Detailer's 8 Gallon 2.5 HP Wet/Dry Auto Detailing Vacuum

[jeremy0203]

looks like this is exactly the same vacuum carried by lowes. the one from lowes states it is a 6.5HP yet all other ratings are exactly the same as the one in the thread, weird.

Shop Shop-Vac 8-Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Shop Vacuums at Lowes.com

[Vegas Transplant]

Thanks for posting such a thorough review BobbyG, I learned something today that had evaded me previously.

[shoeless89]

Great review Bobby G! Thanks!

[mg6045]

Bobby,

I bought this vacuum after reading your review and a seeing your pictures. I already wanted the vacuum but your writeup pushed me over the edge.

I have a question. Which filter/bag should I be using ? I am only doing dry work inside the car. basically vacuuming up typical particles from daily driving. sand, dust and small particles.

Should I be using the yellow bag filter for this ? or the blue wet/dry filter that is already installed on thtie vacuum ? Is there any benefit to using one over the other ? Also, is it necessary to remove the blue wet/dry filter when using the bag ?

[BobbyG]

Originally Posted by mg6045

Bobby,

I bought this vacuum after reading your review and a seeing your pictures. I already wanted the vacuum but your writeup pushed me over the edge.

I have a question. Which filter/bag should I be using ? I am only doing dry work inside the car. basically vacuuming up typical particles from daily driving. sand, dust and small particles.

Should I be using the yellow bag filter for this ? or the blue wet/dry filter that is already installed on thtie vacuum ? Is there any benefit to using one over the other ? Also, is it necessary to remove the blue wet/dry filter when using the bag ?

If dry work is all that this vacuum will be used for then I recommend the yellow disposal bags. Yes, the blue wet / dry filter should be removed prior to installing the yellow bag.

As a side note: I used my vacuum yesterday and what a pleasure it is to use....

[Hoytman]

Great review BobbyG! Looks like a really nice unit.

I have 6.75 hp, 20-22 gallon Craftsmen. It's about 10-14 years old. One thing I like about my unit is the motor is detachable and can be used as a leaf blower. It works great blowing out the garage and blowing off the car, however, you have to be careful doing the latter.

One comment on suction power, regardless of all the numbers others have mentioned here. Nintey (90) to one hundred (100) inches of suction is a tremendous amount of lift for a vacuum, but each lift rating, per vacuum brand, is only comparable if the hoses are the same diameter.

Ninety inches of lift in a 1.5" hose takes a lesser amount of horsepower than 90 inches of lift an a 2", 2.5", 3", etc. This is where the horsepower factor will make a difference. In other words, it takes more horsepower to make 90" inches of lift in a 2.5"-3" hose than it does an 1.5" hose. The cfm's will also be greatly reduced or increased depending on the hose size. Of course, most of you realize this.

(NOTE: The above statement has nothing to do with how manufacturers rate their vacuums, or reach the horsepower ratings they advertise. In the above statement I'm speaking specifically from a numbers point of view. Larger hoses take more horsepower to create a given amount of lift.)

That said, I prefer larger hosed vacuums for most of my work because of not having to unclog a hose. Years ago most shop vacs had these small hoses and were a pain in the backside. Of course, vacuuming most dirt and grit in cars the small hoses are fine. It's the occasional big chunk of whatever in a car that's the culprit and I don't have time to fiddle with unclogging a hose or hooking up the larger sweeper.

If your car never sees large pieces of debree (read, rarely gets real dirty) then the unit reviewed would be an awesome option for you.

EDIT:
These comments were not meant to detract from BobbyG's wonderful review, rather, to cause folks to consider what sweeper will best suit all of their needs.

[BobbyG]

Hey Bill,

I enjoy reading others opinions and comments and yours are spot on!

The larger the hose the more power required to lift the larger volume of water. Many shop vacs came with the 2 1/2" diameter hoses but the ones I see today seemed to have scaled back to the 1 1/2" diameter.

Like you I think the bigger diameter brings a bit more to the game....

[Hoytman]

Thanks BobbyG!

There are certainly lots of things to consider when purchasing a unit.

What I like most about the unit reviewed is the power the unit has for its size.

The Detailer's 8 Gallon 2.5 HP Wet/Dry Auto Detailing Vacuum certainly takes up less room in the garage, is lighter, and therefore easier to manuever around. My large unit is somewhat cumbersome which, at times, is a downside to using it. Also, if the car doesn't have large debree the smaller hose is much more easy to work with, especially under and around the seats.

I wouldn't mind owning the Detailer's 8 Gallon 2.5 HP Wet/Dry Auto Detailing Vacuum simply because there are times I don't need to drag the big sweeper out. I certainly wouldn't have to sacrifice any power, for sure.

Hose (length and how it attaches) and cord length are other great features for the Detailer's 8 Gallon 2.5 HP Wet/Dry Auto Detailing Vacuum, better than most units offered elsewhere.