Why every detailer needs a steamer+extractor

slickooz

slickooz

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I had a next door neighbor asked me to detail his interior couple weeks ago. Like every other mini vans the owners has couple kids and never had time or tools to clean it themselves. I went and checked it out to see if I could of cleaned it without steamer/extractor, but there was no way I could of done it without them. So I told him let me order a few things before I can take the job. 2 weeks past and today he asked if I could clean the interior for him.

It was kind of late but I don't have any time this month because I have to help dad with fixing up this house. So I bagged everything in the car before I started vacuuming it. I vacuumed everything inside the car and made sure to get stuff from under the seats, in-between seats, and all the cracks and cervices. Then I started to APC+ and steamed each area down and finished with extracting what was left over with the diluted APC+.

There was no way I could of clean this van to my standards without these two machines. I tried doing just APC+/agitate with brush and wipe down and had very poor results. Went to finish it with steamer/extractor and almost took all the stains out. There were a couple spots that didn't come off but it definitely lighten them a lot.

Here are a few photos of what I was working on today.
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Tools used:
Mytee lite ii
VX5000
APC+
Various brushes
Ragid vacuum

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Here some before/afters.
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Sorry for the long post, but wanted to share this if anyone was on the fence about this combo.
 
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Nice turnaround. What were the products/tools used?
 
The owner's going to think you switched his vehicle. :) I've been thinking of a steamer for a while. Hopefully I'll pick one up this year.
 
kronos said:
The owner's going to think you switched his vehicle. :) I've been thinking of a steamer for a while. Hopefully I'll pick one up this year.
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If I had to choose, the steamer would be my first pick. The steamer does an amazing job breaking and loosing the stains up. But I don't know how I would remove what was left without an extractor.
 
I had to refill the extractor 4 times and steamer once from the mini van. Here is what came out of the carpets and seats.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJFRlJpuBHA&feature=plcp]Mytee lite ii - YouTube[/video]
 
Wow, looks like the must to have for all serious detailings.
 
AHH I want a VX5000 SO BAD! I have my Mytee Lite II already now to convince the girlfriend that I need the VX . . :bat:
 
Great job Gary! That thing was nasty for sure. I see what you mean about the stations. There comes a point when you just hang to say"I did the best I could". I have a very hard young saying that and out end up costing me money, but none the less or standing work mate! Can't wait,I ferry my steamer tomorrow I hope I hope.
 
Looks great. Don't forget to put vacuum lines in the carpets and floor mats, makes a more professional look.
 
Great job. That thing was nasty. The photo documentation of this job was exceptional. Thanks for sharing.
 
I've been thinking of getting an extractor... i think this summer imma pull the trigger after watching this video! NICE WORK!!
 
Great turnaround on that interior. The stains just never ended in that, did they? BTW, I have a folding metal table that I use when cleaning mats as I find it too hard on my back to work on them on the ground. I wouldn't be without it now!
 
Geez...good job. I guess when people let their stuff get that nasty, a steamer/extractor is a MUST.
 
Danube said:
Wow, looks like the must to have for all serious detailings.
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Yeah, I was never happy with APC+ and brush. I mean these machine aren't cheap, but I think they are worth it. The customers were very happy with results.

shoeless89 said:
AHH I want a VX5000 SO BAD! I have my Mytee Lite II already now to convince the girlfriend that I need the VX . . :bat:
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The VX5000 was great. I only had to refill the tank once because I was using it on high setting and it was a larger vehicle. The steamer with brush attachment is great for loosen the stains.

Mobile detail said:
Great job Gary! That thing was nasty for sure. I see what you mean about the stations. There comes a point when you just hang to say"I did the best I could". I have a very hard young saying that and out end up costing me money, but none the less or standing work mate! Can't wait,I ferry my steamer tomorrow I hope I hope.
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Thanks Don!! You will not be disappointed with VX5000.

dwlinc23 said:
Looks great. Don't forget to put vacuum lines in the carpets and floor mats, makes a more professional look.
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Thanks! I would of but I had no time. I wanted to finish it before the sun went down. He gave me the car at 2pm and I barely had enough time to finish it.

B&B Tennessee said:
Very nice :dblthumb2:
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Thanks Anthony! Now I know why you got two VX5000. :props:

ShineTimeDetail said:
When I drain my extractor its black. Good job!.
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Thanks! Those interior must of been trashed.

Robert8194 said:
Great job. That thing was nasty. The photo documentation of this job was exceptional. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks! I hope this will help anyone on the fence with either machines. They really do make a difference.

AjNavo61490 said:
I've been thinking of getting an extractor... i think this summer imma pull the trigger after watching this video! NICE WORK!!
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Thanks! The extractor is great tool. A lot of the time you can get away without steaming, just need a little bit more elbow grease to agitate stains and extract them out.

richy said:
Great turnaround on that interior. The stains just never ended in that, did they? BTW, I have a folding metal table that I use when cleaning mats as I find it too hard on my back to work on them on the ground. I wouldn't be without it now!
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Thanks Rich! There were only 2 stains I couldn't get out fully. They lighten up a lot, but I tried everything. I went over it 2-3 times with steamer and extractor. I think they spilled cocktail sauce couple years ago and never really cleaned it. I forgot about the metal folding platform I got from Lowes. My back was killing me when I was cleaning the floor mats. Thanks for tip! :props:
 
Gary,

I could agree with you more!

Both are essential tools of the trade and have a place for ensuring that the jobs done right the first time.

It's amazing how clean that interior turned out but with the right guy behind the right tool it just has to equal success.....:props:
 
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