Bought a Steamer and Got No Results Whatsoever

O

Occidere

New member
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone,

so I saw a post about using a Firebird 1500 steamer to restore a Tundra interior and engine bay. the results looks amazing so I purchased one and tried it on a couple stains inside my home and then on the car.

The stains look even worse now because it whitened the surrounding area but didn't remove the stains. I also sprayed folex on the stain to help out but they didn't come off. I used the steamer on my engine and it just made it a bit wet but did not remove any grease or dirt. I used it on my door jams and it didn't remove anything, they still look dirty. This was on high power and following the manual. I waited for the heating light to be off before using it.

Has anyone gotten results with a steamer? I really need to make this work, for business.

Thanks in advance!
 
Occidere said:
Hello everyone,

so I saw a post about using a Firebird 1500 steamer to restore a Tundra interior and engine bay. the results looks amazing so I purchased one and tried it on a couple stains inside my home and then on the car.

The stains look even worse now because it whitened the surrounding area but didn't remove the stains. I also sprayed folex on the stain to help out but they didn't come off. I used the steamer on my engine and it just made it a bit wet but did not remove any grease or dirt. I used it on my door jams and it didn't remove anything, they still look dirty. This was on high power and following the manual. I waited for the heating light to be off before using it.

Has anyone gotten results with a steamer? I really need to make this work, for business.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

What is your technique? Are you just blasting the panel from 2 feet away or up close? Are you using the triangle attachment with a towel over it?
 
I have a firebird and replaced it with a hill injection. Do to lack of performance.
 
Were you using distilled water? tap water contains a lot of minerals that can show up a white residue when steaming, it's also hard on the machine.

It's not often that I rely only on steam, I may start by pre-spraying with a degreaser, or I may steam and follow-up with a clean microfiber or a microfiber that i've sprayed with dressing, all depends on the existing condition. I can do these processes quickly, so it makes sense for my use. I have had success with just steam, it's great for cleaning tight spots that you can't get a towel easily. I have a mcculloch 1275, which is far weaker than your mytee.

You do need to get the tip very, very close to the grime for it to be effective.
 
Were you following the steam with a microfiber to remove the loosened dirt?? Steam just loosens and breaks down the dirt. You still have to remove the dirt or stain with some sort of media.
 
ngonzi said:
I have a firebird and replaced it with a hill injection. Do to lack of performance.
Click to expand...


Did you sell your Firebird? I have one as well and was thinking about upgrading soon.

Just wondering how easy it was to move on Craigslist or eBay if you went that route.
 
dpk20x said:
Did you sell your Firebird? I have one as well and was thinking about upgrading soon.

Just wondering how easy it was to move on Craigslist or eBay if you went that route.
Click to expand...


I have it on Craigslist. I have the price listed high right now. I've gotten a few very low ball offers. I not in a hurry to get rid of it. I don't think theirs much of a market on Craigslist
 
ngonzi said:
I have it on Craigslist. I have the price listed high right now. I've gotten a few very low ball offers. I not in a hurry to get rid of it. I don't think theirs much of a market on Craigslist
Click to expand...


Ok thanks.

I was thinking of doing EBay personally to avoid that craigslist headache.

Wouldn't mind taking a small loss but really not gonna give it away
 
The Steamer should be used in addition to the normal cleaning process, which should include cleaning chemicals and agitation

Steam intensifies the action if cleaners like Folex, APC, etc.

Removing stains has a little science begin it. You have to match the right cleaning product to the type of stain

I get great results with mine
 
allenk4 said:
The Steamer should be used in addition to the normal cleaning process, which should include cleaning chemicals and agitation

Steam intensifies the action if cleaners like Folex, APC, etc.

Removing stains has a little science begin it. You have to match the right cleaning product to the type of stain

I get great results with mine
Click to expand...

:iagree:
 
DasBurninator said:
What is your technique? Are you just blasting the panel from 2 feet away or up close? Are you using the triangle attachment with a towel over it?
Click to expand...


On the carpet I use the scrub attachement and scrub for minutes til I am out of water. Then pat with a towel. nothing gets on the towel

On the engine and door panels I put the steam nozzle right on the surface and it looks like I sprayed mist on it.

I have seen youtube videos of people cleaning engines with it, no idea how they do it
 
dpk20x said:
Did you sell your Firebird? I have one as well and was thinking about upgrading soon.

Just wondering how easy it was to move on Craigslist or eBay if you went that route.
Click to expand...

Going to put it on ebay. Craigslist has been a waste of time for me in the past. People want things for free
 
allenk4 said:
The Steamer should be used in addition to the normal cleaning process, which should include cleaning chemicals and agitation

Steam intensifies the action if cleaners like Folex, APC, etc.

Removing stains has a little science begin it. You have to match the right cleaning product to the type of stain

I get great results with mine
Click to expand...

Stains aside, how do you clean and degrease an engine with a steamer?
 
It sounds like you're a little lost in how to effectively use a steamer to improve your business and detailing. I would search around, Mike has a very good write up involving the more powerful Dupray steamers (I own one), they're very good, and MUCH more powerful than the unit you have now.
 
This is not meant as an insult to the OP...This proves its not about having $28k in tools and being a good detailer. And a lesson to new guys/girls wanting to get into the business.
 
dcjredline said:
This is not meant as an insult to the OP...This proves its not about having $28k in tools and being a good detailer. And a lesson to new guys/girls wanting to get into the business.
Click to expand...

Did he mention the $28k in tools whatsoever that steamer does not even cost 5 grand...
 
Occidere said:
On the carpet I use the scrub attachement and scrub for minutes til I am out of water. Then pat with a towel. nothing gets on the towel

On the engine and door panels I put the steam nozzle right on the surface and it looks like I sprayed mist on it.

I have seen youtube videos of people cleaning engines with it, no idea how they do it
Click to expand...

Try wrapping the towel around the triangle attachment and scrubbing with the towel on it. You should pick up a ton of dirt.

It shouldn't take minutes or scrubbing until you are out of water.

Like this:
triangle-brush-2.jpg
 
I have a small steamer from Vapamore and it looks like yours so they may be made by the same manufacturer. It works fine but I only clean my own vehicles. I'm wondering if your unit is heating up properly. The steam from these units will burn you and if you take the cap off too soon to drain the remaining water out the machine it will blow the cap right to the ceiling due to the pressure within the tiny boiler. It takes a long time for mine to run out of steam. I've used it to remove a stain from the cloth seat of a Dodge pickup along with an interior cleaner and I have used it to touch up some areas in the engine compartment. Can you test how hot the steam/water is?
 
DasBurninator said:
Try wrapping the towel around the triangle attachment and scrubbing with the towel on it. You should pick up a ton of dirt.

It shouldn't take minutes or scrubbing until you are out of water.

Like this:
triangle-brush-2.jpg
Click to expand...


He has a Firebird which unfortunately does not come with a triangle head.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top