I had originally purchased this smaller one, but went to this one with more horsepower from AutoGeek...

 

Lead blower works fine for me, too

 

The new Air Force Master Blaster Revolution was delivered a little bit ago and I got it hung on the wall, figured out and fired up. I didn't wash the Vette yet to try it where it counts but I did hose down the old truck and gave it a quick test.

So, here's my take: It works a lot better than a leaf blower, no doubt. Is it four hundred bucks better considering I already had the leaf blower? Not so sure, but I have the option to return it for a full refund and I will definitely be keeping it, so I guess the value is there. Three hundred would have been a more reasonable price.

The warmed air actually evaporates the water where it can't simply blow it off the surface (like around wheel lugs and grilles/vents), and it does it fairly quickly. It has lots of velocity but doesn't put out the volume of air that a good leaf blower does so it works on smaller areas at a time. However, it is fast enough that following up with a towel won't be needed. That is a big plus on a black car owned by a finicky but lazy old guy. It really does a number on the cracks and crevices. The water blown out of them is simply chased across the surface where it lands and evaporates before it goes too far.

The hose is easy to handle and even though the nozzle needs to be close to the surface to do it's best work, being light and flexible makes it simple to aim and control, unlike the bulky leaf blower. I am glad I got the thirty foot hose and can leave the machine hanging up in the garage while still being able to reach all around the car parked on the apron. The hose is a little stiff for the first few minutes but as the air from the blower warms it up it gets limber and easy to keep from touching the car.. (No metaphors there at all.)

I'd have to say the addition of the heater to warm the air, which is very noticeable, seals the deal and is enough to beat the leaf blower. The old truck I tried it on this evening hasn't seen wax in a very long time, so I think the slick shiny surface of the Corvette is really going to like the new blower.

So there you go.

 

I have to get this

 

I have a powerful Echo gas blower. I also have the 8hp MB. I'll stick with the Echo. Key is to always wash your car before or after the heat of the day. The Echo is more than enough power to get water out of the crevices and does so quickly...more quickly than my MB.

To each his own. Can't go wrong either way.

 

I have the latest version of the Master Blaster. I used to use a leaf blower, and initially wasn't all that impressed w/ the MB. However, I now think it's far superior, and I use it after every wash.

It's important to note that the air-dry method, whether w/ a leaf blower or MB doesn't work well, w/o a very good wax or other coating. Water must be beading up on the paint otherwise, you'll just be moving around sheets of water.

 

Sounds like a good product. I was looking at the product video. The voice over on the video indicated that it is used so you don't scratch or swirl your car finish. I understand that. But what do you use to detail your car? You can't use a blower for detailing. My point is at some point you are going to use a microfiber cloth to detail the car and again are risking swirls and scratches. I've been using my leaf blower just simply to get excess water off the car and following up with premium microfibers to wipe down the car fully with detail spray. I don't get swirls and scratches with that method. I'm just trying to justify paying $350 for a blower when my method seems to work for me. I don't mind paying the price either. My wheels are bone dry after using my leaf blower as I am sure the the master blaster does as well.

 

I have used a leaf blower and absorbent sponge clothes for years. Although it worked, it took a long time and still I had spots. I have been thinking of buying a Master Blaster for so many years, now after reading so many positive posts about the Master Blaster, I ordered one. I am hoping the drying time will be shorter than the leaf blower, and with the attachments I should have many more options to dry hard to reach areas the leaf blower was not good at drying.

Totally agree about the polish/wax, if you do not have a good base, and the water does NOT bead up, you just as well dry by hand with a absorbent cloth. I do not like the California Blades, one small hard particle on the blade will scratch the finish. Had that happen second time I used the blade.

Looking forward to it, as many of the smaller areas a leaf blower does not do a good job. Should be here in a few days, and will look forward to using it for the first time....Thanks for all the info, good post

 

I use a squeegee to get the bigger droplets and a synthetic Chamois to finish it up, both of which I've had for at least 15 years and cost maybe $15 for both. It takes little time and I always top it off with a 10-mile drive to get the remaining moisture off of the brakes, etc. The drive also gets the oil heated properly before parking in the garage, and besides that I look for excuses to take a cruise. Call it lagniappe given to myself for a job well done.

 

I used it for real this morning after washing the Corvette. I wouldn't say the drying/finishing time was shorter than my previous leaf blower and fake chamois method, but it did a lot better job without ever touching the paint, it did the job easier with no drops missed, and the car looked much nicer.

There is a pretty good reason it took longer, though. Every place water could hide had water that was blown out requiring it to be dried off the areas that were already dried once. The neat part is that when it was done, it was really done.

Next time I think I will open the hood and get the intake vent dried inside and out before drying the front of the car. There was a lot of water that couldn't be removed with the hood closed and of course it ran down all over the front bumper when I opened it. That cost several extra minutes. The doors, trunk and convertible top opened up without many drips because I had blasted out the gaps real good with them shut. The dryer made quick work of the water under the edges of the rubber seals with just a little of it flying around and needing to be dried off the outside surfaces. A little extra bonus - holding the nozzle back a ways and shooting the air at the seams of the leather seats and all the seams and joints on the door panels got all the dust and whatever else that collects there out in an instant.

So yeah, I really like the thing. It took longer to finish up but every step was noticeably doing something and it was, how shall I say, not un-fun. As I mentioned earlier it would be a great buy at $300, and now I'm thinking it wasn't too bad at $400.

 

^^^ First time I used mine, it also took longer. After you use it for awhile, you learn all the little tricks and drying times goes must faster.

 

EBay has floor model Master Blasters for $259.

 

I don't know how they get 8HP in that little canister but it works great. I have a black car so anytime you can avoid contact with the paint surface the better. I have been using the air blower at the car wash I go to but it was costing me in excess of $30 bucks to wash and dry. The MB will pay for itself in no time, now I have to justify buying a Hotsy.

 

Some people also think we were crazy to buy a Corvette, what a waste of hard earned cash, right?

 

I've had mine over 10 years and have used it hundreds of times. You aren't spending $400 to use it once and then throw it away.

I added the wall mount and hose extension to mine so I don't have to drag it around. Works great.

 

FYI, there are two models of the AFMB; make certain you know which one you are buying. I myself went with the bigger unit.

For years I used an electric leaf blower, but can tell you this Master Blaster's heated air does even better.

I have the extended hose; only issue I've had is that the heating of the air takes a little bit of time after first powering up. Lately I turn it on, secure the hose, and let it run for a few minutes before using.

Soooo glad I bought it, use it all the time.

 

Knock it off! That is kind of mean considering that right now I have a little project underway running water lines - both hot and cold - from the laundry room to the outside front of the garage. I left about three hundred bucks at Home D for it already.

The MB is a great tool. The second time I used it after washing the car it went a little faster than the first, but I still spent a fair amount of time because it was almost fun and catered very well to my OCD tendencies.

It works pretty good for the dust, too. I uses it almost every time I put the car back in the garage to blow off the loose stuff. It doesn't get it completely clean but it does a good job of getting the most visible dust off, especially where it collects so heavily on the rear facia. The maching is hanging right there on the wall with the hose on a rack, so why not?

 

I bought the same unit you did with the long hose, and to others, yes, it's more expensive than I think it should be. However, it does have 2 very powerful motors. You can run one or both. It's made in the USA, made of steel, sturdy, and well-constructed. I expect it to last a decade or two.

You're right about the heated air making a huge difference, and it puts out a lot more air pressure than a leaf blower and does a much better job. It also filters the air, so you're not blowing dust back on your car.

I personally hand-wash my 5 vehicles, and I use it every time I wash one of them, which is often. It's much more convenient than hand drying and greatly reduces wear and tear on the paint. The less you touch the paint, even with clean microfiber towels, the better.

The only caveat I have is that you really need to have a good coat of wax or other protective coating on the paint. If the surface is not beading water, it doesn't work nearly as well.

 

Stupid? I paid 210 bucks for the stupid little plastic caps in the center of my wheels and they don't do anything. Think about that for a minute.

 

Vacuum on the top and Master Blaster on the bottom.