So I bought a new steamer, now what?

rustytruck

rustytruck

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So after reading a lot about steamers I decided it was just what Afterglow detailing needed. I went out and ordered a Kleenjet Pro Plus 200s from Daimer industries. It cost me $887 and shipping was free and only took 2 days. I tested it out and seems well built (made in Italy) and easy to use.

But what the heck do I use it for? I am looking for some input on what and how you use your steamer. More importantly what you avoid using your steamer for. I'm all ears so have at it.

If anyone wants to see the unit I posted some pictures on my Facebook page.
 
Don't know about your specific model, I used mine for interior cleaning mostly. Then I bought a Tornador and now the steam cleaner sits unused.
 
LOL I made the same type of thread after I bought my steamer a while back. So... what the heck do I use this thing for now? Your steamer is better than mine... (I just have a consumer version by SteamFast) but it still works really well. I use it regularly for:

- Cup Holders: spray some APC on really crusty cup holders (spilled soda and candy mess), steam it up, then wipe clean with a dry MF. I'm no longer afraid of super wrecked interiors.

- Door jambs: steam is great for the door hinges and areas where a brush just can't get into every little nook and cranny.

- Door seals: The rubber door seals of older vehicles get pretty nasty. The steam cleans and blasts out all the crap so you can just wipe it dry with a MF and they look perfect.

- Carpets: Wrap a MF around the tip and go to town on floor mats and upholstery. Sometimes I'm amazed at how much dirt I can pull out of just one floor mat using this method.

- Seat belt buttons. The "PUSH" letters always get filled with gunk. The steam softens it up and then I dig everything out with a tooth pick.

- Air vents: on vehicles WITHOUT an in cabin air filter the steam can disinfect the ventilation system.

- Engines: self explanatory...

I've also heard of people using steam on trashed leather seats but I've also heard that is a potentially high risk maneuver... Also, I have heard to be careful of certain types of black plastic on door panels and trim because it can cause it to turn grayish after only a few seconds of high-heat steam.
 
It looks like I turned the vinyl speaker covers in my door panels a grayish color. The steam in this thing is insane 312 degrees. It seems like trashed interiors is where you would need it. I'm spoiled because most of the cars i do are only a year or two old.

I considered a tornador but I can't understand how fluid does not drip out of every nook and cranny a few days after the detail?

Thanks for the write-up.
 
^The Tornador sprays very evenly and uses VERY little solution.
 
Primarily interior work for me.. Especially when you have leather interior

Engine cleaning, wax residue, lug holes
 
The general answer is everything and the specific answer is everything. I use mine on engines, nasty wheels, door jams, windows, carpets to mention a few.
 
Hey Rusty, my steamer is supposed to get here tomorrow, 2 weeks after I ordered it. I ordered the HX5000. The delay did give me time to get a video from Renney Doyal. It is specifically about how to use a steam machine and the benefits of it. Is about 1.5 hours long and had a lot of good tips in it. Hopefully this will be the game changer I think it will be. I ordered a speedy prep towel earlier this year and I'm blown away on how long I was claying vehicles before as opposed to now. Cuts the decontamination process in half. Hope this does the same for interiors.
 
rustytruck said:
I considered a tornador but I can't understand how fluid does not drip out of every nook and cranny a few days after the detail?
Click to expand...

It doesn't use much fluid and after you apply the cleaner, you turn the lever so it only blows air with no solution. That and maybe a microfiber towel to chase up with and you're all set.

How I do floor mats, first sweep with the Tornador in air only mode to blow out a lot of gunk. Then switch to solution and go over the mat. Then go back to air only for 2 passes. Done!
 
AeroCleanse said:
How I do floor mats, first sweep with the Tornador in air only mode to blow out a lot of gunk. Then switch to solution and go over the mat. Then go back to air only for 2 passes. Done!
Click to expand...

What??? This actually works!!?? What about REALLY trashed carpets/mats?
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
What??? This actually works!!?? What about REALLY trashed carpets/mats?
Click to expand...

The Tornador will do an adequate job on carpet mats but really nasty mats do best with brush scrubbing and extraction. On really bad carpeted mats, I will spray with APC, brush with cyclo, steam and then extract. Don't get me wrong, I love the a tornador and it will do a lot by itself.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
What??? This actually works!!?? What about REALLY trashed carpets/mats?
Click to expand...

Really trashed only means you might need to clean the nozzle more often, which involves placing the nozzle into water with soap (like car wash solution) and pulling the trigger in air mode a few times then drying it off.

Of course if they are too trashed then you need new ones anyway.
 
Things I use mine for.
Carpets
Floor matts
Door jams
Door hinges
Hatch backs
Engines
Wheels
Interior
Leather and cloth seats
Do not use on headliners
 
My Tornador is not really the best choice for carpets. It tends to blow the debris all over, sand is the worst. I use my extractor for this. For bad mats your better doing a water flush. Spray with degreaser, agitate with a stiff brush, and hit it with a pressure washer. You will see it come out all black, keep going until the water flows clear. Do this first in the detail because they will need time to drip dry. Throw them over a fence or what ever you have to hang them up. The best use for the Tornador I have found is doing door panels and the backs of SUV/vans. Can't really use it on the dash because it throws the cleaner on the windshield making clean up harder.


www.SweatTheDetails.Time2Detail.com
www.Facebook.com/DentsAndDetails
I may be slow, but I do poor work.
 
We should have a dedicated steamer thread on tips, what we use it on and so forth
 
Door/trunk jambs, fuel cap area, engines, interiors including headliner, windows (home & auto) if they're really bad, bathrooms, kitchen, house door sill plates. Almost anywhere I would normally use a chemical to clean or disinfect I'll consider steam.
 
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