Got a new steamer and need some help

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ArtFoodBMW

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Hey guys! I picked up a Craftsmen steam cleaner/pressure washer for 150$ this week and have some questions. Also i picked up a 1985 325e BMW for my personal car/project. This is the car in question.

So first off, can i get replacement heads for my new steamer? It only came with one and it's already dead. I'd like to a triangle shaped one.

Second, is it possible to remove the color of leather (my seats) with the steamer? I dont want to remove the color. I started doing the back seats and the leather now appears very light compared to the arm rest that's never been used.

I don't have any pics of the backseat but here one of how dirty the leather was!

Thanks for the help!
 
As for attachments I will let someone who may have one of these steamers weigh in, You can always google your machine for parts. As for the leather, Yes you can potentially hurt the leather if you do not properly use your steamer. It would truly help if you can post pictures of the area in concern.
 
Znig22 said:
As for attachments I will let someone who may have one of these steamers weigh in, You can always google your machine for parts. As for the leather, Yes you can potentially hurt the leather if you do not properly use your steamer. It would truly help if you can post pictures of the area in concern.
Click to expand...

I have googled for attachments and replacements and nothing shows up. Ill post pictures tomorrow when i get the car in the garage.
 
Craftsman 1700 PSI 1.3 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
That's all i got
 
ArtFoodBMW said:
Craftsman 1700 PSI 1.3 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
That's all i got
Click to expand...
This looks like this may be your Craftsman Pressure Washer's model NO: #580752860

Did you get any manuals when you bought this unit that looks like this:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/mmh/pd_download/lis_pdf/OWNM/1112459L.pdf

There is a part list (page 21), with the parts' NO.'s, in the above manual from which you can use to order new parts (page 40).

This unit should have a 1 year warranty.

Bob
 
I doubt you are removing color, use a white towel to see if there is color transfer. Steaming does a extremely good job cleaning leather, and the color you see is the original color after removing 30 years worth of dirt, body oils, and anything else. Try cleaning the arm rest. Even if it was never used, 30 years still takes its toll.
 
I'm pretty sure what you are removing is dirt and grime from that leather do like the above post and use a white or ought colored microfiber to make sure it's dirt or dye.
 
FUNX725 said:
This looks like this may be your Craftsman Pressure Washer's model NO: #580752860

Did you get any manuals when you bought this unit that looks like this:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/mmh/pd_download/lis_pdf/OWNM/1112459L.pdf

There is a part list (page 21), with the parts' NO.'s, in the above manual from which you can use to order new parts (page 40).

This unit should have a 1 year warranty.

Bob
Click to expand...

Thank you so much! I googled the part number... Sears wants 23$ for a part that deforms in one use.

RacerScott said:
I doubt you are removing color, use a white towel to see if there is color transfer. Steaming does a extremely good job cleaning leather, and the color you see is the original color after removing 30 years worth of dirt, body oils, and anything else. Try cleaning the arm rest. Even if it was never used, 30 years still takes its toll.
Click to expand...

sharpreflection said:
I'm pretty sure what you are removing is dirt and grime from that leather do like the above post and use a white or ought colored microfiber to make sure it's dirt or dye.
Click to expand...

^^^You may be right, Ill try in a couple hours. And post pictures:)
 
Looking forward to see results, I'm about to order a steamer to improve value of my work. It's great to see your use on it.

I'm also (almost) sure you're actually cleaning the leather the way it's intended to be cleaned.

However, don't forget to properly condition the leather after cleaning.

Kind Regards.
 
Pictures:

Before:


After about 3 minutes


Ten minutes later, it's not very evenly cleaned

Close up:




Comparison of arm rest to seat, both cleaned



The front seats have a blue color on them, and the steam cleaner won't remove it. Any idea how to?

Also the seems wont come clean either
 
This in vinyl, I feel your pain I had to do this to a bmw e30 as well! This stuff is impossible to get the dirt out, what I would do is take them out, four bolts, steam clean all of them and re-dye them.
 
You do know that's not leather. It's vinyl so it's going to stand up to cleaners better. That dye transfer the blue stuff from jeans.
 
I use a steamer on both leather (BMW Alcantara) and Vinyl (MB Tex) wrap a terry towel on the brush attachment of my steamer. Spray the surface with Meguiar's APC and steam it.

I follow up with a leather conditioner. Never had a problem.
 
WAXOFF said:
I would try Mr Clean sponges with a good APC.
Click to expand...
Be seriously careful if you decide to use Mr Clean magic eraser. You can do real harm to vinyl or leather in a very short time. If I were doing this cleaning, I would use Meguiar's APC with a soft brush. You may never be able to remove the dye transfer.
 
Okay, so I did a little research and you guys were right. My seats were in fact vinyl. Only later on in e30's did BMW start using leather in the middle of the seats.

Also i figured out how to get the seats clean! Steam to open up the pores, spray some armor-all multi-purpose cleaner (I know, not the best product to be using) and scrub it in, then use more steam to remove it and wipe dry! And then applied some BMW lotion to protect the seats. It got them looking almost new.

Before:


After:


Back in the car

 
Wow nice job. Those turned out real nice. Seems like once you found the right combination you were good to go. I just bought a steamer myself and am going to try it on the fake suede they use in IS300's. Escaine I think they call it. I am not sure how to fo about it but I glad it is my car and it is almost 14 years old and seen some abuse so I not to worried.
 
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