[chassis]

What is the story, car enthusiasts?

Looking at replacing my nearly 20 year old 2 gallon corded/cordless Dewalt vacuum because the motor bearings are starting to get noisy.

Ridgid offers a 4 gallon 6hp unit, and Dewalt offers a 6 gallon 5hp unit.

Power seems important. I have never, in all of my shop vac days, needed anything more than 1 or 2 quarts' worth of debris removal. Therefore reservoir capacity is not a big factor. I want this to last quite some time, not a 2 year and throw it away lifecycle.

I want this thing to easily pick up the smallest specs from automotive carpet.

What is the absolute best shop vac for auto detailing in this size class? Thanks!

[Pheonix]

I wouldn't over thinking it too much as they are practically the same! I picked up a 10gal Wet/Dry Dewalt from Costco from Costco for less then $100. It work great for me so far.

[ShopVac]

I can't help but feel like this thread is just screaming my name.

[DocOfTheDead]

If you want a good detailing vacuum, don’t get a shop vac. I’ve had the earlier version of this model for almost ten years and it still works like a charm. You can get a HEPA style filter for the exhaust so it won’t blow out dust into your garage. It’s rather quiet. Mine has a detachable version of the brush handle and the bristles are just the right balance of stiffness to agitate carpet and softness in order to go over your leather without being abrasive. You can’t beat it for $75. This has been used exclusively for detailing my cars and I have zero complaints. It has a standard hose size so you can get a ton of different attachments. I have a 1/4 tube with a vented adapter that has variously shaped ultra soft micro detailing tips for things like the crevices around your gear shifter and your vent slats.

https://www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-Bag...jaz10cnVl&th=1

[spazzz]

This is what I use.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-4...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

It has good power in a smaller size. The hose is long enough to reach in the car.
It doesn't come with a crevice tool but they sell one.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1...1702/100638367
Mine didn't come with the dust bags and was the same price. It looks like I need to order some.

The filter cleans up in the sink really well and holds its shape.

[Bc2005]

One item I would check is the flexibility of the hose.

I bought a small off-brand shop vac from Lowes and the hose is short and made of relatively hard plastic. When I vacuum the car I have to be careful because the plastic hose drags across the interior instead of flexibly snaking around. I assume the better quality hoses are vinyl with reinforcement so they are much more flexible.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

One item I would check is the flexibility of the hose.

I bought a small off-brand shop vac from Lowes and the hose is short and made of relatively hard plastic. When I vacuum the car I have to be careful because the plastic hose drags across the interior instead of flexibly snaking around. I assume the better quality hoses are vinyl with reinforcement so they are much more flexible.

Agree to this - and make sure the connection has some sort of swivel (rotation) so it doesn't kink. Having a hose long enough to reach across the car and a cord long enough to reach all the areas on your car from one outlet.

Personally - (and kidding aside from being the self-proclaimed subject expert) my last one was Rigid and died in less than 10 years. Maybe with Shepherds, I was hitting it too hard I personally went back to ShopVac for mine a couple years ago. Large 5.5hp for the bulk...and a tiny 1 gallon unit (don't know the HP rating) for details if needed (smaller attachments).

Being able to swap from dry to wet quickly was important for me. While I don't do the main carpet often...I'm doing the floor mats a couple times/year on all the cars.

[chassis]

Thanks for all the comments, good stuff to think about.

What does everyone think about a "beater bar" attachment, with a rotating brush head? The main purpose is for floormats. The rest of the carpet can be vacuumed well enough with a standard or crevice attachment.

The alternative to a beater bar shop vac attachment for floormats is a standard household vacuum (with beater bar).

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by chassis

Thanks for all the comments, good stuff to think about.

What does everyone think about a "beater bar" attachment, with a rotating brush head? The main purpose is for floormats. The rest of the carpet can be vacuumed well enough with a standard or crevice attachment.

The alternative to a beater bar shop vac attachment for floormats is a standard household vacuum (with beater bar).

Have one on my bissel, never use it in the car. For floor mats, I'm old school. GP cleaner, scrub brush, power washer.

[chassis]

Power washer for carpeted mats?

[2000cs]

I have this: https://hoover.com/products/guv™-pro...utility-vacuum

Have had it for about 20 years, just putting a new filter in it for the first time now. Large capacity, long hose, enough attachments for the car and garage floor, etc. Wall mount is very nice, too.

[NYG]

The most affordable/durable/beat the living chit out of it shop-vac is rigid.

[dradernh]

This isn't relevant today, but I've been using an all-metal, 2 HP commercial Thoro-Matic since the late '70s. It's a unit that we carried when I was selling janitorial supplies, and I paid ~$300 for it at cost back then. My customers were using the units for 8-12 hours a day, five days a week.

Other than having to replace the bypass motor in 2017, it's been virtually indestructible. I can still get filters for it, it exhausts virtually no dust, and it will last me for the duration.

[bk_mike]

I love my wall mounted vacuum. Its always ready to go.

[whofelt]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-5...5500/100377372 one of the best investments i've made all year, and it's barely january

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by bk_mike

I love my wall mounted vacuum. Its always ready to go.

I have that same one and love it too. If this one that’s at least 10 years old dies, I’m just buying the same one again, but it’s still going strong 👍🏼

[notanaudi]

Nilfisk is the best

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by chassis

Thanks for all the comments, good stuff to think about.

What does everyone think about a "beater bar" attachment, with a rotating brush head? The main purpose is for floormats. The rest of the carpet can be vacuumed well enough with a standard or crevice attachment.

The alternative to a beater bar shop vac attachment for floormats is a standard household vacuum (with beater bar).

I use the house vac for that and the shop vac for everything else. Like said I spray with a foaming carpet cleaner, a good scrub, let it dry, then hit it with the beater bar of a stick vac I use in the house.

I use Ryobi just because they have the broadest platform, but had DeWalt prior and was happy with their quality (higher than Ryobi but Im not a pro anymore).

[cghempel]

I have a 18-V battery powered Milwaukee wet/dry vacuum and, while it's not designed specifically for automotive use, I use it all the time and can't remember the last time I broke out any other vac for the cars...The ease of just grabbing it, flipping it on, and getting to work means my carpets are darn near spotless all the time.

[F32Fleet]

https://vacumaid.com/product/garage-vac-pro/