what type of upholstery tool should I get?

juniorc82

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We do a lot of upholstery for a rent to own company and after burning through several junk pmf and Westpak hand tools I really need to by a top knotch tool that can give me some good results and better production. Because at our rent to own stores we do a high volume for a low price production is important. I was thinking about getting a drimaster for each truck with the pistol grip handle . I like that the dri master can clean in both directions and you do not need to reset the pressure on the tm to run this tool, that would be nice to dual wand with if we where ever at a home where carpet and furniture was getting done. I I like the bypass on the prochem tool and I also like that you can mist the edges with the prochem tool but when I tried my buddies drimaster it really screamed my name. I thought the sapphire looked nice just seemed a little light duty like it may get beat to hell riding around in the trucks.
 

SamIam

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I have 2 hanging in my truck for over 2 years no problem so far, and with a 5 inch head you can bogey on some upholstery. The sapphire tool that is.


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Lee Stockwell
After 30+ years of using only Kleenrite tools I am really in appreciation of the Sapphire tool. So far it has been really good.

However as any craftsman with rather expensive tools would do, we take care of them. Make a "place" for them, either a dedicated carrying case or a hook on the wall where you ALWAYS put it.

PS. Don't worry about the plastic, that was one of the objections of the Kleenrite tool that has proved to be a non-issue over decades of use.
 

Desk Jockey

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Get a Prochem it will last forever and is perfect for rental type upholstery. Lots of flow you can get that upholstery super hot. Rebuildable valve when worn, no need to replace the whole thing.

Sapphire is an excellent tool but more for fine fabrics, you need flushing abilty for that stuff.
 

Mark Saiger

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Get a Prochem it will last forever and is perfect for rental type upholstery. Lots of flow you can get that upholstery super hot. Rebuildable valve when worn, no need to replace the whole thing.

Sapphire is an excellent tool but more for fine fabrics, you need flushing abilty for that stuff.

And put a Greenglide on it and should work great!

Mark Saiger
 

SamIam

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well I would never clean anything without pre spraying it first and then hitting with a horse hair so my SS tool is great.

I also used the PC tool and keep it as a back up, I've never had a problem with the SS tool cleaning.




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Dolly Llama

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We do a lot of upholstery for a rent to own company and after burning through several junk pmf and Westpak hand tools

don't know anything about the WP tool, but what are you doing to kill the PMF tools??
The PMF internal jet tool is an excellent cleaning tool.
open the vac relief and you can mist with it.
Valves are inexpensive to replace
hide-a-hose model makes it breeze to use
Cleans forward and back
quick drying

there just ain't many upl tools as good..and none are better


I really need to by a top knotch tool that can give me some good results and better production. Because at our rent to own stores we do a high volume for a low price production is important.

if this plain ole wet cleanable/indestructible poly and mirco fiber stuff...welp..if you want to "bust 'em out) .
put a hole glide on a wand , turn down the PSI, line up all the cushions on the floor and clean all the flats w/wand.
All the second man has to do finish up detail w/upl tool




I tried my buddies drimaster it really screamed my name.


if you like it, buy one...though i personally don't think they're all that great for soiled upl

I thought the sapphire looked nice just seemed a little light duty like it may get beat to hell riding around in the trucks.

if you're killing PMF tools, neither the Drimaster or SS stands a chance .
as far as the SS upl tool, like the Drimaster before it , it's highly OVER rated, over hyped and over priced for what you get.
and neither clean better (or as good) than the PMF internal jet tool .

there's only one thing that's not over hyped about the SS, and that's the ergos .
the least fatiguing upl tool you'll ever use


..L.T.A.
 
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Been very happy with PMF internal jet for over a decade but I would like to try the SS and Prochem since it sounds like they have their place.
 

Royal Man

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I like my Steam Way Hydro-Kinetic Upholstery Cleaning Tool. No water flow adjustment knob to screw up.
 

Desk Jockey

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Been very happy with PMF internal jet for over a decade but I would like to try the SS and Prochem since it sounds like they have their place.
Steve both the Sapphire and the Prochem with a Green Glide are night and day better than the PMF but if you don't do a lot of upholstery then the PMF is good enough.

The Prochem has a great design and will last forever, its very solid with a nice valve and the ability to bypass water so you're cleaning with the hottest water when needed. BUT that dude is heavy and it hurts my elbow if I clean for any length of time with it.

The Sapphire is an awesome dry tool, I had several of the Drimasters and this is an improvement over them. Lighter due to plastic, so you can clean for hours on end and no fatigue from the tool. It's cleaning technology leaves the fabric dryer so you don't have color bleeding or browning problems you potentially could with other tools.

If I only could chose one tool it would be the Sapphire. However we do still use the Prochem on Herculon and Olefin bullet proof fabrics.
 
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Thanks for that, Rich. We do a fair amount of upholstery so I think we should check one out. I'm leaning toward the Saphire for it's lightness and ergonomics. We really don't need another elbow buster. I went through all that pain and healthcare treatments after damaging my arm back in the 80's with Arnie Ballweber's dinosaur fabric cleaning tool.
 

John Olson

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Just my 2 cents since we sell them all. I don't think there is a one size fits all just as there is no 1 size fits all stair tool. The bets tool will be the one that suits you best. Me I love the 3.5" Internal Jet Hide-a-hose PMF tool (now in Titanium)then I would have Steam Way HydroKentic for fine fabric or one that I was worried about tearing. The Sapphire is a great tool, the HydraMaster is a great took after they got it made right, The prochem tool is either loved or hated. Me it is heavy and don't think I personally would have ever used it but I didn't use it in the field only the PMF and the OG HydroKentic and the OG DriMaster which I loved but was to expensive for my cheap Janitorial company to buy...Well actually since I was responsible for my PNL I was to cheap LOL Ultimately they will all do what they are supposed to,some with slight advantages and disadvantages. Picking the one that fits you and isn't a pain to use for YOU is the most important.
 

Doug Cox

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screamin heat with the SS tool. Never had more than warm water with my steam genie tool.
 

ruff

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If you clean a lot of upholstery, ease of use should be one of the primary concerns.
Not so important for the occasional upholstery cleaner, very important if you do plenty, as it can cause some damage to your wrist.
 

gazza.nz

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I've got 2 PMF internal jet tools and a SS. My staff hate the SS, reckon it doesn't clean as well as the PMF. I find the SS great on fine or delicate fabric and mattresses, but bloody hard to get into tight corners etc. I think for better cleaning and better price, go the PMF way.
 
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ruff

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Had the exact same experience as Gary above.

And that's why lucky Chavez is the proud owner of my previous SS tool. He's been singing its praises with his favorite mariachi band ever since :winky:
 

Desk Jockey

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I have (4) Sapphire Upholstery tools.......and a fookin gazillion others brands.

Its the best tool for fine fabrics, easy family room furniture can be cleaned with just about any tool that rinses well.
 

Desk Jockey

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I gots them, looks like an old bone yard. A virtual plethora of hand tools, sinful I tell you! :winky:

Fly over and you can try them out and find the one you like. Kleen Rites, PMF of all sizes and shapes with hide a hoses, even the ones with the lexan heads, Drimaster, CFR, Prochems, no names.
 

ruff

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Just bring them over to Aptos.
You're coming. Right?

And I know how you feel, I got my fair share of junk.
 

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