Bunky
Well-known member
- Jun 20, 2007
- 6,407
- 137
I had my eye on this ever since I had to chance to use one for a few minutes early this year. I really wanted something to reduce how much I touched the paint drying plus I did not like spending as much time drying the car as I did washing. I was dealing with water dripping from emblems, weatherstripping, crevices, etc. and not had much luck with a leaf dryer. I am sure rinseless washers look at it as silly but like to wash with a tradiitonal soap when I can.
The Metropolitan Vacuum Company's Master Blaster MB3 is a two speed blower (two 4 peak HP motors) for drying motorcycles and cars. I have seen it also sold as a pet drying tool for dog grooming. They apparentky change the labeling depending on intended market.
Price: $309 @ AG
Product Specs
* dual 9.5 amp, twin fan motors
* 58500 fpm air delivery
* 10 ft heavy duty hose
* 12 foot, 3 conductior AC Cord
* One year warranty
* E/Z foam filter (washable and reusable)
* Weight 16 lbs
Price: $300+
My Observations
Inside the box: The unit was assembled except for the hose. There were several pages of documentaton (all looked like multi-generation photo copies).. The documentation stated you had 3 heat options from the two switches but I called the company and they confirmed that was an error. The documentation included procedures on how to change the motor brushes that are rated at about 500 hrs. The simple foam filter is behind an intake end of the cannister by just removing a few screws.
The hose attaches using a screw type radiator hose clamp. You will need some pliers to get it tight since it can blow off if not secured well. The unit also comes with several nozzles to regiulate air. For this review, I used the standard hose nozzle (about 1/2-in diameter opening).
The Master Blaster is pretty hefty at 16 lbs and a very simple design that is built like a tank (heavy painted steel). It has 4 small fixed rollers so it does not turn well like a normal vacuum cleaner does. The hose will kink if pulled off angle before the unit will turn so you cannot just simply drag it around with the hose as you go around the vehicle easily. The hose also seems easy to crush if you happen to step on it A new hose costs around $25.
There are two simple switches that control each motor so you can turn either one or both on. The description is somewhat misleading about the heat settings. The heat is coming off the motor so when one motor iit puts out heated air and when the second motor is turned on the air is heated more.
Water and electricity do not go well together so it is best to move the vehicle from the wash location to keep the cord from dragging through any wet areas. The 12-ft cord is not really long enough to dry on all sides when plugged into an outlet so I had to use an extension cord that adds a connection that could drag in water.
You do need to run it off a 20 A circuit breaker since it is rated at 19A. Most garages are supposed to be wired as 20A circuits. As a test, I ran it off a 15A circuit and it tripped the breaker after a few minutes with both motors on but did not see a problem with a 20A circuit.
Drying Performance
I have used it two times so far. I washed the vehicles and then used the sheeting method to miniimze the water. I first tried it in the single motor mode and it could dry the paint absolutely dry but something slowly It does take some planning on how to blow water out of the crevices (water spews from everywhere) and how to "herd" the droplets of water that appear You really need to get the water out of all the crevices first then dry the paint (obvious huh?). In two motor mode, it worked much faster. It can leave tiny beads of water at times that you can just wipe off later rather than to physcially every single drop of water. Drying a car with the LSP in good condition (slick) is much easier than one that is not (water can stick somewhat to paint).
It really shines on wheels, wells, and tires. It can dry a wheel/tire in less than 10 seconds with tire ready to be dressed.
Summary
Nice, but pricey, machine. It can remove every trace of water without touching the paint but the fastest drying method is a combination of the blower and a towel. For someone who owns a motorcyle with complex surfaces and crevices that water collects , a unit like this would be a must. I think even the single motor blower (B-3) would likely work. Is it a must, no, but it sure is a nice toy to have in the garage. How do you justify it? Well, I was thinking of getting a Metro vacuum biut decided to get a wet/dry vac for 1/2 the price (sacrificing the suction but saving $100+) and the rationalized that I would no need the additional 4 ww mf towels that I was thinking about ordering so the net was not the much extra. :laughing:
The Metropolitan Vacuum Company's Master Blaster MB3 is a two speed blower (two 4 peak HP motors) for drying motorcycles and cars. I have seen it also sold as a pet drying tool for dog grooming. They apparentky change the labeling depending on intended market.
Price: $309 @ AG
Product Specs
* dual 9.5 amp, twin fan motors
* 58500 fpm air delivery
* 10 ft heavy duty hose
* 12 foot, 3 conductior AC Cord
* One year warranty
* E/Z foam filter (washable and reusable)
* Weight 16 lbs
Price: $300+
My Observations
Inside the box: The unit was assembled except for the hose. There were several pages of documentaton (all looked like multi-generation photo copies).. The documentation stated you had 3 heat options from the two switches but I called the company and they confirmed that was an error. The documentation included procedures on how to change the motor brushes that are rated at about 500 hrs. The simple foam filter is behind an intake end of the cannister by just removing a few screws.
The hose attaches using a screw type radiator hose clamp. You will need some pliers to get it tight since it can blow off if not secured well. The unit also comes with several nozzles to regiulate air. For this review, I used the standard hose nozzle (about 1/2-in diameter opening).
The Master Blaster is pretty hefty at 16 lbs and a very simple design that is built like a tank (heavy painted steel). It has 4 small fixed rollers so it does not turn well like a normal vacuum cleaner does. The hose will kink if pulled off angle before the unit will turn so you cannot just simply drag it around with the hose as you go around the vehicle easily. The hose also seems easy to crush if you happen to step on it A new hose costs around $25.
There are two simple switches that control each motor so you can turn either one or both on. The description is somewhat misleading about the heat settings. The heat is coming off the motor so when one motor iit puts out heated air and when the second motor is turned on the air is heated more.
Water and electricity do not go well together so it is best to move the vehicle from the wash location to keep the cord from dragging through any wet areas. The 12-ft cord is not really long enough to dry on all sides when plugged into an outlet so I had to use an extension cord that adds a connection that could drag in water.
You do need to run it off a 20 A circuit breaker since it is rated at 19A. Most garages are supposed to be wired as 20A circuits. As a test, I ran it off a 15A circuit and it tripped the breaker after a few minutes with both motors on but did not see a problem with a 20A circuit.
Drying Performance
I have used it two times so far. I washed the vehicles and then used the sheeting method to miniimze the water. I first tried it in the single motor mode and it could dry the paint absolutely dry but something slowly It does take some planning on how to blow water out of the crevices (water spews from everywhere) and how to "herd" the droplets of water that appear You really need to get the water out of all the crevices first then dry the paint (obvious huh?). In two motor mode, it worked much faster. It can leave tiny beads of water at times that you can just wipe off later rather than to physcially every single drop of water. Drying a car with the LSP in good condition (slick) is much easier than one that is not (water can stick somewhat to paint).
It really shines on wheels, wells, and tires. It can dry a wheel/tire in less than 10 seconds with tire ready to be dressed.
Summary
Nice, but pricey, machine. It can remove every trace of water without touching the paint but the fastest drying method is a combination of the blower and a towel. For someone who owns a motorcyle with complex surfaces and crevices that water collects , a unit like this would be a must. I think even the single motor blower (B-3) would likely work. Is it a must, no, but it sure is a nice toy to have in the garage. How do you justify it? Well, I was thinking of getting a Metro vacuum biut decided to get a wet/dry vac for 1/2 the price (sacrificing the suction but saving $100+) and the rationalized that I would no need the additional 4 ww mf towels that I was thinking about ordering so the net was not the much extra. :laughing:
rops: