Polisher help or recommendations?

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Silverhorse84

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Hi,

I am shopping for polishers now as I am prepping for the launch of my mobile detail business in 2015.

Which polisher is better? I've been looking at the Porter Cable XP and the Cyclo polisher. They both seem pretty good, but it's hard to justify the price of the Cyclo over the PC. I would consider other brands as well.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks,

-Silverhorse84

Feed back please
 
If money was no object I'd go with the flex and a rupes mini. If it is I'd go GG6" with a plan to get a flex then use the GG6" with small plates for the intricate areas.
 
if your choices are the PC or the Cyclo, you cant go wrong with either. they are both good reliable machines. if money is a concern then i would choose the PC
 
Flex 3401 VRG is IMO the way to go. No DA can compare to the forced rotation of the Flex...PERIOD.

The Rupes mini would be for the small areas
 
Do you have anyone nearby that can let you try a polisher out? Flex/Rupes are great but depending on your budget if you go with one of the lower priced options I'd go with the Griot's 6".
 
af90 said:
Do you have anyone nearby that can let you try a polisher out? Flex/Rupes are great but depending on your budget if you go with one of the lower priced options I'd go with the Griot's 6".
Click to expand...

No, unfortunately not, but I want to get out to a few detailer training classes out on the west coast to try out equipment while learning the trade.

For now, I am taking my time to piece everything together for my business. I don't plan to launch until like the near end of the first quarter, 2015. So, I have time to do a little research and build some bank to buy my equipment.

My biggest concerns are:
- good results, since the finished product will be my reputation
- durability for standing up to the everyday grind of detailing
- reasonable price, if possible
- I don't want to have to spend twice on the piece of equipment if I don't have to.

I appreciate the help though. Good information to know.
 
Mach1USMC said:
THIS!!

Flex all the way - not a fan of Rupes though.
Click to expand...

Agreed with the Flex all the way. But wouldn't it be neat if the Flex came in a mini size that can handle 3" like the GG 3" and Rupes Mini? That would be very cool!! I haven't tried any Rupes so I can't comment. I set my PC7424 XP with a 2 7/8" backing plate to handle the 3" pads. Works awesome! The GG 3" IMO is now a nice paper weight!!....LOL

:dblthumb2:
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
Agreed with the Flex all the way. But wouldn't it be neat if the Flex came in a mini size that can handle 3" like the GG 3" and Rupes Mini? That would be very cool!! I haven't tried any Rupes so I can't comment. I set my PC7424 XP with a 2 7/8" backing plate to handle the 3" pads. Works awesome! The GG 3" IMO is now a nice paper weight!!....LOL

:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

That would indeed be awesome - maybe they will surprise us at SEMA this year \m/
 
Silverhorse84 said:
No, unfortunately not, but I want to get out to a few detailer training classes out on the west coast to try out equipment while learning the trade.

For now, I am taking my time to piece everything together for my business. I don't plan to launch until like the near end of the first quarter, 2015. So, I have time to do a little research and build some bank to buy my equipment.

My biggest concerns are:
- good results, since the finished product will be my reputation
- durability for standing up to the everyday grind of detailing
- reasonable price, if possible
- I don't want to have to spend twice on the piece of equipment if I don't have to.

I appreciate the help though. Good information to know.
Click to expand...

I use both the Flex 3401 and the LHR15 (which broke on me 2 weeks ago but I digress) the Flex does everything the Rupes can do, but it corrects a lot faster due to it's forced rotation. So if you're doing production detailing like I do the Flex will make you more $ because it saves you time.

I also just got a PE-14, man oh man I am kicking myself for not getting a rotary sooner. It's SO much faster than a DA it blew my mind.

If I had to pick just one DA that could do it all it would be 3401 all day.
 
Mach1USMC said:
I also just got a PE-14, man oh man I am kicking myself for not getting a rotary sooner. It's SO much faster than a DA it blew my mind.

If I had to pick just one DA that could do it all it would be 3401 all day.
Click to expand...

Congrats! The PE14 is one fine machine.

Agreed.
 
Silverhorse84 said:
For now, I am taking my time to piece everything together for my business. I don't plan to launch until like the near end of the first quarter, 2015. So, I have time to do a little research and build some bank to buy my equipment.
Click to expand...

why are you going to wait that long?
 
EVOlved said:
If money was no object I'd go with the flex and a rupes mini. If it is I'd go GG6" with a plan to get a flex then use the GG6" with small plates for the intricate areas.
Click to expand...

Kamakaz1961 said:
Agreed with the Flex all the way. But wouldn't it be neat if the Flex came in a mini size that can handle 3" like the GG 3" and Rupes Mini? That would be very cool!! I haven't tried any Rupes so I can't comment. I set my PC7424 XP with a 2 7/8" backing plate to handle the 3" pads. Works awesome! The GG 3" IMO is now a nice paper weight!!....LOL

:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feed back. As a new business, I am wondering if springing for the smaller 3" polisher is something I can wait on. Or, should I go ahead and get one at the same time as buying one of the larger models?

Are the smaller polishers used during the course of detailing justify the extra money spent?
 
Mach1USMC said:
I use both the Flex 3401 and the LHR15 (which broke on me 2 weeks ago but I digress) the Flex does everything the Rupes can do, but it corrects a lot faster due to it's forced rotation. So if you're doing production detailing like I do the Flex will make you more $ because it saves you time.

I also just got a PE-14, man oh man I am kicking myself for not getting a rotary sooner. It's SO much faster than a DA it blew my mind.

If I had to pick just one DA that could do it all it would be 3401 all day.
Click to expand...

I'll have to keep the Flex in mind as I want to be as productive as possible. Thanks.

:xyxthumbs:
 
You wont regret getting a flex. The other two are good machines but the flex is the way to go if you only own one. I have a dewalt 849x I use for boats, a cyclo and flex3401 and my flex is the one that gets used most of the time.
 
I've said this before - the only people recommending a 3401 over a Rupes 21, are those who have not used a Rupes properly.
 
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