In 1947, William K. Westley, a World War II Marine veteran, founded the first of several chemical companies to bear his name. He started by inventing a product that removed lipstick from wall paint. That product was eventually sold to Proctor & Gamble.

In 1959, Westley invented his star product, PB B’laster, in response to problems a friend was having with a phosphate mine in Florida. Phosphate is corrosive, and the damp Florida air exaggerates the problem. Mining equipment could not be taken apart formaintenance and repair because of the build-up of corrosion, phosphate and moisture. Nothing could break through the corrosion—until PB B’laster was developed. PB B’laster penetrates corrosion to allow easy disassembly. And it doesn’t stop there. PB also acts as a lubricant and rust inhibitor to extend the life of the equipment and make future maintenance easier.

Westley headed his last company for 20 years, developing new products and increasing sales. In 1980, he was ready to retire again. Bernard L. Porter, a former Cleveland investment banker, bought the company and began working to increase its market share. When Porter bought the company, it produced five products: TVF, JB Engine Tune-Up, PB B’laster, Tire Cleaner and Protectant & Polish. The product line now includes those five, plus seven more for use in home, industrial, automotive service, marine and now heavy duty truck applications. Blaster also offers custom formulating and blending services for private label sales and proprietary applications.

In 1980, the company had limited distribution and was relatively unknown outside of certain markets. Twenty years later, Blaster is a nationally recognized brand.