The Blue Rupes Pad

HateSwirls

HateSwirls

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Well I received them and I didn't like it.
Reason is because of splatter.
Even using little product and spreading on low speed I still get a mess on my hand.

What am I doing wrong?
On a positive note they cut like crazy.
 
HateSwirls said:
Well I received them and I didn't like it.
Reason is because of splatter.
Even using little product and spreading on low speed I still get a mess on my hand.

What am I doing wrong?
On a positive note they cut like crazy.
Click to expand...


I love these pads. They cut like crazy and when I use them with the RUPES Zephir Quarts Gloss Compound they finish out like a polish, in fact I wrote an article to make this point....

Mind Blowing - Rupes Blue Foam Cutting Pad and Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound



Here's the dealio....


The pads will tend to sling splatter due to the LARGE open cell structure of the foam. That's just the characteristic of a large open cell design.

The benefit outweighs the drawback in my opinion but keep in mind spatter during the compound or correction step doesn't bother me like it bothers others.


:)
 
this is way i switched to the Blue MF pads. i have found they have less sling and the machine runs smoother on the Rupes MF vs Meguiars MF discs.

also less is more when using the Rupes compounding/polishing gels (the systems works great)
 
Apply the dots of polish between the centre hole and the edge of the pad. This will sort out the slinging issue, it did for me.
 
Zubair said:
Apply the dots of polish between the centre hole and the edge of the pad. This will sort out the slinging issue, it did for me.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the whole face of the pad (center hole to the edge)?
 
Priming is key with the blue foam, not only to prevent sling, but also to warm the foam up a little.


  1. Place your drops of polish half way between the center hole and the edge of the pad.
  2. Place the pad on the paint and set the polisher to speed 2 or 3.
  3. Pull the trigger and hold the pad stationary for 20-30 second while it runs with light pressure.
  4. STOP
  5. Increase speed to your preferred working speed (5 or 6 generally with ES tools, 3 or 4 with Mark II)
  6. Proceed with polishing.

Like Mike mentioned, the pore size of the foam really allows for a significant amount of compound migration thru the foam, but once the pores are primed and the foam is warmed it won't move so easily and you can work without sling.
 
I had similar issues and followed the priming protocol which eliminated the major slinging.
 
To clarify - the priming step should include moderate to firm pressure, not light, with the stiffer blue or UHS foams.
 
I gave them another shot and still not liking them.
They do cut like crazy as Mike said so I'm sure I'll save them for the worst of the worst or after wet sanding using 3k.
I have a truck coming in today with a lot of scratches on the hood that will require sanding using 1000, 1500 followed by 3k

The Blue Rupes pad does cut so if you have never tried them please don't let my thoughts on them scare you off because they do work just not what I was looking for.
 
HateSwirls said:
The Blue Rupes pad does cut so if you have never tried them please don't let my thoughts on them scare you off because they do work just not what I was looking for.
Click to expand...


And the good news is there are so many choices when it comes to pads, products and tools and with enough testing and experience everyone finds a way that works for them.


:)
 
I don't get the blue Rupe's pad either. They seem to scour the finish on most all but the hardest paint (ie. German cars). Forget about using them on Japanese paints. I gave up trying to use the blue 5.5" pad. Recently got a Mini kit and I'm getting the same results with the 100mm blue pad. I kept trying to make the best of these pads thinking that maybe they needed a break-in period, but they behave the same as when new. I also got Rupe's blue pads that are made from different foam. One has smaller pores but is stiffer and has different screen printing on the Velcro backing. Didn't know they changed their pad foams already.

SO are these supposed to finish out well?

I get along with the green and yellow pads fine, but so far I do not see what makes these pads such high quality to some people. I have had much better results from the Griot's and the new B&S HD pads. I hope B&S comes out with 100mm HD pads soon.
 
DBAILEY said:
I don't get the blue Rupe's pad either. They seem to scour the finish on most all but the hardest paint (ie. German cars). Forget about using them on Japanese paints. I gave up trying to use the blue 5.5" pad. Recently got a Mini kit and I'm getting the same results with the 100mm blue pad. I kept trying to make the best of these pads thinking that maybe they needed a break-in period, but they behave the same as when new. I also got Rupe's blue pads that are made from different foam. One has smaller pores but is stiffer and has different screen printing on the Velcro backing. Didn't know they changed their pad foams already.

SO are these supposed to finish out well?

I get along with the green and yellow pads fine, but so far I do not see what makes these pads such high quality to some people. I have had much better results from the Griot's and the new B&S HD pads. I hope B&S comes out with 100mm HD pads soon.
Click to expand...

I've had the same experience, just can't seem to work the blue pad but have no issues at all with the green and yellow. I've given up on the blue but very happy with the green and yellow.
 
So is using the RUPES Zephir Quarts Gloss Compound the key to using the blue pad? I have several of the 4" and 5.5' blue pads and would really like to figure out why I am getting such bad hazing with them so I can use them. I tried shortening and lengthening the polishing set, tried harder pressure and totally let it free spin with little to no pressure, but I am still getting the hazing. I've been polishing cars for money for 15 years and own 8 polishers (skilled with a rotary) and bins of full of different pads so I am not new to polishing. I just can't get good results from that blue pad. So what's the secret if there is any?

I am using Menz FG400/SC300/SI1500, Scholls S3 Gold XXX, Megs M101/M100/M105/UC as my choices for compounds.

Are people getting good results with the blue pad and not using the RUPE'S compounds?
 
DBAILEY said:
So is using the RUPES Zephir Quarts Gloss Compound the key to using the blue pad?

Are people getting good results with the blue pad and not using the RUPE'S compounds?
Click to expand...


I wish you could be here in Autogeek's Show Car Garage because I think I could show you just how easy it is to get great results with the RUPES tools, pads and products.

I've never had a single issues with their system.


I've also used their tools and pads with Menzerna FG400, Pinnacle Advanced Compound and Wolfgang compound with zero issues.

Coming to Florida anytime soon?

Or Indianapolis?


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Coming to Florida anytime soon?

Or Indianapolis?


:)
Click to expand...

Oh boy....you just brought a "lurker" out of the shadows Mike...

What's going on in Indy? I'm in Fort Wayne, IN--I'm a manager at a fairly large detail center/carwash here. Would love to see you in action..

--Ben
 
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