Mark in Baltimore

I finally sprung for a Metro Master Blaster 8 HP air dryer. At $399, it was fairly expensive and was a tad hard to justify for something that some good drying towels could seemingly do almost as well, but this version comes with swiveling front wheels, a 30 foot hose, a hose rack and a Blaster rack. (You can buy pretty much the same thing for $339, but the hose is much shorter, you don't get the swiveling front wheels, and there are no hose or blower racks.)

Prior to buying this, I would occasionally use my pancake air compressor to dry the car, but it's really too small to do an effective job. I did the electric leaf blower thing, but it's such a nuisance to hold over the car.

At least for 993s, one of the best things about the Master Blaster is that it can blow water out of the windshield and back light surrounds, thereby reducing the possibility of corrosion. The thing is simply amazing and, of course, removes water in a jiffy. However, if you're a thorough SOB like I am, this device will not speed up the drying time; rather, it almost eliminates the use of towels and, thus, scratches, and dries your car completely. You will spend a fair bit of time trying to blast out every drop of water. It's actually very satisfying, akin to vacuuming but in reverse.

The tip is rubber, so it won't damage paint if you happen to get too close (comes with other tips). For wheels, tires and brakes, it dries out all of those components far better than a towel. I just can't say enough good things about it.



The other device I just bought is this BE PRESSURE undercarriage washer. I had to trailer the 993 to my mechanic's shop just before a snow event, and the roads had some anti-freezing juice on it. Although I don't think much, if any, salt got under the car, the washer made me feel better that I had removed any of the bad stuff. It works well with my gas-powered pressure washer and is low enough that it can go under my RS ride height car. Of course, it worked great on my other cars, so one of my reasons to take the other cars to a commercial car wash, the chassis bath, has now been eliminated. I never felt that they did a great job anyway since the car seemed to travel far too fast to do a thorough job.

Anyway, I thought some of you who have been thinking about the Master Blaster and as well as a good way to clean the undercarriage would like to know about these products.

EMBPilot

lol jesus man should have just bought a backpack leaf blower, more than double CFM too for nearly the same price

Mark in Baltimore

I don't need one more internal combustion engine to maintain, thank you.

Have you ever tried a Master Blaster? Very easy to handle.

nine9six

...And it can double as a leaf blower!

Air cooled, 2-stroke motors have been known to need fuel, a clean air filter, and a spark plug from time to time. <whew!>

squidge

"8HP" and runs off a standard 120v wall outlet. Right...:

1HP = 750 watts
120v @ 20 amps = 2400 watts peak, or ~1920 sustained
8HP = 6000 watts required

I'm not doubting that it works well, just find that kind of marketing crap annoying.

Leander

Several professional detailers recommend the more cost-effective Ridgid 2-in-1 vacuum cleaner and blower which is what I'm thinking about getting if an Amazon deal brings it below $127.

Todynot

Second the backpack blower. Works as good as the dryers at the drive thru car wash.

P-daddy

Hmm...another toy to consider. Thanks for the review, Mark.

AOW162435

BBM Detailing, LLC.




Andreas

Mark in Baltimore

The other issues with a backpack blower is that I can't use it inside the garage when I don't want to annoy the neighbors. Also, the only time the Master Blaster is really loud is when blowing wheels or the window surrounds. With a gas blower, the noise is six inches from the ear.


Thanks, Leander. Priced really well. I may buy one and compare the two.

LexVan

I bought my Master Blaster (luv it) from Phil at Detailers Domain in fall 2015. He runs a sale every year just beofre Christmas for 25% off and free shipping, when over $100. That's when I got mine for about $300 delivered.

So much better than a leaf blower.

Easily runs on 120. Likes a 20 amp line best. I've run on 15 and 20 amp, see no real difference, never blew a circuit.

Geowar

Owning both a leaf blower and Master blaster, there's no comparison. Master blaster will out perform any leaf blower out there.

pp000830

When I was a kid my father had a cast metal hand held leaf blower. Little did he know it was great fun just squirt some flammable liquid into the turbine and ignite the nozzle! Nine year old boys with time on their hands found stuff to do back then.

Paolo1

I have one of these from griots probably same thing. It's a revelation. You simply never touch the car when drying and this is invaluable for black cars. You just have to watch when you toggle on the second motor since the wind speed actually has some kick

vinouomo

I recently bought the Metro Blaster Sidekick (small version) and works great when cleaning the engine bay. Lot's of power and blows the water right off. Been very happy with this tool.