JF Moran
Can you describe your process for cleaning mats/carpets w/the Tornador?
Thanks!
We used to use it filled with all-purpose cleaner to clean mats and carpets, however, this has one big draw back, the atomization of the all-purpose creates a mist that requires you to wear a fume mask, otherwise it will choke you.
My new process is to use their foamer (the same company makes a foaming gun attachement) filled with All-Purpose cleaner, we spray a layer of foam on the mat or carpet, agitate with a dual-head cyclo orbital (with brushes attached) or a carpet brush. I then take the Tornador filled with Hot Water and put the nozzle right up against the carpet, pull the trigger and move it back and forth in overlapping fashion. After that we take a micro-fiber towel and rub the carpet to remove the loosened soil and dampness, repeat if necessary, then vacuum with a claw nozzle.
I personally don't like carpet extractors because guys inevitably wet the carpets too much with them, causing long
drying times or odor problems later on, they also can be very awkward to work with.
With the way that he Tornador atomizes the water, your will never get the carpets as wet as using a carpet extractor and you will get the same or better results.
Some words of wisdom, 1) Make sure you are wearing eye protection when using the Tornador becasue it will forcefully remove sand, dirt, etc.. sending it airborne, 2) You must place the nozzle directly against the surface you are cleaning, otherwise all you are doing is coating it with a mist of water or chemical, in some cases this is what you want, like when we clean really nasty interior surfaces and 3) when cleaning really dirty carpets you will find that the nozzle will get caked with dirt and the spinning sprayer will either slow down or stop. Just keep a bucket of hot water near buy, dip the whole gun in the bucket pull the trigger to clean periodically.
I should add, we used to use an aerosol carpet foam for cleaning carpets, my shops are high volume auto dealerships and this was an expensive way too clean carpets. The foamer and all-purpose cleaner is a much more cost effective model, as well as not having to invest $1500-$2000 in carpet extractors that inevitably need repair and maintenance. I can buy 15-20 Tornadors for the cost of one carpet extractor.
