Most comfortable dual action polisher / buffer
#16
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
Zach, which pads do you use with the rupes (size and brand)?
My 15 mark II arrives today, and I was debating if I should get the matching rupes pads and polishes to try the system the way it was manufactured to be used. Otherwise, I'll most likely stick with the 5" carpro pads + polishes I already have.
*Edit* I have the rupes and the hook and loop on the back of the 5" flash pad is almost exactly the same measurement as the Rupes backing plate. 5" Gloss pad and 5.25" denim pad fit fine.
Also checked all my other pads LC (5.5" Flat foam, 5.5" CCS foam, 5.5" Force pads, and 5.5" Foamed wool), Buff and shine (5.5" MF pads), and Meguiars (5" MF pads) all fit with the stock 5" backing plate.
My 15 mark II arrives today, and I was debating if I should get the matching rupes pads and polishes to try the system the way it was manufactured to be used. Otherwise, I'll most likely stick with the 5" carpro pads + polishes I already have.
*Edit* I have the rupes and the hook and loop on the back of the 5" flash pad is almost exactly the same measurement as the Rupes backing plate. 5" Gloss pad and 5.25" denim pad fit fine.
Also checked all my other pads LC (5.5" Flat foam, 5.5" CCS foam, 5.5" Force pads, and 5.5" Foamed wool), Buff and shine (5.5" MF pads), and Meguiars (5" MF pads) all fit with the stock 5" backing plate.
Last edited by Blkexcoupe; 06-12-18 at 03:45 PM.
#17
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
Zach with all due respect, I can guarantee you I can get those same results with a Flex with more ease and a more fool proof technique. The Rupes is a lot more finicky and requires you to be way more on the edge and constantly watching how you hold the machine, pressure etc. to me it’s just not worth it. The Flex downright works, every curve, every time. There is no “is the machine rotating?” thoughts when I use a Flex. One of the best detailers I’ve met came to us from strictly being a Rupes user and after working beside me for a week, I converted him to a Flex. It’s been over 4 years and he has not had a single thought of ever going back to Rupes.
If anybody wants a Rupes I have a brand new one in the box at the shop that I can sell someone for a good deal. Unopened. I still question why we bought it..... all the good things we hear about these machines, we tried many times to see what all the fuss is about, but I am just not convinced. I’ve seen them at SEMA being handled by Rupes people and I did not see anything ground breaking or impressive at all.
I guess the bottom line is, if you’re happy with a Rupes then by all means keep using it. Use what works for you. I have not tried every single buffer out there but from the ones I did use, the Flex is my favorite. There was not one car that I was not able to do with it. The only issues we have ever had was replacing the brushes in each machine several times and chords but we beat the living hell out of those things. Otherwise there has not been a single glitch. Good luck getting that reliability with your Rupes.
If anybody wants a Rupes I have a brand new one in the box at the shop that I can sell someone for a good deal. Unopened. I still question why we bought it..... all the good things we hear about these machines, we tried many times to see what all the fuss is about, but I am just not convinced. I’ve seen them at SEMA being handled by Rupes people and I did not see anything ground breaking or impressive at all.
I guess the bottom line is, if you’re happy with a Rupes then by all means keep using it. Use what works for you. I have not tried every single buffer out there but from the ones I did use, the Flex is my favorite. There was not one car that I was not able to do with it. The only issues we have ever had was replacing the brushes in each machine several times and chords but we beat the living hell out of those things. Otherwise there has not been a single glitch. Good luck getting that reliability with your Rupes.
#18
Auto Detailing Master
iTrader: (2)
I guess the bottom line is, if you’re happy with a Rupes then by all means keep using it. Use what works for you. I have not tried every single buffer out there but from the ones I did use, the Flex is my favorite. There was not one car that I was not able to do with it. The only issues we have ever had was replacing the brushes in each machine several times and chords but we beat the living hell out of those things. Otherwise there has not been a single glitch. Good luck getting that reliability with your Rupes.
#19
Auto Detailing Master
iTrader: (2)
Zach, which pads do you use with the rupes (size and brand)?
My 15 mark II arrives today, and I was debating if I should get the matching rupes pads and polishes to try the system the way it was manufactured to be used. Otherwise, I'll most likely stick with the 5" carpro pads + polishes I already have.
*Edit* I have the rupes and the hook and loop on the back of the 5" flash pad is almost exactly the same measurement as the Rupes backing plate. 5" Gloss pad and 5.25" denim pad fit fine.
Also checked all my other pads LC (5.5" Flat foam, 5.5" CCS foam, 5.5" Force pads, and 5.5" Foamed wool), Buff and shine (5.5" MF pads), and Meguiars (5" MF pads) all fit with the stock 5" backing plate.
My 15 mark II arrives today, and I was debating if I should get the matching rupes pads and polishes to try the system the way it was manufactured to be used. Otherwise, I'll most likely stick with the 5" carpro pads + polishes I already have.
*Edit* I have the rupes and the hook and loop on the back of the 5" flash pad is almost exactly the same measurement as the Rupes backing plate. 5" Gloss pad and 5.25" denim pad fit fine.
Also checked all my other pads LC (5.5" Flat foam, 5.5" CCS foam, 5.5" Force pads, and 5.5" Foamed wool), Buff and shine (5.5" MF pads), and Meguiars (5" MF pads) all fit with the stock 5" backing plate.
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Blkexcoupe (06-18-18)
#20
How much does a professional paint correction typically cost? Because if I'm only doing it once per the 2 vehicles I have it doesn't make sense for me to buy a $400+ machine. How often does a vehicle that's been corrected require further correction. Doesn't it come to the point where you would strip the clear coat after multiple corrections?
#21
Auto Detailing Master
iTrader: (2)
How much does a professional paint correction typically cost? Because if I'm only doing it once per the 2 vehicles I have it doesn't make sense for me to buy a $400+ machine. How often does a vehicle that's been corrected require further correction. Doesn't it come to the point where you would strip the clear coat after multiple corrections?
To answer your other questions, after correcting a vehicle there should be no need for complete paint correction work in the future provided the utmost care is taken when washing and drying the vehicle. However, there will certainly be fine defects that occur over time regardless of how careful you are and therefore every vehicle will need to undergo some amount of routine polishing throughout your ownership as needed to maintain a near perfect finish. These light polishing events are very non invasive and have almost no effect on the total clear coat thickness and therefore there should be no cause for concern even if you are performing a light polish on an annual basis (unless of course your paint is exceptionally thin from the get go).
In the event that you perform heavy corrections over and over, yes you could risk compromising the clear coat all together. As I had mentioned, with proper maintenance there should be no need for multiple heavy correction procedures on a given vehicle.
-Zach
#22
Lexus Fanatic
How much does a professional paint correction typically cost? Because if I'm only doing it once per the 2 vehicles I have it doesn't make sense for me to buy a $400+ machine. How often does a vehicle that's been corrected require further correction. Doesn't it come to the point where you would strip the clear coat after multiple corrections?
#23
I can't ever to back to the PC because of the vibrations. They felt more like an electric shock than anything else where I couldn't really hold on to the machine at 5 or 6 speed setting. My guess is the Griot's is the same. An internet search on the topic brought up an interesting alternative:
http://www.cyclotoolmakers.com/index1.php
Any experience of opinions about this one?
http://www.cyclotoolmakers.com/index1.php
Any experience of opinions about this one?
#25
Lexus Fanatic
It is not going to be vibration free, any machine/power too that has a motor, spins a orbiting pad that you have to push on a cars finish is going to vibrate, some maybe more then others but they will all vibrate. Sounds like you are very sensitive to vibrating power tools and I don't think you are going to find a machine that won't vibrate or irritate you as they all do it and you need to be holding them for hours to polish a car. Like I said before, maybe there are special gloves that dampen vibrations enough to where you are more comfortable but I don't know what else to tell you, they all vibrate and will likely irritate you.
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Bryan@Autogeek
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02-03-14 08:43 AM