car vacuum recommendations
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 749
Likes: 242
From: Maryland
car vacuum recommendations
Here's a mundane topic for you. I've been using a regular household canister-style vacuum on my car. It works fine, and has the right attachments, but it's kind of bulky, and I find myself having to be really careful when dragging it around the garage. Does anyone have a better vacuum that you like? Maybe a hand vac with some good attachments?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
I still use the same little 6-gallon Shop-Vac "quiet" series vacuum I bought almost 20 years ago. It is a work horse. 
In fact, whenever my house upright vacuums take a dump (they all do), I put the floor attachment on the Shop-Vac and bring it inside. I can actually clean my carpet with it in a pinch if needed! I think I have been through 5 upright vacuums in the time I have owned the Shop-Vac. LOL
In fact, whenever my house upright vacuums take a dump (they all do), I put the floor attachment on the Shop-Vac and bring it inside. I can actually clean my carpet with it in a pinch if needed! I think I have been through 5 upright vacuums in the time I have owned the Shop-Vac. LOL
Last edited by FYRARMS; Sep 30, 2019 at 09:00 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 749
Likes: 242
From: Maryland
Thank you all for your recommendations. I've been mulling it over. This morning I was looking online at a small, light duty, portable wet/dry vac, the Armor All 2.5 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum, model #AA255, which retails for under $40, and has a lot of good reviews. I was sitting there, looking at the pictures, pondering whether I wanted to go out and spend the 40 bucks, and have another thing that I had to store in the garage, when it finally dawned on me: if I simply remove the long, straight, metal tube from my canister vac, then I'll end up with essentially the same thing. Duh.
My household canister vac is modular and is designed to be taken apart, and that long tube was part of the reason why it was so awkward trying to move the thing around within the confines of the garage, and making me concerned about accidentally scratching one of my cars. So, yeah, I removed the tube, and now it's a lot easier to move around with it, and it works great at vacuuming, and already has the attachments that I need. Problem solved. And it was sitting right here in the house the whole time.
Obviously, I can't use it as a wet vac, but I haven't needed to (fingers crossed).
My household canister vac is modular and is designed to be taken apart, and that long tube was part of the reason why it was so awkward trying to move the thing around within the confines of the garage, and making me concerned about accidentally scratching one of my cars. So, yeah, I removed the tube, and now it's a lot easier to move around with it, and it works great at vacuuming, and already has the attachments that I need. Problem solved. And it was sitting right here in the house the whole time.
Obviously, I can't use it as a wet vac, but I haven't needed to (fingers crossed).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I dont think you are going to find a self contained wireless vac that actually works like a canister. I understand the issue with the rough flex hose. Ive often thought of making a microfiber " sleeve " for that 4 foot hose.
Bill
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
if I'm going to be dragging it over paint I just throw my Fender protector on and then carefully do what I need to do. It's not a big deal. In my trunk I can hold the hose with one hand and vacuum with the other and in the car I have sill protectors so it's no big deal. In the engine compartment I use the fender protectors.