Need help in choosing a new da polisher

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turbogsxr600

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I currently have a Porter Cable with a ton of 6.5 inch pads. I'm trying to decide between the Rupes or the Flex DA. Most of the cars I detail are paint corrections. They are usually BMW's, Mercedes, ect as I live in a pretty upscale area. Correcting paint just takes too long with the PC and sometimes full corrections are almost impossible. With that being said I can't decide which DA choose. I hear good and bad things about both. Another thing I'm not sure of is whether to go with the Rupes 21 or 15? I have also heard that the Rupes will destroy other pads except for there's and I was also concerned that it was not forced rotation, because my porter cable stops every time I apply pressure. Which DA is the best for correcting paint most efficiently? Any information would be greatly appreciated thanks
 
If you go with the Rupes I would get the 21 it covers a larger area to cut time down. I have the 21 works very well and saves me a lot of time on larger panels. I use MF pads with the Rupes with no problems at all. I've used a PC for a long time and I can get full paint correction no problem. The reason I change to the Rupes was it cuts my time by 30%.
 
Pureshine, I have the PC.

My question is with the combo of PC and 5.5" pads, and Rupes 21.
Time could be greatly decreased and the jobs still get done right?

At Detailing in Irvine, Ca
I asked them if MF pads are ok to use with the Rupes and they said "yes"
Because that is what they had on the machine.

So sticking to the pads Rupes sells is not necessary guys when you go with MF pads. (Don't remember which ones they recommended)

I am just going to go in person when when I go (finally) purchase the Rupes.
 
If you're concerned about pad rotation, then, in my opinion, the Flex is the way to go. You'll also be able to use all of your pads right out of the box. I bought one a few weeks ago and have repeatedly kicked myself for not buying it sooner! Not to say that the Rupes is a bad way to go though, but since you list pad rotation as a concern...
 
Pureshine said:
If you go with the Rupes I would get the 21 it covers a larger area to cut time down. I have the 21 works very well and saves me a lot of time on larger panels. I use MF pads with the Rupes with no problems at all. I've used a PC for a long time and I can get full paint correction no problem. The reason I change to the Rupes was it cuts my time by 30%.
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I agree! And you can get the 15 BP and use it with the 21 :props:

The Rupes has a large throw and very little pressure is needed on the head on the polished.
 
I used the Flex and Rupes back to back.
Both machines worked great, but the Rupes was the winner. IMO (In My Opinion)

Either one will get the job done however. With the right skill/technique a Rotary will do the job also IMO
 
hernandez.art13 said:
I used the Flex and Rupes back to back.
Both machines worked great, but the Rupes was the winner. IMO (In My Opinion)

Either one will get the job done however. With the right skill/technique a Rotary will do the job also IMO
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Why do you prefer the Rupes over the Flex? Also does anyone use Lake country pads on the Rupes?
 
Turbogsxr,

What is your main concerns for your future machine? What type of work will you be doing? What are the bad things that you have heard about the machines that you are concerned about?

There is a lot of information out there so helping you clear things up may help you better choose your machine.
 
turbogsxr600 said:
Why do you prefer the Rupes over the Flex? Also does anyone use Lake country pads on the Rupes?
Click to expand...

It just made "buffing" so much easier and joyful.

I can work with a Dewalt and a wool pad with NP.

The flex however had that pull or kick to it. (Not sure the right wording)

But the best way I can describe The Rupes, is smooth as butter.
 
Evan.J said:
Turbogsxr,

What is your main concerns for your future machine? What type of work will you be doing? What are the bad things that you have heard about the machines that you are concerned about?

There is a lot of information out there so helping you clear things up may help you better choose your machine.
Click to expand...

The only bad things I have heard about the Rupe's was that pad rotation can be an issue since its not direct drive and that it destroys pads except for their brand because of the longer throw. But from what I read everyone seems to say it corrects better than the Flex..? I guess I want to understand how it can correct so well when it's not direct drive like the flex? I work on high-end cars so I still want something safe and something that's able to correct paint faster than the PC. With 6.5 inch pads on the PC I find it seems to constantly stop spinning when I'm trying to do any kind of tough correction.
 
turbogsxr600 said:
The only bad things I have heard about the Rupe's was that pad rotation can be an issue since its not direct drive and that it destroys pads except for their brand because of the longer throw. But from what I read everyone seems to say it corrects better than the Flex..? I guess I want to understand how it can correct so well when it's not direct drive like the flex? I work on high-end cars so I still want something safe and something that's able to correct paint faster than the PC. With 6.5 inch pads on the PC I find it seems to constantly stop spinning when I'm trying to do any kind of tough correction.
Click to expand...

The PC works better with the 5 inch pads I have never used the 6.5 pads on the PC.
 
Pureshine said:
The PC works better with the 5 inch pads I have never used the 6.5 pads on the PC.
Click to expand...
:iagree:
5.5" Pads are the way to go with a DA

Wheelzntoys said:
Corrects well because of the bigger throw versus regular DA
Click to expand...

turbogsxr600 said:
So you don't need to apply as much pressure?
Click to expand...

Right, because of the larger throw the Rupes has the correction is fast and little to if any pressure is needed.

The Rupes comes with an anti spin feature that keeps the pad from spinning at higher speeds. However, with the Kevin Brown washer mod disables the feature and allows the pad to keep spinning at the higher settings on the machine. The mod is a must for anyone with the machine. As for the pads I have only used the Rupes ones but I know then Megs MF discs works well with the machine.

The Rupes definitely cuts down on buffing time when doing corrections.
 
Evan.J said:
:iagree:
5.5" Pads are the way to go with a DA





Right, because of the larger throw the Rupes has the correction is fast and little to if any pressure is needed.

The Rupes comes with an anti spin feature that keeps the pad from spinning at higher speeds. However, with the Kevin Brown washer mod disables the feature and allows the pad to keep spinning at the higher settings on the machine. The mod is a must for anyone with the machine. As for the pads I have only used the Rupes ones but I know then Megs MF discs works well with the machine.

The Rupes definitely cuts down on buffing time when doing corrections.
Click to expand...

So you would recommend changing the backing plate on the 21 to a 5in? And if I'm doing that would it make much difference to just get the 15 instead?
 
turbogsxr600 said:
So you would recommend changing the backing plate on the 21 to a 5in? And if I'm doing that would it make much difference to just get the 15 instead?
Click to expand...

What I did was I got the 21(6" BP) and then also purchased the 15 BP (5"BP). So you get the best of the 21 and have the option of going to a smaller BP and pads.

So now you would have the option to use the large pads on all your larger surfaces and then for your smaller tighter areas you could go to the small BP and smaller pads.

Follow what I mean? :props:
 
Evan.J said:
What I did was I got the 21(6" BP) and then also purchased the 15 BP (5"BP). So you get the best of the 21 and have the option of going to a smaller BP and pads.

So now you would have the option to use the large pads on all your larger surfaces and then for your smaller tighter areas you could go to the small BP and smaller pads.

Follow what I mean? :props:
Click to expand...

Yep Thanks! After researching most of the day. Rupes 21 it is.
 
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