I'm looking for a quality hand-held vacuum ... something along the lines of the old 'Dust Buster' I guess. I'm just getting tired of pulling the 30 gallon shop-vac out from under from under the workbench and draging it around the car. I want lightness, power and effective cleaning. I don't detail for a living ... or even an avocation. I just have three autos that I like to keep presentable.

As an aside ... I'm sort'a old school. The current shop-vac dosen't have polarized plugs, and certainly no grounding contact. But it does suck ... in a good way.

I know there must be some terrific advances in the past 40 years, and I know this august body is the place to ask for advice.

Y'all take care, and thanks in advance.

 

Portable Vacuum:
With a 3 HP motor, and improved the suction capability over our last, larger horsepower vacuum. The large, permanent dust bag offers better airflow and eliminates the need to replace bags. Not only does this latest vacuum outperform more expensive models, the accessories and ease of use make this essential for the garage and around the house! Two wall mounted racks free up precious space for other things in your garage. One rack has a quick release to hang the vacuum; the other rack is for all the accessories. Accessories include: two 20" extension tubes, a narrow crevasse tool, round brush, wide brush, fine detail brush, long reach fine detail brush, round blower nozzle, medium point blower nozzle, a fine point blower nozzle, 6' suction hose, and a 4' blower hose. But wait, there's more! Weighing only 7 lbs., you can use the shoulder strap to carry it around. No more banging into stuff with a floor model! Suck up dirt and other debris, or blow water off your car before you take out your towels and mop up the small remaining droplets. (Don't forget about blowing up the air mattress, rafts or leaves away from the garage door.) Ton of features, quality and functionality at a reasonable price ~$140 - http://www.griotsgarage.com/

 

interesting only one reply!!
(i dont use a portable, so i cant help- but thought we would have other input here)

 

I use a 2 gallon Craftsman 1.5hp Shopvac. Fits in my trunk and sucks/blows fine for me! Relatively cheap about $25 at Sears

 

I just pull the cars in the garage

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...eyword=shop+vac

 

I've been pretty happy with my impossibly large 16 gallon Ridgid shop vac. Very powerful. And, since it doubles as a leaf blower, I'm more than likely getting it out anyway for the purposes of drying the car.

Regarding hand helds though, I've always found them lacking. Before I had the Ridgid, I regularly went to the local coin-op car wash and fed the machine $1 in quarters. Those vacs were always more powerful than even my household vac, and I usually have $1 worth of quarters in the change jar out in the garage anyway.

I'd be somewhat interested in a handheld too, if it's affordable and is actually useful. Something that runs on 12V would be nice too, but that's probably asking a bit much.