Steam is a very useful tool for detailers. It can be utilized on both the interior and exterior, as well as the engine bay for sensitive cleaning areas. Steam cleaners are also very useful around the house! Below are some suggested steamers from our subscribers on /r/autodetailing.
Filtered Water
Please note is best to use distilled or soft water when using a steam cleaner to prevent it from clogging up with mineral deposits between uses.
| Brand | Model | Price | Pros | Cons | Additional Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCulloch | 1275 | $140 | Small, comes with a few attachments, heats up well | Cheap plastic construction, small tank, about an 45 minutes – hour of continuous use | For ~$30 more you can upgrade to the 1375 which is stronger and has more attachments |
| McCulloch | 1375 | $170 | Strong, inexpensive, heats up quickly | High pressure attachments can come loose, plastic braided shield broke quickly | |
| McCulloch | 1385 | $200 | Produces lots of steam, easy set up, lots of attachments | Cheap plastic feel, no canister gauge to show how much water in the tank, included bag does not hold everything | |
| Steamfast | SF370 WH | $120 | Lightweight, decent pressure, variety of attachments | Steam isn’t the hottest, need to stop using from time to time to build pressure | |
| Vapamore | MR 100 | $299 | Small, powerful | Small tank, continuous refill problems | |
| Vapor Systems | VX5000 | $800 | Stainless steel construction, durable, usage time, plenty of attachments | Price, short hose, heat up time, clunky |