Just recieved my new rupes 21.

68bowtie

68bowtie

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Well i sold my flex 3401 last weekend in 20min and decided to jump on the band wagon with a new rupes. I never tried one but did research for a month on it and figured why not. NOw i really liked the correction of the flex, it was a lot better then the griots polisher i had. THe problem with the flex was it seemed heavy and it was more work to use it. Everytime i did a car my shoulder was sore and i felt like i was fighting it the whole time. I have a bad back and shoulder so this is why i decided to go with the rupes. Upon first inspection its a well built machine just as good as the flex. It felt lighter and just felt better in my hands. Its 20 in wi so i really couldn't do a good test with it yet. I tried it on the roof of my 08 impala that had a lot of swirls and rids. I started with a white hybrid pad and the optimum hyper spray but that wasn't agressive enough. I next went with a meguirers microfiber cutting pad with the d300. THis did the trick and it was nice not to have to put too much pressure down on the front and not have to fight it. THis combo easily took everything out. I was very impressed with how easy it was, it didn't feel like work. Next i put a ccs pad on with some blackfire gloss enhancing polish and hit the hood of my 68 chevelle. I wanted to see how it would work on a curved hood. I have a 2in cowl hood on it. It was so easy to use on it a lot more then fighting with the flex on the curves. All in all i'm happy with the purchase. I used it first without the kb spacer. I was able to slow it down with pressure but once i made a washer to fit on it you could put a lot of pressure on it and it would hardly slow down a little. The only thing i was a little disappointed with is it vibrated a little more then i thought it would. Of course i wasn't using the rupes pads. It was probably on par with the flex.
 
Thanks for your first impressions :)


Btw, I've been trying to sell my PC to help buy the Rupes. How did you sell yours so quickly?
 
Rsurfer said:
We'll see..Germans vrs. Italians. Dunno
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I dont think it will be a issue. THey both make good stuff and anyone could have a problem with something no matter who makes it.
 
You mentioned vibration - how does it compared to your old Flex?

If you didn't have a bad back, do you think it's worth the lost you took on the switch? Sorry, if that came off like a loaded question.

One thing I can say about the PC...man, it buzzes you up good. Reminds me of a Rotax single I rode years ago.
 
68bowtie said:
I dont think it will be a issue. THey both make good stuff and anyone could have a problem with something no matter who makes it.
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Do you know that for a fact? Do you own a Rupes tool?
 
Rsurfer said:
Do you know that for a fact? Do you own a Rupes tool?
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No im just going on how the tool seems to be built. U could by any brand of polisher or car for that matter and have problems. Its a chance u take with anything u buy. They have a great rep for the tools they build and they have been around a long time.
 
BrutalNoodle said:
You mentioned vibration - how does it compared to your old Flex?

If you didn't have a bad back, do you think it's worth the lost you took on the switch? Sorry, if that came off like a loaded question.

One thing I can say about the PC...man, it buzzes you up good. Reminds me of a Rotax single I rode years ago.
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Vibration is about the same as the flex. I really like the feel of the rupes. IT just feels great in your hand. I don't know about the loss on selling the flex. We'll have to see the more i use it, but so far its great. I might do a polish job on the impala later in the week if the weather gets better. I lost $80 on the flex after having it for 8m so i don't think that was too bad.
 
68bowtie said:
The only thing i was a little disappointed with is it vibrated a little more then i thought it would. Of course i wasn't using the rupes pads. It was probably on par with the flex.
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If it's vibrating:

1. Rupes plays much nicer with Rupes pads. I don't design pads for a living, but I am convinced it has something to do with the beveling angle of the pads being in synch with the machine.

Combination of 2 and 3 below:

2. You're not keeping the pads/surface lubricated. Rupes breaks down polishes, even their own polishes, really fast especially at speeds 4+.

3. You're working it at too high speed.

Remember, the 21 is a very strong machine intended for extended use on larger flat surfaces. It corrects very quickly and then wants to move on. It is not a finesse machine. I use mine on all larger panels, but revert to my Cyclo for use in smaller areas. And if you think you can't burn paint with a 21 you're mistaken. Put on an aggressive pad and polish, turn it up to 6, hold it in the same spot with even minimal pressure, and see what happens.
 
Joelotto said:
BMW V's Lambo I'll take the Lamborghini
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For flash and dash.... perhaps.

For one that'll run and run and run and you know will get you there rain and snow. I'll take the heavyweight German toughness. ;) (But that's just me.........)
 
Thanks for the review 68. Still undecided which one I would get when the time comes, Flex or Rupes.

cardaddy said:
For flash and dash.... perhaps.

For one that'll run and run and run and you know will get you there rain and snow. I'll take the heavyweight German toughness. ;) (But that's just me.........)
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... and I'll the take the raw, brute, untamed, may or may not get you there, but scare you s**tless beautiful Italian. That's just me though... ;)
 
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