Hot water extractor recommendations

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Bananaz

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Hey guys I run a side gig doing mobile detailing and for interiors I would like to pick up a hot water extractor soon.

Right now I use a steamer which does the job but would still like an extractor.

I see mixed reviews on Mytee products.

I'd like to spend anywhere up to 800 for a quality extractor
 
I'm surprised that you haven't had a response yet. My thoughts aren't what you're expecting but here goes.

When I started detailing I bought myself a portable spot cleaner designed for professional carpet cleaners. Think of it as a mini extractor. I got to try one out and loved it. It's not sold at Autogeek so I think all I can say is to Google "Jon-Don EZ Spot Portable Spotting Extractor ". They make a couple different models and you'll want the one that heats the water.

However, after learning some hard lessons on some dirty cars, I don't think that I'd go the extractor route if I had to do it again. I took on a really dirty car interior once. After 6 hours it was a lot better but far from something I wanted to give back to the customer. A friend who used to do production detailing stepped in to help. In a hour, he did what I couldn't do in 6 hours. He didn't use an extractor on the seats and carpet. He used an air chuck and a shop vac. His process was to do a quick vacuum to get up the big stuff then spray a carpet/upholstery cleaner on all the fabrics (don't use anything with much detergent - look to a carpet cleaning/janitorial supply house for help here). He brushed in the cleaner then attacked everything with the air chuck and shop vac. The air from the air chuck loosens up stuff that the extractor just couldn't get and there are awkward spots where the extractor can't clean but the air chuck and shop vac can. I've used the technique ever since. It's faster than the extractor and delivers better results. My extractor will be collecting dust now.

Your mileage may vary.

Bill
 
Doesn't that leave a lot of detergent residue in the seats (I realize you said "don't use anything with much detergent")?

What was your extractor protocol? Did you also spray/scrub cleaner directly on the fabrics? Or did you use cleaner in your solution tank?
 
When I used the extractor, I pre-sprayed the seats and/or carpet with HydraMaster FabricMaster Heavy Duty Upholstery Pre-Spray. It has a high PH (around 11) but is self-neutralizing. I would brush the material a bit and then extract with HydraMaster RinseOut (PH around 6). If I didn't have RinseOut, I could use clear water since the upholstery pre-spray is self neutralizing. This combo is designed for professional upholstery and fabric cleaning using a hot water extractor, doesn't foam up, and leaves no residue that will attract more dirt.

With the air chuck, I pre-sprayed with diluted HydraMaster, brushed, and then used shop vac to remove whatever moisture it could. The air chuck would come into play around tight spots like seams and rear seat seatbelt pockets.

To be honest, if the car isn't completely trashed, the extractor is a good tool on seat bottoms. Seat backs always seem to require extractor gymnastics in an effort to hold the nozzle so that it has good contact with the seat and/or that the rinse liquid doesn't just run down the seat when you pull the spray trigger.

Where I've found that the extractor falls short is with really bad seats. Just spraying and sucking doesn't get the really bad stains and you can't get into tight areas. I'm simply replicating what the Tornador Black Cleaning Gun does but without a big awkward tool.

I don't claim to be the ultimate expert on this. I'm simply sharing what I learned after eating a big slice of humble pie when someone with more experience that me showed me how it can be done much faster and better than I was doing it. My choice of chemicals came from time I spent working with a professional carpet cleaner.

Bill
 
Interesting replies, I appreciate it. I don't necessarily need an extractor but I figured it's a little quicker. In going to try a different method with my steamer also

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I would look into the Tornador Black but right now I don't have an air compressor.

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Sorry, I don't have a brand recommendation. I will give my opinion on the matter if that's ok. I think extractors are the best tool sometimes. Our process is as follows:
1 very thorough vacuuming
2 light spray of carpet upholstery prespray
3 agitate
4 rinse with extractor using water only or acidic rinse.
5 towel corners or hard to reach spots
6 begin drying process immediately.

Heavily soiled interiors can be expected to wick.
Some interiors are more likely to wick than others.
Acidic rinse and fast drying can help significantly.
Heavy wicking can be handled with a quick re-extraction and an acidic rinse.
Light wicking can be handled with cotton towels and a mist of acidic rinse.
Mytee recommends nothing acidic, so I will be seeking another brand if I have to replace these.
Bills method is extremely effective, and the only way to go for hard to reach spots.
Nathan
 
I have a mytee lite 2. Great tool, I really like the upholstery tool for seats, I find it does a good job at not spraying everywhere. I use only water in my unit, and pre-spray my material. I use a floor drier to quickly dry the material after i am done, this also keeps wicking to a minimum.
 
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