So you think your steamer is pretty good eh?? lets kung foo!!!

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Mobile detail

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So, I've been wanting to get a steamer for cleaning carpets and leather mostly as well as be able to use it around the house for cleaning tile/grout and bathrooms and all that good stuff. I have been researching and researching and I am totally confused.

I'm not looking for the $100 McCulleg or Warner steamer, I'm looking for a quality, moderate duty one. I'm kinda torn between the VX5000 which seems to be the decent entry level for detailing and the VAPOR STEAM VC-4000C. The VX is $800 and the VC is $1095. What is the difference? Does the VX work well or would I be kicking my self for not getting the VC?

I have buyers remorse a lot and have learned that its better to buy the quality. For $300 more would I be better suited? I do do detailing as a profession and have been doing it for a long time without steam, but it seems like it would be beneficial to step up to steam. It says on the VC that you can wash a car with it, but I'm kinda hard pressed to believe that. What is the difference between "dry steam" and the VX? Is continous refill important?

Does anyone know about these units? Are you happy with what you have and does it get the job done? I feel really lost when it comes to this and could REALLY use some input.Feed back please I can't justify the Dupray steamer so thats off the table btw.

Thanks everyone for your input!
 
I love the VX5000 - have 2 of them. We have been using ours everyday for the past year +. I can say that it is one of the best tools that I have in terms of multiple uses. We use ours as a dedicated carpet and upholstery tool (seats and carpet dry MUCH faster than an extractor). I have never used the other unit you are talking about so I can't comment on it. The Vx5000 isnt continuous fill, but last anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours - then a refill and maybe 10 minutes to heat up for the second round. In that 10 minutes there is always something else that can be done cleaning wise. I love it for its ability to remove those stains in between the seat and center console without having to remove the seats, blasting cracks and crevices, engine detailing, door jambs, nasty windows, etc. Here is a video of one in action on a Semi :

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJIrkRy29vs]B & B Detailing - Nashville Tn - Semi Detailing - Pedal Cleaning - YouTube[/video]
 
thats what i call a endorsment,if you read what b&b writes you know he takes pride in his work and he takes care of his customers.that vx seems to hold up and perform on a daily basis.
 
I have the VC- 4000 and I am so glad that I purchased that over the VX5000. The VC has a hot water injection feature so when Im doing carpets I can just spritz the really bad spots then steam over it to remove. Also when doing rims, steam alone wont always clean them off. It may just break down the brake dust a bit but with the hot water injection feature the brake dust can actually be washed off directly with the steamer.

I just recently had a big project to fully remove all vinyl and then do full details on 4 ambulances (Im still working on it so stay tuned for that writeup!), and these vehicles were stored inside a warehouse. With the hot water injection feature I was able to remove the vinyl, loosen up the adhesive, clean the vehicles with very little water getting on the floor, and also remove lots of crap off of the interior which steam alone would not get too.

The vx5000 is a very good machine but I'd say the extra money for the VC4000 with the hot water injection feature is definitely well worth the money!
 
One more thing, the VC is also a continuous fill and I've had it running constantly for about 6-7 hrs 3 days in a row before without having to shut it off to cool down and refill. I just kept pouring in more water whenever it beeps at me. To get full blast pressure from it you do need to let it sit still for about 20 min but that force is only needed when degreasing engines or wheels. For general basic steam use its ready to go in just about 5-10 min the same time it takes for my McCulloch.
 
B&B
Thanks for you're response!I really respect your opinion. The fact that you have 2 and with how busy you are and the quality work you produce a great factor.

Sharcar,
So your saying you can way cars with it? What is hot water injection exactly? Does the vx not able to blast stream? I'm looking to be ankle to blow dirt away with it. Ok also berry interested on doing wheels with it.

Both of you, where did you end upbuying your steamer?


Thanks so much for the input btw!
 
Rasky, do you have that one? It looks just like the vc but without continua refill. Seems like the hot water injection is the way to go and for the same price as the vx5000, I don't see why not?
 
The VX does have hot water injection but not contin-refill.
The VC have both but cost a little more.

For me, I chose the VX because of their accessories that came with the machine. The VX came with tons of brushes and I use the nylon ones the most.
 
I've been using the cheap Mcculloch for probably over a year now. It's cheap, but does exactly what you saw in B&B' video. Except it only costs $100, now $80 online with some stores.

I'd like to get a better steamer...but haven't needed to.

I think some people tend to get caught up between the choice of an extractor, or steamer. To me, you need both. In my opinion, they are not related tools. Completely different uses.
 
604_Snooze said:
The VX does have hot water injection but not contin-refill.
The VC have both but cost a little more.

For me, I chose the VX because of their accessories that came with the machine. The VX came with tons of brushes and I use the nylon ones the most.
Click to expand...

So basically its the same machine minus the continous refill? I don't really think I would be burning through that much water to warrant getting a continous refill for $300 more if thats the big difference. Can you clean an exterior with the VX? It says the VC can... Also what is "dry steam" mean?
 
I do not think the VX has hot water injection. I have been doing an awful lot of research on steamers lately and swore it did not have that feature.

The "dry steam" term is used because their is less then 5% water content in the steam generated. Some of the cheaper models that cannot get as hot tend to be more "wet" and when used more water and condensation form
 
The biggest thing I would be using it for is cleaning interiors (doors/trim Plastics and moldings) and leather. I'm looking for a more efficient way to clean leather and clean it quickly. I have a Mytee HP60 already and am looking to clean stains better as well. So it would be in addition to my detailing supplies, not as a stand alone unit.

From what I can see on my phone, the link that Rasky sent, appears to be the same as the VC just a different part #/company...


Thanks to everyone for your replies and input. I wanna get the right one for what I need it for.
 
Tundra_10 said:
I do not think the VX has hot water injection. I have been doing an awful lot of research on steamers lately and swore it did not have that feature.

The "dry steam" term is used because their is less then 5% water content in the steam generated. Some of the cheaper models that cannot get as hot tend to be more "wet" and when used more water and condensation form
Click to expand...


Have you looked at the link that Rasky sent? Seems like the way to go for $250 cheaper than the VC. What do you think?
 
The guys that sell the vx5000 are very good at marketing. reading their website about their product almost had me convinced on the spot to buy one. At $800 its not the cheapest out there, but not the most expensive by any means either.

One thing they point out is the non-necessity for continuous fill. It makes sense what they say.

1. you have a good couple hours of steam, cant you take a break for 10 min to let it cool down and re-pressurize?

2. if it is continuous fill, you have 2 boilers, one that holds the pressurized water one that has a holding tank. If you fill the water up, at first the steam is more "wet" because you are introducing cold, non-warmed up water to the machine. This might not be an issue with situations were "wet" steam is ok but if you are doing interior work around electronics, you want it to be as "dry" as possible.
 
Mobile detail said:
Have you looked at the link that Rasky sent? Seems like the way to go for $250 cheaper than the VC. What do you think?
Click to expand...

I saw that unit before and even contemplated it when trying to decide (still am) but narrowing down the selection.

Let me find a link to the vx5000, if you have not seen it yet.
 
Tom from ShineTimeDetail did a video on the vx5000

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDE_digm1E]Shine Time Mobile Auto Detail St. Louis - YouTube[/video]

I love using for interior jobs, the worst interior I have encounter, I have to refill the steamer once. I also use the steamer inside, carpet, hardwood floor, kitchen counter, bathroom, no problem.

As for washing the exterior, I tried with the dry steam option, but kind of slow. I didn't try the hot water injection function as I am scare it will exhaust the boiler quickly. I have seen people spray waterless product and then follow by dry steam.

hope that answer your questions.
 
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