with these specs:
1 1/2 gal. solution tank
2 gal. recovery tank
200 degree heated solution tank
102" of vacuum lift
60 psi pump
Not to bad I think for a small portable.
Ed Hartman
New member
Since I have seen and read several threads on carpet cleaning, thought I would chime in. Ive been in the carpet cleaning business for years. Im also certified by the International Institute of Carpet Cleaning and Restoration. Can't say Im a real big fan of cleaning carpets with Oxy clean. I don't use it and know for a fact none of my friends in the biz use it either. Many reasons why, the most prominent one is the amount of calls I get from ladies who spray it on a stain, walk away and a week later her carpet has discolored. She sees the ad on television when the guy pours it on and it "disappears". I see this all the time. Not trying to bash anyone using it but if you guys are using this stuff, better make sure you get it rinsed out completely. While I do not clean cars (only my own), here is how I would do it. These principle are the same for cleaning home carpets and the principles taught to me by the IICRC.
#1 Vacuum thorougly. Getting loose dirt is critical to the end result
#2 You need to apply a good prespray. What is a prespray? In our business its called a Traffic Lane Cleaner. You spray it on the carpet to dissolve dirt and stains. That simple. There are many good ones out there. Ones I would look at are: Prochems Ultrapac, Chemspecs Express Lane or Matrix Grand Slam. Most of these run about $25.00 a gallon, but the dillution rations are usually 4 oz per gallon or 1 oz for a 32 oz spray bottle. There are many places on the web to find these presprays, one that comes to mind is www.jondon.com. Ive used them, they have good customer service. A gallon would last a long time. I use a cordless sprayer but for cars a trigger sprayer would work, although a pump up sprayer from Sears or Home Depot would be quicker. Always apply your prespray with HOT water. Hot water breaks down grease and grime twice as fast as cold water.
#3 Agitation. Once the prespray is applied, you need to agitate it into the carpet. Its like shampooing your hair. You wouldn't dump shampoo on your head and not scrub it in your hair. Same principle applies to carpet cleaning. I prefer a horseshoe brush for this. I would not take a scrub brush to someones car seats.
#4 Dwell time. Need to let preprays dwell on the carpet for a minimum of 10 minutes maybe longer depending on how dirty the carpet is.
#5 Extract. This is when good equipment is essential for a quality job. You have all heard the term "Steam Cleaning". Well, all that is is water going into the carpet and extracting at the same time. We use water at 210 degrees to accomplish this. However, I realize most of you probobly cant extract like this. If it were me and I was detailing alot of carpets, and wanted to be a cut above my competion I would invest in a good portable extractor. No, the are not cheap. A good one will run $650-$1000. However you do it, you must rinse these cleaning agents out of the carpet. If I were using a shop vac, I would mist hot water on top of the prespray (after it dwells) and rinse it out.HOTTEST water you can find. Whatever you can find that gives you the most suction, use it.
Again, get a good traffic lane cleaner as stated above. Avoid using things retail. Extract with hot water only. I would also invest in some defoamer from www.jondon.com It just really helps your recovery tank from filling up so fast.
#1 Vacuum thorougly. Getting loose dirt is critical to the end result
#2 You need to apply a good prespray. What is a prespray? In our business its called a Traffic Lane Cleaner. You spray it on the carpet to dissolve dirt and stains. That simple. There are many good ones out there. Ones I would look at are: Prochems Ultrapac, Chemspecs Express Lane or Matrix Grand Slam. Most of these run about $25.00 a gallon, but the dillution rations are usually 4 oz per gallon or 1 oz for a 32 oz spray bottle. There are many places on the web to find these presprays, one that comes to mind is www.jondon.com. Ive used them, they have good customer service. A gallon would last a long time. I use a cordless sprayer but for cars a trigger sprayer would work, although a pump up sprayer from Sears or Home Depot would be quicker. Always apply your prespray with HOT water. Hot water breaks down grease and grime twice as fast as cold water.
#3 Agitation. Once the prespray is applied, you need to agitate it into the carpet. Its like shampooing your hair. You wouldn't dump shampoo on your head and not scrub it in your hair. Same principle applies to carpet cleaning. I prefer a horseshoe brush for this. I would not take a scrub brush to someones car seats.
#4 Dwell time. Need to let preprays dwell on the carpet for a minimum of 10 minutes maybe longer depending on how dirty the carpet is.
#5 Extract. This is when good equipment is essential for a quality job. You have all heard the term "Steam Cleaning". Well, all that is is water going into the carpet and extracting at the same time. We use water at 210 degrees to accomplish this. However, I realize most of you probobly cant extract like this. If it were me and I was detailing alot of carpets, and wanted to be a cut above my competion I would invest in a good portable extractor. No, the are not cheap. A good one will run $650-$1000. However you do it, you must rinse these cleaning agents out of the carpet. If I were using a shop vac, I would mist hot water on top of the prespray (after it dwells) and rinse it out.HOTTEST water you can find. Whatever you can find that gives you the most suction, use it.
Again, get a good traffic lane cleaner as stated above. Avoid using things retail. Extract with hot water only. I would also invest in some defoamer from www.jondon.com It just really helps your recovery tank from filling up so fast.
i agree with everyone.....if you want to play with the big boys...you need the right tools...if your are doing this to make alot of $$$$ save up and get the models all the pros here like jimmy buffitt and anthony orosco recommend...:up they do this for a living and honestly thats why i love this forum, you guys save us so much time because you been there and done that :bow ....$1300 is that much if you factor in headaches and all, buy it right the 1st time because how many of us have bout the porter cable due to the rave reviews, its the standard. as is apperently the ninja/sensai brand when it comes to carpets. im an enthusiast, dont do this professionally but i like doing it and dont have the capital to invest in high end, high quality/caliber equipment:angry what im thinking of doing is getting this modelsensai extractor and using an immersion heater like thisheater ...i plan to use seperate outlet and because each one is under 9 amp...i dont think i will run into breaker issues which is good in case i go to someones house:xyxthumbs i will heat in a bucket and transfer the water via hand pump maybe...havn't worked it all out yet but im seem to be leaning towards the sensai....is it me or does the aztec look a lot like the duramaid which is :sosad