Steam Cleaner Advice

AustrianOak82

AustrianOak82

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I am in the market for a steam cleaner. I have a PT detailing business and keep mine and the wife's car immaculate, partly due to free advertising but partly due to an obsession. I would estimate I would use the steamer about 5 times a month, give or take. I have done some research and have looked at the following:

McCullough 1385
VX 5000
Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steamer
Mytee Firebird

I have pretty much removed the Mytee and McCullough from the list due to quality issues and I am looking to have something I will have for a while. I am looking for something more in the commercial lines but am hesistant to spend $800.00 on the VX5000 which is my 1st pick right now. Other than these above, are there any other products in between the Vapamore and VX pricing ($300.00 to $800.00) that I should be considering? Anyone have any input on the Vapamore PRIMO?
 
I have the MR-100 great machine but if I was you I would get the VX 5000 or the Dupray Tosca.
 
I have the vx5000. I have only used it about a dozen times, but I love it. Very good quality. I researched a lot of them before I purchased and the VX5000 stood out for me.
 
ResQRy said:
I have the vx5000. I have only used it about a dozen times, but I love it. Very good quality. I researched a lot of them before I purchased and the VX5000 stood out for me.
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My thoughts also on the purchase. I just can't get over the $500.00 price difference in the two. Not sure I could justify the $500.00 only using it a few times a month.
 
VX5000 as well and I love it. I use it on just about every interior I do.

HUMP
 
If you want a steamer, get the mccouloch, mytee or vapamore. If you want a workhorse, get the vx-5000.

Really think about how much you will use it, because if you use it a lot, the $500 premium should be a no brainer even as a part-timer. If you're using it a couple times a month, then get a cheap one that will eventually pay for itself and the VX-5000 in time savings and elbow grease.
 
I have and use the VX5000....great, well built machine...customer service is tops...
 
My Firebird works great for me

I used it a few times a month

Great heat

Good pressure

Decent runtime
 
AustrianOak82 said:
My thoughts also on the purchase. I just can't get over the $500.00 price difference in the two. Not sure I could justify the $500.00 only using it a few times a month.
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I struggled with it too. I knew I wasn't going to be using it much. But I really like the quality and I figured the extra money would be worth it to have a reliable steamer well into the future. If you can swing it, I would go with it. I'm glad I did.
 
I've used a McCulloch 1385 for almost a year now on an almost daily basis. Complete work horse and have never had a single issue. Are the other steamers better built? Possibly. But its hard to find a fault in a sub $200 steamer that runs full time all the time.
 
VP Mark said:
I've used a McCulloch 1385 for almost a year now on an almost daily basis. Complete work horse and have never had a single issue. Are the other steamers better built? Possibly. But its hard to find a fault in a sub $200 steamer that runs full time all the time.
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Mark didn't you used to have the McCulloch 1275 before upgrading to the 1385? If not forgive me my memory is starting to get a little fuzzy at the ripe old age of 30.

Anyways just wondering if I should upgrade to the 1385. I've got the 1275 currently but wish it had a little more pressure and did a better job of cleaning out hard to reach areas such as seat rails. I feel with the 1275 all I'm doing is getting the dirt wet. So in your opinion is there a noticeable difference in that regard?
 
dpk20x said:
Mark didn't you used to have the McCulloch 1275 before upgrading to the 1385? If not forgive me my memory is starting to get a little fuzzy at the ripe old age of 30.

Anyways just wondering if I should upgrade to the 1385. I've got the 1275 currently but wish it had a little more pressure and did a better job of cleaning out hard to reach areas such as seat rails. I feel with the 1275 all I'm doing is getting the dirt wet. So in your opinion is there a noticeable difference in that regard?
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Big difference in power. Not to mention the 1385 can run 2 hours straight and holds 1/2 gallon of water.
 
I have been looking for used VX5000's all over the internet and can't find anything. I guess that goes to show the quality of the machine. I wish there was a classifieds section on here for this stuff. I am reading about the Dupray One right now, it looks to be in between the VX and PRIMO but looks to be geared more toward mom's. Any ideas on where I might find a used 5000?
 
Well I was able to find a refurbished Vapamore on Ebay today for 236.00. Had to pull the trigger. Id like to hear from those of you that have the Vapamore how it's worked for you and in what capacity you are using it! I figure worst case I send it back and get another one.
 
That vapamore will be great, all steamers are very precision driven instruments so much as capacity/PSi come into play the learning curve takes a bit to get use to. Expect burns!
 
Right now I'm using a Wagner 915 portable. It's finicky, it has no water level indicator, but it's been very good considering the sub $100 price. I plan on upgrading and heard quite a bit about the VX5000. I was under the impression that as price increases, as does performance, durability, and reduced time to heatup. However, after listening to a podcast from Larry Kosilla from Ammo, as much as he praised the VX5000, he also noted that it still takes a while to heat up, and is still relatively delicate considering the price. It also requires a cart, and that seemed kind of a PITA to me.

So I'm considering the Mytee and the McCulloch 1385 for my next upgrades and additions. Anybody here have the Mytee Firebird that can speak for it's durability?
 
jaxtalonturbo said:
Right now I'm using a Wagner 915 portable. It's finicky, it has no water level indicator, but it's been very good considering the sub $100 price. I plan on upgrading and heard quite a bit about the VX5000. I was under the impression that as price increases, as does performance, durability, and reduced time to heatup. However, after listening to a podcast from Larry Kosilla from Ammo, as much as he praised the VX5000, he also noted that it still takes a while to heat up, and is still relatively delicate considering the price. It also requires a cart, and that seemed kind of a PITA to me.

So I'm considering the Mytee and the McCulloch 1385 for my next upgrades and additions. Anybody here have the Mytee Firebird that can speak for it's durability?
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Beware.. Mytee customer service is famously horrible.
 
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