I have a Chauvet B250. It cranks out lots of bubbles and I've put mine through the wringer over the last couple years and it's been FLAWLESS.
The trick to most bubble machines is to use just enough fluid to make them work. Overfilling is a MAJOR problem and causes a LOT of the mess that many people get (lesson learned early on). It's only coupled by more mess when you move them after they've been filled (or overfilled in many cases).
Here's what I do to help cut down on the 'mess':
Put bubble machine as close to where you intend to use it.
Turn it on.
Fill until it starts working.
Turn off.
Use machine like you would normally.
When I'm done I open machine - remove 'tray' for fluid and pour back into bottle (may require using a funnel
).
Close machine and put away.
Every couple times I use it, if there is any spillage, I take it out behind the house and spray it down with a water hose and let it dry for a day or two before I use it again.
If it gets a little rust, it's really not a big deal as long as it continues to work. For the most part, my bubble machine is plastic except for the small power supply that drives the bubble wands and the fan.