Steam Car Wash (exterior) in Houston TX

M

mimarsinan31

New member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Does anybody wash cars with a steamer here in Houston TX area? I have a few questions about which equipment they use, if they are happy with it, and if there's a location I can buy the equipment in Houston...or at least somewhere in Texas.

I really would like to meet (if possible, if not, that's cool) and watch how good it actually cleans....for exterior, not only interior. I don't want to rely on a salesperson's promises since usually the equipments are really expensive. Any steamer or brand would be ok

Thanks a lot

Sam
 
Well if you're looking to do exteriors, depending on the scope you may want a steamer with continuous fill. Now if you're talking about doing door handles, grills, lug nuts, the VX-5000 should be fine.

Anything stuck on the exterior will need some light scrubbing. Also if you are on painted surfaces you obviously want to make sure you don't get the surface too hot.

I do have to admit I rarely use it on exteriors other than the occasional door handles and other hard to reach and clean areas.
 
If you google "optima steamer" you will find a commercial size steamer that is meant to steam the entire exterior. I first saw it on a video with Jay Leno and then actually found a flyer on my car with a company that uses the machine so I did some research. Its not cheap, somewhere in the 5-7K range! I wouldn't steam an entire exterior with a VX5000. It would be too time consuming and also might require multiple refills of water. I dont know how I feel about steaming an exterior. In some ways I see the eco friendly and very light water usage for detailing. On other hand, I wonder in the steaming process you are putting swirls and scratches into the paint by wiping the dirt off?

Also in every video I have every watched they always use lightly dusted cars or fairly clean cars. I haven't seen a video yet with a very dirty exterior.

I hope its okay to post video:
[video=youtube_share;5bXmxRjjAw8"]Detail Your Car - With Steam! - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube[/video]
 
I have the vc4000c and allegedly you can wash your car with the steam/water .. I have not tried it
 
Thank you Golf and Evo

Yes I saw the Optima...they are pricey and heavy. If I find something less expensive I'll buy it, Optima is still an option though, since VX5000 seems a little too tiny for a continuous job.

Optimas have an adjustable moisture setting, you can increase the water usage and make it a little more "wet wash" instead of dry steam. May work or may not, I don't know.

When it comes to scratching the surface, I've seen videos people applying rinseless/waterless products as a lubricant before the steam washing. I do have the same concerns about very dirty cars and how a steam wash would handle that
 
mimarsinan31 said:
Can you wash 15-20 cars in a day? Exterior and interior
Click to expand...

Sure why not? You'd have to refill it obviously.

A steam cleaner is best used in the cracks and crevices, door jams, gas cap, etc on the exterior...

two bucket or rinse less wash the rest of the car. It's faster and more efficient.
 
04Golf said:
If you google "optima steamer" you will find a commercial size steamer that is meant to steam the entire exterior. I first saw it on a video with Jay Leno and then actually found a flyer on my car with a company that uses the machine so I did some research. Its not cheap, somewhere in the 5-7K range! I wouldn't steam an entire exterior with a VX5000. It would be too time consuming and also might require multiple refills of water. I dont know how I feel about steaming an exterior. In some ways I see the eco friendly and very light water usage for detailing. On other hand, I wonder in the steaming process you are putting swirls and scratches into the paint by wiping the dirt off?

Also in every video I have every watched they always use lightly dusted cars or fairly clean cars. I haven't seen a video yet with a very dirty exterior.

I hope its okay to post video:
Detail Your Car - With Steam! - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube
Click to expand...


This is by far online the DIRTIEST VEHICLE I have seen EXTERIOR STEAMED CLEANED
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX-LgTVSAKI]Full Steam Antofagasta. Demostración de Optima Steamer en camioneta con barro ya seco. FULL HD - YouTube[/video]
 
as far as i know, there is no one in Houston who opts out for steam to wash cars.

is there a reason you wanna choose steam over waterless or rinsless washing?

or is this a new business you want to start?
 
04Golf said:
If you google "optima steamer" you will find a commercial size steamer that is meant to steam the entire exterior. I first saw it on a video with Jay Leno and then actually found a flyer on my car with a company that uses the machine so I did some research. Its not cheap, somewhere in the 5-7K range! I wouldn't steam an entire exterior with a VX5000. It would be too time consuming and also might require multiple refills of water. I dont know how I feel about steaming an exterior. In some ways I see the eco friendly and very light water usage for detailing. On other hand, I wonder in the steaming process you are putting swirls and scratches into the paint by wiping the dirt off?

Also in every video I have every watched they always use lightly dusted cars or fairly clean cars. I haven't seen a video yet with a very dirty exterior.

I hope its okay to post video:
Detail Your Car - With Steam! - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube
Click to expand...

not sure if VX5000 or not
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d0BskQ_MbA]AUTO DETAIL (PT-1) - DRY CARWASH using a Dry Vapor Steam Cleaner - AUTO DETAIL Car Wash - YouTube[/video]
 
it looks like it works but I'm wondering if when wiping off the dirt you would put swirls into the clear coat.
 
From what I am reading, it's pricey and what do you gain over a hand wash? If it's water usage then a rinseless wash with the 2 bucket system uses very little water and is certainly more cost effective. I would be concerned steaming auto paint. Definitely steam the wheels, trim, interior, etc.
 
Thanks everybody for their input.

The main reason why I'm looking into steam clean rather than rinseless or two bucket is because of the city regulations here in Houston. They don't like the water run-off to the storm system. Also, it seems like with a steamer you can clean faster, interior and exterior.

I actually met a guy in Woodlands TX and saw the Optima with my own eyes. It is pricey but it doesn't scratch the car and is safe for the paint. It looks more professional versus the other steamers, which look like a "70's cheezy space movie equipment". I don't care about the looks but I am guessing it will make a difference for the customers. But it is really not VERY mobile. It is huge, heavy and bulky. Plus you obviously need a generator too.

I haven't made a decision yet but I'm also looking into therma-kleen, Vapor chief....I was researching NB2300 too but they stopped the production of that model. Unlike the Optima these models still give more mobility within a multi-storey parking garage. Even with a generator.

Do you guys have any input about the other steamers such as therma-kleen, Vapor chief, or any other steamer that can wash also the exterior of the car?

Thanks a lot in advance
 
freddie46 said:
From what I am reading, it's pricey and what do you gain over a hand wash? If it's water usage then a rinseless wash with the 2 bucket system uses very little water and is certainly more cost effective. I would be concerned steaming auto paint. Definitely steam the wheels, trim, interior, etc.
Click to expand...
Well as we should all know water freeze at 32 degrees so a steamer for most Nortern states (Detailers) may consider a steamer as an alternate means at least for myself, usually since I work outdoors once 40 degrees hit I call it over but with a Handful of LOYAL customers that become impatient and refuse drive thru washes or for anyone else to touch their vehicle I'm searching for options,I did an rinseless ONR about two years past,. solution started freezing on roof had to grab cheap hand held BISSELL STEAMER to remove ICE,lol
 
Idk how much "faster" it will be from a waterless or rinseless wash.

If you're gonna offer full detailing services then I find this kinda pointless. Okay not pointless, but not cost effective. Only because you will invest so much in a steamer and the washing phase is only a small fraction of a full correction.

I understand the streamer will be able to do interior jobs as well.. but the vx5000 and many other steamers could do the same

And our winter isn't that bad compared to other states
 
thebamboo23 said:
Idk how much "faster" it will be from a waterless or rinseless wash.

If you're gonna offer full detailing services then I find this kinda pointless. Okay not pointless, but not cost effective. Only because you will invest so much in a steamer and the washing phase is only a small fraction of a full correction.

I understand the streamer will be able to do interior jobs as well.. but the vx5000 and many other steamers could do the same

And our winter isn't that bad compared to other states
Click to expand...

East Coast (Pennsylvania) winters can be BRUTAL, lol to me DETAILING is a THOROUGH CLEANING, And PAINT CORRECTION is correcting defects to paint by use of machinery such as buffer,polishers,& D.A since I work outdoors, PAINT CORRECTION this time of year is a no go but may do a AIO.
But for washing at 32 degrees water freeze so a steamer if effective may be an alternative to conventional washing to include rinsless/waterless
I Detailed a PATHFINDER several years back as I was drying water started to freeze on top, I own a small hand help BISSELL steamer it came in had that day to remove the ice without causing marring or scrathing, so I guess that a commercial steamer may be a solution for freezing winter details up NORTH on the EAST COAST
 
I've tried steaming with my vapamore, and its too slow to do an exterior completely IMO. I'd like its almost instantly dry from the heat though.


I will use it on the complete interior though, and spend an hour+ steaming it up.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using AG Online
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top