Flex vs Rupes

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Ramdallas

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I need an advise, I am in the market for a new Buffer, I curently have de meguiar's V110. I am debating between the Flex 3401 or the Rupes 21. I need to do some heavy paint correction sometimes with a lot of swirls. Witch one will be the best buy?
Thanks
 
You are going to have a lot of opinions. This is like Ford vs. Chevy. For me HANDS DOWN the Flex. It is the only forced rotational DA. Every other DA (including Rupes) is a free float DA. IE on curved panels it will stop rotating. It also appears that there are more quality issues with the Rupes. Have to do a washer Mod, can't buy normal foam pads as they will tear, you have to stick with the right backing plate or there will be issues, and it costs more than a Flex.

A Flex will correct quicker than any DA (Rupes included) as the forced rotation is almost as powerful as a rotary but not the hologram affect a rotary does.

Get all the different size backing plates and you can use 4" Pad to 7.5" Pads.

Now again, you will have people that will COMEPLETELY disagree with me but that is me.

So the Rupes guys...bash away and love the "friendly jabs"...LOL

Remember this is a Ford vs Chevy thread!!
 
Plus 1
I always reach for my flex even though I own the rupes 21 and 15. It gets the job done every time. With the rupes, you'll be at a disadvantage because it's not a direct drive.
I can polish a whole car with my flex; I can't say the same for the rupes. When I use the rupes, I will usually have to just go back to my flex anyways for curved panels.
 
The Rupes will give you a smooth buffing experience but if you were to choose one, I would go with the Flex for the reasons stated above.
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
You are going to have a lot of opinions. This is like Ford vs. Chevy. For me HANDS DOWN the Flex. It is the only forced rotational DA. Every other DA (including Rupes) is a free float DA. IE on curved panels it will stop rotating. It also appears that there are more quality issues with the Rupes. Have to do a washer Mod, can't buy normal foam pads as they will tear, you have to stick with the right backing plate or there will be issues, and it costs more than a Flex.

A Flex will correct quicker than any DA (Rupes included) as the forced rotation is almost as powerful as a rotary but not the hologram affect a rotary does.

Get all the different size backing plates and you can use 4" Pad to 7.5" Pads.

Now again, you will have people that will COMEPLETELY disagree with me but that is me.

So the Rupes guys...bash away and love the "friendly jabs"...LOL

Remember this is a Ford vs Chevy thread!!
Click to expand...

Completely agree.





expdetailing said:
Plus 1
I always reach for my flex even though I own the rupes 21 and 15. It gets the job done every time. With the rupes, you'll be at a disadvantage because it's not a direct drive.
I can polish a whole car with my flex; I can't say the same for the rupes. When I use the rupes, I will usually have to just go back to my flex anyways for curved panels.
Click to expand...

Completely agree again.
 
While I don't own the Rupes, I read and researched and read again. I procrastinated, I talked to people... and I bought the Flex. I'm very happy with my choice. I came from the Porter Cable, and it's a whole new world going to this machine. Much faster correction, able to busy through bad swirl in half the time and fatigue, and generally getting better results. I'm not at all sorry for the choice I made, but it was not an easy choice. I still may buy a Rupes 21 at some point just to have and play with, but really I think that I should try a rotary next.
 
Another vote for the flex....especially for heavy correction work.
 
ZL1 Mark said:
Wait to see what's released tomorrow at SEMA
Click to expand...

+1:dblthumb2:

I've got the Rupes 21 with a 5" backing plate and washer mod and love it, but I've never tried the Flex, so can't make a valid comparison. The Flex will probably be the next polisher I buy, but want to make sure I'm not missing out on anything released tomorrow at SEMA. And with already having a very good polisher in the Rupes, it's not a pressing need right now.

Do a lot of research, but my guy tells me that you'll find more on here that recommend the Flex over the Rupes. Either way, happy polishing!!
 
H.D. Detailing, You have a magic rupes 21? Mine stalls regularly with rupes pads.
 
Had the flex 3401 and traded it. I really like my rupes(s). I still own a flex PE
 
I got both. I tend to use the Rupes on large flat surfaces but when it comes to the really nasty stuff.....it is the Flex.

Several weeks ago, a few of us (Autogeekers) in the SF Bay Area got together and worked on a Tacoma Truck. We had more machines than hands in attendance for the project.

Tools_1_zpsc446b01a.jpg


A number of us started the day using the Rupes. At the end, 4 of the 5 finished the day using the Flex. I am not saying one is better the other. IMO....It really comes down to preference. I think both machines will get you to the same place. The real question is how it gets there.
 
search.. many threads on this topic with a lot of good answers and opinions...
 
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