Need advice from experience!!!

[hemi ram55]

Hey all, well ive been detailing out of my garage. decided to go mobile cause thats where it seems like the money is. Ive had some good carpet stains so far but nothing crazy. Im afraid of going to a customers house and not getting the carpet as clean as it could be. so here is the question, steamer or extractor? i have seen a lot of mixed reviews where people say the steamer works great for the carpets and stains. I have a steamer now, but do i dish out and buy an extractor? also, what are some good pretreated chemicals for carpet stains? and also if you could include a website or where i could buy it from. The steamer has done good so far but i think where i lack is in the chemical department. using store brands now and def need something stronger. the way i do it now is pre-treat with chemical, scrub with brush, heat with steam, and extract with a very powerful shopvac. steamer at the nozzel is 187 degrees with a glass thermometer. do i really need hotter? thanks all!!

 

[jimmyjam]

Hey all, well ive been detailing out of my garage. decided to go mobile cause thats where it seems like the money is. Ive had some good carpet stains so far but nothing crazy. Im afraid of going to a customers house and not getting the carpet as clean as it could be. so here is the question, steamer or extractor? i have seen a lot of mixed reviews where people say the steamer works great for the carpets and stains. I have a steamer now, but do i dish out and buy an extractor? also, what are some good pretreated chemicals for carpet stains? and also if you could include a website or where i could buy it from. The steamer has done good so far but i think where i lack is in the chemical department. using store brands now and def need something stronger. the way i do it now is pre-treat with chemical, scrub with brush, heat with steam, and extract with a very powerful shopvac. steamer at the nozzel is 187 degrees with a glass thermometer. do i really need hotter? thanks all!!

I have both a steamer and the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro. Now this is my opinion/experience! I first purchased a steamer which I used quite often, until I bought my Rug Doctor. The RD (Rug Doctor) is absolutely my go to tool in my arsenal. I've had other extractors that I purchased at Home Depot and the have nothing on the RD. I would like try the Aztec extractor, because the RD does not heat it's own water you have to use hot tap water. The suction of the RD will leave the carpet nearly dry, but the seats will remain damp due to the cushioning/padding that just absorbs the cleaning fluid when applied. I hope any of this information is beneficial. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Flash Gordon]

You can make by without having either. Save your money

 

[SeaJay's]

You can certainly get by with out either.

I recently picked up the Vapor Clean Gaia (steamer & extractor in one). I have yet to try it out on a vehicle (will be doing that tomorrow). The steamer portion of it I've used in the house on the grout and it worked great. It has 3 different levels for the steam. It holds pressure well and stays hot! I used it for about 20 minutes to mess around with the steamer portion and I had to let it sit for 2-3 hours before I could remove the cap (and it was still pretty hot).

The extractor portion I have yet to test out, but the vacuum on it is strong. So I have a feeling the extractor will work great too. Only thing that I think I may have an issue with is the extractor head piece is pretty large, which enables me to get bigger areas of carpet clean but the smaller areas may be a problem.

I plan on writing up a review on it probably Sunday after I've used it and get to full test it out.

 

[VIP Reflections]

You can make by without having either. Save your money

+1:iagree: especially if your going mobile. having both items in your van/rig will take up much needed space and be a PITA unless you have a big expensive rig. a 5.5HP shop vac, good cleaner, scrub brushes, strong spot remover and some elbow grease is all you need.

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Never used a real extractor but here's what I use. This attachment came with my 18 gallon 6.25HP Shop Vac- 2.5 Inch Concentrator Nozzle. By chance, the Bissel Tough Stain Tool fits on it. Only problem is the need for heated water... But you already have a steamer. I was thinking about getting one of those infomercial hand-held household steamers.

If you already have the Wet/Dry Vac with concentrator nozzle, it's only a $5 investment for the Bissel head which gives decent extraction. :dblthumb2:

 

[jimmyjam]

If you have a customer with extremely soiled carpet and if you want you could spray your chemicals, scrub, wipe, scrub again, wipe again, spray more chemicals, scrub again, wipe again, and spend time hoping it dries well. Time is money...oh ya IMO

 

[SeaJay's]

If you have a customer with extremely soiled carpet and if you want you could spray your chemicals, scrub, wipe, scrub again, wipe again, spray more chemicals, scrub again, wipe again, and spend time hoping it dries well. Time is money...oh ya IMO

Which is why I stepped it up to the steamer/extractor in one. Saves me time...a decent cost up front but if it means I can clean carpets in half the time then it's well worth it. IMO of course!rops:

 

[ExoticAutoDetai]

You can definitely get away doing a good interior detail without having neither equipment. I have done tons of nasty auto interiors and what you need is a good chemical and a good scrubbing method. Use less chemical more scrubbing and a good wet/dry vacc.


Having a steamer and a extractor gives you a faster work advantage.


Here is a work from months back I was doing a BMW X5 I think 04 not sure.

Best method ever

The buffer was not mine the brush I do have.

Here's my baby

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[VIP Reflections]

Never used a real extractor but here's what I use. This attachment came with my 18 gallon 6.25HP Shop Vac- 2.5 Inch Concentrator Nozzle. By chance, the Bissel Tough Stain Tool fits on it. Only problem is the need for heated water... But you already have a steamer. I was thinking about getting one of those infomercial hand-held household steamers.

If you already have the Wet/Dry Vac with concentrator nozzle, it's only a $5 investment for the Bissel head which gives decent extraction. :dblthumb2:

This^ is awesome advice and would be perfect if your are on a budget. but if you have the $ and space in your Rig, van or truck. Go for it if you feel whats above is not going to get the tough job done. the main reason why i feel you should hold off on it is because going mobile is much more costly than working from home. so playing it safe and sticking with a cost effective method might be a smart choice to start. if your having issues with the carpet drying, use blow dryers it works fine.

as far as product... all i ever use is DP series now i love it. Carpet Extractor cleaner, carpet extractor solution, carpet cleaner can be extracted or used by hand. remember, a HW extractor is not a necessity. good technique and the right product is the key.

 

[hemi ram55]

I just bought the pc 7424 and i want this brush attachment for it. where can i get one?

You can definitely get away doing a good interior detail without having neither equipment. I have done tons of nasty auto interiors and what you need is a good chemical and a good scrubbing method. Use less chemical more scrubbing and a good wet/dry vacc.


Having a steamer and a extractor gives you a faster work advantage.


Here is a work from months back I was doing a BMW X5 I think 04 not sure.

Best method ever

The buffer was not mine the brush I do have.

Here's my baby

"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump

 

[Kristopher1129]

I personally am a big fan of the extractor. I find it does a better job on pulling stains out and removing odors.

I've seen a few threads where the argument between steamers and extractors goes on and on and on and on. It just boils down to preference.

Do you absolutely NEED an extractor...no, I don't think so. Does it help in a TON of situations...of course it does. Without one, you will find jobs where you wish you had it. I use it every day, and customers love the results...as do I.

I also have a steamer. I like to use it for particular stains to break them down, then extract them out. I also really like the steamer for engines. Other than that...it's all extractor for me. :dblthumb2:

 

[john b]

hemi-they have the brushs rite here on ag, for the da

 

[hemi ram55]

ok prob a really stupid question but still new to the site and figuring out all the lingo. what is a da? i see it all the time. watch, you will answer and ill slap myself for not realizing it lol:xyxthumbs:

hemi-they have the brushs rite here on ag, for the da

 

[DLaw]

ok prob a really stupid question but still new to the site and figuring out all the lingo. what is a da? i see it all the time. watch, you will answer and ill slap myself for not realizing it lol:xyxthumbs:

dual/action rops:

 

[hemi ram55]

and there goes the slap lol

dual/action rops:

 

[john b]

its ok buddy-there is a list somewhere on here that has all the abbreviations