My Metrovac Dryer has died - what to replace it with?

[Kristian87]

Well, I don't know how many years I've had it, but it's served me well. Last time I tried to use it, it showed signs of imminent failure. My father in law, who has a lot of success fixing anything with a motor said it's not fixable, not easily anyway. So I'm now left with the dilemma of what to replace it with?

As much as I like the Metrovac, I did find it a bit cumbersome to handle, and i'm reluctant to replace it like for like. It's relatively old tech too, and I'm sure there has been a lot of advancements in this space.

I love the idea of a cordless blower, I know a lot of the power tool brands have their own solution now, then there are a few other brands that appear in the popular detailing retailers, but with so much choice I thought this would be a good topic to add. A very quick search lead me to this Blo model, which looks a bit more ergonomic than the metrovac. Could be a winner, but as I said, cordless would be a nice upgrade. That's my sort of budget too - around £100, but less would be nice! Very aware too that there's a few thousand cheap and cheerful versions available on Amazon, want to avoid those as I'm sure they won't be as robust as something from a well known brand.

Keen to hear what others use/think...

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[DFB5.0]

Well, I don't know how many years I've had it, but it's served me well. Last time I tried to use it, it showed signs of imminent failure. My father in law, who has a lot of success fixing anything with a motor said it's not fixable, not easily anyway. So I'm now left with the dilemma of what to replace it with?

As much as I like the Metrovac, I did find it a bit cumbersome to handle, and i'm reluctant to replace it like for like. It's relatively old tech too, and I'm sure there has been a lot of advancements in this space.

I love the idea of a cordless blower, I know a lot of the power tool brands have their own solution now, then there are a few other brands that appear in the popular detailing retailers, but with so much choice I thought this would be a good topic to add. A very quick search lead me to this Blo model, which looks a bit more ergonomic than the metrovac. Could be a winner, but as I said, cordless would be a nice upgrade. That's my sort of budget too - around £100, but less would be nice! Very aware too that there's a few thousand cheap and cheerful versions available on Amazon, want to avoid those as I'm sure they won't be as robust as something from a well known brand.

Keen to hear what others use/think...

I take it you want to stay with the small/handheld format? If so, I'd probably go for the Metrovac Sidekick again (18,000 ft/min), but take a look at the Big Boi Buddi as well (19,680 ft/min).

BLOWR BUDDI – iBigBoi - UK

If you wanted to go battery, then pick up the workshop blower skin to suit your chosen tool battery system. I used the Makita for a while, which I could do one large sedan with a single 5.0 ah battery. Something like this requires patience.

From here, you will be looking at a leaf blower or a larger dedicated car drying blower.

For the dedicated blower, again I'd be looking at the Metrovac or the Big Boi models. I have the dual motor Big Boi and its extremely efficient at removing 98% of the water from the car. With these, you certainly have to manage both the cord and the hose, its easier than you think but certainly something to keep in mind.

BLOWR – iBigBoi - UK

I know the below version is above your budget, but I think the additional spend over the small handheld options would be well worth it -

BLOWR MINI – iBigBoi - UK

In terms of leaf blowers, a battery powered one is the way to go. Again, chose the blower skin to suit your battery system, then add a stubby nozzle to improve the usability.

Stubby nozzle co - Etsy Australia

I started with a battery powered Stihl BGA 56, which was pretty lean and had terrible battery life.

The gold standard for battery leaf blowers would be from EGO, mainly because of their battery technology, performance and overall design being relatively well suited to car drying (the handle design helps you to hold the machine in from multiple angles). The LB-765 is the most powerful handheld leaf blower on the market, gas or electric. The LB-580 is also good, just avoid the LB-530 as its extremely lean and has a terrible throttle delay with no variable speed.

The beauty of the EGO is how the company has catered to the detailing industry, offering a high-quality injection molded (rather than 3D printed) stubby nozzle with a proper quick release tab.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EGO-AST2000-Handheld-Blower-Attachment/dp/B0CN98N4T1

Is a leaf blower as efficient as the larger dedicated blowers, not quite. But considering the ease of use and general convenience of not dragging hoses and cords around, I think a battery powered leaf blower is a great compromise.

 

[Kristian87]

Thanks @DFB5.0 - I knew you'd have great input

Already spent a happy few minutes browsing the bigboi range, I didn't realise just how many dedicated products they offer. Going to give the blowr mini some serious thought.

I've got my final payment coming out in a few days - and the car will be 100% paid off. 7 years of payments coming to an end, worth celebrating and treating the Stang to a few goodies I think!

 

[MCS]

LOL as soon as I saw the title I knew @DFB5.0 was gonna be deep in this thread!!! You can always count on the Aussie to drop some knowledge.

 

[kilobravo]

So I'm now left with the dilemma of what to replace it with?

Sorry about your failed Metrovac, Kristian. I have had the Max Blaster for quite a few years and it's never let me down. Love that thing and I haven't used a drying towel in ages.

I also don't think that a cordless blower can do as good a job in the same amount of time. I just set it on the garage floor next to the car, plug it in, grab the hose, flip on both switches, and go to town. Definitely less than ten minutes to completely remove all the water including in all the nooks and crannies.

I've got my final payment coming out in a few days

I've got less than six more, YAYYyyyy! <grin>

Edit: Speaking of drying towels, I have a chidtload that I'll probably never use again. I have at least twenty of these and probably a dozen or more of these in dark blue with black trim. So, if any of you use these regularly and want a good deal, lemme know. I have a couple Gauntlets as a backup for the Max Blaster and really don't need the others. That said, when I was drying with towels, I loved these things as they are super absorbant, especially the larger 25"x40."

 

[junits15]

Ego blower is the answer, incredibly useful outside of detailing too. Love mine, definitely get the highest airflow model.

Being able to just pick up the blower and quickly clean out the garage, patio, or the driveway without dealing with starting a small engine is really nice.

 

[DFB5.0]

Edit: Speaking of drying towels, I have a chidtload that I'll probably never use again. I have at least twenty of these and probably a dozen or more of these in dark blue with black trim. So, if any of you use these regularly and want a good deal, lemme know. I have a couple Gauntlets as a backup for the Max Blaster and really don't need the others. That said, when I was drying with towels, I loved these things as they are super absorbant, especially the larger 25"x40."

Those waffle weave towels are great for cleaning glass, so you could repurpose them.

 

[skinnyb]

Those waffle weave towels are great for cleaning glass, so you could repurpose them.

Agreed That's all I use for glass not a fan for drying paint... As for blow drying, I do use a blower but only get about 80% then go over with a drying aid to make sure no minerals or contaminants are left behind...

 

[Evolvd]

+1 for the Ego. I have the 765 and it makes quick work of drying the car, and dusting my driveway too lol. The stubby nozzle is a major plus. The cost of Ego products isn’t cheap but the majority of it is in the batteries. If you buy one item with a 4.0 or 5.0 batt you won’t need another one for small chores. I use a 2.5 for car drying and it will last me the whole event.

 

[kilobravo]

Those waffle weave towels are great for cleaning glass, so you could repurpose them.

They certainly are D but, I don't need a couple dozen of them. <grin>

not a fan for drying paint

Ditto, Alex.

I do use a blower but only get about 80% then go over with a drying aid to make sure no minerals or contaminants are left behind.

Well, in that case, if you want to avoid the removal of that last 20 percent of the rinse water, get a Max Blaster. I never have to grab a towel to get the rest, the MB leaves the surfaces bone dry.

 

[S550HPP]

Researched this a lot last year for my winter driven mountain black vert that's washed twice a week on avg.

I got the Worx NitroJet dual 40A battery on sale for $150. Cut off most of the long nozzle.

I have full PPF vert that's coated twice a year with hybrid wax ceramic I got at at body shop supply store clear out. Use a no hand wash bay with presoak chemical and rinse. Overall a brutal wash, but quick and effective.

The NitroJet is very compact and stays in the trunk so it's easy to blow any dust before driving. Pop Fits perfectly between wheel wells.

With my wax / ceramic coating it gets 90% water off in less than 4 min with full variable speed plus turbo mode. I then use detail spray and wipe car off in less than 5 min not incl wheels.

It lasts 3 car wash plus around 8 60 sec dust blows with my convertible

Good value IMO.

 

[skinnyb]

They certainly are D but, I don't need a couple dozen of them. <grin>


Ditto, Alex.


Well, in that case, if you want to avoid the removal of that last 20 percent of the rinse water, get a Max Blaster. I never have to grab a towel to get the rest, the MB leaves the surfaces bone dry....

My problem with that is blowing only there is always residue left behind whether from minerals in the water or soap that can clog coatings. I always do a final wipe with a drying aid of some sort for the cherry on top. Has worked for me forever. Not to mention I don't want to spend that kind of cash on a tool I wouldn't use. Cords hoses, I much prefer the battery hand held blower since I am washing and drying outside

 

[kilobravo]

Cords hoses, I much prefer the battery hand held blower since I am washing and drying outside

To each his or her own Alex, stick with whatcha know. :=)

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