Correct configuration of polishing tools in small detailing studio

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YOBACK

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Hi all!
Im new here, but not new in detailing. But i have some questions, before opening mine small(on the beginning for sure:D) detailing service studio. Question is in topic: correct configuration of polishing tools in small detailing studio. I just want to have all polishing tools, which i would use on various cars. Im using now only rotary polisher, but its not good option for every case. I just want to know, what are you using in your studio's. I'm thinking about:

Flex VRG 3401(as a rotary polisher replacement) - for harder work with hardest paints - with stock and 11cm backing plate
Proxxon WP-E/50 MINI (rotary) - to really small details(and some sanding work) - i would use it with 50mm, 30mm and 15mm backing plate
Flex Mini Pe 8-4 80 (rotary) - with 75mm backing plate - to tight areas, where flex would be too big.
Liquid Elements T3000 (Da 10mm) - for cleaners, waxes, easier works on new cars, black piano's panels, or on one step polishing.

Do i need everyting more for this work? I said, that im using now only rotary polisher, and nothing more, so i dont know what would i need in proffesional work on a few cars every month.

Thanks for advice, and greetings from Poland!
 
 
Thanks for your reply, but i would avoid Rupes polishers, because i had these in my hands, and it feels and looks like real china product.

I need to ask - Do i really need big rotary polisher when i have VRG? VRG have really good cutting abilities and i think that i dont need rotary with that tool. What do you think?

Do you think that for mini polisher DA is better choice than rotary? I will think about that.
 
Actually the PE-14 rotary is very good for quick defect removal, delicate detail work with 1", 2", and 3" pads. The rotary can turn very slow.

About the Rupes,You surely had Rupes copies in your hands because all of the machines I mentioned for use I also own and use. The Rupes are precision machines. The Flex are also. Perhaps you may try them again at a friends shop and change your opinion? Either way I wish you the best of luck with your new studio!
 
I would consider to get extensions and smaller backing plates to the Flex pe8 instead of the proxxon. If you like the form of the proxxon I would consider to invest in a Rupes ibrid nano. If you go with the proxxon or the Rupes ibrid nano I would get a Flex xfe8 or a Rupes mini. And if you are going to do wet sanding I would get a rotary polisher to polish the wet sanding marks out. You can polish those out with a 3401vrg or a longthrow polisher but you do it faster with a rotary with the right setup. The 3401vrg has problems to finish on certain paints and not alot of them but when it happens I would have either a 8mm free spinning DA or a longthrow polisher at hands if you happen to get one of those paints.
 
chet31 said:
I like the use of your word "Studio."
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Why studio? - Its simple - i think that car detailing is a part of art. Every artist is doing his job in artistic studio, so i think, that car detailing workspace should be named "Detailing studio" because of that.
 
+1 for Wing Commander

I’ve heard a lot of people down Rupes for many things. But “China product” is not one I’ve heard before. Rupes is by far one of the best tools you can buy. I know everyone has their own preference on here between Rupes and Flex. But if you stray outside of either one of those two companies your asking for problems. Both in your quality of workmanship and durability of your tools. I can’t speak for the Liquid Elements. But as far as the Proxxon goes, they are trash. You can find the same tool made by other manufacturers that have far better quality than Proxxon.

As far as the studio. It’s a good thing to do if you have a small space to work with. I did the same thing in my younger days. If you dress it up and give it a boutique feel. You can draw a high end clientele and make some good money. The drawback to the studio is you will have most mid level clientele pass you by because they think you are out of their price range. You will have more mid level clients out there than high end.

Anyway. I am not trying to discourage you. Just a little helpful advice. Good luck with your journey in detailing.
 
Vanquish Auto said:
I’ve heard a lot of people down Rupes for many things. But “China product” is not one I’ve heard before. Rupes is by far one of the best tools you can buy. I know everyone has their own preference on here between Rupes and Flex. But if you stray outside of either one of those two companies your asking for problems. Both in your quality of workmanship and durability of your tools.
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I almost never hear anybody mention a Porter Cable polisher breaking down, so I wouldn’t consider buying 1 as “asking for trouble” and it’s made in the USA.

Not everything that’s made in China is crap or sub par quality. My iPhone was made in China, I’ve owned several and they’ve all felt and performed top notch.

Not everything that’s made in Italy is good quality. There’s crap that’s “made in Italy” as well...
 
True on the PC. I was mainly just referring to the two major companies. Porter makes a good polisher. But you are limited by the power it makes and that it’s the only polisher they make. I always wondered why they never expanded to other polishing machines considering how popular the 7424xp is.

I agree with the fact that sub par products are made in both countries. All countries make some crap products. But Rupes is by far one of those sub par products.
 
YOBACK said:
Why studio? - Its simple - i think that car detailing is a part of art. Every artist is doing his job in artistic studio, so i think, that car detailing workspace should be named "Detailing studio" because of that.
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Exactly what I like about it, would totally steal that idea if I could, but I'm too old to get into that business.
 
Hi

You did not mention your budget for needed equipment I think it is very important factor to consider.

I think you can start with the following set:

Flex PE 14-2 150 with 5, 3, 2 and 1 in backing plate and some extension (the long one) which gives you more flexibility in tight areas.

ADBL Roller DA09125 dual action polisher for finishing and working on finicky paints (I assume that you are in Poland and you can buy this machine).

Rupes iBird because it is excellent machine and very versatile.

When your business will grow up then you can add some 3 in da like Rupes Mini or Flex 7-12 80.

Pozdrawiam
Piotr
 
I would like to add that in my opinion compressed air is a must in fine detailing. It helps work clean (pads, dust) and this is very urgent if you want to archive best results. That said you should add a fine compressor to your list - 5 or more CFM at 90 psi.

Pozdrawiam
Piotr
 
I would keep the rotary, I use one quite regularly on hard paints. I would do away with one the minis you have listed. Get a Rupes ibird. I use that machine on every detail. It' a very well built Italian machine.
 
DaveT435 said:
I would keep the rotary, I use one quite regularly on hard paints. I would do away with one the minis you have listed. Get a Rupes ibird. I use that machine on every detail. It' a very well built Italian machine.
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But i want to buy Flex VRG 3401, and I think that this would be able to cut paint almost like rotary polisher. And im not sure that i need still rotary polisher to do this job.
 
Then buy a Flex 3401 and see for your self. If all you’ve been using so far to do everything is a rotary. Then you should know by now what a rotary can and cannot do. Why do you have to get rid of the rotary you have to get a Flex 3401? Just buy a Flex 3401 and compare the two for yourself.

What rotary are you using now that you think the Flex 3401 is going to out cut?
 
YOBACK said:
But i want to buy Flex VRG 3401, and I think that this would be able to cut paint almost like rotary polisher. And im not sure that i need still rotary polisher to do this job.
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If you think the 3401 has the cut of a rotary you in for a rude awakening, keep the rotary for heavy cut and the 3401 as an all rounder.
 
I've god cheapest rotary polisher that i could get. For around 40$ :D I really wont use it on any car by now. It doesn't have any stabilization and it is really hot after 8-9 passes, that i need to work in winter gloves :D
 
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