views on steam cleaning

[dba7108]

buying an 05 plate bmw 645 next week off a friend, the car is quite dirty and needs a good clean. Was going to clay bar it and wax it but what are people's views on steam cleaning?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bXmxRjjAw8

[Chris_VRS]

Exterior wise I think a normal cold water pressure washer is absolutely fine.
I frequently use a steam cleaner on Interiors when carrying out a Detail - can be used to good effect on every part of an interior. I use the H2o X5, considering it gets a bit of abuse it's a sturdy bit of kit & is small/light enough to get in to even the smallest recesses etc.

Happy steaming

[PoshTwit]

Steam on interiors and oily bits is excellent as my honourable colleague states.

However, regular use of steam on paint is not advised. Perhaps as a one-off in certain circumstances (eg low-pressure useage for sticker removal, or to aid grease removal on a long laid-up vehicle), but it will cause issues over time as the vapour can penetrate microscopic faults in the surface finish much more readily than a regular pressure washer, causing clouding of the clearcoat or lifting paint from the surface.

You may "get away with it" for a long time, but as it holds no real advantages over a normal, 2-bucket safewash - why run the risk...?