Steam Cleaner Applications (?)

[ZeeFore]

I'm pretty sure just about everyone on the board here has or uses a pressure washer on their cars (me too), but what about steam cleaners?

I just purchased a Karcher SC1020 with the intention of using it around the house as well as on the Z, but then I got to wondering in what auto applications people find a steam cleaner most useful? Interior carpets are one obvious location, and I believe leather upholstery can be gently steamed to remove gunk and even reshape the leather. But where else? The idea that a steam cleaner will remove stuck-on brake dust from alloys seems to be a myth (although I haven't tried it yet).

Just fishing for ideas guys.

 

[mmm-five]

Should be great for degreasing parts, or on the engine bay - but be careful about steam-proofing all electrical connections/items.

 

[AlanJ]

Not a great fan of steam cleaners unless you are careful. Hot temeratures can blast lubricants out of joints and as mmm-five says the steam can find its way into electrical connectors. Just need to be careful.

 

[ZeeFore]

You guys are most probably right. Sage advice.
Limiting the steam to the kitchen and around the house might be the best idea.

 

[GAZA62]

First off nice that you want to keep your Z clean but personally i wont take a preassure washer near my car but i know with very carefull use most likeley OK but not for me as for a steam cleaner on the interior no way not ever especially the engine bay and leather bad idea in my book.

For Leather care LTT is spot on

Wheels take them off the car a good clean treat them with a wheel wax or AG SRP/EGP then regular washing with the same shampoo you use on the bodywork

 

[ZeeFore]

First off nice that you want to keep your Z clean but personally i wont take a preassure washer near my car but i know with very carefull use most likeley OK but not for me as for a steam cleaner on the interior no way not ever especially the engine bay and leather bad idea in my book.

For Leather care LTT is spot on

Wheels take them off the car a good clean treat them with a wheel wax or AG SRP/EGP then regular washing with the same shampoo you use on the bodywork

A pressure washer is almost a necessity where I'm at, especially in the winter when they use some sort of salt on the roads to counteract the snow and ice. That salt gets all over the underside of the car and in any other places it can find its way into and is almost guaranteed to cause rust and corrosion. Frequent sprays under the chassis are essential maintenance.

But I do agree that pressure washers can be kind of hard on a nicely waxed exterior, so I only use mine on the paintwork when the car is going to get a full wash and nice new coat of wax.

And steam ... yeah, the more I think about it the more I think it might not be such a good idea.

 

[GAZA62]

First off nice that you want to keep your Z clean but personally i wont take a preassure washer near my car but i know with very carefull use most likeley OK but not for me as for a steam cleaner on the interior no way not ever especially the engine bay and leather bad idea in my book.

For Leather care LTT is spot on

Wheels take them off the car a good clean treat them with a wheel wax or AG SRP/EGP then regular washing with the same shampoo you use on the bodywork

A pressure washer is almost a necessity where I'm at, especially in the winter when they use some sort of salt on the roads to counteract the snow and ice. That salt gets all over the underside of the car and in any other places it can find its way into and is almost guaranteed to cause rust and corrosion. Frequent sprays under the chassis are essential maintenance.

But I do agree that pressure washers can be kind of hard on a nicely waxed exterior, so I only use mine on the paintwork when the car is going to get a full wash and nice new coat of wax.

And steam ... yeah, the more I think about it the more I think it might not be such a good idea.

SALT :thumbsdown: make you right getting under the car for a clean.

LTT http://www.leatherclinic.co.uk/

The link above is the care i use for my M.Seats and they still look the same now as they did 4 years ago when i bought my Z and its so quick and easy se below


http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3139&p=45101&hilit=leather#p45101

 

[ZeeFore]

LTT http://www.leatherclinic.co.uk/

The link above is the care i use for my M.Seats and they still look the same now as they did 4 years ago when i bought my Z and its so quick and easy se below

Looks good. Thanks for the suggestion.
I did a quick search and that particular stuff doesn't seem to be available here, but I can get the equivalent (I assume) Autoglym leather care products. Autoglym seems to have a pretty good rep all around, so maybe I'll try that.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm with Alan & mmm five on steam and cars. It rips off dirt and grime really well, which of course is why second hand forecourt cars often have super clean under bonnet areas. Removing that grease and oil though just exposes now bare metal to the elements and can induce more problems. If you intend to pander and pamper it then great.

Combined with powerful jet washers it's possible to drive grime and grit into components and cause premature wear. You won't see that for a while of course.

Much of it is degrees, what you're doing it for and why.

 

[scottbt]

Relatively safe and completely eco friendly. The "steam cleaners" folk are referring to at main dealerships are actually the likes of the Karcher HDS 7/10-4 M which is a hot wash pressure washer. 2 totally different beasts. You can clean your wheels as per the norm with smartwheels / billberry and rather than rinse, steam the area clean and wipe dry. Same application goes for engine compartments, wheel arches interiors etc. Completely thorough cleaning on interiors which seldom rarely needs any forms of chemical product applied.

 

[cj10jeeper]

scott - you are right I was referring to the likes of the karcher machines which are often referred to as Hot Water & Steam Pressure Washers.
I use one of this type on my Jeeps and needs care and consideration.

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=163118&Referrer=froogle

Mine is paraffin powered and can melt plastics, strip paint and pull 2" of baked clay off chassis rails.

Used by car resellers to make cars look like new regardless of consequences.

This other type is as you say a harmless animal.

 

[R26Andy]

Would one of these be any good for getting into 108 wheel bolts n split rim interface?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Not really.
Having split many I know how complicated the 2 mating surfaces are. All you'd do is either tickle the surface or with a power washer drive water and dirt in.

They need splitting, cleaning, treating, painting/sealing then rebuilding

 

[edward137]

First off nice that you want to keep your Z clean but personally i wont take a preassure washer near my car but i know with very carefull use most likeley OK but not for me as for a steam cleaner on the interior no way not ever especially the engine bay and leather bad idea in my book.

For Leather care LTT is spot on

Wheels take them off the car a good clean treat them with a wheel wax or AG SRP/EGP then regular washing with the same shampoo you use on the bodywork

A pressure washer is almost a necessity where I'm at, especially in the winter when they use some sort of salt on the roads to counteract the snow and ice. That salt gets all over the underside of the car and in any other places it can find its way into and is almost guaranteed to cause rust and corrosion. Frequent sprays under the chassis are essential maintenance.

But I do agree that pressure washers can be kind of hard on a nicely waxed exterior, so I only use mine on the paintwork when the car is going to get a full wash and nice new coat of wax.

And steam ... yeah, the more I think about it the more I think it might not be such a good idea.

Hii,
Using a pressure washer is a nice way to clean carpets but in my opinion you may need to try steam mob to clean car upholstery to give them a fresh smell...

 

[dhobbs]

I recently saw a car restoration program and when they took the seats apart all the foam was falling apart. This was due to using steam cleaners (so they said).
Car was an old ford Escort RS1600i
Up to you if you try it on the upholstery.