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Best Wet Dry Vac For Car Detailing
Cleaning and detailing any car is no easy feat. It takes a lot of work to get that automobile looking like it did when you drove it out of the lot the first time. That being said, it is definitely possible to detail your car again and make it look like new. However, you do need the right tools for the job. You can’t use just any old vacuum to detail your car. That probably won’t end so well and you will spend a lot longer cleaning than you would if you had the right tools. That is why we are here today, to help you find the best pick.
Here we have reviews of the top 4 vacuums that should be used for car detailing. The fact that they are all wet and dry vacuums makes them an ideal choice for car detailing. There are also many other aspects of each of these vacuums which makes them all ideal choices for car detailing. Let’s not waste any more time and find out what is the best choice.
Let’s review Best Wet Dry Vac For Car Detailing – TOP4 Vacuum Cleaner Models
DEWALT 18/20-Volt MAX Cordless/Corded Wet-Dry Vacuum with Charger Kit and Bag
However, what this thing does come with is well worth the price no doubt. Let’s get the bad part about this vacuum out of the way first.
Now, with the one bad point out of the way, there is simply no denying the fact that this particular vacuum has a whole lot of juice behind it. The motor and suction are definitely very powerful. No matter whether it is wet or dry, pretty much anything that can fit in the hose is fair game for this DEWALT Wet Dry vac. It has nearly unrivaled suction power, something that helps us a lot no doubt. This thing can suck up whole puddles of water, the foam from cleaning your seats, and old cheeseburgers alike.
We do really like the fact that this thing comes with a HEPA filter that can take nearly 100% of dust, allergens, and other particles right out of the air. It helps keeps our lungs safe and it helps the car smell much better too. We also like how the filter can be reused simply by washing it. This helps us save money because we don’t have to buy new filters all of the time.
Yet another part about this particular wet dry vac that we really like is that it features a 5-inch diameter crush-proof hose. In other words, you can suck up some pretty big items with this thing without fear of breaking or crushing the hose. It’s really versatile no doubt. Moreover, we also like how this vacuum can be used with a DEWALT rechargeable battery or it can be plugged in too. The battery can last for a couple of hours, which is always nice because it can take a while to really clean a car.
PROS
What we like:
- Crushproof hose – large diameter
- Lots of onboard storage
- Can be used with a battery or AC power outlet
- Long-lasting battery
- Amazing suction power
- Comes with its own carrying case
- Sucks up wet and dry without issue
CONS
What we didn’t like:
- Does not come with any car detailing accessories
BISSELL Garage Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum
It comes with 7 different car detailing attachments so you can clean floor mats, seats, and everything in between with ease. We have to say that we really like these accessories and have used all of them quite a bit.
We do also like how this thing is bag-free. It comes with an impressive 4-gallon tank. The tank is partially see-through, so you can see how full it is. The size of the tank means that it does not have to empty often, and of course, it can handle wet and dry materials alike. Now, something that is really cool about the BISSELL Garage Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum is that it comes with a wall mounting kit and a 32-foot long hose. This means that we can easily mount this bad boy on the garage wall, use the long hose, and clean the whole car without ever having to move the vacuum.
This thing does not have any batteries, but plugging it in is easy enough, so that is not a big problem. This thing is definitely quite versatile, especially considering that it can also be used as a blower. In other words, the BISSELL Garage Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum has the power to clean, detail, and dry our car all in one go. The suction power might not rival that of the DEWALT above, but it has some really neat features none the less.
PROS
What we like:
- Wall mounting system
- Extra-long hose
- Can suck and blow
- Comes with 7 detailing accessories
- Fairly decent suction power
- The extra-large see-through dirt canister
- Can be used for a lot more than your car
CONS
What we didn’t like:
- Not as powerful as some other wet/dry vacs
- Cannot handle larger objects
- Does not come with an option for battery power
Armor All Wet Dry Vacuum
The 2 HP motor in which this vacuum feature is more than powerful enough to handle virtually any debris in our car, whether wet or dry. We do like the fact that this thing comes with an automatic shut-off feature. This helps to prevent the dirt canister from overflowing if it is full, but as we said, 2.5 gallons is a whole lot of room to work with.
We do also like how the Armor All Wet Dry Vacuum is quite portable. No, it cannot be mounted on a wall, but it is lightweight and easy to pick up. It comes with a 6-foot long hose and a 10-foot power cord, so we can reach all places in our cars with ease. We do also like how this thing comes with a reusable filter because nobody wants to breathe in dust and allergens.
Moreover, the Armor All Wet Dry Vacuum comes with various car detailing tools, more than we need to get a car looking brand new. All in all, this is a powerful, versatile, and fairly cost-effective option to go with. It has a powerful motor that can suck up most things, which is what we are really going for here. On a side note, this vacuum also has a blower function which can be used for multiple purposes.
PROS
What we like:
- Large dirt canister
- Lightweight and portable
- Fairly long hose
- Long power cord
- Comes with various car detailing accessories
- Powerful motor
- Has a filter
- Has a blower function
CONS
What we didn’t like:
- Tends to overheat with prolonged use
- Tends to clog easily with large debris
- Extremely loud
Hikeren Car Vacuum Cleaner
Getting into small cracks and crevices inside of a vehicle is made easy thanks to its compact size.
We do also like how this thing comes with an awesome HEPA filter to help increase the air quality in our car. The Hikeren Car Vacuum Cleaner even comes with 3 separate car detailing accessories, which is about all we really need. The fact that this is a handheld wet dry vac really impresses us. What is also cool is that the power supply comes right from your car.
Now, it does have some drawbacks due to its small size, mainly that it can’t hold too much debris and the suction power is less than ideal. Well, the suction is good enough for simple car detailing, but don’t expect to pick up anything large with the Hikeren Car Vacuum Cleaner.
PROS
What we like:
- Plugs into your car
- Really versatile and maneuverable
- Lightweight and easy to pickup
- Decent suction for simple detailing
- Has a HEPA filter – reusable
- Comes with 3 detailing tools
- Very easy to use
CONS
What we didn’t like:
- Suction is not good enough for big jobs
- Small dirt canister
FAQ
How often should you vacuum your car?
From the hectic lives that most of us lead, tasks like cleaning our cars are often left aside and ignored for so long. Even though most people still make significant efforts to cleaning and maintaining their cars daily or every two days, some others have overwhelming daily activities and may not have the time.
The appearance of your car, especially the interior, influences the condition of the vehicle and, in turn, the resale value. Maintaining a clean car even while you still use it is always better than trying to make it look good right before you sell.
Even if the different parts of your car interior and exterior require different types of attention to keep sparkling, you should ensure to clean it at least once in a month. If you have hairy pets that share your car space sometimes, it is advisable to clean in the car interiors more often. You might want to make a routine clean every week.
Why is it important to vacuum my car’s interior?
Outside of mortgage, your cars are another huge investment we take. Whether it is your first car or the fourth, it serves more purpose than moving you from one point to the other. Although, after using your vehicle a while, wears and tears are expected; however, the long-term care and consistent vacuuming always make the car look better.
Vacuuming your car interior could be the main difference be stands between the original appearance of the car and a rough and damaged car interior. Interior damages in the vehicle occur most times as a result of messes, spills, or debris that settles in the fabric or material within the car.
Stains from food spills are even more likely to cause permanent damages when they bake into the weave, dye, or stitching of the leather or fabric. Likewise, grimes and other debris can scratch and create permanent reminders on the interiors. The looks of your car can interpret your lifestyle, which is why you cannot afford to mistreat your vehicle.
Should I wash or vacuum my car first?
People have different ways by which they clean their car, but experts suggest you start with vacuuming. You should vacuum your car interior, beginning with the upper areas and the seat. If the dashboard, door panels, or the seats require cleaning, do so. Then you can proceed to the carpet area.
Ensure to remove the mats for better access to the debris on the floor while vacuuming. After getting the dirt off by vacuuming, washing is the next stage. The Door part connects the door to the body of the car, so clean gently with microfiber towel and spray. If you have to, use some car detailing products like oil and polish to maintain the look.
Wash the window parts, the seats, and conclude with the floor. While you remove slides and mats, clean and dry them with car wash product, before returning it to your car.
How much does it cost to vacuum a car?
For a more convenient way, drivers prefer to get quick clean-up of their vehicles while on the road, some use the gas stations. The cost of vacuuming a car depends on how long you need the vacuum, the gas station brand, and the location. However, the cost of vacuuming per car in gas stations averagely ranges from $0.5 to $0.75 for three to five minutes.
These vacuums use long hoses to reach certain areas of your car with ease. Some can even suck up large debris that is always difficult for the regular home vacuums. However, getting your vacuum saves you almost all costs on cleaning at the gas stations.
Are shop vacs good for cars?
The shop vacs are more powerful than the regular vacuum cleaners we use for our home. They come with some enhanced features, including a more powerful motor to handle tasks that the regular vacuum cannot.
Even if when people think of the shop vacs, the first thing that comes to their minds is a tool for cleaning woodworking and construction sites. It is, however, an excellent car cleaner.
The high-powered motor gives more suction force allowing the tool to pick up more dirt and debris that are hidden in your car’s interior. Another advantage of the shop vacs is that you can also suck up liquids, ensuring your car interior is left spotless.
Shop vacs are cheaper investments, but there are a few factors you should consider while getting one. Ensure it has enough tank capacity and power. It could be corded or cordless.
However, if you are going for a corded shop vac, choose one with a long power cable as well as a longer flex hose. Also, check the weight, size, noise level, and the extra attachment that will ease your usage.
How do you vacuum crevices in a car?
The attention you pay to details while vacuuming the car is what separates a professional from an amateur. It is quite tricky for some vacuums to reach areas like the sides of the seat, in between the back seat and along the sear rails.
There are many areas in the car that are difficult for a vacuum cleaner to access, especially those from the gas stations. However, some vacuum cleaners come with crevice tools of different lengths that can vacuum those hidden and challenging to reach areas until every last speck of dirt is removed.
So asides from a tool with an extension cord long enough to reach your vehicle, the crevices tools also matter. While vacuuming, run the device along with the seats, seats-back, to remove trapped hair and other debris. Use the brush or brush attachments to sweep deep into the cracks and crevices and allow the powerful suction of the machine to eliminate the rest.
Conclusion
All of the above options are good choices to go with. Each of them has its own features, accessories, and benefits which can help make your life a lot easier. Now that we have told you what each of these vacuums is all about, it is up to you to decide which one will work the best for your car and your own personal needs.