Polisher choices? New guy. Rupes Mini?

A

AZpolisher15

New member
Joined
Nov 9, 2015
Messages
1,419
Reaction score
0
Hey, crew. I'm researching polishers and have a question. I've got a vehicle that is about one year old. 2014 Toyota Tacoma. Paint is in great condition aside from a few swirls from washing (and I'm now using better teqnique thanks to the forum). Would there be anything wrong with getting the Rupes mini if I'm only working on my own vehicle? I'd probably polish once a year and the rest of the time I would simply use it for applying waxes/sealants. Is it really necessary to step up to something larger with a 6" pad? I don't think I would mind spending that extra time once a year polishing with a smaller pad. And as far as applying waxes/sealants goes, it seems like a 4" would suffice??? After all, that's about the size of Meguires DA drill attachment.

I like the notion of a quieter and smoother tool in the Rupes mini. When choosing between it and, say, the flex or duetto, I like what the mini has to offer. In addition, I could get into to smaller areas. Price isn't really a consideration. I'd like to get a nice tool that I will use for many years.

Is there reason to not go with the mini?
 
Harpolith said:
If i'm only working on my own vehicle? I'd probably polish once a year and the rest of the time I would simply use it for applying waxes/sealants. I don't think I would mind spending that extra time once a year polishing with a smaller pad. I'd like to get a nice tool that I will use for many years.
Click to expand...

Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher :props:
autogeek_2269_27859469

versatile with different backing plate and pads...
 
Personally I wouldn't even polish the smallest of cars with a 4". They fine for spot buffing, A&B pillars, lights and bumpers. I have dedicated my weakest polisher(DAS6) with an LC 3.5" BP and LC or Cyclo 4" pads just for that. For an entire vehicle 5" minimum is what I use and thats with the Flex 3401 and LC 4" BP and Hybrid pads.
 
To me whatever you choose: Flex, Rupes, Boss, GG or PC you can't go wrong! AGO sells only products that have been proven.

I just say go with what you feel is best for you...no matter how many people here will give you opinions...I always say you can't go wrong with any of them.
 
If you only want to do one car a year and it's you car, I would look into the porter cable sale going on right now.
 
Boejoula said:
If you only want to do one car a year and it's you car, I would look into the porter cable sale going on right now.
Click to expand...

^^ What he said^^

You can get a PC with 5 pads for $115 right now. That'd be great for just your personal vehicle.
 
Boejoula said:
If you only want to do one car a year and it's you car, I would look into the porter cable sale going on right now.
Click to expand...

:iagree: I have it and it is a great little DA. The fact that it's on sale jump on it!
 
6" is smaller than it seems, while 3"-4" is tiny. Grab a 4" waxing pad from your local parts store (you know the yellow or blue foam ones). If you don't have wax, soap it up good, and then pretend you are waxing the truck. Do the hood. You will quickly wish you had a 6" pad, and even more, you will really wish you had an electric polisher.

+1 on Porter Cable
 
You can pick the GG6 up for about $110 from Advance Auto with an online $40 off coupon--can't beat it for torque and it has a lifetime warranty.

But, you did mention that price wasn't of too much concern and that you were interested in something quieter and smoother--why not consider something like the Griots Boss G15 that uses 5.5" pads and is very vibration free and smooth--also has a lifetime warranty. Of course then you still need something for the tight spaces so you could pick up a Harbor Freight random orbital for under $50 with an online coupon and equip it with a 3" or 3.5" backing plate for the tight spots. It won't be smooth like the G15, but you won't have to use it too much as the G15 does a great job of getting into most spaces.
 
Wow. Thanks for all the advice! The GG6 seems to be widely recommended for new guys. What concerns me about that one is the noise and vibration. I've been thinking about the PC as it's also recommended to new guys. I guess my thinking was that that smoothness of the Rupes would outweigh the extra time spent because it was so small. If it's simply a matter of speed, that doesn't bother me. I've long been applying waxes and sealants by hand with a yellow Meguires foam pad and the time spent has never been a problem. In fact, I fold the pad in half because there are so many small areas on my Tacoma- over fenders, edges, the rear quarter panels, on the doors/pillars and all along the bed rails. To be honest, if I was using a 6" I think I'd still be doing 30% of the truck by hand. That's what got me thinking about a smaller polisher. Clearly, my idea might not be a good one...
 
ski2 said:
You can pick the GG6 up for about $110 from Advance Auto with an online $40 off coupon--can't beat it for torque and it has a lifetime warranty.

But, you did mention that price wasn't of too much concern and that you were interested in something quieter and smoother--why not consider something like the Griots Boss G15 that uses 5.5" pads and is very vibration free and smooth--also has a lifetime warranty. Of course then you still need something for the tight spaces so you could pick up a Harbor Freight random orbital for under $50 with an online coupon and equip it with a 3" or 3.5" backing plate for the tight spots. It won't be smooth like the G15, but you won't have to use it too much as the G15 does a great job of getting into most spaces.
Click to expand...
Is there any disadvantage to a long throw like the G15?
 
Harpolith said:
Is there any disadvantage to a long throw like the G15?
Click to expand...

The G15 is a great polisher, the 15mm ones aren't as bad at the 21mm machines but they still tend to eat pads faster than an 8mm machine. With just doing your personal vehicles this should not be an issue though. If you're going to be doing actual correction rather than just applying wax I would definitely go with a long throw machine. Or even the Flex 3401. Didn't realize price was not an issue, that changes things haha.
 
FinishingTouchA said:
The G15 is a great polisher, the 15mm ones aren't as bad at the 21mm machines but they still tend to eat pads faster than an 8mm machine. With just doing your personal vehicles this should not be an issue though. If you're going to be doing actual correction rather than just applying wax I would definitely go with a long throw machine. Or even the Flex 3401. Didn't realize price was not an issue, that changes things haha.
Click to expand...

I'm really only doing correction the first time I use it. After that, I'll probably just polish a couple times a year if needed and apply waxes/sealants monthly.
 
Harpolith said:
I'm really only doing correction the first time I use it. After that, I'll probably just polish a couple times a year if needed and apply waxes/sealants monthly.
Click to expand...

Any of the polishers recommended in this thread will work great for that. I guess the only determining factor is... Are you the guy who has to have the best of everything? Or do you just want the tool to get the job done? Because if the later is true I'd suggest the Porter Cable kit on sale right now.
 
Or get a Rupes Duetto and a Kamikaze 3" BP for the small areas. A bit more expensive but a very good machine.
 
How much of a vehicle would I be unable to reach with a PC due to its being too large? 5% 10% 20% ??

My thinking was that I could reach more areas with the mini (so I don't need two polishers). If it takes me 2 hours to spread wax instead of 1, not a big deal. Or 5 hours instead of 3 to polish. Still not a big deal if the tool is more functional to me.

Is the only downside of the mini the issue of time? Or is it simply not meant to be used an entire vehicle? Or will it not work well?
 
Mantilgh said:
Or get a Rupes Duetto and a Kamikaze 3" BP for the small areas. A bit more expensive but a very good machine.
Click to expand...

Would there be a big difference as far as "enjoying the process" when comparing these DA's? Comfort, noise, etc. I'm not a guy that has to have the best just for the sake of having the best. But i do like quality stuff. And this is a hobby that I really enjoy and I know with certainty that I'll be using this tool for many years to come. I'd rather pay $300 now and have a quality piece of equipment, as opposed to $125 now and $300 again later. So to answer the previous post- no I really don't want a tool to "just get the job done".
 
I didn't know they made a 3" plate for the duetto. Since you can I would have to say that would be your best bet considering what your priorities are. I don't think there is a lot of size difference between the duetto and the mini. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
DaveT435 said:
I didn't know they made a 3" plate for the duetto. Since you can I would have to say that would be your best bet considering what your priorities are. I don't think there is a lot of size difference between the duetto and the mini. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

That plate is $100.00!!!! And it's aluminum. Not very forgiving if you whack it up against paint or metal.

I have the Duetto and the Mini. There is a big difference in the shroud size between these two machines.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top