Metro Master Blaster MB-3 Review

i remeber that link/post...but i think if i remember it right it was alot more viscious....like he named the sales guy and said he sucked and was evil and stuff....and then he ranted about 5-6 paragraohs on and on and on....with lots of personal attacks on the guy's personality and even his family and stuff...but i hear ya...better to be safe....that thread was nuts....that guy went off doods...it was wild...who posted that link originally ..i forget???but i remeber that it was almost a done deal that the guy would lose the case...be found liable exactly because he said the guys name and all....:eek:..i think it was beetlejuice...or beazubub or some autopian like that...

add.....it got settled cool....like i said 3m BITES IT!!!!:p ;)



id better call Johnny Cochoran:eek:
 
I received my order today- it took 20 days to arrive. Pretty poor. I got the "cooler" also, it doesn't make up for the bad service.:down
 
Thank God 3M makes great products :) I have not used their on-line store, but have checked their web site frequently, and I have great difficulty finding my way to the same place twice (on their web site). So, I am happy to use their products, but would never ask for their help in designing a web site :D.
 
I've heard bad things about 3M e-commerce site as well. So I did what any red blooded car nut should do. I found a local autobody supply house to get my product. I also saved $3.00 off of each product I bought. So no shipping, no waiting and I saved money right off the top.
 
Metro Master Blaster MB-3 Review
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 traditional soap when I can.

Description:
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: $325 @ PAC (usually eligible for discount codes)

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


My Observations

Inside the box: The unit was assembled except for the hose. There were several pages of documentation (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 the intake end of the unit 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 regulate 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 (no swivel) rollers so it does not turn well like a normal vacuum cleaner does. The hose will kink if pulled off angle before the unit turns 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 minimize 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 physically 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 motorcycle 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.:o
 
Master Blaster

I have one myself and have been using it for about 4 years now. It was worth every penny. I always use it on my Harley and my Jeep. Both have so many places that needs to be blown out. I give it an A+.

I will say I very seldom use it on my cars. I would like to but It's not worth getting it all out and hooking it up just blow the window seals and mirrors.
 
nice write up on the blower... i was thinking of what i could use instead of the leaf blower cuz it just wasn't gettin it for me. however i will have to maybe beg a lil as that machine does cost a few pennies. keep our collective fingers crossed...
 
Thank you Bunky for the write-up and remember to tell other folks about our sale discounts, that way everyone gets BETTER PRICING and FREE SHIPPING too!
 
I do want to report that after the 4th use the unit developed a whistling sound from the exhaust end. It was air leaking from the main housing at the end cap. I removed the end cap and they use a u channel seal and soft putty to seal. I tried several times but could not eliminate it. I called them and they are sending me a new u channel seal but directed me to a hw store for the pipe putty.

It still worked about the same but the noise was annoying. The blower is actually not that loud (lower tone than vacs).

As a follow up, it is better to blow out the water from the seams at the lower speed and switch to higher output on the paint.

I have never had dryer paint so I actually notice more paint defects that are usually masked by that very very thin film of water left by drying towels. It can spot if you are not careful since it splatters water in all directions as it comes out of seams. It still makes sense to wipe some areas down later but as close to touchless drying as you can get.
 
Al, thanks for the update. I emailed you before I saw this.
I'm still using the air compressor for wheels, nooks, etc. WW and QD after that. Keep us updated on everything with this beast. It continues to call to me:)]
 
I will add that it you put the unit on level ground without the hose attached with both switches on, it will move on its own.

Also, while I was testing it after trying to repair the seal, I attached the unit to an outlet strip....a minute later the circuit breaker tripped. I finally figured out I had fried the outlet strip (only rated at 15A).

I have a unused circuit in the garage (220V) for a central vac system (never had it installed) so I am planning on dedicating that to the frig (or maybe the MB) in the garage so it does not share the same circuit since the garage circuit (20A) has the outlets, overhead lights, and the garage door opener.

If I get the urge for a pressure washer (like get a cam spray) and they need 20A too.
 
An update on a couple points noted earlier.

I did receive a new gasket from Metro. I put it on this weekend along with replacing the putty seal (use a product called Rope Caulk). I do not see any issues after my latest use.

More tips:
1. dry out crevices at 4 HP

2. Soap can get trapped.

3. do not try to remove every drop of water ...just herd them 98% and do a spot wipe with a damp mf. If you blow directly on the paint (normal to surface) it can dry into water spots.
 
I have one and love it. Works well on Harley in tight spots. Great on a car especially on mirrors, tires and wheel wells. Like mentioned, just get 98% of the water herded and finish drying with damp mf towel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top