Steam Cleaning Auto Exteriors

[Blamettu]

I'm not sure if this is a hot topic for anyone else, but I'd like the opinion of a person in the business of body shop work. If done properly, is there any risk of paint damage, trim damage, etc. when using steam to clean automobile exteriors?

[isaiasv94]

I only use it for the interior, never tried it for the exterior, but I've seen some videos of people using it on the exterior and they say it's better than water but it's more time consuming and also you need a lot of mf towels. If you see ammo NYC he uses it to clean an old school porsche if I recall. You should go ahead and check it out

[BillE]

Just for clarification...Are you referring to the kind of 'steamer' one would use for interior work OR a 'steam cleaner' that is use for heavy duty work (like under carriage)?

Bill

[Mike Phillips]

but I'd like the opinion of a person in the business of body shop work.

If done properly, is there any risk of paint damage, trim damage, etc. when using steam to clean automobile exteriors?

As long as you don't hold the steamer in one place for too long I don't think you coud hurt anything.

I would be careful around any vinyl graphics or vinyl pinstriping.

[Blamettu]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Back in 2013, I purchased a Dupray Carmen Super Inox with the intention of exterior (as well as interior) cleaning. I think it's a great tool for interior detailing, but I don't feel it has adequate pressure to efficiently clean an exterior even when it's used in conjunction with a waterless wash solution. I'm trying to be as eco-friendly as possible, but I'm not a fan of razor thin profit margins.