[planet]

  Hi folks,

i am looking for a carpet cleaning machine that will serve me well for car interior valeting. (that will be able to cope with some *heavily soiled* interiors, also  including those that have had family pets leaving their hairs and stains embedded into the upholstery/carpets)

the number of machine types and sizes is bewildering, and i would welcome any advice on which machines are best suited for this type of work. It would need to be relativley cheap, and i expect that i should be looking for a pre-owned one.

having surfed through the forum and there seems to be a wealth of info available on general carpet cleaning, but unless i have missed it, there does not seem to be anything specific to my query.

I sure would appreciate any advice that would point me in the right direction
Looking around the net i seem to have noticed new prochem spotters, and some other used prochem machines....Any good?

[stevegunn]

Hot shot from Solution heated spotting machine

[strakercleaning]

I have a small spotting machine which i also use for small rugs or upholstery.
Easier to move around and quicker to set up. Use a hand tool with it so not used for areas of carpet. I do use my large machine for these items if it is set up for carpets.
How many times have i finished a job and been asked to do armchair in the loft...........is it easier to bring armchair down or big machine up...............I'll fetch my spotting machine from the van 

[Martin S]

Chris,

Take it all the lofts you clean in are boarded.  Or are you just careful?   

I can see the insurance claim form now...........''I can't quite understand this Mr Straker, If you are Carpet cleaner...........how did you manage to put your foot through the ceiling''?   

Regards.

martin

[strakercleaning]

Martin,
Such wit so early in the morning  :
Example of machine at bottom of house and one item at the top 
The houses i work in have loft extensions with electric and windows and everything..........they not reached your neck of the woods yet

ps.......wouldn't put foot through ceiling as i was brought up as a child in a secret temple by shaolin monks..............you should see me walk across ricepaper Grasshopper

[planet]

Thanks for the advice,

i shall look into the various spotting machines available.

Where is the best palce to begin my search for the hotshot from solution spotting machine, also, in your opinion, is this going to be my best tool for the job? or are there other machines that i should also shortlist before commiting myself?

is the performance of a spotting machine markedly different to that of the full sized machines?

[Ed Valentine]

Planet;

IMHO, there is a hugh difference in the performance and end results between the generic (typical) "spotting machines and a (real) extractor. Absolutely no comparison.

There are smaller extractors that would have the capabilities and convience for your situation (s).

Not only are the spec's much higher on a extractor, but if one looks close enough, the pumps on a spotter machine are right next to a toy in my book and in my experience of comparisons.

Good Fortune to all;
Ed Valentine
cross-american corp.

[Martin S]

Chris S,

I do envy you so, all those mod cons eh!!   .  Only just got electricity here.  So bad have to travel to next county on Horse and Cart to access one of those new fangled Computer things to post on this site.  Even the Cows round here are made of Concrete!!  Makes for very tough meat!!

Regards

Martin.

PS.  Glad to see the Monks taught you how to control your 'Chi' and maintain your 'Yin & Yang' in balance.

PPS.  You won't want to borrow my book entitled ''Secrets of Shaolin Temple boxing'' then?   

[Mike_Boxall]

Hi

Most spotting machines (including the Prochem) are around 7 .5 ltr capacity which is OK for spotting but not quite enough for car valeting.

Most used Prochem machines are likely to be Steameasy / Steampro types which are goiung to be too big for you.

For something 'cheap' which will do the job have a look at the Spraymaster machines. We've supplied quite a few to car valeters like yourself.

http://www.express-cleaning-supplies.co.uk/oos/carpetcleaningmachines/550009.html

Regards

Mike Boxall

[darrenlee]

hi take a look at this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3876765336&ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:UK:17

could supply you with one for£1000

[Mark Roberts]

Here are a few more to consider

http://www.amtechuk.biz/news/page511.html

http://www.ashbys-uk.com/equipmen/spotmas.html

http://www.ashbys-uk.com/equipmen/spotplu.html

http://commerce.uk.sage.com/_ubiquis/contents.asp?site=aandmcleaning&window=&action=showItem&code=050102

http://commerce.uk.sage.com/_ubiquis/contents.asp?site=aandmcleaning&window=&action=showItem&code=050105

Should keep you busy looking at that lot.

Cheers

Mark

[planet]

  Whowww!

thanks for the great response.

i appreciate the advice on the performance differences between a spotters and full sized units.

looks like i have some quite reading this afternoon, sifting through the links and mulling over the suggestions kindly provided by all.

I have been offered a used prochem comanche2 for little cash. IYO's is it worth persuing that line of enquiry?