Cleaning The Stainless on Vacums
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Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
A lot of what makes them dirty is overspray from the bays. If you feel like you can use it carefully I've had best luck with HF based cleaner and a white scotchbrite cleaning pad. Obviously gloves and some common sense are required. It's very important not to let it dry on the surface, it will stain the metal black if you let it dry. I assume the non HF wall cleaners would probably work too. I no longer put any polish on my vacs, the oils just attract dust and dirt.
MEP001
Well-known member
I use Klean Wall (Non HF). Dollar store toilet bowl cleaner works too. They get dull from overspray, made obvious by the way it's only on the side of the vacuum that faces the bays.
Since they're under a shed, I wipe a couple of them down every day, and they stay pretty clean, took ten years for a noticeable haze to build up on them. I tried Shiela Shine and Sprayway and a couple other stainless "cleaners," but all they seem to do is leave a film as Greg said, then the first jackass that comes along and beats their floor mats on the vacuum leaves it completely caked in dirt. The stainless cleaners don't remove anything that a damp cloth can.
Since they're under a shed, I wipe a couple of them down every day, and they stay pretty clean, took ten years for a noticeable haze to build up on them. I tried Shiela Shine and Sprayway and a couple other stainless "cleaners," but all they seem to do is leave a film as Greg said, then the first jackass that comes along and beats their floor mats on the vacuum leaves it completely caked in dirt. The stainless cleaners don't remove anything that a damp cloth can.
Something often overlooked is the polished stainless offered by the manufacturers. I have a site in FL on the east coast with 12 year old vacs. That owner got the polished option and they still look just fine today. Any detailers out there that can tell what it would take to polish one?
soonermajic
Well-known member
doesn't fragramatics offer the polished look? I think it is simply a polished SS, rather than the typical rough SS. I certainly may be wrong.
tdlconceptsllc
Well-known member
Yes IVS & Fragramatics do make polished which is a upgrade extra cost but in my experience owning both the polish ones show every little scratch when they get some age on them. The brushed stainless ones are less noticeable on wear in tear years down the road. I like polished vacs they look Awsome brand new but would rather just have a really clean brushed one as any of them
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soonermajic
Well-known member
TDLConceptsLLC,
why don't you tell us your process for cleaning these SS vacs? Your's go from outhouse---->penthouse looking!
why don't you tell us your process for cleaning these SS vacs? Your's go from outhouse---->penthouse looking!
tdlconceptsllc
Well-known member
Jack honestly I believe I have perfected it lol and its no big secret but took me awhile to form the process and also help from my friend getnbusy gets credit also and trial and error many hours. First thing to get a vac deep cleaned is remove all stickers and glue then wet down with water and keep it wet. Mix up kleenwall or equivalent acid straight in pump up sprayer and have a foam brush ready then scrub stainless make sure to wear PPE safety glasses,gloves ect and pressure wash with 4000 psi. Repeat several,several times until its to your standards. I use Quest Aluminate HD all this stuff is very aggressive and can damage the vacuum and your skin & eyes and clothes. When vac is completely dry apply a final coat of WD-40 and your done. Its just a lot of Labor.
MEP001
Well-known member
That seems like a lot of work when you can mix Klean Wall 3:1 in a bucket, mop it on with a rag and rinse it with baking soda water, granted I've never had to clean a severely dirty vac but a small amount of haze comes right off with no scrubbing or pressure washing.
I've polished stainless steel before, and it's a LOT of work. You would spend a huge amount of time trying to polish a brushed finish vac to a mirror shine, probably a week of solid work. I polished an expensive stainless skillet and it took me several hours between several stages of sanding and the final polish.
I've polished stainless steel before, and it's a LOT of work. You would spend a huge amount of time trying to polish a brushed finish vac to a mirror shine, probably a week of solid work. I polished an expensive stainless skillet and it took me several hours between several stages of sanding and the final polish.
tdlconceptsllc
Well-known member
MEP001 I take cleaning equipment to another level buddy. lol couple examples of some i have done
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MEP001
Well-known member
Looks good, I've seen some vacs that probably need the amount of cleaning you do, I've just never had them get that bad. I have cleaned in-bay automatic equipment that was quite tough to get as clean as your vacs.
soonermajic
Well-known member
TDL has showed me some of his vacs, & they are IMPRESSIVE!
