Commercial Vapor Steamer - Yes or No?!?!?

Bates Detailing

Bates Detailing

New member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
3,074
Reaction score
0
Alright, here's my dilemma :

I have a chance to purchase a commercial vapor steamer (usually $2000 for the one I'm looking at) for the price of $1500, maybe a bit lower ; only used once. I can drain my business account and purchase this but I am wondering if it would be worth it?

I detail alot of school buses which I think would be very beneficial for the interior seats, floors, ceiling, everything!

I planned on purchasing an extractor, but have now ran into this deal. Is it equivalent quality wise on carpets as an extractor with say 100 psi heated? If so I may grab it and not waste my money on an extractor when it can help me in alot of other ways. But, if an extractor removes stains at a much greater rate then I will only cut my business account in half.

Please help me if you have experience with both machines!!!!
 
Steamers are the way to go nowadays imo. Steamers can be used in just about any interior surface including glass! Extractors have a purpose also in very dirty carpets...1500 beans for a steamer is a lot of money,as you can buy them for half of that!!!! Google this model vx5000 and you'll see what in talking about.

I've heard of many guys retire their extractors for steamers. I myself am not a full time pro YET!!! but with all my research, I'm convinced that I too will purchase a steamer instead of extractor.

This is only my .02 hope it helps you some! and good luck in your search.
 
Wow - thanx for the model number to google..... way cheaper and looks sufficient enough.

Wondering if the 65 psi pressure is enough to knock out tough carpet stains and krud on the engine?
The one I was looking at was continuous fill with no down time and 95 psi.

Maybe that is more than I need though? Any insights???

Thanx again man - this may be a WAY better option!
 
I had a chance to use that steamer one time....it was a subcompact car and I cleaned the interior,carpets ,headliner,all the windows and the out side of the car. Granted this car was not that bad but I was convinced.

It took me 35 min for the inside and a little longer on the outside with still steam waiting to be used.I loved the performance of the machine on the inside,I fet a little cheated on the outside,It did a good job but I think a more traditonal wash would have brought better results.

Drying time was greatly reduced with the steamer, compared to the extractor. I used a lot of towels with the steamer but they can washed. I think time can be saved with a good steamer,and time is money is it not?

This is truly my .02,I am in no way trying to sway you one way or the other.As Mike P. says find what works for you!
 
B&B Tennessee said:
Alright, here's my dilemma :

I have a chance to purchase a commercial vapor steamer (usually $2000 for the one I'm looking at) for the price of $1500, maybe a bit lower ; only used once. I can drain my business account and purchase this but I am wondering if it would be worth it?

I detail alot of school buses which I think would be very beneficial for the interior seats, floors, ceiling, everything!

I planned on purchasing an extractor, but have now ran into this deal. Is it equivalent quality wise on carpets as an extractor with say 100 psi heated? If so I may grab it and not waste my money on an extractor when it can help me in alot of other ways. But, if an extractor removes stains at a much greater rate then I will only cut my business account in half.

Please help me if you have experience with both machines!!!!
Click to expand...
For school buses a steamer is the only way to go. A extractor is good for fabric and carpet only. The 100 psi from an extractor is exactly that-warm to hot water being applied at that pressure, getting things very wet and needing to be removed (Extracted) Higher pressure steam means hotter and dryer, cleaning with heat and very little moisture and wiping the dirt away. Neither one is any kind of a pressure cleaner.

If you are going to be doing a lot of big jobs you should have continuous fill like a VC-4000C which will also give you the ability to apply superheated shots of water where you want things wetter (Cleaning wheels) The 4000 will run you about a grand.

I have the Dupray Hill Injection which is total overkill from a cost and performance standpoint. I ike it a lot. VVCC 4000 C VC 4000 C
 
feslope said:
If you are going to be doing a lot of big jobs you should have continuous fill like a VC-4000C which will also give you the ability to apply superheated shots of water where you want things wetter (Cleaning wheels) The 4000 will run you about a grand.

Click to expand...


Yeah, I was just checkin that one out - so continuous fill means no down time then right???

Some of these bus interiors take 6 + hours by hand (I get tossed some pretty nasty buses lol)

Do these machines require regular servicing?


This forum is totally paying for itself right now!!! Thanks again for your help here!
 
B&B Tennessee said:
Yeah, I was just checkin that one out - so continuous fill means no down time then right???

Some of these bus interiors take 6 + hours by hand (I get tossed some pretty nasty buses lol)

Do these machines require regular servicing?


This forum is totally paying for itself right now!!! Thanks again for your help here!
Click to expand...
Correct, continuous fill means continuous operation. The boiler tank is hot and pressurized while a second tank is cold with no pressure and keeps the hot tank full.

They really should not require much service if any. Routine care would be making sure you fill it with clean water and drain the boiler occassionally to get rid of eventual mineral concentration.
 
Just to add an additional point. A steamer will kill 99% of bacteria and germs. A huge upsale for the purpose of doing public busses.
 
Great info guys - think Im sold on the VC-4000C model.

Just got a call for 4 buses needing done over the weekend, so man I wish I had one now! At least this job will more than pay for it!!

Thanks again guys!
 
dad07 said:
It took me 35 min for the inside and a little longer on the outside with still steam waiting to be used.
Click to expand...


Wow - fast interior time. Sounds like a Fleet dream maker! Gettin excited here - can't wait to get one now!! Sounds like it will be a great asset to have before the Spring hits!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top