MetroVac vs. Rigid Shop Vac

C

canadianeh

New member
I'm interested in getting a new vacuum...I already have a shop vac, but I dont think it has the power nor the accessories to get in there

The $99 rigid at Home Depot with Car Detailing kit is interesting... But I'm also interested in the wall-mounted Metro Vac...

But I'm also interested in this...

https://www.metrovacworld.com/Vac_N_ Blo_Automotive_VNB-4AFBR/overview

Is the Metrovac really that good? Is it quite powerful? Will it last?

How would it compare to the rigid?
 
Canadian - eh ,

Welcome to the Forum !

I have had both "shop vac's" and the Metro, and without a doubt, the Metrovac is really powerful, easy to use, way smaller in size, has lots of tools that you can get for it, but you wont need many, and is so much quieter..
Its made in America, in New York area, and the people there are unbelievably, nice and helpful..

I have the Vac n Blow but its the really long one.. The reason I got the long one is because I have a business, and I dont want to have to be emptying out the cloth bag every day.. I believe I have had this Metrovac for almost 10 years now and it has never broken or had any problems.

I had it wall mounted but then you need extra long hoses, which you can get of course, and it just restricts me where I have to be to vacuum out a vehicle..

This unit you are looking at and my longer one rolls really easy on the floor and is never going to tip over or do weird stuff like most short, fat, easily tipped over shop vacs...

The hoses they use are really flexible, and can stretch out far, so perhaps just a couple of long ones, and you can set it up on 1 side of the vehicle and be able to do both sides without having to move the unit..

Except for big long SUV's, which have to have the unit in back to get the back, under the carpeted areas, the spare tire well, etc., I never have to move mine from one side of a vehicle to do all the vacuuming..
Good luck with your research !
Dan F
 
I too have wondered this. I have a shop vac and it works ok but not great. I have a disdain for the home and have considered buying a set of attachment designed for the car. But it's kind of a pain to get the Dyson to the garage, especially when the shop Vac is already there.

The Metro seems like a good product and I have heard nothing but good things about it on the detailing boards. The only reason I have not bought one is the price. Probably worth it if your business is detailing, but for me it just seems like a want, not a need.
 
I have a Ridgid WD4070 and have the hose kit and also have the Metro Vac n Blo. The Metro has better suction but Ridgid has more airflow to me to has some advantages.

I use for Metro for most work like carpets since it is smaller and easier to get out. I have to have the Rigid since it is wet/dry and the Metro is not. If I have any significant trash I would use the Ridgid since the holds a ton more. The cloth bag/paper filter capacity on the Metro is small so will loose suction.
 
Bunky said:
I have a Ridgid WD4070 and have the hose kit and also have the Metro Vac n Blo. The Metro has better suction but Ridgid has more airflow to me to has some advantages.

I use for Metro for most work like carpets since it is smaller and easier to get out. I have to have the Rigid since it is wet/dry and the Metro is not. If I have any significant trash I would use the Ridgid since the holds a ton more. The cloth bag/paper filter capacity on the Metro is small so will loose suction.
Click to expand...

Al is spot on -

The MetroVac is pretty darn powerful and the smaller, more flexible hose is so much easier to use and get over and around things in vehicles..

To get around the machine filling up too quickly, and losing suction, I opted for the longest MetroVac they made that comes with an equally long cloth bag that is way easy to take out, dump, shake, and you are back in business..

I think there are probably more attachments for the smaller 1.5" hose anyway, so this helps if you are Detailing for a living and need to get really far down there from the top and sides between some seats and the console, for example..
Dan F
 
I'm not detailing for a living, but I want to clean a very clean car.

Stokdgs, thanks for your input. Isn't the wall mount just for storage, it looks to me like the powercord is still 20+ feet long and you just take the vac to where you need it? Unless I'm seeing that incorrectly.

Right now I'm using a small shopvac and just don't think its adequate...

My question is really, do I spend $99 for the Rigid, or double++ for the Metrovac?

I guess I don't know.

The rigid will take up more room and my garage isn't huge to begin with.

I am still learning on the best way to clean my carpets/interior so maybe that's something to consider first given the wet/dry conundrum.
 
I've got that exact Rigid shop vac and car cleaning kit. As a weekend detailing enthusiast it's a great set up and far more versatile for whole house cleaning projects.

I'll also use the hose connected to the blower port with a shop vac 2.5 inch concentrator nozzle to blow all the water off a freshly washed car:

angus-albums-pics-picture1395-shop-vac-plastic-concentrator-nozzle.jpg


I really don't think you can go wrong with it.
 
Canadian - eh -

Yes, the MetroVac with the wall attachment can be used for Storage and it hangs easily and can be lifted off the bracket with no problems..

I was not sure if you are thinking about hanging the unit and using it that way, which can also be done..

MetroVac or even the Forums also sell these nice metal brackets to hang the hoses stretched out if you want to do this..

I have mine in this configuration because I also have the Metro Vac Master Blaster and it has a longer larger diameter hose, that is best kept hung up and stretched out..

I totally agree with you - do I spend this much or twice as much???

Good luck with your research and project -
Dan F
 
If you need a wet / dry obviously the Metro will not do it but even a wet dry is not really the best way to clean / dry wet carpets.
 
Angus said:
I've got that exact Rigid shop vac and car cleaning kit. As a weekend detailing enthusiast it's a great set up and far more versatile for whole house cleaning projects.

I'll also use the hose connected to the blower port with a shop vac 2.5 inch concentrator nozzle to blow all the water off a freshly washed car:

angus-albums-pics-picture1395-shop-vac-plastic-concentrator-nozzle.jpg


I really don't think you can go wrong with it.
Click to expand...

How do you find blowing off the vehicle with it? As good as a leaf blower? Thinking about getting this to replace my 4HP mastercraft.
 
chuck2417 said:
How do you find blowing off the vehicle with it? As good as a leaf blower? Thinking about getting this to replace my 4HP mastercraft.
Click to expand...

Yes I do! The air flow pumped out through a 2.5 tube and concentrated down by the nozzle is very good. I actually prefer it to using a leaf blower. Plus the vacuum hose is far more easy to use vs a bulky leaf blower.
 
Angus is spot on !

Before I went to a Master Blaster, I had an Electric leaf blower that I cut down the nozzle to make it easier to maneuver, covered the end in that thick, smooth, foam they use for air conditioning ducting, (so the hard end would not hit and scratch/hurt anything), and this worked fine for what it was..

Anything that has a more flexible hose with a nozzle as posted above is going to be so much more flexible in where you can place it to remove water and dry things like the pad under the hood and the engine compartment, etc...

Anything that does not place a motor close to your head and ears is always going to be nicer on your hearing for later in life.. :)

Dang it, I knew should not have gone to all those rock concerts in the late 60's-70's - without any ear protection... :)

What you say - I cant hear ya'...
Dan F
 
Well in Canada that same kit is $129. I decided I would pick it up and sell my old Mastercraft shop vac. The Rigid vac comes with a lifetime warranty, all the detailing stuff was included. Only issue is some of the attachements don't hold on as well as you might think. The hose locks onto the unit so you can pull the vac around by the cord. Noise wise, it's actually no louder than my 4HP mastercraft that's a few years old. It sucks like crazy, now to see how well it will blow (will try later this week). All in all it's a great vaccum and it's cheaper than a Metro. It's a pretty good deal looking at the individual pieces, keep in mind canadian prices;

Vac alone - $159.99
Detailing kits - $49.99
Special buy with both - $129.00

The filter (3 layer) is included the only thing missing is the bags that go inside to collect the finer dust to save the life of the filter. The bags themselves are around $15-$20 for 3. A filter to replace is anywhere from $20-$40.
 
I used the Rigid bags and agree, they're pricey. I've also got the air diffuser on the blower port to stop dust from being kicked up. If you dont already have the diffuser, it's worth getting
 
The longer Metrovac that I have has a long, reuseable, cloth bag that will never fill up, unless I decide to vacuum up all the leaves or something outside...

I have a new back up cloth bag for it and to date, have never had to bring it into production.. And this metrovac is probably 9 years old... Still going strong...

I also learned how to fix the hoses when they start to split and break from the joint where they mate to the hard plastic connectors..

Will be happy to share how to do that if anyone has not figured it out already..

Dan F
 
Angus said:
I used the Rigid bags and agree, they're pricey. I've also got the air diffuser on the blower port to stop dust from being kicked up. If you dont already have the diffuser, it's worth getting
Click to expand...

I'll Pick up that cone shaped diffuser for the back later this week. I need to return the new leaf blower I picked up on sale then! As long as it dries as well as the 12 amp blower. I used some generic bags to put inside, same size as the rigid except a bit cheaper (not sure if there is a difference).
 
I ordered the metrovac and will report back. Chemical guys had it for 188. Walmart had it for 186.

I'll report back after using.
 
Closing the loop here.

I'm THRILLED with my purchase. The MetroVac is worth every penny. It's quiet. It's got more suction than a shopVac twice the size. All the tools are fantastic. I love how small it is and storing it on the wall is fantastic.

Buy one. You'll love it.
 
canadianeh said:
Closing the loop here.

I'm THRILLED with my purchase. The MetroVac is worth every penny. It's quiet. It's got more suction than a shopVac twice the size. All the tools are fantastic. I love how small it is and storing it on the wall is fantastic.

Buy one. You'll love it.
Click to expand...

Agree completely! The Metro's are fabulous!
 
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