Buying more tools - Need Your Opinions Please!

Bates Detailing

Bates Detailing

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Hey guys - due to overwhelming growth, we had a meeting today and decided it would be best to double our products and tools and run two crews. I wanted to originally just stick with what got us to this point but it is getting hard to share tools across town + I have had to turn down jobs or schedual around jobs due to the lack of tools.

These are our main tools currently that got us to this point :

Makita
Cyclo
VX-5000
3650 (I think) Generator
Rigid 5.0 Vac

This is what we are proposing to purchase :

another Makita
another Cyclo
another VX-5000
Mytee Lite II
another generator
another Vac
Ozone Generator


Basically I wanted to ask you all if their are any MUST HAVE tools in your opinions?!?!?
Also 8 years and running sold me on Makita (amazing) - Cyclo I Love - VX5000 is super useful IMO - and Vac is a no brainer (8 years and running as well)..... with all this said, do you guys have experience with an ozone generator?!?!? If so, is it effective and what specs/price should I be looking at?!?!? Now the Mytee Lite II I used and loved back in the day, but do you guys recommend any other extractor that is maybe better in comparison?!?!? Thanx for your help in advance guys!




P.S. Trying to stay under 5,000 total
 
Sounds like a good plan. Smart to stay with what you know. If the budget allows another $200, I suggest a Black tornador. It makes interior cleaning a snap. Of course, the VX5000 can do much of that. Glad your business is doing well enough to add another crew.
 
Robert8194 said:
Sounds like a good plan. Smart to stay with what you know. If the budget allows another $200, I suggest a Black tornador. It makes interior cleaning a snap. Of course, the VX5000 can do much of that. Glad your business is doing well enough to add another crew.
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The tornador requires an air compressor right?!?!? Ive heard alot of great things about it, just don't know if it is worth the space and money of adding a compressor as well? Is it really that much easier or better than APC, Brush, and MF's? If so it may be tossed on the list.
 
Yes. It does require a compressor. It is a whole lot faster than APC, brushes and MF. You basically mix your favorite cleaner and spray the surface while holding the MF to prevent splatter. Then wipe down, turn Tornador to dry mode (turn off cleaner) and blow dry. It makes short work of brake and accelerator pedals and that nasty area next to the footrest. It will do vents easier than brushes too. Also does leather seats pretty well. I use my steamer for a lot of those things but the Tornador seems safer on delicate material.
 
Robert8194 said:
Yes. It does require a compressor. It is a whole lot faster than APC, brushes and MF. You basically mix your favorite cleaner and spray the surface while holding the MF to prevent splatter. Then wipe down, turn Tornador to dry mode (turn off cleaner) and blow dry. It makes short work of brake and accelerator pedals and that nasty area next to the footrest. It will do vents easier than brushes too. Also does leather seats pretty well. I use my steamer for a lot of those things but the Tornador seems safer on delicate material.
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Good info, thanx man! Tossed in the idea box :dblthumb2:
 
What about one of the Flex polishers/rotaries instead of a Makita? Perhaps one of the lightweight ones, like the 3403 or the PE14-2-150? I haven't gotten to use either (I don't think - can't remember exactly), but I love the 3401. Just thinking weight-wise, plus the amazing quality that a Flex polisher possesses. Check out this review on the PE14-2-150 by Todd Helme:

Reviewed: FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Polisher - Autopia Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum

BTW, you coming to Detail Fest?
 
CieraSL said:
What about one of the Flex polishers/rotaries instead of a Makita? Perhaps one of the lightweight ones, like the 3403 or the PE14-2-150? I haven't gotten to use either (I don't think - can't remember exactly), but I love the 3401. Just thinking weight-wise, plus the amazing quality that a Flex polisher possesses. Check out this review on the PE14-2-150 by Todd Helme:

Reviewed: FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Polisher - Autopia Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum

BTW, you coming to Detail Fest?
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The only reason I want another Makita is because it has lasted so very long - but the lite weight would be very nice for sure! I may have to try a new polisher - just not sure yet :dunno:
 
Surprised you don't have a master blaster on the list. Not sure if a generator would handle it though?
 
I don't think I'll ever by a master blaster..I don't see they hype about them. I kinda want to look into a Black tornador but I use steam for everything now and I haven't touched my tornador since prob oct....I may sell you my VX Tony. Seriously maybe have 25 hours of use on it.
 
manichol said:
Surprised you don't have a master blaster on the list. Not sure if a generator would handle it though?
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Yeah - never saw the hype in that either..... looks really nice though I can give it that.

ShineTimeDetail said:
I don't think I'll ever by a master blaster..I don't see they hype about them. I kinda want to look into a Black tornador but I use steam for everything now and I haven't touched my tornador since prob oct....I may sell you my VX Tony. Seriously maybe have 25 hours of use on it.
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Let me know seriously.... you have no need for it anymore?!?!
 
:bump:

I really thought some of you guys on here would have some "must have" tools?!?!? No thoughts? And no one is familiar or has advice on an ozone generator?!?!?!?
 
What about an electric pressure washer? Use less water and are quicker than just a regular hose.
 
rider9195 said:
What about an electric pressure washer? Use less water and are quicker than just a regular hose.
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We actually use a drywash product - no pressure washer needed right now. My next upgrade will be a full shabang trailer - for fleet washing.... hopefully in the next couple of months.
 
B&B Tennessee said:
We actually use a drywash product - no pressure washer needed right now. My next upgrade will be a full shabang trailer - for fleet washing.... hopefully in the next couple of months.
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It sounds like you are set then. I couldn't think of any additional tools that you could use. Keep the business coming in! :dblthumb2:
 
Robert8194 said:
Yes. It does require a compressor. It is a whole lot faster than APC, brushes and MF. You basically mix your favorite cleaner and spray the surface while holding the MF to prevent splatter. Then wipe down, turn Tornador to dry mode (turn off cleaner) and blow dry. It makes short work of brake and accelerator pedals and that nasty area next to the footrest. It will do vents easier than brushes too. Also does leather seats pretty well. I use my steamer for a lot of those things but the Tornador seems safer on delicate material.
Click to expand...

I was wondering that can the tornador black cowork with the steamer( ex. Daimer super max), thus with the powerful steam cleaning ability, no more detergent is needed and is more friendly to the environment!!

Rookie from Taiwan~
 
My personal experience and training is that a ozone machine isn't as beneficial as thermal fogger to get rid of smoke odor. Ozone machines are very expensive. There is a possibility that an ozone machine could damage leather and plastics. Over exposure to ozone is also a health hazard.

Ozone machines are also considerably more expensive then thermal foggers.
 
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