Interior Detail. Steam and Extractor.

L

LAKings22

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
99
Reaction score
0
Which one do I get first and which brand? I've always been a firm believer of buy once cry once, however I dont want to buy somthing thats going to be a overkill. When I started detailing a month ago, my intention was only to work on my cars. Recently Ive been having more and more people ask me to detail there cars. I figured if I'm going to charge for full details, I want the right tools to get the job done with 100% quality.

At this point, this will be only a weekend thing with only 1 or at the most 2 cars per weekend. What extractor or Steamer would you all recommened, that will get the job done good?
 
An extractor is a much better tool to have than a steamer. I'd look at a mytee lite 2.

-note 4 powered by T-Mobile
 
A steamer is much more versitle than an extractor is, while an extractor is much better at the one thing it does.

I am not a big fan of extractors as there is no way you will get all the water up. When I was shopping for carpet for my house, every carpet manufacture I spoke to said you used never use a carpet cleaner to clean your carpets. You should vacuum regularly, and spot clean. If you wanted to hire a professional, hire someone that steams the carpets.
 
I'm in the exact same situation as you. Steady Weekend warrior that does 1 or 2 cars a weekend. I own all the above mentioned but in order of priority I think you should go for the Steamer. I have a Mytee that I got on sale for $249 and a Mytee tempo extractor that I think was $400. It doesn't have a heater but if I detail a car at my garage I just throw a pot of water on the stove and it heats up faster and out of 100's of times I've asked a client to do the same, not one has ever said no. If I know they aren't going to be home, I went to Dicks Sporting and purchased a $30 camping system that goes off a coke bottle propane tank and heat the water that way. What I like about the small Mytee units is they are ultra portable and IMO do a good enough job that it doesn't justify spending $700-$900 on the bigger extractor with a heater. I'd also consider a toronador gun as it has sped up my interior work by at least 30 minutes.
 
And the name of the Steamer is the Mytee Firebird. And it does have an onboard heater. Just the extractor does not.
 
BitterGreg said:
A steamer is much more versitle than an extractor is, while an extractor is much better at the one thing it does.

I am not a big fan of extractors as there is no way you will get all the water up. When I was shopping for carpet for my house, every carpet manufacture I spoke to said you used never use a carpet cleaner to clean your carpets. You should vacuum regularly, and spot clean. If you wanted to hire a professional, hire someone that steams the carpets.
Click to expand...
Just to be clear, "steam cleaning" as it relates to carpet cleaning, is in fact hot water extraction. Steam is just a general marketing term for "hot."

Also, every major carpet manufacturer recommends steam cleaning as the best and only carpet cleaning method that will not void the warranty.


Not trying to nitpick, just trying to educate as I own a carpet cleaning business.


-note 4 powered by T-Mobile
 
tw33k2514 said:
Just to be clear, "steam cleaning" as it relates to carpet cleaning, is in fact hot water extraction. Steam is just a general marketing term for "hot."

Also, every major carpet manufacturer recommends steam cleaning as the best and only carpet cleaning method that will not void the warranty.


Not trying to nitpick, just trying to educate as I own a carpet cleaning business.


-note 4 powered by T-Mobile
Click to expand...

Thank you. I did not know that. What is it about the Hot water extraction that is better than the normal carpet cleaners for purpose of safety. I would assume i much more powerful vacuum, as I wouldn't think using extremely hot water as opposed to the warm/hot water a carpet cleaner uses?

I am sure you might be a little biased, but are the lower end extractors ($600-$800) safe for carpets and seats? I have run into quite a few floor mats that are horrible. Scrubbing, steaming, spotbot, doesnt begin to touch it.
 
Meh, steamers and extractors both have ups and downs.

Steamers not only clean, but sanitize. You can use steamers to clean much more than carpet and upholstery. Steamer cleaned vehicles also dry extremely quickly, which is a huge advantage. The cons are that they are not good at cleaning deep down dirt and heavily soiled surfaces.

Extractors on the other hand, clean deeply and thoroughly on badly stained surfaces, but leave the surfaces very wet, no matter how good your process is.

Where do I stand?

I use both. Steamer for general interiors, light cleaning, and spot cleaning. Extractor for heavily soiled surfaces.
 
BitterGreg said:
Thank you. I did not know that. What is it about the Hot water extraction that is better than the normal carpet cleaners for purpose of safety. I would assume i much more powerful vacuum, as I wouldn't think using extremely hot water as opposed to the warm/hot water a carpet cleaner uses?

I am sure you might be a little biased, but are the lower end extractors ($600-$800) safe for carpets and seats? I have run into quite a few floor mats that are horrible. Scrubbing, steaming, spotbot, doesnt begin to touch it.
Click to expand...
That's exactly it. Hot water dries faster and very strong vacuum makes it Evan faster.

As for entry level extractors... they will all get the job done. Only real difference is how long it will take you with less heat and leas suction. Nothing wrong with them though.

Also, proper cleaning of carpet and upholstery has a lot to do with proper chemicals as well. Unfortunately the detailing world is far behind in that aspect.

-note 4 powered by T-Mobile
 
Have owned a McCullough steamer, and just got a mytee lite 2. That extractor slaughters interiors! Doesn't leave em that wet either, bc the water gets hot quick. Hot water, like Ben above says, is key
 
Thanks everyone. I think the Steamer makes more sense for me to get now and I'll wait until I have that one car that really needs a extractor to clean out the interior.
 
tw33k2514 said:
Just to be clear, "steam cleaning" as it relates to carpet cleaning, is in fact hot water extraction. Steam is just a general marketing term for "hot."

Also, every major carpet manufacturer recommends steam cleaning as the best and only carpet cleaning method that will not void the warranty.


Not trying to nitpick, just trying to educate as I own a carpet cleaning business.


-note 4 powered by T-Mobile
Click to expand...




If you cleaning car that are we'll taken car of a steamer is probably your best bet. But if your dealing with daily drives nothing beats hot water and a lot of pull


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ncs0816 said:
If you cleaning car that are we'll taken car of a steamer is probably your best bet. But if your dealing with daily drives nothing beats hot water and a lot of pull


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Huh??
 
If your cleaning cars that are well kept a steamer would probably suffice. But if your working on daily drivers-or people who neglect their vehicles- a hot water extractor is better IMO. I detail cars every day and I can tell you from over 6 years of detailing -and detailing thousands of cars -that a carpet extractor is better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hot water in a pressure sprayer and a wet vac with a narrow "duck foot" nozzle can get passably close to an extractors results.

That said, I'll agree with those saying a hot water extractor is almost a necessity for Cheerio encrusted mom taxis and other disasters.
 
ScubaCougr said:
Hot water in a pressure sprayer and a wet vac with a narrow "duck foot" nozzle can get passably close to an extractors results.

That said, I'll agree with those saying a hot water extractor is almost a necessity for Cheerio encrusted mom taxis and other disasters.
Click to expand...


Another false statement


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well NCS, I was actually agreeing with your post #14, and speaking from personal experience. Used the vac method while saving up for my Mytee extractor.

There are lots of successful folks with different effective methods. You're welcome to yours.
 
Yeah, hot water in a pressure sprayer will only stay hot for so long. Also, the psi is much less, and the simultaneous 120+ inches of water lift is missing there as well. All are important and make the hot water extractor cost what it costs. Also, it is invaluable for daily drivers.

Steamers suck because they don't suck anything. There is almost no benefit to using a steamer on upholstery and carpet over chemicals, agitation and wiping up. If you want to waste time "sanitizing" everything with a steamer, go for it. But chemicals and agitation are almost as good for a clean appearance.

I've used extractors in the past when detailing for other people... and after going a whole year and a half with our business without one, I can say without a doubt that the extractor is going to save me at least an hour on each detail that needs shampooing. It simplifies the process. Definitely my best equipment purchase to date.
 
"Also, proper cleaning of carpet and upholstery has a lot to do with proper chemicals as well. Unfortunately the detailing world is far behind in that aspect."

Can you elaborate please?
 
Dean407 said:
"Also, proper cleaning of carpet and upholstery has a lot to do with proper chemicals as well. Unfortunately the detailing world is far behind in that aspect."

Can you elaborate please?
Click to expand...
Most carpet and upholstery cleaners sold by detailing brands are just general all purpose type cleaners with some different surfactants. Real carpet and upholstery chemicals are much more complicated than that.

And what I mean by that is the average carpet cleaner has so many different chemicals to properly clean carpet and a whole separate catagory of chemicals to clean upholstery.

For instance, chemicals I cary....

Carpet:

High pH prespray
Neutral pH prespray
Acidic prespray
Acetic acid
Oxygen booster
Citrus booster
Enzyme booster
pH booster
Oxygen/enzyme powder
Paroxide concentrate
Solvent spotter
Enzyme spotter
Reducer
Tannin spotter
Scotchgard


Upholstery:

Neutral pH fabric prespray
Medium pH fabric prespray
Dry cleaning solvent
Haitian cotton shampoo
Neutral fabric shampoo
Acetic acid
Oxidizing booster

And honestly I'm probably forgetting a few...

My whole point is that when it comes to
carpet and upholstery there is no one chemical solution. Especially when different types of stains are present.






-note 4 powered by T-Mobile
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top