First time using Rupes 15 mark II and I must be doing something wrong...

rodneypierce

rodneypierce

New member
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
171
Reaction score
0
I just purchased a Rupes 15 Mark II polisher here a month or so ago. I have used it two times, and on anything but a perfectly flat panel, it seems to stall out very easy. I would arguably say its stalling out nearly as easy as my PC used to.

I have tried different pads, speeds, pressure, etc. Nothing really seems to help.

Tried 6" microfiber pads, 6" LC pads, 5.5" hydrotech pads. All between speeds 4 and 5.5 or so.

What am I doing wrong? Any help here would be greatly appreciated!
 
Oh, I come from a flex 3401 and a PC. So have had plenty of experience using those.
 
How concave is the surface? How much pressure are you putting down?
 
washer mod it, get some 5" mf cutting & practice. It shouldnt be stalling, maybe you are using it in areas where a 3" pad or smaller would be better. The mark II has some power, I run it on 3.5.-4, havent even tried to go higher yet and I use the tool on a daily basis.
 
IMG_20160705_232310_zpsjtdzjm6o.jpg


I have been anywhere from very light pressure to heavy pressure. Didnt seem to make much difference to be honest. Anything over just the slightest amount of pressure on the head seemed to stall it out pretty easy.
 
Which part of the car did you experience stalling?

Nice car btw!
 
The hood (which is to be expected, and the door panels where they contour (right above the molding)

And thank you! It is my baby :-)
 
Nice E550!

FWIW, on my SL65's hood (also has the 4-light arrangement), I have found that the contours really don't like anything bigger than a 3" pad, especially on a DA. It's a very complex area to polish, I usually use my rotary and a careful touch for these areas. I have no problems using my Mark II 15 on the rest of the car, though.
 
Did Mike's instructional book come with it? If not, consider purchasing it. Totally changed my approach with the system.

Also, search for Rupes articles by Todd Helme. Since he's been working for Rupes, his content has been infinitely helpful.

Give your self some time getting acquainted with the machine. When I first started using mine, it stalled out way more than my PC. After some time I was able to finesse the machine and get it to perform beautifully on all areas of the vehicles I work on. It truly is a dance between man and machine with the Rupes. The word that comes to mind is "refinement". Everything about the system is refined - the tool, the compounds, the pads, etc so I had to refine my approach

Also keep in mind that of it stalls, the orbit is still doing work.

As mentioned earlier, consider adding at least the blue and yellow polishes, and pads.I don't washer mod my tools either. I use them the way they were shipped from the factory.
 
rodneypierce said:
I just purchased a Rupes 15 Mark II polisher here a month or so ago. I have used it two times, and on anything but a perfectly flat panel, it seems to stall out very easy. I would arguably say its stalling out nearly as easy as my PC used to.
Click to expand...

We share common symptoms. A couple months ago I started using my Griot's Garage Boss G15 and I notice similar results - it stalls with the slightest pressure, and this includes the washer mod, speed five, the white fast correcting pad and the orange correction pad. It feels like I'm doing something wrong. I have to use the innerflex pad just to get rotation even on flat, horizontal surfaces. The long throw pads are quite a bit thinner and are more susceptible to stalling, I agree, but it's crazy that every time I move my arm I have to finesse the machine to stop it from stalling even for a few seconds (because it's difficult to keep the pad at the tiny "sweet spot" where it actually rotates). The Boss G15 stalls significantly more then my Griot's Garage 6" DA. It may just be the Boss pads and my unfamiliarity with them.

On a separate note, after using the innerflex pad three times it is already starting to tear apart at the edges and seams. No good.
 
osiapstndp said:
We share common symptoms. A couple months ago I started using my Griot's Garage Boss G15 and I notice similar results - it stalls with the slightest pressure, and this includes the washer mod, speed five, the white fast correcting pad and the orange correction pad. It feels like I'm doing something wrong. I have to use the innerflex pad just to get rotation even on flat, horizontal surfaces. The long throw pads are quite a bit thinner and are more susceptible to stalling, I agree, but it's crazy that every time I move my arm I have to finesse the machine to stop it from stalling even for a few seconds (because it's difficult to keep the pad at the tiny "sweet spot" where it actually rotates).

On a separate note, after using the innerflex pad three times it is already starting to tear apart at the edges and seams. No good.
Click to expand...

I have tested the Griot's with a 15lb weight and it doesn't stall at all.

If you're interested, I can post the link.
 
Marc08EX said:
I have tested the Griot's with a 15lb weight and it doesn't stall at all.

If you're interested, I can post the link.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. With which pad did you preform the test? I have quite a few Boss pads, but I'm looking to buy a bundle of the Lake Country thin pads to see how they fare.
 
Give yourself some time to get used to it and you'll eventually work through the kinks and figure out how to dance with it. I went through a similar experience when I 1st got my G21.

Btw, the pads you mentioned trying so far aren't exactly the most ideal pads to use on a long throw polisher. IMO you're better off using either Rupes pads or Lake Country HD Orbital Foam pads [which are shaped exactly like Rupes pads]
 
Awesome, thanks for the help guys! I likely wont be using the polisher much more any time soon, as I just coated the car. But Ill order some of the Rupes pads and compounds, as well as some of the LC HD pads mentioned above. I may actually see if I can trade for some here. I have plenty of the CCS pads to get rid of!
 
rodneypierce said:
Awesome, thanks for the help guys! I likely wont be using the polisher much more any time soon, as I just coated the car. But Ill order some of the Rupes pads and compounds, as well as some of the LC HD pads mentioned above. I may actually see if I can trade for some here. I have plenty of the CCS pads to get rid of!
Click to expand...

I have a buddy who volunteered to give me a Ton of 5" and 6" Buff & Shine, LC CCS, Hydrotech, and just about every other variety of 8mm friendly pad I never really had an interest to buy prior to upgrading my polisher.. So many pads, literally at least 50-60 pads at least. I said no thanks. [I seriously would've never used them] lol.

These days I only like pads with holes in the middle. Lol. [with the exception of Megs Thin Foam Pads. They're still pretty sweet]
 
osiapstndp said:
That's interesting. With which pad did you preform the test? I have quite a few Boss pads, but I'm looking to buy a bundle of the Lake Country thin pads to see how they fare.
Click to expand...

I've had zero stalling issues with my G21 and I run it with the 5" bp.

Also, there is really no need to apply any pressure with this machine, let the rotation and large throw do the work.

I've run other pads on it too, though they work the boss pads are the best choice for this machine.
 
custmsprty said:
Also, there is really no need to apply any pressure with this machine, let the rotation and large throw do the work.
Click to expand...

I'm not anywhere nearly sold on that statement.. I wish it was more true than not, but it simply doesn't work that easy in most cases.
 
Eldorado2k said:
I'm not anywhere nearly sold on that statement.. I wish it was more true than not, but it simply doesn't work that easy in most cases.
Click to expand...

It has for me with all three of my Rupes polishers and my G21.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top