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**RDVT4ME** · Apr 22, 2015, 07:38 AM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

I have both. The steamer works well on seats and carpets. I love the Tornador for hard to get at places, like door jams or under the hood. It really melts grime away. the tornador also works well on carpets. I'm sure you will hear from some of the Pro's, but I find uses for both. Do some searches on the internet and you will find lots of video's on uses for each. I got the steamer first, then the Tornador. With the Tornador you will definitely need a pretty good air compressor. I had a 6 gallon compressor and that did not work well. Too much time to rebuild compression. I now have a 33 gallon and it really gets the job done. I would say that unless you have a fairly good compressor (like 20 gal or more) you should get the steamer first.

**Larry90** · Apr 22, 2015, 09:05 AM

I have the vx 5000 steamer and I love it. However, I did get lucky because an Individual was selling it on the forum for only $500.

**DasBurninator** · Apr 22, 2015, 09:15 AM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

I've always wondered about the Tornador's. They always seemed gimmicky to me.

**Super Dave** · Apr 22, 2015, 01:20 PM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

McCullough 1275 now on sale at Harbor Freight for $129 (Harbor Freight Item# 8823). That was the lowest price I could find. I bought one yesterday. Haven't gotten to try it yet.

I have seen great things about Tornadors. I don't have an air compressor or room for an air compressor needed to run it. Thats why I picked the steamer.

I will update this after my first use of the steamer... it might not be until the weekend.

**angel_r24** · Apr 22, 2015, 01:48 PM

Here you'll find a couple of reviews that I have done with both on YT. The Mytee firebird is what I use on my details. I used to have the Tornador but I was getting tired of moving the compressor back and forth. I detail from my garage and to move it around the house or just getting a long hose just didn't cut it for me. If you have the space for the compressor I would advise to go for the Tornador. If not then just go with the steamer. I usually steam the whole interior including the upholstery and then come back with the hot water extractor. You can't go wrong with either.

Good luck!

Mytee Firebird test: http://youtu.be/LICRk2m44PQ

Tornador Black review: http://youtu.be/VgLZ8zhr_Hc

Tornador Black review: http://youtu.be/5tM4u77XZZQ

**Eldorado2k** · Apr 22, 2015, 07:52 PM

I have a McCullouch 1275 and I like it. Using it with the jet nozzle works good for cleaning gunk in cupholders/consoles, doorjambs, and other small hard to reach areas. [works great when paired up with D108 Super Degreaser]

It also works well on carpets & floormats [triangle attachment/covered with a terry towel] but sometimes it's faster to just do them with a brush 1st, then take them to level 10 with the steamer.

Works great for cleaning seatbelts. [triangle attachment/covered with a terry towel. Paired with D101 or D108]

It's most redeeming factor by far is deep cleaning leather interior. [triangle attachment/covered with a terry towel] Especially if you've got a car that's 10+ yrs. old. You'll be amazed at the transformation this steamer can make when paired with D101@10:1 on dirty leather interior.

Plus you can use it around the house. All it needs is distilled water.

I don't have a Tornador.

**Michael Stoops** · Apr 23, 2015, 10:47 AM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

Originally posted by RDVT4ME View Post

I have both. The steamer works well on seats and carpets. I love the Tornador for hard to get at places, like door jams or under the hood. It really melts grime away. the tornador also works well on carpets. I'm sure you will hear from some of the Pro's, but I find uses for both. Do some searches on the internet and you will find lots of video's on uses for each. I got the steamer first, then the Tornador. With the Tornador you will definitely need a pretty good air compressor. I had a 6 gallon compressor and that did not work well. Too much time to rebuild compression. I now have a 33 gallon and it really gets the job done. I would say that unless you have a fairly good compressor (like 20 gal or more) you should get the steamer first.

Really, this sums things up nicely.

I'm a bit hesitant to respond to this thread in depth since neither of these items are Meguiar's products and we don't want to appear to be endorsing any specific product. As long as everyone is clear on that, I can personally offer up some experiences with both:

A steamer can do a great job with some of the heavy lifting in really nasty areas, or for cleaning leather and vinyl. While a smaller unit like the McCullough 1275 may not be up to the rigors of constant professional use, it's actually pretty fantastic for the enthusiast/weekend warrior. The Tornador does indeed make a good compressor a mandatory tool in your arsensal, which is a whole new investment and potentially changes things for a mobile detailer. For a home user it may be too large an investment for many. Something to keep in mind when using the Tornador with something like APC in the canister it will essentially atomize that APC and you'll end up breathing it (or whatever you're using in the canister). Wear a mask/respirator when using this tool in this manner.

Like Bob, I have both but I also have a decent 22 gallon Snap On compressor. I don't think I'd go any smaller than that when using a Tornador as they are heavy air users. Now, if I absolutely had to choose just one of the two to have, I'd probably go with the steamer.

**DasBurninator** · Apr 23, 2015, 12:39 PM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

Originally posted by Eldorado2k View Post

I have a McCullouch 1275 and I like it. Using it with the jet nozzle works good for cleaning gunk in cupholders/consoles, doorjambs, and other small hard to reach areas. [works great when paired up with D108 Super Degreaser]

It also works well on carpets & floormats [triangle attachment/covered with a terry towel] but sometimes it's faster to just do them with a brush 1st, then take them to level 10 with the steamer.

Works great for cleaning seatbelts. [triangle attachment/covered with a terry towel. Paired with D101 or D108]

It's most redeeming factor by far is deep cleaning leather interior. [triangle attachment/covered with a terry towel] Especially if you've got a car that's 10+ yrs. old. You'll be amazed at the transformation this steamer can make when paired with D101@10:1 on dirty leather interior.

Plus you can use it around the house. All it needs is distilled water.

I don't have a Tornador.

On point. I love my steamer. Also works great for helping remove window tint.
The triangle attachment and steal the GF's hairbands to keep a towel on it LOL. I've used it to tackle some pretty nasty stuff. I also use the steam mop attachment to clean my floors in the house.

Originally posted by Michael Stoops View Post

Really, this sums things up nicely.

I'm a bit hesitant to respond to this thread in depth since neither of these items are Meguiar's products and we don't want to appear to be endorsing any specific product. As long as everyone is clear on that, I can personally offer up some experiences with both:

A steamer can do a great job with some of the heavy lifting in really nasty areas, or for cleaning leather and vinyl. While a smaller unit like the McCullough 1275 may not be up to the rigors of constant professional use, it's actually pretty fantastic for the enthusiast/weekend warrior. The Tornador does indeed make a good compressor a mandatory tool in your arsensal, which is a whole new investment and potentially changes things for a mobile detailer. For a home user it may be too large an investment for many. Something to keep in mind when using the Tornador with something like APC in the canister it will essentially atomize that APC and you'll end up breathing it (or whatever you're using in the canister). Wear a mask/respirator when using this tool in this manner.

Like Bob, I have both but I also have a decent 22 gallon Snap On compressor. I don't think I'd go any smaller than that when using a Tornador as they are heavy air users. Now, if I absolutely had to choose just one of the two to have, I'd probably go with the steamer.

Already have a steamer.
I have a 35 Gallon compressor. No issues there. I just didn't know if the Tornador actually worked well or not. Think its worth it if I already have the steamer and don't need to invest in the compressor?

**RDVT4ME** · Apr 23, 2015, 12:49 PM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

Dasburninator-I would advise looking at some of the video's on the web. They show some pretty good uses for the Tornador. In the end, you get to decide if it is a tool you are willing to invest in. I certainly am happy I got one.

**Jarhead0754** · Apr 23, 2015, 05:29 PM

I don't have one but do have an old handheld steamer that works well. Just have to refill it every 10 mins. Eventually I would like a vx5000 or the McCullough, but I would also like a tornador black as I think each has its place. If u can afford both I would say get both if not I say start with a steamer and when u can afford the tornador grab it. Doesn't hurt to have tools in ur arsenal!

**Super Dave** · Apr 23, 2015, 05:43 PM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

I just used my new 1275 steam cleaner this evening. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in it. It did make steam and worked properly. It just made everything hot and wet. It didn't actually clean anything. I did wrap the triangle head in a towel and tried cleaning carpet and upholstery. All purpose cleaner and Folex scrubbed in and the wiped up worked as well if not better than the steamer. It did seem to work well on the headliner. I tried it on the hard plastic surfaces of my wife's PT Cruiser and again heat, steam but no actual cleaning. Am I doing something wrong? I feel like I just wasted $130.

**Jarhead0754** · Apr 23, 2015, 06:23 PM

Go to you tube and watch some videos.

**Eldorado2k** · Apr 23, 2015, 09:17 PM

@DasBurninator. Dude, I've been trying to think of the perfect thing to hold the darn towel in place ever since I got the thing. Lol.

I keep telling myself I'm going to buy the little plastic clamps at HF but I'm not so sure they'd work.. Plastic zip ties would work perfect, but having to cut them off after every section to move the towel would be a bigger PITA than anything. Lol.
I'll try the hairbands, thx!

@SuperDave. That's why I mentioned how sometimes cleaning certain things [such as heavily soiled carpet] sometimes works faster, and seemingly better with traditional methods at 1st.. The steamer can sometimes feel like it's meant for special situations only, but I'd be willing to bet you'll consider it a keeper by the time your reciept expires..

As far as the hard plastic surfaces on the PT, did you spray APC directly on the surface and then go at it with the triangle head covered with a towel? Was it actually dirty to begin with? Just curious, because if the surface is not exactly dirty to begin with the results might appear underwellming. Otherwise, it should've removed some grime.

**Super Dave** · Apr 27, 2015, 06:26 AM

Re: Steam vs Tornador

Well I gave the 1275 steam cleaner a second try this weekend on the engine of my wife's PT Cruiser. I just don't get it. I have watched countless videos and seen tons of comments about how great this thing is. I haven't seen it actually clean anything yet. On the engine it removed the top layer of crud but it never truly cleans anything. It just blasts small bits of wet nasty **** everywhere. I wish I could get an air compressor and a Tornador. It couldn't be any worse than this steamer.

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