Like it says, I'm looking for a vacuum I can use for pre-show detailing and take with me for last minute cleaning. Ideally something cordless would be better but from my research so far, I haven't found anything with the power I'd need without being a plug in.

the main one I'm looking at right now is the aptly named "Vac'N'Blo"

Vac 'N Blo Site

Anyone used this or something else that they found works good. Since it doubles as a blower, I figured I could also dry my car with it. At shows, I guess I'd need a DC/AC inverter and run it off the car for a bit.

 

That's pretty cool. I like the blower feature. Cleaning up the engine bay will be a lot easier with it. Nice find. I haven't seen anything else w/ similar features.

 

The best way I've found is vacuum before you leave and keep one of those straw wisk brooms your grandma probably has and use that to get any left over dirt out. They work great!

 

I just use my normal household vacuum cleaner, with all the soft spongy, and long skinny attachments for getting at awkward bits, being super thorough & super careful not to scratch any plastic, including your engine bay. I usually vacuum the engine bay before I even start washing the car full stop, that way you're not making any mess in the engine bay.

So in answer to the OP, if you put a sheet of paper in the footwell on the drivers side (passengers too, if you're taking someone along), then remove the sheet of paper, that will lift out any mess in transit from home to the event. Kind of like the way dealers do when you have your car in for a Prestige service.

Oh, one tip that looks really nice is when you vacuum the carpet, try and vacuum in lines, so the pile is all going the same way, it will give the carpet a deeper look to it.

Hope that helps.

 

yeah, that helps, kind of what I do now. The rear is real easy to clean since it's all bamboo flooring. I'm probably the only one with a can of pledge in my detailing kit. mmm.. lemony

 

I removed some lint and dirt off the seats and mats with a strip of duct tape once.

 

I have neoprene seat covers, lint and pet hair don't stick. if it gets to dingy I just remove them and wash with wet suit shampoo. The only thing I'm having issues with are the floor carpeting in the front and the aftermarket carpet on the lower rear. I'll probably end up sueding the rear.

A blower would be nice for washing and the engine bay, I use my shop-vac for drywall and cleaning up sanding bits for body work, so it's filthy and wouldn't want to use it on the car.

 

i just bought a basic portable one from BB for like $10 that runs through the cig lighter plug in

 

I use my Electrolux portable