Steam vs Tornador

[Super Dave]

Re: Steam vs Tornador

Here is the thing I don't understand about the Tornador...

Let's say you are cleaning carpet or upholstery with a vacuum or extractor. These two machines will **** up the dirt and remove it from the car. With a Tornador it seems like it just blasts the dirt further down into the surface and just hides it.

On hard surfaces it just looks like it makes a wet mess and blasts it everywhere. Then you wipe up the mess it created.

Maybe I just don't understand how they work.

I am still not happy with my steamer. Wish I hadn't bought it.

[dramsey]

Re: Steam vs Tornador

I watched all the videos and was convinced that I needed a Tornador. I bought a 30 gallon Garage Mate IR compressor and a Tornador. I'm glad I bought the compressor, I use it with every detail. The Tornador has been a bit of a disappointment. I just don't get it. I'm not overly impressed on top of that, you have to be mindful that it atomizes alot of chemical.

[KIA HYBRID]

Re: Steam vs Tornador

I saw a Tornador at work today and yes it was killing dirty without a problem..It's for the big dogs(need fast turn around time) or you have the air already that it need.Steamer is all i need but I'm glad to be able to see a Tornador ..

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Steam vs Tornador

Not too long ago I left my cat in my room while I went to take care of a few errands.. I ended up being gone a bit longer than expected and when I returned the whole room reeked like grape! Turns out my cat had grown a bit frustrated and began trying to knock stuff over. She succeeded at knocking over our gallon of D120 Glass Cleaner Concentrate.. I have pumps on my gallons so they're not exactly air tight & leak proof if you tip them over.

Anyone who owns a gallon of this stuff for personal use knows it'll be maybe a decade or so before you even near the halfway mark of the gallon. [unless you own a cat like mine, who's obsessed with detailing. Lol]

So as you can tell, quite a bit leaked out and onto the carpet. I'm lucky I left the window open because if I hadn't she might've not survived the concentrated vapor in an enclosed room.



When I returned I let the cat out and tried to air out the room. Even with all windows open it only took about 20min. before the overpowering scent began giving me a headache and I knew I had a serious situation to deal with. I blotted the carpet with a big 24"x46" waffle weave until it was soaking wet full of glass cleaner. [that WW is now my glass only towel] Then I reached for my cheap sythetic chamois and even a huge bathtowel to try and blot all of it out. Then I sprayed APC and repeatedly scrubbed the carpet with a stiff brush and wiped up with more terry towels. I thought I had done enough and called it a night but made sure to leave all windows open just to be safe..

But when I returned from work the next day the room still reeked of grape! That's when I knew this was a huge deal.. That's when I plugged in my steamer. I hit the carpet with the jet nozzle for 5sec. per area as recommended by the instructions to disinfect. Finally the concentrated smell of grape was all gone, never to come back again. I don't think I would've ever been able to do it without the steamer.

My cat still contends she was simply bored and testing new dilutions of glass cleaner... But we both know her little butt underestimated the weight of a gallon and turned out spilling it! Lmao.

[countyhoosier]

I went and bought the steam machine. I will post some pictures as soon as I have a few minutes to play with it.

[DasBurninator]

Re: Steam vs Tornador

@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!

She kept leaving at my house when she would spend the night and never would take them home, so I put them to use. They snap eventually, but since we moved in together I have an unlimited supply LOL.

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.

I felt the same way about mine a few years ago until I learned how to really utilize it. Towel wrapped around the triangle head attachment is clutch in getting the most out of the steamer. Leather seats, door panels, etc. The nozzle attachment is great for tighter areas like cleaning vents and the gaps between panels. It isn't great for just blasting a panel like videos show you. At least not without other help like spraying APC and agitating first then using the steam to "rinse" the panel.

Also I try not to fill it up past halfway, otherwise you will get lots of water that shoots out instead of steam.

[Super Dave]

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.

[Eldorado2k]

@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.

[Jarhead0754]

Go to you tube and watch some videos.

[Super Dave]

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]

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!

[RDVT4ME]

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.

[DasBurninator]

Re: Steam vs Tornador

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.

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?

[Michael Stoops]

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.

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.

[Eldorado2k]

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.