Tornado - yay or nay?!?!?

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Bates Detailing

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Alright guys - Ive never used a tornado, Im still using brushes, cue-tips, etc.
Is it really worth it?!?!?!
How is it on HEAVILY soiled surfaces?
What are the goods and the bads?!?!?
Is my VX5000 equivalent, better, or sub par compared to the tornado?!?!?

Thanks in advance guys.
 
I'm sure Kris will shine in, he swears by this product.
 
Ive had two of them for about two years now and couldn't be more happy with their abilities. I use them day in and day out for exactly what your asking about, HEAVILY SOILED AREAS. I also like them because of their blowing ability, so really, your able to get the majority of your interior cleaning done with one tool and a microfiber.

Get One.
 
Buy one. If you dont like it....ill buy it off you for full price and pay my own shipping. You'll get hooked on it fast. I just use both of mine for dressing. Wont catch me without one....thats for damn sure, ha.

I dont typically use them for heavily soiled areas. I like them as a final dressing tool. BUT, I can't even begin to count how many random uses I've come across for them...theyre officially a necessity for me.

I think in no way a Tornador will replace, or make your steamer redundant. They're totally different IMO.
 
john b said:
how big is your compressor that you have?
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Dont have one yet - Im guessing that is needed then?!?!

ALLN1WASH said:
Ive had two of them for about two years now and couldn't be more happy with their abilities. I use them day in and day out for exactly what your asking about, HEAVILY SOILED AREAS. I also like them because of their blowing ability, so really, your able to get the majority of your interior cleaning done with one tool and a microfiber.

Get One.
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Kristopher1129 said:
Buy one. If you dont like it....ill buy it off you for full price and pay my own shipping. You'll get hooked on it fast. I just use both of mine for dressing. Wont catch me without one....thats for damn sure, ha.

I dont typically use them for heavily soiled areas. I like them as a final dressing tool. BUT, I can't even begin to count how many random uses I've come across for them...theyre officially a necessity for me.

I think in no way a Tornador will replace, or make your steamer redundant. They're totally different IMO.
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Sounds like you guys love it. Did you see a huge time savings when using it the first times?!?!?
 
I have a tornador but my little compressor isn't enough to run it. If I recall it recommends at 5.2cfm at 90psi to run it properly. Being mobile don't know how much room you would have for a decent size compressor. This has been why I haven't bought the bullet and purchased one yet. I just don't have the room to carry it around with me.
 
I'm with Kris on this one GO FOR IT! it works Great and most of all when customers peek in on my and see me using a specialized tool they are blown away and remember why they hired the pro with the right bag of tools.
Now Kris ... Dressing??? Tell me more about this? Like putting HD in it and dressing tires and dash?
 
+1

This tool has made detailing faster with better results. I was skeptical at first but due to recommendations went for it and have not looked back.
 
SeaJay's said:
I have a tornador but my little compressor isn't enough to run it. If I recall it recommends at 5.2cfm at 90psi to run it properly. Being mobile don't know how much room you would have for a decent size compressor. This has been why I haven't bought the bullet and purchased one yet. I just don't have the room to carry it around with me.
Click to expand...

I can definitely see that being an issue -

fredcandetail said:
I'm with Kris on this one GO FOR IT! it works Great and most of all when customers peek in on my and see me using a specialized tool they are blown away and remember why they hired the pro with the right bag of tools.
Now Kris ... Dressing??? Tell me more about this? Like putting HD in it and dressing tires and dash?
Click to expand...


wildjyoung said:
+1

This tool has made detailing faster with better results. I was skeptical at first but due to recommendations went for it and have not looked back.
Click to expand...

I may have to try it out for the shop - depending on the cost of the compressor.
 
fredcandetail said:
I'm with Kris on this one GO FOR IT! it works Great and most of all when customers peek in on my and see me using a specialized tool they are blown away and remember why they hired the pro with the right bag of tools.
Now Kris ... Dressing??? Tell me more about this? Like putting HD in it and dressing tires and dash?
Click to expand...


I use a dressing from Malco called Appeal dressing. It's just a white water based dressing. I've used that stuff for years and love it. It comes in a 1 gal jug, and I dilute it 1:5. Makes 5 gallons!

So basically I just use the 5 gal dispenser to fill up my little Tornador canister, and I'm off. I do all the cleaning before hand, then just use the Tornador to dress.

I used to use it as a cleaning tool at first (cause that's how it's advertised) but I just find it more useful for dressing. Although, I do still clean up quite a few things by just using the dressing. So for me, it's kind of the best of both worlds.

To B & B: I didn't notice a significant difference in time until I got a little more used to using it. Once you get used to it...you'll be flying through vinyl. There is a bit of a learning curve IMO. Once you know exactly how you're comfortable using it...it becomes a necessity very quick.

There's also a lot of uses even without the solution. I use it to break up stains. I'll spray a little degreaser, flip the Tornador to air, and beat the stain up. Then the extractor will pull it right up...or sometimes you can just wipe it up. I also use it to fluff mats or carpet. If I get something that needs crevice leaning like a cupholder or something, and I have my canister filled with dressing...I just spray a little APC, wipe the excess...then flip the Tornador to air, and blast the cupholder with a towel covering it to prevent splatter. It really is endless, ha.
 
how about electronics?

read a post on here about liquid getting behind the LCD screen on a lexus (I think the model is prone to it) and the guy wanted a new radio...
 
I for one would be scared to death to spray anything inside the car, for 2 reasons:

1- infiltrations in places you dont want it, it could damage electronics.

2- overspray on the interior glass, which you will have a hell of a time cleaning afterwards... And its not because youre spraying cleaners that you can assume they will be easy to clean off the glass.

So ill keep my brushes.
 
I for one would be scared to death to spray anything inside the car, for 2 reasons:

1- infiltrations in places you dont want it, it could damage electronics.

2- overspray on the interior glass, which you will have a hell of a time cleaning afterwards... And its not because youre spraying cleaners that you can assume they will be easy to clean off the glass.

So ill keep my brushes.


I can understand your concerns and shared them before I bought one. However, once you use it you will quickly realize it is fine.

The amount of liquid used in really small and is actually more of a vapor.

I do not spray it close to electronics. I just use plain air to aid with dust.

To date, I have not had to clean windows after using it in a car beyond a quick wipe with a microfiber. I typically keep all doors open and the mist is a moot issue.
 
embolism said:
how about electronics?

read a post on here about liquid getting behind the LCD screen on a lexus (I think the model is prone to it) and the guy wanted a new radio...
Click to expand...

Electronics have never been an issue. I just simply spray at a distance, or avoid them all together if it makes you feel better. The mist is so fine...there's no way it will harm electronics. I can see if you sat there intentionally blasting the hell out of a stereo...but nobody would do that. The windows are not an issue. That's why I do windows last. Obviously it depends what you put in your Tornador. All I know is...I get very little on the window, and it's never been an issue.

I use the Tornadors on about 4-5 vehicles a day, and have NEVER had an electronic issue. Something a lot of people don't understand...is that this doesn't necessarily replace brushes. The Tornador makes vinyl simple. That's all. It doesn't mean you can throw out your brushes, cause there will still be times when you have to agitate.

It's like anything else...there will always be people out there against, or making arguments against a product, or tool. Then, they use it...and the story changes.

I was the same way with a DA...didn't think it would be useful. Now, it use it pretty much everyday.
 
I've been thinking of this for a while now. I just can't justify the price of the unit. I can't see how it would be any better or quicker than a brush sprayed with cleaner, and an air hose, with an mf to catch what is blown. BUT, I hear more good things than bad about the Tornado. I'd have to see/use for myself before pulling the trigger on it.
 
langman37 said:
I've been thinking of this for a while now. I just can't justify the price of the unit. I can't see how it would be any better or quicker than a brush sprayed with cleaner, and an air hose, with an mf to catch what is blown. BUT, I hear more good things than bad about the Tornado. I'd have to see/use for myself before pulling the trigger on it.
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You'd have to use it to understand. I felt the same way. But it's WAY faster. At least when it comes to dressing anyways. That's all I use it for.

You don't realize how much time it saves you until you have to go back to the old way. Then you see...it's ridiculous.
 
fredcandetail said:
Kris does the little spiny doodad interfere with the dressing application?
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I'm not quite sure what you mean by spiny doodad...but I assume you mean the cone? If so...no, I've never had a problem dressing with the Tornador in any way.

If I had to come up with some negatives about the tool...I'd say the canister is a bit big. I never even fill the canister up all the way. I do about half way. And half way gets done probably 5 vehicles or so. A smaller canister I think would be kinda nice.

I foresee the Tornador becoming a much less clunkier tool in the future. The size of the cone and canister is kind of unnecessary IMO.

Other than that...the Tornador is awesome. The few times I've forgotten it for mobile jobs, I very much regretted it. I'm pretty reliant on that thing now. I've got two of them, and they get constant use.

Another thing I will say though...is that strangely enough, it seems like each Tornador performs differently. The two I have perform very different. I don't know why...but they do.

Besides...don't limit yourself to only using the Tornador for just interior vinyl. I use it on the air function to blast off lint or dog hair, fluff floor mats or carpet, break up stains, clean hard to reach spots, the crevices on rubber floor mats, and some other things.

Hell, sometimes on a really bad vehicle, I'll fill the canister with APC or degreaser and do a thorough straight cleaning before dressing. Seats and all (upholstery). On top of that...you wouldn't believe how easy speaker grills, cupholders, compartments, and any other tough spots are. You should all have one, ha.
 
Kris
Two questions:
What air compressor do you recommend to drive this baby?
Is there an Optimum product that would work as a good dressing with the Tornado? I have yet to find one of their products I don't like. Thanks
Robert
 
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