Winter washing

CharlesW said:
I also use sealants, but many people don't.
The effect on the wax is a small part of my concern with steam cleaning my vehicle exterior.
Like I said, I'm glad it works for you, but it isn't for me. :)
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What are you other concerns then?

I also use hot water and ONR.
 
AeroCleanse said:
What are you other concerns then?

I also use hot water and ONR.
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The heat on the painted metal concerns me, the heat of plastic concerns me, the heat on rubber parts, (door seals etc.), concerns me.
And one thing that sticks in my mind is simply, "If steam works so good for cleaning vehicle paint, why isn't it done more?" Even the quicky detail at the auto auction doesn't use steam on the paint.

After doing some research, the steam cleaning is getting some publicity lately and it may possibly be the next thing in car washing. I think I'll just wait and let you do the experimenting and testing. :)
 
CharlesW said:
The heat on the painted metal concerns me, the heat of plastic concerns me, the heat on rubber parts, (door seals etc.), concerns me.
And one thing that sticks in my mind is simply, "If steam works so good for cleaning vehicle paint, why isn't it done more?" Even the quicky detail at the auto auction doesn't use steam on the paint.

After doing some research, the steam cleaning is getting some publicity lately and it may possibly be the next thing in car washing. I think I'll just wait and let you do the experimenting and testing. :)
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Foam lances haven't been popular until recently either, so popularity doesn't mean much. It takes longer than washing the traditional way, but of course there is less water runoff (none), which is a concern for professionals.

Steam cleaning is popular in other parts of the world.
 
CharlesW said:
The heat on the painted metal concerns me, the heat of plastic concerns me, the heat on rubber parts, (door seals etc.), concerns me.
And one thing that sticks in my mind is simply, "If steam works so good for cleaning vehicle paint, why isn't it done more?" Even the quicky detail at the auto auction doesn't use steam on the paint.

After doing some research, the steam cleaning is getting some publicity lately and it may possibly be the next thing in car washing. I think I'll just wait and let you do the experimenting and testing. :)
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which is why you need to learn the temp of your steam tool...
 
orionz06 said:
which is why you need to learn the temp of your steam tool...
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Nah.
I'll just leave the steam washers and thermometers to you guys.
Maybe when the system has had enough use to be accepted, I'll change my mind.
Kind of like the foam lances.

Lots of hype about all these new tools and developments, but until they prove themselves in everyday use, I'll pass. :)
 
CharlesW said:
Nah.
I'll just leave the steam washers and thermometers to you guys.
Maybe when the system has had enough use to be accepted, I'll change my mind.
Kind of like the foam lances.

Lots of hype about all these new tools and developments, but until they prove themselves in everyday use, I'll pass. :)
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Well they have been accepted. Not a cheap way if you only do your own car. They have been proved in everyday use, so I'm not sure why you think that they haven't.
 
AeroCleanse said:
Well they have been accepted. Not a cheap way if you only do your own car. They have been proved in everyday use, so I'm not sure why you think that they haven't.
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Just for information; The steam loosens the dirt, right? Now what happens to this loosened dirt? The units I read about talk about using a cup of water. Are you saying that you can remove that loosened dirt with a cup of water? So you just steam an area and wipe of the little bit of moisture with a MF towel? Doesn't that moisture contain all the dirt the steam loosened. And this doesn't cause any marring of the surface?

One reason I question their acceptance is the simple fact that I have never seen or heard of any in use other than your use.
What do you use for a steam cleaner when you wash a vehicle with steam?

As far as proven in everyday use, where are they being used?
Are they not common because of the cost?
It just seems like with all the hype and publicity that any new car care product or procedure receives that they would be a greater topic of conversation.

Maybe this discussion deserves its own thread since we have pretty well hi-jacked this one. :D
 
CharlesW said:
Just for information; The steam loosens the dirt, right? Now what happens to this loosened dirt? The units I read about talk about using a cup of water. Are you saying that you can remove that loosened dirt with a cup of water? So you just steam an area and wipe of the little bit of moisture with a MF towel? Doesn't that moisture contain all the dirt the steam loosened. And this doesn't cause any marring of the surface?

One reason I question their acceptance is the simple fact that I have never seen or heard of any in use other than your use.
What do you use for a steam cleaner when you wash a vehicle with steam?

As far as proven in everyday use, where are they being used?
Are they not common because of the cost?
It just seems like with all the hype and publicity that any new car care product or procedure receives that they would be a greater topic of conversation.

Maybe this discussion deserves its own thread since we have pretty well hi-jacked this one. :D
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I suggest you watch Kevin's excellent videos at:

YouTube - kleencar's Channel
 
AeroCleanse said:
I don't use the unit he is using. Kevin is well respected and even helped BMW USA develop their training programs.
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I don't recall showing any disrespect for Kevin. :confused:
It did appear that he was using the unit as a pre-rinse and actually did his wash with a spray on, wipe off product similar to Poorboy's Spray & Wipe.
Several of the other videos, (Not Kevin's), used methods I don't think I would use. Lots of rubbing and wiping with dirty towels using just the "steam" vapor for lubrication for instance. :eek:
Like I keep saying, use it if you like it, it's just not for me.

Anyway:
This subject deals with a lot of information that most of us aren't familiar with and I for one have a tough time digesting it all.
Maybe my definition of steam is what confuses me about the car steam cleaning thing.

I thought water had to be 212 degrees, (at sea level) to become steam, but that isn't necessarily so.
Flash Steam can be formed at much lower temperatures by quickly reducing the pressure on heated water.
Maybe that's what is happening with these systems.
The actual "vapor" temperature may very well be less than some hot water heaters.

I still think it deserves a separate thread and my part in hi-jacking this one is done.
I probably won't participate in another one, but I will probably follow it to some extent.
My curiosity is just not enough for me to care that much about it.
Maybe someday, but for now, my "Winter Washing" will be confined to the DIY places, waterless and rinseless washes.
 
CharlesW said:
I don't recall showing any disrespect for Kevin. :confused:
It did appear that he was using the unit as a pre-rinse and actually did his wash with a spray on, wipe off product similar to Poorboy's Spray & Wipe.
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I don't recall saying you did show disrespect for Kevin.

I think he uses ONR in the spray bottle. Not sure if he mixes it at the wash ratio or the quick detailer ratio.
 
CharlesW said:
I thought water had to be 212 degrees, (at sea level) to become steam, but that isn't necessarily so.
Flash Steam can be formed at much lower temperatures by quickly reducing the pressure on heated water.
Maybe that's what is happening with these systems.
The actual "vapor" temperature may very well be less than some hot water heaters.
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steam is water in vapor form above 212 degrees... steam can be extremely hot which is the dangers of it (400-800+ degrees) i dont recall the temp of my steam guns output, but it isnt enough to melt plastic...


as far as the lower temp steams, never realy heard of it being used for anything... it would essentially just be misted water, and not the heating action of steam...





for water freezing, yes, in some cases hot water will freeze faster than cold water... the thermal gradient is greater (difference in temps) and because of this, heat transfer happens much faster... for my methods thus far, i havent had issues with freezing (other than some foamy spray freezing on me...
 
AeroCleanse said:
No it doesn't freeze faster than cold water, at least not unless you throw it up in the air.
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My mistake then,I was trying to remember who & when told me that hot water would freeze before cold would. Feed back please From a smart guy Please!
 
I security guard at a warehouse/commercial truck parking lot a 12 hour shift on sunday. Upside for me is its owned by my family so I can detail my truck to my hearts sesire while Im there, so long as nothing is stolen and Im around to let trucks in an out. Its a heated building. If its not tooo cold, 35 degrees and up, Ill brave the cold and was and rinse outside then bring hte truck inside to dry it. Or if its too cold or snowing, as its been for the last month or so, I do ONR washes inside, with 2 buckets, on for ONR and one clear water to rinse with. I use a Microfiber/Chenile washmitt with the work like fingers on it (a Viking) and the truck comes out flawless and marr-less. I use DP 4 in 1 and I love it. Great product. MY buddy uses ONR and thats just as good. We also mix Instant detailer with both and that works awesome as well. 2 Must have products, both work equally well, and if I had to choose I think I like the DP a shade better for Rinseless washes, but I think the ONR is a shade better for Instant detailer as it has a touch more gloss. I wash my truck weekly, regardless of the weather, and often do full interior details, and have been slowing polishing the exterior of my truck, piece by piece. I usually do half the truck one week and the other half the next. So far Ive Compounded, and done a 2nd polishing with lighter pad and polish. I need to do the whole truck with a finishing polish and that parts done. I seal up the finish with Wolfgangs spray since it goes on so easy and quick, that way even if I only polish half the truck it only takes five minutes or so to seal it up until next week. That way I dont feel like I wasting a ton of work adding a LSP each time I work on it. Ill post pictures up once the cold weather breaks for good and I get a little more funky with some glaze and a better sealant with wax topper. Im about sick of these North east Winter months....dangIm the MAN
 
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