A co-worker of mine got in touch with me asked if I would mind detailing the interior of her vehicle. Like I would turn down a vehicle :thumb: She was a tad embarrassed because she claimed that she had neglected her vehicle :shrug: I assured my co-worker I would have fun detailing her vehicle. Well the vehicle is a: 2008 Honda Civic She was kind enough to drop of the vehicle and here is the vehicle upon arrival: Well as you can see the vehicle wasn’t in terrible shape, just needed some pampering that’s all. Before I got going in the interior I filled up my steamer with Reverse Osmosis water and turned it on to heat up: Then I removed all personal belonging along with floor mats. Once that was done I proceeded on giving the interior a thorough vacuum: Vacuuming this vehicle didn’t take that long, once that was done it was time to start playing with steam :woo: So like traditional process, I steam an area and with the help of a yellow micro fiber towel I wipe the area off: Then I follow up with my air compressor to blow off any access moisture: This picture shows the small amount of moisture being released from the small crevice. The interior is done by the process I explained above, the steamer makes quick work of interior :thumb: Well once I was done steaming the interior it was time to dress all plastic trim, for this I used Meg’s #40: On panels that easily accessible I sprayed them directly: In other panels that I’d rather not spray them directly I just spray the Meg’s #40 directly on to the micro fiber towel. Well the interior is coming along nicely, continuing along with the steaming. So first I get a yellow micro fiber towel and place it on the head of the steamer adaptor, like so: Then I simply turn the steamer on to full blast and steam away: I start on the seats and once I’m done the seats I move on to the floor. On this vehicle I didn’t even have to turn on my Mytee extractor :shrug: Well this just about covers the interior, now that majority of the interior is done I thought it would be best to give the interior another pass with the vacuum. All that steaming and wiping left some yellow fuzz balls on the floor, not to mention what ever was blown out of the crevice with the air compressor fell to the floor as well, looked something like this: Well All that’s left is to do the glass, that I’ll do later. Now it was time to focus on the exterior, here is the exterior: Now it’s the exterior’s turn to receive some steam: Of course, the two bucket method is used with ONR and a sea sponge, so first I steamed the surface of the vehicle to remove as much contamination as possible then I followed up with the ONR. Once that was done it was time to focus on the wheel wells and yet again the steamer is put to good use: Making sure to get all the way in side. Tires were also steamed: Same goes for the rims: Once the rims were steamed I used my EZ brush to reach all the way inside: The surface of the rim is agitated with a Zymol brush: Once that was done it was back to steaming: Making sure to get all the way inside: Then with yet another yellow micro fiber towel I wipe the rim and tire off :thumb: Now you might be wondering if I used chemicals. The answer is, no. No chemicals were used just pure steam…well steam and a bucket of ONR to dip the brushes in, but other then that steam and hot water with ONR :thumb: But keep in mind the vehicle is fairly new so the rims haven’t had too much brake dust penetrate through. Well now it was time to apply some sort of protection to the vehicle, for this I used Duragloss 105, applied with a red Ultimate 4inch foam pad with the polishing pal: Wish I could say I applied a thin coat but I honestly didn’t :whistle: The rims also received some sealant :thumb: Well it was getting a bit late, so I decided to call it a night and left the sealant over night. The next day, first thing was to remove the sealant. I used a Tornado Buffing Towel: Next the floor mats were vacuumed first: Mats were a bit dirty but not too bad: Nothing some steam can’t fix: Here is that same spot: Before: After: Floor mats done now, next windows were done with Stoners Invisible Glass with a glass micro fiber towel and that does it, vehicle is done now…pitty I couldn’t polish the vehicle as it really need it, I’ll show you what I mean latter but here is the vehicle all done now: Oh tires were dressed with Optimum Tire Duragloss looking good as always :thumb: To conclude I couldn’t help but admire the wicked swirls/defects on the vehicle: Well good thing I know where this gal works, once the snow is gone I’ll get the chance to polish this vehicle :thumb: Hope you enjoyed eace:
Every time you use that steamer I am more and more impressed. What kind is it, how much and where can I get one? Great job by the way.
To be honest Ken, I find my self using the steamer more and more one very detail. I mean on this Honda Civic I used it in just about everything I touched inside and out, best part saves me from using chemicals. As to where I got it talk to Kevin Ferral (I think that's how you spell his last name) He's a good guy to chat with here a link for you, Kevin along with another member here told me about a new steamer, much more powerful. I would love to have a stronger steamer...not sure I really need it because my current Vapor Chief Steamer does the job but a stronger steamer would be great for exterior. I need more steam captain!!! lol Oh here is a link to all the steamer that Kevin has: Steam cleaners | high pressure steam machines | industrial steam machines | vapo - Kleen Car | professional detailing training | auto detailing steamers, products, equipment Thank you, glad you enjoyed it eace: For our winters a good durable sealant is a must, I'm pleased with Duragloss :thumb:
Great job Carlos and its amazing how clean you can get a car with so little chemical used. Man that steamer seems very handy.
:nod: yes hardly any chemicals used...took me a bit to get used to the steamer considering I used to use a bunch of chemicals...but I'm enjoying the steamer now that I got process gong now. Glad you enjoyed it, I'm sure getting my moneys worth out of this steamer :thumb: :nod: I never knew a steamer could make such a difference, I'm having fun with the steamer :thumb:
Super work there Carlos! I'm becoming more and more convinced that all I need now is a steamer like yours, LoL. It's definitely something to think about in an effort to become a more eco-friendly business/detailer.
It does look cool.. Is the steamer dangerous Nica? I saw a pic of yours that had a microfiber with a hole in it from the steam.. How hard would it be to accidentally melt something with it or melt the glue holding something on? and steam burns from cooking are the worst.. I would imagine you could really mess someone up with that..
Carlos, you steamed the heck out of that Civic! Wonder if it's gonna have skin burns...well, you applied the ointment already (DG#105). Just kidding. Awesome work as always!!!
Very nice work. It looks great. Did you happen to notice how much time you had into steaming the outside of the car...:thumb:
Well to be honest if I had to choose between an extractor vs a steamer, I would have to go with the steamer...but mind you I now know the difference between the two as I now have used both. Thanks for the feed back Denzil eace: Well I've been wondering the same thing, like anything you could damage things if your not careful. On rims I steam the weights as normal but I don't let it dwell on it for too long...just in case. On the interior I use the medium setting and maintain a steady pace with the steamer. Oh and yes, I did burn through one of those yellow micro fiber towels once...but that was me fooling around a bit too much :giggle: lol..yea I gave it a nice steam bath and for lotion I used DG :giggle: Glad you enjoyed it eace: You know, when I purchased the steamer I never thought about 'green detailing' but now that I have it and use it I agree it's a huge advantage not having to rely on chemicals to get the job done, huge bonus :thumb: Well that's the thing, steaming the exterior takes a bit longer then if you quickly hose the vehicle with a pressure washer, however, due to freezing temperatures and bylaws here in Calgary steaming is the best way to go...but I'd like to get a much, much stronger steamer to be able to steam the exterior a little faster :thumb:
