Looking into a vapor Steamer. Need advice

[spectre327]

Hey everyone I have been looking at all the steamer threads on the forum for about a week now and have come to the conclusion that everyone seems to do very well with their own steamers.

I am in the market to buy one this week and could use some advice from you guys.

On the cheap end the McCulloch 1385.

But my other options that seem better are the dupray one plus, vapor chief 75, and the mytee 1500.


In the $750-$850 range does the constant refill, higher pressure, and heat warrant the cost? I do a lot of interiors and won't be using the steamer for exteriors other than tight areas (sills, jams, engine bay, etc).

I am trying to get the most for my money but drastically improve my times on detailing.

 

[Coastalf350]

I resented bought the 1385. Used it for about 4 hours on an engine room detail of a 35 express. I was impressed. But definitely want to see what higher psi and heat will do.

I sprayed everything with straight degreaser first to help


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[spectre327]

I assume that until I hit 100 psi I will need to use some type of cleaner to assist but I am trying to limit it. Kinda counterintuitive you know.

So in that case which of the more costly steamers is gonna fit my use?

Edit* thought you meant resented.

 

[Jeremy1976]

I love the VX5000. In my opinion, and for what you will be doing with it, you will not need a continuous fill. I have gotten over 40 minutes run time and have never had to refill during a job. Spend the extra money and get something decent right away! I also got the cart which is custom built for an additional $200 and could not see having a steamer without one. All your accessories stay in one place and you can wheel it anywhere!

 

[spectre327]

How does it do on stubborn carpet? I will eventually get an extractor for carpet but until then how does this do on stain removal?

 

[Jeremy1976]

Excellent!

 

[spectre327]

All right. So before I pull the trigger does anyone have any notable reviews on the dupray systems or the vapor chief?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Reviews? Pictures showing a steam in action?


Here's what a Dupray Steam Cleaner can do!



At our September Detailing Boot Camp Class we had an all original 1967 Lincoln Continental in our class for a full interior and exterior detail.

Here's how the original white leather interior looked BEFORE my class took the Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner to it...

If you look closely at the area below the pull handle you can see a small area that I cleaned to show how much room there is for improvement...

Here's the after using the Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner.

MORE


Steam Cleaning a Ferrari Interior with the Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner


A few weeks ago form member Frank and I did an extreme makeover, inside and outside on a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS.

The Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner

Detail Fest Silent Auction Winner
My friend Mark, a Helicopter Flight Instructor and Pilot for American Airlines recently purchased this Ferrari and won the silent auction at Detail Fest to raise money for Autism Speaks.

Here's the before and after pictures from the interior portion of the project. There was a lot of grime build-up in all the normal location where skin touches as well as areas of high wear and tear.

Here's the Durpay Hill Injection Steam Cleaner, this is what we're going to use to clean the interior.

Ewww.... that's pretty gross... the good news is not only has all the body oils, dirt and grime from 1987 been removed but any bacteria, mold, germs and viruses have been killed.

Continued...


Back to a clean, fresh interior...

After cleaning all the leather surfaces we then conditioned using Pinnacle Black Label Hide-Soft Leather Conditioner and sealed the leather with Pinnacle Black Label Leather & Vinyl Coating.

This shot was taken after detailing the entire car, inside and out. As you can see we also machine polished and waxed the exterior, that write-up is still to come...

On Autogeek.net

The Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner

Pinnacle Black Label Hide-Soft Leather Conditioner

Pinnacle Black Label Leather & Vinyl Coating

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

All right. So before I pull the trigger does anyone have any notable reviews on the dupray systems or the vapor chief?

When it comes to a steam cleaner, don't skimp or you won't use it.


The attachments with the Hill Injection model, especially the brush attachment that you can wrap with cotton or microfiber towel is the best I've ever seen and works great.

FWIW

 

[spectre327]

Thanks Mike. I was really hoping you would throw in your advice. Looks like I will invest in the One Plus and when funds become available also get the Hill Injection.

Since the one plus has half the pressure would you suggest only folding the MF towel once or still fold twice?

 

[andy0902]

Another vote for the VX5000. I have had one for 7 years and it is rock solid. Great customer service as well

 

[Ted Y]

I own the Vapor Chief 100 and I am very impressed with it. The continuous refill is worth it. I also have a Mytee Extractor. With both of them, I can do just about anything.

I agree, don't skimp, whichever you choose.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

I really like how you can add the MF to the triangle head on that model mike, that's very useful. I think this might be my next steamer.

 

[IcingOnTheWhip]

I use the mcculloch 1385. I definitely clean interior carpets with it. I bought it to replace my extractor. It comes with a triangle brush attachment among other attachments and it's only $200. I'd say it's a good place to start


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[2pennies]

I'm a little late to the party here. I too am looking to get into a steam cleaner and the Dupray hill or the VX5000 seem like strong units to fit a detailer's needs IF you have the funds to do so. For those of us who are newer to the game, these $200 units might just have to do.

I did my research for the last couple weeks which included e-mailing Mcculloch, Steamfast and a retailer of the vx500. Long story short, if you are looking into the mcculloch brands, please note that Vornado owns and manufactures both mcculloch and steamfast so the multiple lines of steamers from both companies are nearly identical but with a difference in price and appearance. I, am going with the mcculloch MC 1275 because nearly everyone I spoke with has high praise for it as an introductory piece for a rookie.

Big thanks to Mike, that Dupray machine looks amazing!

 

[arcsubaru]

I recently took the plunge and after months of research ended up buying the 230v Vapor Rino. It was about $3,300 all said and done. It just shipped today and I am anxious to get my hands on it and put it through its paces. My main reason for buying the Vaoor rino was the 145 psi performance. But, it weighs 50 pounds and with the extractor kit option, I can use my wet/dry ship vac as a piggy back and turn my vapor rino into an extractor. I will let you know how it works out for me!

 

[Pmitchell08]

I use the mcculloch 1385. I definitely clean interior carpets with it. I bought it to replace my extractor. It comes with a triangle brush attachment among other attachments and it's only $200. I'd say it's a good place to start

McCulloch 1385 is on Amazon for $86.39+$6.40 shipping, Have never seen it for sale under $180, not sure how long it will last.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G00BTEA/

 

[arcsubaru]

What about a vapor rino dude? 145 psi and you can piggy back a wet/dry shop vac to it and boom, you now have a powerful extraction tool. They are a bit pricey, I dropped $3,300 on my 230v model. But it outperforms the optima machines and at half the cost

 

[Deuce2High]

What about a vapor rino dude? 145 psi and you can piggy back a wet/dry shop vac to it and boom, you now have a powerful extraction tool. They are a bit pricey, I dropped $3,300 on my 230v model. But it outperforms the optima machines and at half the cost

I've been looking at this setup paired with a shop vac / eu7000is. How's the extraction work compared to a dedicated hot water extractor? If you could post a YouTube video of it in action that would be awesome, so hard to find good footage of the steam extractors.

 

[GSKR]

Hey everyone I have been looking at all the steamer threads on the forum for about a week now and have come to the conclusion that everyone seems to do very well with their own steamers.

I am in the market to buy one this week and could use some advice from you guys.

On the cheap end the McCulloch 1385.

But my other options that seem better are the dupray one plus, vapor chief 75, and the mytee 1500.


In the $750-$850 range does the constant refill, higher pressure, and heat warrant the cost? I do a lot of interiors and won't be using the steamer for exteriors other than tight areas (sills, jams, engine bay, etc).

I am trying to get the most for my money but drastically improve my times on detailing.

With a steamer you will add time to your services. Invest in a good extractor for deep cleaning no wicking and fast dryer time.The jams engine bay etc use a pressure washer if you can.Nothing beats a good degreaser and psi water with awesome results in seconds.