rupes 12e vs 15es

SR99 said:
Different versions of the B&S 5-1/2" pads have different Velcro. On some it goes all the way to the pad edges and some are recessed. I have some of both. Not that hard to center either way. I'm not sure what you mean by affecting performance, but I can't say I've ever tried it with the pads not centered. Maybe more vibration if off centered, but I'd think the foam would still cut the same way.
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Sorry-Didn't make myself clear--some have reported that the Rupes is not as smooth and vibration free with other than Rupes pads. But I don't see those using B&S pads mentioning this so my thought was that perhaps the B&S pads with the recessed Velcro are allowing people to center the pad very well (like the hole in the Rupes pad) and so the vibration/smoothness with B&S is on par with the Rupes pads??? I think ADS is the only vendor that sells the B&S with the Velcro all the way to the edge-never could understand why.
 
ski2 said:
Sorry-Didn't make myself clear--some have reported that the Rupes is not as smooth and vibration free with other than Rupes pads. But I don't see those using B&S pads mentioning this so my thought was that perhaps the B&S pads with the recessed Velcro are allowing people to center the pad very well (like the hole in the Rupes pad) and so the vibration/smoothness with B&S is on par with the Rupes pads??? I think ADS is the only vendor that sells the B&S with the Velcro all the way to the edge-never could understand why.
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Thanks for clarifying. I guess in theory that's possible, and if you have some vibration instrument to measure it, there might be a measurable difference that isn't really detectable by human senses alone. I never really compared them though, so I guess that means it didn't stand out enough to think about it.

I'll say this much though: when I used the GG6 and the RUPES 21 side-by-side with the same 5-1/2" B&S green pad, the RUPES is noticeably smoother and less fatiguing. So even if the 21 did have slightly more vibration than when using RUPES 6/7 pads, it's still way less than the GG6, and that's the important comparison from my perspective.
 
SR99 said:
it's still way less than the GG6, and that's the important comparison from my perspective.
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This is exactly the type of info I like to hear as my GG6 has done everything I've asked of it---the smoothness and no need to use serious pressure with the Rupes is what has attracted me--now just to decide on 15 or 21. Thanks!!!!!!
 
you can actually use some apps in your iphone or android and mount the phone to the polisher to measure vibrations.
 
Used both the 15v21 polishers with B&S pads. Yes the 21 is more gruntier than the 15, pretty obvious. I've found the pad density is way more important for smoothness. If I use green/white flat pads they are smooth (ridiculous smooth on the 15) while yellow/orange pads will require way more work to buff smoothly.
 
Surprised you feel a difference between the B&S white and orange pads since they are both the dense Euro Prepolymer Foam.

On another note--Do you see much difference in the cutting and finishing ability between the orange and white??
 
ski2 said:
Surprised you feel a difference between the B&S white and orange pads since they are both the dense Euro Prepolymer Foam.

On another note--Do you see much difference in the cutting and finishing ability between the orange and white??
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We may have a different definition of white/OJ. I got a few from Autoality. The OJ (fewest I have since MFCutting pads kick butt). is 2 grades higher than the standard white pad from what I understand. Last time I remembered the OJs were the only prepolymer foam. I like open celled pads, just so easy to use / clean.

So yes, huge difference in finishing quality with white.
 
Woob said:
We may have a different definition of white/OJ. I got a few from Autoality. The OJ (fewest I have since MFCutting pads kick butt). is 2 grades higher than the standard white pad from what I understand. Last time I remembered the OJs were the only prepolymer foam. I like open celled pads, just so easy to use / clean.

So yes, huge difference in finishing quality with white.
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Yea, we're talking about the same pads from Autoality--according to the B&S website in the 5.5" pads the yellow, orange (med cutting), white (heavy polishing) and red are all the Euro Prepolymer Foam. I was just curios about the cutting/finishing comparison between the orange and white.
 
Gave the 15 a shot this weekend with Uber Orange and Blue Pads, and Adam's two step. Not too bad, got most the swirls out, no holograms, just a few millimeter scratches here and there the compounding didn't get out. Good enough for my Daily Driver.

Before:
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After:
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I just did the hood, took 3 hours, I guess it will take awhile to get the whole car.

My Mini came in too, I'm going to try out Adam's four inch pads with this.
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:buffing:
 
That came out really nice! I just picked up a 15 and the mini 2 weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to test them out yet. I can't wait for the weather to get better around here so I can get rolling again and test out the new equipment.
 
KMG said:
That came out really nice! I just picked up a 15 and the mini 2 weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to test them out yet. I can't wait for the weather to get better around here so I can get rolling again and test out the new equipment.
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Thanks! :xyxthumbs:

It took two tries since I wasn't patient with the polishing step in my first go at it, I don't think the compound fully broke down and it left some small and vague holograms/buffer-trails in a few places. The second time around I added more lighting, watch an Adam's video which shows what their polish looks like when its broken down, instead of slowing down my Rupes to 4 for polishing, I did it at 6 this time around and the combination of everything worked!

Now that I think I have a workable technique, I need to get some time for the fenders and front bumper, I'm going to try the mini on these. Then on to the rest of the car, front to back, with the roof being last.
 
Rupes 21 is the bomb diggity!!!! Paired with a Meg's MF finishing disc and M205, it can cut like CRAZY(with the washer mod)!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I don't have much to compare it against, but I'm loving the Rupes for sure!
 
Yeah I am dying to try mine out, but I am not going to do my car with the weather like it has been here. I am not gonna spend all the time getting my car to look great, only to have it look like crap 1/2 day after I use it. Looking at the weather for the 10 day it is looking like I might need to push back starting back up for the year :mad:
 
Almost ordered the 12e, but after reading a few posts pulled the trigger on the 15. I can't wait to try it out
 
The 15 is a great unit, i finally got around to using mine last week since I just started back up for the year.
 
For some odd reason, I prefer the 15es body vs. the PC type of body style.
I find the 15es, i can get a better grip on to. While the PC type, not so much.

However, there are certain areas that the 15es is not as beneficial compare to the PC style. Because the 15es is larger, so at tight spaces it could be a challenge.
 
I got to handle both polishes at DetailFest at the Rupes booth on a hood atop a stand.

Having come from a PC, GG6, and 3401, my initial impressions are as follows:

1. the LHR15ES is smoother than the 12E. Noticeably less vibrations. Also easier to keep steady than the 12E.

2. the 15ES sounded quieter. Or maybe it just sounded smoother. Hard to determine with everyone around you under the vendor tent.

3. The 12E Duetto felt more powerful. It was harder to bog down when applying downward pressure than the 15. Alot of people like this characteristic, basically a PC on steroids. If you're comfortable with a PC/GG6 then you're most likely going to like the Duetto alot.

4. The Duetto sounded noisier, was less smooth than the 15 but way smoother imo than the GG6 or PC, vibration wise. It tended to walk a little bit when trying to hold it one-handed, whereas the 15 did not and was rock solid.

I am torn between the two, I keep going back and forth. I intend to pair whatever I get with a 75 Mini for the hard to reach areas.
 
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