Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Now, to reply to individual posts:
If you're doing detailing for profit , definitely get a rotary. It will save you a lot of time doing corrections. Both polishers have their place .
Can you (or someone else) enlighten me on how a rotary is quicker than say, the Flex 3401? For instance, say I take a heavily swirled car with harder paint.
I'll use my Flex 3401 w/ a LC Force Hybrid Grey (heavy cut), and Wolfgang Uber Compound 3.0.
I run the 3401 at speeds of 5.5-6, in a 16"x16" section.
Some quick, simplified math:
1-2" per second
4 passes for each section (overlapping a bit as I have a 5.5" pad)
6 section passes
Let's say it takes roughly 30 seconds for each "section pass" (that's moving around 1" per second)
6 section passes should take roughly 3 minutes or so?
How much quicker could you complete a 16"x16" section using a rotary?
I've used a rotary a few times, and also have a friend who could teach me...plus I'd do a lot of self-teaching via the internet.
I cannot comment on a rotary.
I can comment on the Rupes system:
The system as a whole is great to learn. But sooner or later I quickly realize it’s ok to use other liquid and pad combination such as:
Meguiar’s Microfiber Cutting Disc + Jescars Correcting Compound
Rupes Yellow Pad + Sonax Perfect Finish
These are only a couple of examples...and they are what I prefer most of the time.
On the other hand, I could also comment on the Flex Finisher. It’s a very capable machine indeed. Though I reach for the Rupes most of the time, I have to say that the Flex Finisher is a smooth machine for sure. Plus the Ergonomics are great on the machine as well—very easy to handle.
If I can do it all over again with the Rupes (soon hopefully) I will opt for the 15 next time. I miss my 15 big time.
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Say a customer's paint was in relatively decent shape, and you planned to do just a one step All-in-One (Blackfire AIO, or something similar), would you reach for a 3401, or the Rupes DA?
Oh one more thing that I should have asked first is:
What is your primary goals with your business?
Show Car Detailing or Production Detailing
I fall into Production Detailing as a mobile detailer and never found myself looking at a rotary.
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Primary goals: Production detailing. Well, let me clarify...this is a side gig, so I'm not going to be turning out 10 cars a week or something... I tend to detail 2-4 cars per month (when I have days off from my day job).
For example, the past three cars I detailed were a '16 Camaro RS, a '12 Mazdaspeed 3, and a 2010 Chevy 2500. Most of my clients wouldn't be able to tell the difference between 100% paint correction, and 50% paint correction. I honestly could hit their cars with an AIO and they'd be happier than a pig in ####.
My problem is, I hate settling for just adequate. For example: my buddy with the Camaro, he simply wanted it to "look good"... I could have just hit it with an AIO, but instead I busted out the M105/205 and spent hours just on the hood, making it look perfect. I was happy, but at the end of the day, I wasted a lot of time and effort for my own satisfaction I'd say.
You're not married to the Rupes pads or polishes, but if you can figure out how to use them, you'll be set.
If you wanted to try their entire line, start with the blue and yellow foam pad / polish combinations, maybe the green medium cut. Do NOT install a washer of you decide to got that route. It will render the blue and green combos absolutely useless.
They do work well, and create incredible finishes, some of the best I've been able to deliver, but there is a learning curve.
A lot of people still like the rotary for compounding. It can be faster, but the trade off is guantareed holograms (which can usually be removed with a PC and the right pad/polish), and depending on the compound a lot of dusting and possible product sling. 3D seems to have a very nice set of liquids set up for rotary (3D One, ACA 500, ACA 520). I still like using them on occasion, but usually when there's a lot of oxidation on large surfaces.
Lighter, and smaller rotaries also lend themselves to surgical polishing with smaller pads. Ths can also be a +.
I'm a fan of M105/205 on some cars... would it make sense to hit a car first with M105 using my Flex 3401 and a heavy cutting pad, and then transitioning to a Rupes LHR21 Mark2 and finishing with M205? Would the Rupes + their polishing pads be a noticeable difference over what I could produce using the 3401?
Have you pondered the GG BOSS machines? While I really like my Rupes 15 Mk2, the BOSS 21 I have is a very nice and in some ways preferable (to me) machine.
What I like more about the BOSS:
- Progressive speed trigger
- Ergonomics; it's slightly 'rounder' body seems to fit hands better than somewhat square-ish Rupes. I seem to encounter a bit less stalling when not paying attention due to angle of handle, dunno why. Rupes longer handle kind bends down while BOSS shorter and more neutral or bends a bit 'up'
Rupes is a tad smoother and quieter though and has a more pleasingly 'monolithic' feel to it. The BOSS feels more 'assembled' if that makes sense.
Rupes 15 & BOSS 21:
View attachment 65153
As far as Rupes 'system', started with that but ended up only keeping white & yellow polishes and pads. The Rupes 15 with billet backing plate and yellow pad is an absolute joy to work with, especially with Sonax Perfect Finish if that liquid is working well. Also the Megs microfiber cutting discs with Jescar Compound or Megs D300 is quite a pleaseure as well.
When working big flat panels, the BOSS 21 just eats things up quickly and far less taxing than Flex 3401 w/ Force Pads. Have also found that I don't really like the BOSS 21 w/ the 5" plate...seems to decrease overall smoothness considerably.
The Rupes LHR21 appears to be roughly $50 more than the GG BOSS21... The thing is, and this may sound incredibly stupid, with both machines north of $400 (after taxes), if I'm spending that coin, I want something that really catches my eye. The fit & finish of the Rupes products are second to none. I also like the fact that they are built in Italy, rather than China. Yes, the BOSS21 may be just as good, and have a better warranty..but I just have a thing for the Rupes machines.
Jump over to the Rupes Forum and read through my Mille comparison/review. I own a 3401 and made the plunge into the new Mille and yes, unfortunately a completely new set of pads, but I am 100% pleased thus far and glad I added it to my cabinet. I use it more than the 3401 now by far.
Will do! However, if I already have a forced rotation (Flex 3401), is there a point to purchase another forced rotation machine?